the canon below.

So they sped onward, past rocks and cliffs, down, down, down, until they
flew out of the regions of snow and ice over hillsides clothed with
vineyards. Still down, past orchards, the trees in full bloom, down and
still down, until their fear had passed, and they were able to enjoy the
novelty of their position.

Suddenly a curve in the flume brought them into a wide stretch of water,
and they had reached their journey's end. The little boat, still propelled
by the force it had gathered in its journey down the mountainside, cut its
way through the water, and reached the wharf,--only two hours having been
taken for the trip.

It must have been a wonderful ride. What a clever and yet simple device
for bringing the lumber down from the mountains with so little trouble and
expense!

* * * * *

Some people have been complaining that Mr. Theodore Roosevelt, the
President of the Board of Police, has been giving the men, who want to
join the force, such a severe examination that it is almost impossible for
half of them to answer the hard questions that are asked.

Mr. Roosevelt declares that it is necessary that policemen should be
intelligent men, and have some slight amount of education. He thinks they
ought to know a little about the history of this country, and of the laws
which they are called to uphold.

He says the questions were only such as a fairly bright child could answer
with ease, and that the men who cannot answer them have no business on the
force.

To prove the truth of this, he prints a few of the answers made by the
rejected policemen, and asks the people who complain to read them, and
then let him know whether they would like to have such ignorant men as
guardians of the law.

One question was: "Name five of the New England States."

One man wrote: "England, Ireland, Scotland, _Whales_, and Cork"; and
another, "London, Africa, and New England."

To the question: "On what instrument is the Government of the United
States founded?" one answer was:

"On paper."

"Into what three branches is the Government of the United States divided?"
puzzled them sorely.

"Republicans, Dimulcrats, and Popperlists," seemed the favorite answer.

"What is the highest department of the United States Courts?" also worried
them badly.

"The Fire Department," was written by several.

Others suggested, "Sir Pream's Court."

"Why July 4th and February 22d were mad