NARRATIVE. 65 



nothing was too distant for it to make out. A wiry, sinewy fellow, 

 of astonishing strength and endurance, and always on the watch for 

 dangers above and below the water, but his chatter and his merriment 



a ' 



were unceasing ; he laughed more than all the rest, and made all the 

 jokes beside. Henry spoke English in a very deliberate and rather 

 inarticulate tone, having probably a diplomatic dread of committing 

 himself by blunders in grammar. John understood no English nor 

 French, but he knew instantly what you wanted, and did not often 

 need even the assistance of pantomime. 



They were all thoroughly practised in their craft ; not only as to 

 the navigation of the canoe, but also in doing and contriving every 

 thing needful to our comfort. When we landed they waded into the 

 water to carry us ashore on their backs, (for except where a rock 

 projected favorably, the canoe could never be brought near enough 

 to step ashore dry-shod,) then carefully lifted the canoe on to the 

 beach, and after taking out its contents, turned it bottom up. Next, 

 a good spot being selected, the tent was pitched, and drift-wood (of 

 which there is generally an abundance at hand,) collected in 

 good supply. This occasioned sometimes a good deal of good-natured 

 rivalry among the various crews, the men of each boat considering 

 their interests identified with those of their bourgeois, and accord- 

 ingly making haste to pounce upon the best logs and the softest 

 camping-ground. This was generally at the top of the beach, to 

 secure level ground, and moss where there was any. Then they 

 brought up from the water whatever things they observed we .liked 

 to have in the tent, to one his gun, to another his insect-net, and car- 

 pet-bags and bedding for all. In the morning, unless we were up of 

 our own accord, we were aroused by their " e.mbarquez, embarquez" 

 and wo to him who lingered many minutes after this warning, for he 

 was sure to find the tent tumbling about his ears without further 

 preface, and his loose effects transported to the canoe by these inex- 

 orable fellows. 



For this is remarkable about these men, that obliging and respect- 

 ful as they are in general, there are certain things for which they 

 stand out, and will have their way. John, for instance, though the 

 best fellow in the world, would never allow the due sweep of his oar 

 to be obstructed even by an inch, and any one whose back or head 



