CHAP. vii. THE SECOND GORGE OF THE MOISIE. 107 



mountain rocks stand out by themselves ; others assume 

 a peaked form, and are much higher than those below. 

 Silver waterfalls, corning from banks of snow near 

 their summits, leap several hundred feet down the sides 

 of the purple mountains. Where patches of drift remain, 

 the trees are tall, and of fine luxuriant growth. 



The pale bluish clay still appears in sheltered spots 

 fifty to seventy feet in thickness ; they are chiefly under 

 the lea of huge rocks, which rise like gigantic bastions 

 from the swift flowing river. But the strong current 

 wearies the men terribly. It is a perpetual conflict, and 

 we have sometimes to abandon both paddles and poles, 

 and take to the tracking line whenever the ground is 

 favourable. The strength of the canoes is astonishing ; 

 one would think such frail craft would never be able to 

 stand the wear to which they are subjected in ascend- 

 ing this rapid river. The men had great difficulty 

 in bringing the heavy canoe up to the camp. They 

 waded in the shallow water, pulling the canoe after 

 them. The current in ' the lead,' that is, in the deep 

 water, was too strong for paddles, and too deep for 

 poles. 



During the morning of the 20th, we had heavy rain, 

 which did not cease until eleven o'clock. Dense masses 

 of mist rolled magnificently through the Gorge, and 

 enveloped the mountain-tops with a veil of clouds which 

 completely shut them from view. When the rain ceased, 

 and the men were drying their clothes, Pierre set to 

 work to bake bread, others to cut fresh poles, and others 

 to hunt for rabbits. Not even a track was to be seen. 

 No sign of animal life but a few gulls, and a loon. 



