CHAP. xvn. COLD-WATER RIVER. 279 



Cold- Water Eiver, and saw the Moisie once again. In de- 

 scending the steep mountain where the land-slide before 

 described had occurred, an accident happened, which 

 might have been very unfortunate both to Louis and 

 myself. 



The path was wet with rain which had fallen during 

 the night, and in many places very slippery. I was a few 

 steps in advance of Louis, who was carrying a canoe ; my 

 burden consisted of a knapsack rather heavily freighted 

 with geological specimens, weighing between sixty and 

 seventy pounds. When we arrived at the steep descent I 

 called to Louis to be careful of his footing, and began to 

 pick my steps with the caution enjoined on him. When 

 about a quarter of the distance down the steep, I heard a 

 loud ' Ugh ' just behind me, and at the same moment the 

 bow of the canoe touched my knapsack, drove me off my 

 balance, and down the precipitous hill. I caught hold of 

 the bushes, as I was rushing wildly forward, and so checking 

 my fall, was brought up against a spruce tree with a 

 violent shock, the effect of which lasted some time. No 

 sooner had I touched the tree than the bow of the canoe 

 passed over my head, taking off my cap, besides giving me 

 a severe scrape ; it was also brought up by the trunk of the 

 same tree. Turning round I saw Louis sitting on the 

 ground with the canoe still on his shoulders, holding on to 

 it with strong determination that it should not be injured 

 if he could help it. He was glad to be relieved of his 

 burden, and when he had swept his long hair from his 

 face he looked at me with a piteous expression, placing 

 his two hands beneath him. 



'Are you hurt?' I said. 



