290 THE LABRADOR PENINSULA. CHAP. xvn. 



iu time ; for as the bow touched the rocks, the stern 

 was level with the water. One of them jumped out and 

 held the canoe, the rest sprang on shore with the ex- 

 ception of Louis, who bravely maintained his place, and 

 swept the canoe round with his powerful steering paddle, 

 so that the men could take hold of it. It was half full of 

 water, but in another minute it was hauled on the rock, 

 turned over, and launched again. 



The fifth rapid (descending the river) involved the most 

 formidable portage. It was first up and then down a 

 mountain path, so steep and slippery that I had serious 

 misgivings about the men, fearing they might slip and 

 hurt themselves. The two Indians Pierre and Louis, being 

 accustomed to such rough work and very surefooted, 

 engaged to carry the small canoes across, and four men, 

 two before and two behind, were detached to bring the 

 large one. No accident happened, and we accomplished 

 the short but formidable portage in safety. The first or 

 sixth rapid of the Moisie was passed also without any 

 mishap, and at noon we found ourselves at the beginning 

 of the Grand Portage. We hurried on to the first fishing- 

 station, and taking a salmon from a net, made for the 

 shore and dined luxuriously. After dinner all hands 

 washed and changed their clothes, and before sunset we 

 reached the fishing-village at the mouth of the Moisie, 

 and took up our quarters under the hospitable roof of 

 Mr. Holliday, the lessee of the Moisie Salmon Fishery. 



