482 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jan. 2, 1890, 



On the way I passed several fine vessels. As tbe wind died down 

 toward evening. I began to overhaul the sailing vessels which had 

 scudded bv rue in the afternoon under flying colors. Beginning 

 to feel verv weary in passing Wilmington, I strove to keep up 

 mv spirits 'bv singing, the varied sentiments of the songs being 

 heartily indorsed bv the sailors whom 1 passed. I reached Olav- 

 niont about 7:45, a little hefore dark after a long interval ot steady 

 pulling. Mv position had been fast growing unbearable for some 

 time, as the' water was so rough that I could not shift it or cease 

 rowing' Tying my bo it at the foot of (Ten. Wister's large pier, I 

 walked to 'the house. The land felt strangely under toot, it ap- 

 pearing to be rocking about incessantly. They kindly invited me 

 to take tea, but beiug a little too rough for that 1 supped in my 

 boat, though spending the evening with them afterward. It was 

 hard work resisting their kind endeavors also to persuade me to 

 sleep in the house, hut I conquered my inclination and stuck to 

 tbe boat, tied up at the end of the pier. From the previous night 's 

 camp to Bombay Hook and thence to Claymont, is a distance by 

 my course of 51 miles. ., ^ ^ 



Cloymant, June 1. Sunday.-With a pot full of milk from the 

 house, a nice breakfast was made in the boat. The morning was 

 very still and I tarried at Claymount until about noon, when I 

 started on, rowing against the tide up to Chester. The day was 

 verv warm, tbe sun beating down powerfully,and a head tide made 

 the'progress very slow indeed. Coming up with a fleet of North 

 German ships at anchor in midstream, and running to the side of 

 the largest, the sailors threw me rope, when I was soon on deck 

 admiring the proportions of the vessel. I had a talk with the old 

 captain in the'eabm, spending an hour also in chatting with the 

 "ailors. two of whom could speak English, and climbing the rig- 

 gin^. Then, rowing on after leaving most of my eatables with 

 the°lack Tars, I passed Tinicum Island, dining in midstream be- 



yC Tbe row thence to the Schuylkill was long and hot, and passed 

 without incident. From the Delaware to Fairmount was tire- 

 some also, and when I came into the city the smells were exceed- 

 ingly disagreeable. Once more through the lock at the dam, and 

 rowing up to the Falls I reached my destination about 8 P.M.. 

 having made from Claymont 30 miles. The log for the trip was: 

 Portion of Thursday 12 miles. Friday 59 miles, Saturday 51 miles, 

 portion of Sunday 30, rowed out of course 5: total 157 miles. 

 Well satisfied with the trial of my boat, I was ready for a much 

 longer and more dangerous cruise, and early in September I 

 shipped her by barge from Philadelphia to Albany, while I fol- 

 lowed by rail and steamer. 



Albany, N. F., Sept. 6 -Saturday— Landing from steamer Drew 

 at 8 A. M., I walked up the wharf to the Flanagan Line Co.'s dock, 

 and boarding their barge, just arrived, found my boat snnglv en- 

 sconced on a pile, of freight, exactly as I had seen it depart from 

 koine three days before. Repairing to the Delevau House, I had 

 breakfast ; then unpacking my trunk I donned a flannel rowing 

 suit The change in my appearance caused some astonishment 

 on the part of the hotel officials, as my costume, though well 

 adapted for my work, was not cut in a fashionable way. Express- 

 ing my trunk to Buffalo, I secured a darkey to aid with my nu- 

 merous traps, and was soon aboard the barge again, putting the 

 boat in working order. I was much amused at the baggage clerk 

 in the hotel: he evidently thought me a mild sort of lunatic upon 

 mv ordering him to express my piece through, and not check it, 

 as I intended going by the "boat" inste-od of by train to Buffalo, 

 Upon removing the canvas covering from the well of my boat, 

 and taking out her varied eareo of ba^s and traps, more lespect 

 for the diminutive craft was evident on the captain's part, as he 

 saw what a load she could contain. Several interested roust abouts 

 aided me in launching, quite a difficult matter from a high-decked 

 baree, and a hearty " good by and good luck" followed as I pulled 

 the first stroke, of my long journey at 9.20 A. M. 



The tidal rise at Albany is ahout one foot, and the current was 

 against me. TheTe were so many boats at the Erie Canal lock, 

 iust above the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad 

 bridge, a tow having just amvea from New York, that I rowed 

 on up the Hudson to Troy. Immense lumber stacks covered a 

 large area of ground at the entrance to the canal, and masses of 

 freight of different kinds were piled all about the place. The scene 

 along the nver was quite pretty, and one could trace the valley 

 of the Hudson for some distance, by the high ranges of hills that 

 flanked the river on each side. 1 passed a huge tow. making 

 slowly up. and made haste to reach the lock below Troy before it. 

 Six milps from Albany brought .me to the upper Brie Canal lock, 

 known as the "junct.on," the Cnamplam Canal from the north 

 coming m here. After some little difficulty in making the lock- 

 keeper hear me, I entered a high lock which joined another of 

 equal dimensions, the latter ushering me out of tide-water into 

 the. Erie Canal, my watery road to Buffalo. This entrance to the 

 Canal is about one mile below Troy. 



For two miles the canal ran between huge masses of lumber, 

 seemingly interminable, the b vel endingin t he suburbs of Cohoes, 

 where the outlook was tar from interesting. Small bovs were 

 too numerous for one's comfort, and their remarks anything but 

 nattering. The next lock was one ot a group of 1(5, the rise being 

 considerable in each. Fortunately 1 was ahead of the morning 

 tow, and not, therefore interupted. These locks are double, side 

 bv side, thus allowing boats to ascend and descend at once. All 

 the Erie Canal locks are similar, exceptiug those at tide water. 

 The masonry is of a high order, and the canal itself in an excel- 

 lent condition. The weather was clear, but very sultry, and the 

 rowing laborious, as I had not handled the oars tor nearly a, year, 

 excepnn my trial trip in May. Though my pass from Mr. Sweet' 

 The Chief Engineer of the State Canals, was frequently examined, 

 I was not otherwise challenged, lhis canal i-s "free," but one 

 would have serious trouble in getting through the locks if not 



upon I advised him to ,iump into the canal; this eliciting a long 

 string of choice oaths. His jurisdiction, however, was passed, 

 and 1 procet ded unmolested. In the next lock, the one after this, 

 a bov had just been di owned, and as Lhey were proceeding to run 

 the water out to find his body, I had to obtain help to carry my 

 boat around the two following locks. It was sugges L ed bv several 

 in a crowd that lined the banks as I passed that I should try and 

 dive for the body, but I declined with thanks. 



At the third gate above some more roughs would persuade me 

 that this level also had to be let out; their object being to get a 

 quarter for carrying the boat. As the lopknnn naturally sided 

 with them, matters did not look promising, but I stuck to my 

 point, and was locked througo. Some words with the discom- 

 fited took place as I was passing on, and, overhearing a remark 

 to the effect, that "That fellow won't, get along much further," 

 and oorerving at the same time several of them walking rapidly 

 ahead, I laid my revolver quietly down by me on the seat, it was 

 in a leather holster, but the snape was apparent, and this seemed 

 to have a due effect, as I was unmolested. These levels were but 

 100 to 200yds. in length. 



I stopped at one ot t he locks m Cohoes, where dinner was served 

 at a miserable little hotel. Tarrying about one hour, I put off 

 again, soon passing the gi^at Harmony Mills. At the fiftu lock 

 from Cohoes I entered on a nine-mile level which commanded a 

 good view of the Hudson Valley, and ushered me into the open 

 country. Albany county ends at this point, and Saratoga county 

 begins. Cohoes is eleven miles from Albany. There was consid'- 

 erable eel grass floating m the canal, whicn made hard rowing. 

 Two or three miles from the lock the canal crosses the Mohawk 

 on a tine granite bridge half a mile in length, the river below 

 being shallow and full of rifts and small rapids. From this point 

 the canal l<ept close by the Mohawk, and the view on all sides 

 was beautiful. One could see for some distance up and down the 

 valley, between the long curv es on tue river. The hills were lofty 

 and rolling, I saw but few houses along the water, but here and 

 there occasionally appeared a small hamlet, every one of which 

 boasted of a mineral spiiug and each spring advertised as "The 

 best and finest on the Erie Canal." At Crescent, a town fourteen 

 miles from Albany, the caual took a westerly course, having thus 

 far tended in a northerly direction. One mile beyond the lock at 

 the end of this level, I stopped at a small village called Clifton 

 Park, and had supper at an inn. It was a remarkablv pretty 

 place of about a dozen families. While sitting on the stoop of the 

 inn. a fine- looking young farmer drove up, and seeing the name 

 on the wagon I saluted him therewith, whereupon he gazed at 

 me, much surprised, remarking, "Well ! You've got me." Point- 

 ing to the name aforesaid, I showed him how his acquaintance 

 had been made. This was conducive to good fellowship, and it 

 was necessary to decline an invitation to drink. 



Starting on again at dusk, I rowed three-quarters of a mile to 

 a little lagoon where a stream entered the canal, and there tied 

 to some trees hanging over the water in a pretty and secluded 

 spot. The total run to-day was twenty-one and a half miles. 

 Owing to the heat, the unusual wear of my unaccustomed occu- 

 pation, and the great number of locks, the day's work was not 

 very extensive. Wrapping up in my blankets, i made aluxurioas 

 seat on the floor of the boat, and read by lamp-light until bed- 

 time. The splashing of a curious muskrat, distant cow bells, and 

 the "noise of the captains and the shouting" from the canal 

 below, were the only souuds which broke the still night air, ex- 

 cepting the roaring of the Mohawk River. As I had taken the 

 canvas cover off the well on retiring, a poncho was adjusted 

 instead, to &eeP off the dew, 



Eric Canal, Sept. 7, Sunday.— I was up at 5:30 A. M., and rowing 

 to the next lock, a mile and a half, got breakfast at a little store 

 bv the lock, where they gave me some nice bass, caught, in the 

 river. The canal kept close by the Mohawk on its north side, and 

 I enjoyed continuously a far and wide prospect; it was cut on the 

 nillside quite a distance above the river, which, for several utiles, 

 was hemmed in by precipitous rocky ledges and bluffs. This 

 level was about four miles long, when I came to two locks close 

 together, rising to a level about six miles in length: and three 

 miles beyond these locks I passed through Schenectady, the city 

 of beautiful residences," 30 miles from Albany. Ahout one half 

 way over the preceding four mile level, the canal crossed the 

 Mohawk again, on another magnificent aqueduct, the piers or 

 which were of solid granite. Just beyond this a smaller bridge 

 crossed a tributary stream. Hereafter the Erie Canal runs on the 

 south side of the Mohawk, and about midway between the last 

 aqueduct and the end of this level, passes into Schenectady 

 county. At Schenectady the New York Central and Hudson 

 River R. R., heretofore running on the south bank, crosses the 

 valley and keeps on the opposite side. The canal throughout 

 winds about considerably, and its route is much longer than that 

 of the railroad. For instance, Schenectady is only 17 miles from 

 Albany by rail, but it is 30 miles by canal. This city was founded 

 a,s a settlement in 1661. The engine shops of the N. Y. C. & H. R. 

 R. R. here are very extensive, and among the largest in the 

 country. It is also a great. marKet for "broom" corn, a staple 

 product of the region. 



Soon the surrounding hills became mountainous, those to the 

 south being part of the Catskill range. The weather was in- 

 tensely warm, cloudless skies and not a breath of wind. The eel 

 grass grew very bad and was exceedingly troublesome, effectu- 

 ally preventing me from making any respectable rowing time. I 

 had to wear gloves to keep my hands from bhstering^as they 

 were constantly wet with perspiration; but it was difficult to 

 avoid being badly sunburned. The flowers along the route were 

 varied and beautiful. The next level was about. 2J^ miles in 

 length, then came one of about 2 miles. At the end of the latter 

 I put up at a lock, and after a few failures to obtain dinner I 

 found a hospitable Canadian-English family. Though living in 

 a wretched little house they had seen better days, and still 

 possessed a good piano, on which one of the two buxom daughters 

 played very well. I stayed here an hour or two, partly on account 

 of the scorching weather— partly ou account of the pretty 

 daughters, who were quite deeply interested to learn that I was 

 going through Canada. 



The next level was B miles long, on which I crossed two aque- 

 ducts, each having five arches over streams flowing into the river. 

 Opposite the second, the large town of Amsterdam could be 

 plainly seen across the valley. Next came a one-mile level, then 

 one of about four miles, half way across which last was Port 

 Jac kson , 46 miles from Albany. Near this place was still another 

 small aqueduct. The country became wilder and more moun- 

 tainouF, while the summits of the eminences were densely wooded. 

 Some of the cliff formations along the shore were singular, show- 

 ing the geological strata of the rock to advantage. The level was 

 about Smiles long, and on rising from this passed into one of the 

 same length. It was now dus«, aud a thunderstorm wuich had 

 been threatening during the latter part of the afternoon came 

 up. I rowed hard for a mile more, when a great wind rose, and 

 not relishing a ducking, 1 ran the boat in and dragging her up on 

 a grassy bank, threw my tent over the well, just being in time to 

 get all tight and to duck under when a tremendous pour ensued, 

 with heavy thuuder and lightning. 



I was in a secluded spot, with woods and rocks on all sides, and 

 listened for some time with anxiety to the great noise the rain 

 made on my tent and deck, as they were heretofore untried: but 

 not a drop entered my sanctum. After such fears subsided, I un- 

 dressed by the light of my "Buckeye" lamp, slung inbide, and 

 went swimming in the canal. One canal boat captain was con- 

 siderably startled to see me clamber over his tiller, as it was pitch 

 dark and raining hard. After enjoy iug to the full the delicious 

 water, I crept under my little teut into the boat again. While 

 eating supper in these narrow quarters, the lightning struck a 

 tree near by, splitting it, with the accompaniment of a dreadful 

 clap of thunder. Supper consisted of crackers, jam, chocolate 

 and fruit, of all of whit h 1 had a hearty generous stoie. My lent 

 was about 6ft. long, making a good mattress in dry weather, or a 

 tarpaulin in wet, and made oi very thick canvas. A stout, manilla 

 rope serves as a ridge pole, running through the tent and exteud- 

 ing«at either end so as to fasten to the rings at bow and stern, 

 elevated In front by the paddle and boat hook, it can be blung in 

 ten minutes. The sides aie fastened down by iron pins. A poncho 

 covers the open end, and makes the occupant very warm and 

 snug inside, where oue can just manage to dress and undress. 

 For sitting, lounging or sleeping there are many little conveni- 

 ences. 1 read my Bible, as becomes a civilized man, and after 

 writing a little, rolled up in the blankets and stretched out in the 

 arms of Morpheus. Juot 30J4 miles of rowing to-day. East of 

 Port Jackson I passed into Montgomery county. M. B. 



Philadelphia, Pa. 



[TO BE CONTINUED.} 



CHRISTMAS CANOEING. 



CHRISTMAS, 1889, was a day to be remembered hereabouts, if 

 only for the wonderful weather whicu Santa Clans brought 

 to everybody. A gentle oalmy breeze came oat of the warm 

 southwest, and tempering the otherwise loo ardent sun, and 

 tempting the owners of canoes and sailooats not yet laid up to 

 try their white wings just once more ere hoary winter should 

 congeal the bosom of tneir native element. (Copyright secured 



according to law.) ' ' " ' 



By noon the mercury had climbed to a prdUigious height 

 ( Fa hren- hett), and was peeping over the 80th degree to see what 

 uad become of the beautiful snow that ought to have been cover- 

 ing the emerald verdure in which the earth was clad. (This 

 style §1.75 per yard. Usual trade discount.) That, however, was 

 where the sunbeams had a chance to kiss it. Where it hadn't, it 

 got tired at the 66t h degree and rested there. All nature seemed 

 tnrilled with vernal ecstasy, and wreathed her tace in smiles, 

 like one wnose enemy is writhing in the clutches of ' La Grippe." 

 Sneezy thing to eaten it now, they say. (Send stamps for 

 illustrated catalogue of sample jokes? 



Gnats danced gaily in the sunshine, and so did children, while 

 ever and anon a casual mosquito, doubtless wafted nitnerward 

 from Florida (we never have mosquitoes here) would fain investi- 

 gate the contents of our Yuletide stockings. These are cold en- 

 tomological facts. Here are some more facts, botanical, ornitho- 

 logical and agricultural, to wit: I plucked, aye, with my red right 

 hand I gathered seven nodding violets which grew unsheltered 

 in the open air— "but dot vas noddings!" The friend of a friend 

 of mine found a pansy blooming out of doors, and Jedge Paterson, 

 my neighbor, planted potatoes in a straw hat. He wore the hat. 



And, as if to make assurance of the springtime doubly sure, 

 three robins came to wish us a Merry Christmas and a Happy 

 New Year, and having done so in their own quaint, sprightly fas- 

 hion, disappeared in the blue ether, doubtless to glaaden other 

 eyes and ears than ours. J. L. K. 



Perth Ambot, N. J., Dec. 38. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



The Nancy and Random of the New York Y. C= were out sailing 

 on Christmas bay. v> eather delightful, but wind off shore and 

 very squally. Random. 



New Yoeb, Dec. 26. 



MASSASOIT C. C— A meeting of the Massasoit C. C. was held 

 on Dec. 14 By-laws were adopted, and the following were elected 

 the officers for the ensuing club year: Com., Byron G. Dudley; 

 Vice-Com., Charles W T . Morgan; Sec, James J. Brooks; Treas., 

 Emil Johnson; Meas., John A.- Langford; Directors: Com., Vice- 

 Corn., Sec, John J. Kelleher, Vincent B. Johnson and Joseph A. 

 Frizzell. The club, although a new one, embraces in its person- 

 nel many old canoeists, two of whom, last season, in their canoes 

 Willie A. and Elaine, made a successful and highly enjoyable trip 

 from Boston Harbor to New York, completing the trip in 10 days. 

 The club is really an offshoot from the South Boston C. C, and 

 includes the latter club's founders iu its roll of members. Tho 

 totem of the club is a tomahawk, in red, not adopted as signifi- 

 cant of the fact that we cleft from the South Bostons,but adopted 

 as appropriate io the character of our illustrious namesake, tbe 

 first, but not the last Massasoit. The burgee has the tomahawk 

 in red, on a blue ground, wita the letter M in white, crossing the 

 tomahawk. One of the club's by-laws provides that each mem- 

 ber of the club shall become a member of the A. C. A. 



SAILING AND PADDLING— The Toronto Globe of Dec. 26 

 publishes a page of special articles on various sports, including 

 one on canoe paddling by Mr. W. A, Leys, and one on sailing by 

 Mr. W, G> M*cKendriek, 



PHILADELPHIA C. C. 



THE second annual smoke of the Philadelphia C. C, like every- 

 thing else that goes, "has went," but has left behind it a 

 pleasant remembrance, like a good cigar, a genuine Havana, with 

 a steamboat on the box. At the invitation of one of our members, 

 Mr. W. S. Runk, and through the courtesy of tbe CJndine Barge 

 Club, the "smoke" was held at Riugstetten Castle, which is 

 the Barge Club's up-river house. It is a most picturesque little 

 place, situated on the banks of the Schuylkill River, near the 

 falls village, and was in every way most admirably adapted for an 

 entertainment of ibis kind. Dr. Behrens, who had kindly con- 

 sented to act as chef (and in which capacity he has no superior 

 aud few equals), together with his staff of assistants, arrived at the 

 castle early in the afternoon, and hastily donning the long cook- 

 ing aprons, were soon deep in the mysteries ox oysters in various 

 styles, salads, Hamburger steaks, etc. Later on the men came in 

 by twos and fours, and ranging themselves about the huge log 

 fire in the banqueting room, were soon discussing the effects of a 

 fire of another kind which had so recently made niany of us poorer 



^ANNUAL • SMOKE. £ 



CASTLE — 



I NGSTCTTEN -v^ 



Friday- [Ven in g- k§ 



• M A /"\B v B.G ■ ST£AK* 



™ -SalA^.ai^-P.C.C. 

 •OTfXt- Q 



Cigars- 



by several dollars. The last touches being given to the tables, the 

 men now took their place?, and, according to an old custom of the 

 Castle's, tossed knife and fork, let fall, and gave way, at the first 

 course with a will. Course followed course, each being voted 

 better than the last, until at last, in came, the Doctor, and "the 

 Old Man," each bearing a huge howl of the famous "Ringstetten 

 punch," whose arrival was greeted with prolonged applause. 



The Purser', who had kindly e nseuted to act as toast master, 

 arose, and after a few words, introduced in his inimitable way 

 Mr. Dixon, the oldest member of the club. Mr. Dixon spoke with 

 an ease and grace which well became him of the organization 

 since his connection with it, and of his hopes for its future pros- 

 perity. Dr. Behrens was then called upon, and on bphalf of the 

 Undine Barge Club, welcoimd the canoeists to Ringsietten. Mr. 

 Warr followed with most, amusing reminiscences of last, sum- 

 mer's A. C. A. camp, which Mr. Goddard and Mr. Butler would 

 have heartily enjoyed couid they have been with us. The club 

 was particularly fortunate in having for one of its guests the 

 well-known artist Mr. Gerome Ferris, who, assisted by hisfriend, 

 Mr Beaver, gave some exquisite Spanish music ou the mandoline 

 andguitar. The toasting and speaking was kept up until a late 

 hour, when with cheers for the Undine Barge Club and its repre- 

 sentatives the men groped their way through the circling wreaths 

 of smoke out into the night, and t ne smoke of '89 was over. 



The Directors of the Philadelphia O. C. would like to express 

 their thanks to tbe Undine Barge Club and their appreciation of 

 the courtesy shown our club by their representatives, and partic- 

 ularly to Mr. Behrens, whose trying and laborious duties as chef 

 places us under lasting obligations to him. 1480. 



A. C. A. MEMBERSHIP.— Atlantic Division: Mailler Searles, 

 Sing Sing, N. Y. 



Canvas Cannes ana how to Build Them. By Parker B. Field. 

 Price 50 cents. Canoe ami Boat Buildiiw. By FT. P. Stephens. 

 Price $1.50. The Canoe Aurora. By C. A. NeidL Price $1. Canoe 

 Handling. By C. B. Vaux. Price $1. Canoe and Camera. By T. 

 S.Steele. Price 1.50. Four Months in a Sneakbax. By A. H. Bishop. 

 Price $1.50. Canoe and Camp Cookery. By "Scne ca." Price $1. 



]mwt\n to (^orresgandmts. 



j£gr"No Kotloe Taken of Anonymous Correspondents, 



A Constant Reader.— The Great South Bay, on Long Island. 



Prof. J. R., Lincoln, 111.— The animals are not bred in a domes- 

 ticated slate. 



J. E. C, Bolivar, N. Y.— The New York concern has gone out of 

 existence. The Illinois firm is at Rockford. 



W. R. M., North Pembroke.— If you will read the article you 

 will see that the all-round gauge gun is a subject under discus- 

 sion. 



Fishing in Florida Waters.— Anglers who intend visiting 

 Florida this coming winter will fiud it to their advantage to in- 

 spect the superior tackle for tarpon and other fishes, manufac- 

 tured by Thomas J. Conroy, 65 Fulton street. New York.— Adv. 



Names and Portraits of Birds, by Gurdon Trumbull. JS, 

 book particularly interesting to gunners, for by its use they can 

 Identify without question all the American game birds which 

 tuey may kill. Cloth, 320 pages, price $2.50. For sale by Forest 

 a*d Strbjlm. 



Forest and Stream, Box 3,832, N. Y. city, has descriptive illus- 

 trated circulars of W. B. Lefnn^well's book, "Wild Fowl Shoot- 

 ing," which will be mailed free ou request. The book is pro- 

 nounced by "Nanit," "Gloan," "Dick Swiveller," "SybilleDe" and 

 other competent authorities to be the best treatise on the subject 

 extant. 



Biecham's Puab act like, magic on a weak Rtomftob*— Adv. 



