CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9488, 18 April 1894, Page 3

CHILDREN'S COLUMN.

♦—— DOWN A CANON. ' I am nob quite sure that many ot you know what a canon is, although the name is familiar enough to American children. But I will tell you a story bo-day which will give you some idea of one. Ever since the time that Europeans first penetrated into the Far West of America traditions have been current that there exist fabulously rich mines in the Rookies, the exact situation of which is known only to a certain Indian tribe. The people of this tribe, while admitting this strange tradition to bo true, will not bo persuaded by the most tempting of bribes to part with what they consider the secret of their dead ancestors. Some years ago a gentleman owning a farm in Arizona discovered that one of his most trusted servants—an old Idian guide and trapper—knew the precise location of one of these mines. He never let on that he had made this discovery, but at once began to heap the old Indian with kindnesses. Gradually he contrived to impress the latter with the belief that he had grown to entertain a sort of filial affection for him. He managed to play his p*rt so well that the old man never suspected the real object of all this attention, and when one day he hinted in a cunning sort of way what he desired to know, of course his adopted father did not take him to be in real earnest. As days and weeks passed ho became more and more importunate, until one day ho was overjoyed to find that his continued pleading had had the desired effect. His old servant consented to conduct him to a famous mine which had nob been worked by the * Indians for centuries. He was warned, however, that the way was long and full of dangers, that the discovery of the place could never avail him anything, and that he (the old man) would be certain to succumb to the fatigues of the journey. Despite these serio6s warnings the gentleman determined to undertake the expedition, regardless even of the fact that it would mean certain death to the man whom he pretended to regard as a parent. But the latter neveronce reproached him for this seeming want of consideration, although it was evident that of late he had grown to be sad and moody. This only stimulated his master to hasten the preparations for their departure, and within three days they were upon their horses bound for the West. For nearly a week they rode across a comparatively treeless plain, the monotony of which would have forced any other man to abandon such a hazardous enterprise. Still the man, who thought he saw in it a splendid chance of enriching himself by one stroke of luck, was not going to be deterred from his purpose so easily. Towards dusk on the seventh day a low ridge became apparent upon the horizon on the right, and tho Indian, who appears to have been looking for this landmark, at once turned his horse's head in that direction. A couple of hours' riding brought them to the ridge, which, to the surprise of the gentleman, turned out to be edge of an enormous fissuro. Looking down into it, he saw a great river flowing at the bottom in a westerly direction, and the rocky wall on either side rising sheer from the surface of the water. It then struck him that they had oome upon one of those canons for which those parts are famous ; but he had not the slightest suspicion that their way led down the almost perpendicular side of the fissure. Turning away from this spot, the old guide conducted his ward along the edge until they came to a part where there was a gently sloping rent in the wall. Here they dismounted from their saddles, and led their horses carefully down the winding way, meeting with obstacles at every point. At last the bottom was reached, and right glad was the master to find himself upon a sandy beach. Having lib a fire, they settled hero for the night; for, although the sun had 110$ quit«j set, its rays could no longer reach the bottom of the canon. Next day, when the sun was sufficientl high 'to permit of there being a sem V twilight in the. depths of the canon, the two met set' l to work to construct a raft from the driftwood which was abundant hereabouts.' When it was quite completed chey secured the reins of their horses to the end of the raft, and then consigned themselves to tho mercy of the river and of their frail craft, their intention being to go down stream until they came to a suitable land-ing-place on the further bank from which to reascend to the plain above. Mite after mile they drifted, never once meeting with a landing-place of any kind on either side. The granite cliffs which formed the walls of the chasm rose to a thousand teet, unbroken by tree or shrub. Far away above them towered the crested crags and the sharp pinnacles. In some parts the walls approached so close to each other that they could only have a glimpse of tho blue sky now and then, Soon the cleft became narrower, and the river, finding itself more closely confined, gob swifter in proportion. Even the shrubs on the crags began to disappear, and the very birds seemed to avoid these solitudes. The roar of the waters grew deafening. Huge boulders projected from several points, and looked menacingly upon the daring intruders. Faster and faster sped the river, the raft swayed, the darkness increased, the horses grew frightened, and just when it seemed certain that their destruction was at hand, the old guide opened his lips for the first time, and said to his companion that he hoped, if he should be fortunate enough to escape the fate which his obstinacy might bring about, he would never dream of attempting such a journey again. Scarcely were the words spoken when the raft struck a great rock with terrific force. The old Indian was hurled into the foaming rapids below, both horses were swept away, but the man who, perhaps, most deserved this fate, was thrown upon a ledge of rock which jutted out from the si leof the chasm. Curiously enough, he found his way out of the canon, and, reaching the plain, came across some travellers, who helped him to return home.