ON THE APARIMA RIVER.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 45, 3 February 1894, Page 10

ON THE APARIMA RIVER.

SPINSTERS’ PICNIC TO THE OMUT. [By Oxe of the Party.] L % • ' One fine morning*, the spinsters were early astir, breakfast hurried over, and a generous supply of provisions packed away in the hamper. Hong before eight, the hour appointed for the start, the spinsters arrived in force on Riverton bridge. After some delay James, the only representative of the disturbing element present, stowed away the ladies to the best advantage in his boat, even finding room for the elegant little canine pet Belonging to the youthful spinster. A staid matron chaperoned the boatload, and all were in the highest spirits at the prospect of a day’s picnicking at the Omut. The energetic spinster pulled an oar with measured stroke, . while another maiden lady distinguished herself bv the erratic way in which she xnanipulated the steering appartus. Her eyes would turn longingly to the Beautiful river sceneiy, and the boat, taking advantage of her momentary abstraction, would cant playfully in a wrong direction, when the poor spinster, recalled to her duty by the wild, but righteous, indignation of James, would turn, dejected and flurried, to her neglected p®st. Truly the scenery was strangely beautiful. The luxuriant growth on the banks of the river was reflected in the clear depths of the water with marvellous faithfulness. A white cow standing on the bank, flicking its tail, and miraged below in an inverted condition, caused great amusement among the merry spinsters. The sun was warm, the air still. Slowly the boat glided up the winding river. Suddenly a cry from the energetic spinster aroused the lively curiosity of the party. “ Some animal in the water!” she cried excitedly. “ I saw it move.” Immediately the tender hearts of the spinsters throbbed sympathetically at the thought of some helpless lamb struggling in the c.mel waters. “Backwater!” cried the representative of the disturbing element, nobly bent on rescuing life. The energetic spinster plied her oar vigorously, while all eyes were turned towards a little cove, where some white object was plainly visible, flxcitement Avaxed intense as the boat dreAV near. “ Ha ! ha ! it’s only 51 pig,” cried James, laughing heartily. “ bush off,” and away we went, for most assuredly the pig had not found ji grave in the river that day. The charming scenery increased in beauty as we neared the spot Avhere Ave intended to land. Great trees hung over the river, casting their giateful shade on the hot and weary .spinsters. The graceful ko-hai, *jueen of trees, presided over, the

river at intervals, like some lovelygoddess guarding the silent scene. The boat drew up under the shade of a grand old . hirch, whose green branches hung lovingly over the cool waters. The spinsters disembarked, carefully assisted to terra firma by James, who throughout the day was most assiduous in his attentions to the holiday makers ‘confided to his care. Preparations were at once made for luncheon. The hilly was soon boiled, and a site chosen for the lowly table. James , joined the spinsters with a pleasant smile of anticipation on his honest countenance, for there had been a whisper of plum-pudding aboard the boat to cheer our kind friend in his arduous and lengthy row. A delightful cup of tea revived the spinsters’ failing energies, and the plum-duff was received with satisfaction by all. The party then dispersed, some to ■wander among the bush in search of ferns, others to c'ollect the lovely coral moss found on the banks of the river, while the weary ones rested, on the fragrant turf, and enjoyed the quiet beauty which everywhere surrounded them. Presently the soft patter of rain disturbed the rambles of the spinsters,, who clustered forlornly under the trees for shelter, and gazed pensively at the heavens in the vain hope of seeing a break in the sullen clouds. At last one maiden lady ventured to suggest a start for

home should be made, and no objection being- offered Janies appeared upon the scene, and superintended the embarkation of the party. The rain still descending fast and furious, the boat A\ r as draAvn up under the shelter o£ the friendly birch, and the dripping spinsters, further protected by clocks and umbrellas, Avaited patiently for the rain to moderate, Avhen a start Avas at once made. The heavdly-laden boat sped homeAvards. The tide Avas low, and fears Avere entertained that the boat Avould ground on the sand-banks. The eagle eye of our indefatigable James Avas constantly on the alert to discoA'er the deepest channel, hut before long the boat Avas fairly aground. James, never at a loss in an emergency, thieAv off his shoes and stockings, and tucking up his tx-ousers, cautiously descended into the slimy mud, and, sinking deep at every step, sought everywhere fox- a deepex- chan--nel.

A quick cry from James alarmed the spinsters, who raised their startled eyes and discovered the rudder floating off on its own account to join the mighty ocean. The energetic spinster made a frantic dive with her oar at the rapidly-disappearing rudder, and amidst breathless suspense triumphantly drew it into the boat. All eyes were then turned reproachfully to the unfortunate spinster whose duty it was to steer. She, poor thing, sat appalled at the enormity of her offence. Peace having been restored, James declared it impossible to proceed azzy further until the returning tide had deepened the channel. “ Let us get ashore, then,” suggested one of the spinsters, and the faces of the others visibly brightened at the prospect of a cup of hot tea. James hauled the boat towards the land, hut a dozen yards of soft mud still prevented the spinsters from hopping nimbly ashore. James, therefore, gallantly offered to carry the party across. The youthful spinster’, availing herself of the offer, clambered on the back of our good-natured friend, and was soon safely deposited among the flaxbushes. The energetic spinster, amidst the laughter of the party, was next carried ashore without mishap. The remaining spinsters objected to making their exit in such an undignified manner’, so a line of logs was made from boat to shore. The matron ■who, in aflutter of apprehension, stood on the bow of the boat like some distracted hen whose ducks had taken to water, was assisted carefully along the slippery, uneven logs, and before long the whole party were safe ashore. James, taking the indispensable billy, wandered off to a distant lagoon in search of water, while the spinsters collected a heap of corradies. A huge fire was soon made, and the poor

■ maiden ladies became quite merry under tbe influence of its cheerful glow. The ground was saturated after the heavy rain, but the flaxbushes were comparatively dry, and with the aid of the seats from the boat the weaker members of the party ‘were soon comfortably seated. The billy soon boiled, and a cup of hot but slightly swampy tea revived the spirits of the whole party, while the remaining provisions rapidly disappeared. The tide, meantime, was slowly coming in, and before long James declared a start could.be made. Joyfully the spinsters collected their possessions, and in single file were assisted into the dirty boat. Soon the maiden ladies were again homeward bound, and “ John Brown’s body ” rang merrily over the 'waves. A heavy mist and rain added to the discomfort of the already wet party. Umbrellas were forbidden, tide and wind being dead ahead, and strong pulling necessary' to make headway. The matron steered in a skilful manner, and earned the grateful thanks of all by the careful way in which she guided the boat homewards. It was after eight when the wet and draggled spinsters landed at the bridge, and having praised the obliging James for his unfailing good temper and unflagging energy in the somewhat trying circumstances here narrated, the party joyfully bent their weary steps towards their little cottage on the hill. Under the happy influences of dry clothes and a blazing fire the maiden ladies, while supping their steaming gruel,, waxed quite merry over the day’s adventures. Next morning they congratulated themselves on having escaped any evil consequences from the day’s exposure, and proceeded, with cheerful faces, to hang out their numerous wet garments to dry in the warm sunshine.