366 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[May 4, 1895. 
harvest. We are soon across to the large stone farmhouse. 
The family are gathered in front, under the shade of a 
large tree. We are given all the information we could 
desire regarding the battlefield and cemetery. 
Thanking the people for their kind attention to our re- 
quests we return to the river, and just as we push our 
canoes from shore are surprised to see an old gentleman 
who had conversed with us at the house appear on the 
scene and request us to accept of his hospitality for the 
night, offering to go with us in the early morning and 
show us over the battlefield. Of course, we accepted 
without hesitation; we shall always have a warm spot in 
our^hearts for that family, In the evening the men came 
in from the fields and we became acquainted with the old 
gentleman's sons, who were college graduates, and were 
turning their education to a very practical use in farming 
on an extensive scale — the farmer of to-day must be well 
educated and well read, else he soon becomes a mere 
laborer and not a prosperous citizen. In the morning we 
take a photograph of the old gentleman's grandchildren, 
as bright and happy a pair as one could find in many a 
mile. Accompanied by -several members of the family 
we visit the battlefield of Ball's Bluff and have the places 
of interest pointed out by one who was a soldier on this 
battlefield. The position of the Union forces was indeed 
unfortunate; with a cliff of more than 100ft. at their 
backs they had no retreat, and when flanked by the Con- 
federates, their general killed, artillery taken, there was 
naught to do but surrender or perish, as many did in the 
attempt to descend the almost perpendicular side of the 
bluff. Some, reaching the river, overloaded the scow that 
had brought many of them across the day before, and 
sank in the river, thus finding a watery grave. A few 
that could swim succeeded in reaching the island, and a 
few others escaped by following up the river bank and 
crossing the river at a ferry some distance above, but 
the detachment of several hundred was reduced to a few 
stragglers. We listened attentively to the description so 
kindly given us by our guide; we retrace our steps down 
the bluff and bid farewell to our friends of a night; such 
hospitality as was shown on this occasion is characteristic 
of the Southerner, and is indeed never to be forgotten by 
the canoeist. 
Our trip down to Seneca was without particular interest 
save the unusual width of the river, especially the last 
four miles, where it broadens to the width of perhaps a 
mile, and resembles a lake to such an extent that one can 
scarcely persuade himself that he is on a river that in a 
few miles will be scarcely a hundred feet wide. We 
arrive at the Seneca Dam, which is of a loose con- 
struction, made by collecting the stone from the river 
and some from the nearby quarry and erecting a dam 
without the use of mortar. 
Near the Virginia side of river we find a channel and 
dash through the opening. Below we encounter a very 
formidable rapid of perhaps two miles in length; with a 
high river the rapid would not be so troublesome, as the 
majority of rocks would be covered, but we have a low 
river and do considerable sharp paddling to avoid the 
many jagged edges, seemingly running right at us. One 
peculiarity of this rapid is that the rocks almost invari- 
ably point up stream and are of brown stone, the larger 
part of rift rock encountered down to this point having 
been limestone. 
After safely picking our way through we find ourselves 
on a swift, although rocky, river that soon carries us 
down to Great Falls. To avoid this cataract it is neces- 
sary to go down the canal for about two miles; a telephone 
message to the main office of the canal company gives us 
the necessary permission and pass through the seven 
locks that lie ahead. 
Great Falls is not a precipitous drop,, as are many 
cataracts, but a most beautiful combination of the cataract 
and rapid, the entire fall being a little more than sixty 
feet, the river flowing through a gorge for about a mile 
below the main falls. It is a wonder to the writer that 
some enterprising company does not lease the place and 
improve it as a summer resort, as at the present time 
the walk across to the falls is rather rough and to view 
them in all their grandeur requires a little hard climbing. 
We enjoy a good supper at the hotel, located at the en- 
trance of walk to the falls, after which we paddle on 
down the canal, as we wish to carry back into the river 
before night. One thing we shall bear in remembrance 
was the kind offer of the captain of a small excursion 
steamer on the canal to carry us and our canoes into 
Washington on his return that evening with a party of 
excursionists; but the feeling of independence, so strong 
in the bosom of the cruising canoeist, and the prospect of 
a lively river yet before us, prevented the acceptance of 
his offer. 
A rather difficult carry is found to the river, a distance 
of perhaps a mile below the seven locks ; we finish our 
transfer just as darkness settles down upon the valley; so, 
with the aid of our lantern, we are soon within the walls 
of our domicile; a feeling of indolence seizes us, and we 
turn in. 
Knowing we have a paddle of a few miles only on the 
morrow, we sleep until the morning sun compels us to 
arise and look for cooler quarters ; packing up our duffle 
after a successful breakfast, we run down the river to 
Glen Echo, where we expect to be met by some friends in 
the afternoon. We re-enter the canal, erect our tent, 
clean up our outfit, give our canoes a good washing and 
ourselves likewise; we then wander around the grounds 
of Glen Echo. It is a melancholy sight to see the large 
stone buildings erected by a Chautauquan society standing 
in idleness; the large amphitheater, with its magnificent 
pips organ; and all around stillness reigns supreme ; it is 
as if one were in the deserted buildings of some old Eoman 
town, the inhabitants of which had suddenly departed ; 
this immense failure was occasioned by a malaria scare, a 
very ridiculous idea where the air is as dry and pure as 
can be found in any locality. 
Late in the afternoon, as the log-keeper reclined at 
ease, the other savage stole softly away, and as the eye- 
lids of the one grew heavy, the other was meeting some 
very lovely young ladies at the entrance to the deserted 
village, and ere the log-keeper had finished his hap he 
was awakened by the apparition of sundry pretty girls 
and young men of civilized dress, with baskets and boxes 
upon their arms. It is but just to add that the last-men- 
tioned articles' made a very feeling impression upon the 
canoeists, and that in the course of the evening the feel- 
ing was communicated to the contents of the baskets, 
Late in the evening we escort our friends to the cars and 
return to dream over the pleasant ending of a most de- 
lightful trip; but we must not say ending, for we yet have 
several miles of rapid water before us. 
In the morning we enjoy a breakfast of our entire stock 
of provisions, for to-day we dine in Washington. A swift 
river is with us, and we soon arrive at the loose stone 
dam above Georgetown. Lifting over, we find ourselves 
in a lively rift, the commencement of Little Falls, run- 
ning down for perhaps two miles; the channel gradually, 
then suddenly narrows,, and we are in a mad rapid, seem- 
ingly not more than 100ft. in width, with great boulders 
standing high above the river on either side and in the 
channel also. The rapids wind up with three wild 
plunges, and woe to the canoeist that attempts to run 
this place in an open canoe. Back ing water with our padd les 
we drop off into the great foaming waves below ; the 
canoes nobly ride them, but the waves are so high that 
they break on deck and in the largest plunge are com- 
pletely around the canoeist. The lastplunge takes us into 
tide-water, so we land and bail out the water that has 
found its way in around our covers; for with all our care 
it is impossible to run a rapid of this nature and not take 
? n some water. What a delightful sensation it is to be 
borne along at a terrific speed down a sheet of water, 
amid large rocks ready to dash you to pieces, and yet the 
reliable paddle, seemingly so frail, will, if rightly used, 
guide you through as unerringly as though you were on 
the still waters of a canal; and he with a steady hand will, 
if once a trial is given, pronounce rapid -running the most 
exhilarating exercise in the catalogue. 
We are now paddling on tide-water, and where's the 
pleasure, except in cases where the duffle is supplanted by 
the rosy face of a maiden. We quicken our stroke, and. 
soon arrive at the boat house. Hauling our canoes in, we 
depart for home amid the gaze of citizens, for our appear- 
ance is indicative of a Coxeyite. 
Thus ended a most delightful fortnight's vacation, and 
to him who enjoys a quiet communion with nature, coupled 
with a muscle-building exercise, we would say: "Go 
thou and do likewise." 
The Nautilus lettable Bulb Keel. 
We reprint from the Meld the following description of the new lift- 
able bulb fin invented by Mr. W. Baden-Powell: 
The "Nautilus" keel was invented during 1693 and perfected in work- 
ing parts in the spring of 1894 by Mr. W. Baden-Powell, who. having 
obtained provisional protection, transferred all rights and liabilities to 
Mr. Bull, of 87 Sumner street, S. E. The keel was built and fitted to 
the Nautilus, Mr.Baden-Poweirs little sloop, last summer, and was fully 
tested in two months 1 open-water sailing on the Solent and in river 
work on the Thames, and at all points it acted perfectly, though at 
times severely tried. 
The main object of this invention is to combine the ballasting prop- 
erties and lateral resistance of the fixed bulb fin keel with the advan- 
tages of the lifting cepter-plate, and thereby to obtain at will the 
qualities of an uncapsizable deep-drafted craft for windward work, or 
of a shallow draft for convenience in navigating shallow places, or for 
housing or transporting purposes, when the keel is fitted to small 
raters or yacht's boats. 
Two points in which existing patterns of lifting bulb keels are 
faulty are, that the lead bulb when lifted, as a rule, very considerably 
shifts its po< ition longitudinally, and thereby alters the trim of the 
vessel; or that the keel when down can only be lifted by operating 
the lifting gear, and, therefore, is not self-acting when striking 
ground or a submerged obstruction. In the "Nautilus" keel the first 
objectionable feature is reduced to a minimum, and the second is non- 
existant. 
The accompanying drawing displays the keel in the down position 
by full lines, and in the up position by dash and dot lines; and the sec- 
tional drawing shows the centerboard trunk or case in dotted lines. 
The general idea of the working and construction will thereby be seen 
to consist of an harmonious combination of movements set in action 
either by manual power in the vessel or by external force, such as run- 
ning aground; and on the other hand, while maintaining the capacity 
for these lifting movements, a practically rigid bulbed fin-keel is ob- 
tained by well-balanced pivoting and automatic locking of the move- 
ments in certain directions. 
A center-plate, carrying at its bottom end a lead bulb-keel, is pivoted 
between two parallel plates, which are connected together at top and 
bottom in such a manner as to allow the central plate to oscillate in 
one direction between them. The parallel plates are pivoted in the 
usual centerboard case or trunk, a little above the boat's keel. The 
parallel plates, which are riveted together at their upper or head part 
over a filling frame piece, carry two cranked arms, which, when the 
plate or keel is quite down, lodge upon and also grip the upper edges 
of the centerboard trunk or case. 
A pivoted pawl carried in the after part of the case can be let fall 
upon the shoulder at the upper after-edge of the center-plate, and 
thereby locks the center-plate against oscillation so long as it or the 
keel is not lifted. 
On the head of the parallel plates being moved forward by a suitable 
tackle or gear, the center-plate immediately becomes free to oscillate 
until it is quite up, with the bulb along under the boat's keel or until 
it is specially locked at some intermediate position of hoist by the in- 
sertion of a fid or pin above the case. In this intermediate state of 
hoist the bulb is still in a horizontal position, and is locked against 
oscillation, but is yet liftable by gear or ground. 
In another form of construction, described in the specification 
covering the invention, the bulb is fixed on two parallel plates which 
are suspended from onp lifting or central plate which works between 
them. In either case, by disconnecting the suspending bolt and un- 
shipping the bulb plate or plates, the lifting plates or plate remain and 
can be used as an effective pivoted centerboard for river work. 
The latter form of construction is intended chiefly for use in small 
raters, boats and canoes, where the weight of the bulb would probably 
not exceed 3cwt. The construction shown in the drawing, here given, 
would be convenient in yachts of larger proportions, size and weight 
being a question for the engineers to determine in relation to the prob- 
able strains. 
As to the yacht or boat's construction to carry such a keel, it will 
be noticed that almost any ordinary centerboard case would carry the 
keel; the essential points are that the case must be open along its top, 
that, for a heavy bulb, the case must be strongly built or knetd at 
and about the pivot bolt. The height of the upper edge of the case 
above the waterline must be kept low, on account of the position of 
the cranked arms on the head of the lifting plates. The dropped 
pawl in the after part of the case has in practice been found an 
efficient stopper to the water overflowing the case top when sailing 
at high speeds; in a 0.5-rater or 1-rater about eight inches of case 
above water is enough. 
The plates of the keels thus far made are of "Bull's metal," an 
extremely strong alloy; and the lifting gear is the ordinary runcer- 
and-tackle— a four-part tackle for choice. A winch winding the steel 
"runner" on to a drum can be used, but is not so handy as a common 
tackle in a small rater. The bulb can be of any form desired, pro- 
vided the correct balance is attended to, and the upper surface should 
be flat so as to engage the under side of the keel when completely up. 
I^ifle $<tnge met (^dhnj. 
Pacific Coast Riflemen. 
San Francisco, April 15.— Editor Forest and Stream: Yesterday 
the regular club shoots of the Shell Mound contingent w.ere held. 
A tricky northwest wind blew all day and only a few riflemen got 
good scores. At this range the rifleman's body is exposed only to a 
wind from the northwest and north, and when such a wind prevails it 
has a trick of seizing a shooter just as he pulls the trigger and revol- 
ving him far to the east. 
The pistol devotees were far more fortunate and some fine shooting 
was done, especially by our rising young shot C. M. Daiss. 
Scores of the Germania Sehiitzen Club, 200yds., 20 shots, 25 ring tar- 
get, only one score allowed. 
Champion Class:— Dr. L. O. Rodgers 430; first class and second 
class scores did not reach the required standard to win; third class, N. 
Ahrens 425. 
S. P. Sehiitzen Verein, Champion Class, J. Utschig, 432; first class.D. B. 
Taktor421; third class, F. Koch 417; fourth class, Hy. Burfeind 367. 
Columbia Pistol and Rifle Club. 
Pistol. Club Medal, Champion Class:— C. M. Daiss 91 ; F. O.Young 
89; S. Can' 89; E. Hovev 87; A. H. Pape 84. First class: J. E. Gorman 
91; D. W. McLaughlin 85; Dr. Rodgers S3; F. Baumgartner 81; P. Bohr 
70. Second class: F. Dennis 85; L. Zimmerman 78; A. Fetz 70: Kennedy 
74: Jacobsen 71; Thompson 09; Foester 61; Umfred 56. 
' Pistol, Bianding Medal, C. Jffl. Daiss 97; S. Carr 90; F. O. Young 94: J. 
E.Gorman 91. 
Rifle, Kuhnle Medal, A. Gehreb 81 ; Dr Rodgers 79. 
Military Rifle, Creadmoor Target, E. Hovey 46, C. Perry 43. 
BOEEL. 
The .22 Short Smokeless Cartridge. 
The new .22 short smokeless powder cartridges, loaded, by the way, 
with American E. C. ' Rifle" powder, which the U. M. C. Company has 
put upon the market, will no doubt have a tremendous sale as soon as 
they are better known. They combine great accuracy with a mini- 
mum of smoke, smell, noise and fouling. In fact, in this latter respect 
they are well nigh perfect, a long period of firing leaving the gun prac- 
tically as clean as after the first shot. 
As the trajectory of these cartridges for short distances is practi- 
cally the same as the ordinary black powder ones, they may be inter- 
changed, and thus used to clean the gun when fouled with black 
powder. 
The brand of E. C. rifle powder loaded in these cartridges resembles 
mustard seed in size and appearance It has not yet been put upon 
the market in bulk, and riflemen who wish to use it must be content 
lor the present to purchase the fixed ammunition. 
