IN THE RAPIDS. 27 



no little with each other also, as they vainly strove to 

 re-ascend the rapid. Three times they made the 

 attempt, but were as often swept back, and had to com- 

 mence afresh. By paddling with all their might they 

 succeeded in getting within a hundred yards of the 

 steamer; but at this point, where the stream narrowed 

 and shot with double force round a sharp turn in 

 the channel, the head of the canoe was swept round in 

 spite of all their efforts, and down they went again. 



When they were on the eve of giving up in despair, 

 the other canoe appeared darting down towards them, 

 manned by two men whose masterly use of the paddle 

 proclaimed them to be old voyageurs. Coming along- 

 side, one of them exchanged places with Cheadle, and 

 thus, each having a skilful assistant, by dint of hug- 

 ging the bank, and warily avoiding the strength of the 

 current, they easily reached the critical point for the 

 fom'th time. Here again was a fierce struggle. Swept 

 back repeatedly for a few yards, but returning instantly 

 to the attack, they at last gained the side of the steamer. 

 The captain kindly stopped half an hour to allow us to 

 have a good dinner. Finding the steamer would pro- 

 bably be a week before she returned, we obtained a 

 fresh stock of flour and salt pork, and went on our 

 way again. Presently we found Rover, who had got 

 to land a long way down the stream, and took him on 

 board again. 



After a few days' slow and monotonous voyaging, 

 being again frequently obliged to stop in order to re- 

 pair our leaky craft, we decided to try a night journey 

 once more. The night was clear and starlight, but in 



