The Pioneer Boys of the
Columbia
CHAPTER I
THE LURE OF THE SETTING SUN
“It strikes me, Dick, the rapids are noisier to-day than ever before.”
“We have time enough yet, Roger, to paddle ashore, and give up our plan of running them.”
“But that would be too much like showing the white feather, Cousin; and you must know that we Armstrongs never like to do that.”
“Then we are to try our luck in the midst of the snarling, white-capped water-wolves, are we, Roger?”
“I say, ‘yes.’ We started to make the run, and a little extra noise isn’t going to frighten us off. Besides, we may not have another chance to try it.”
“You’re right there, Roger, for I heard Captain Lewis say we’d have to start up the river again in a few days, heading into the great West, the Land of the Setting Sun.”
“I am ready, Dick. My paddle can be depended on to see us through. We’ll soon be at the head of the rapids, too.”