MR. o'b. at canoe river. 2G9 



The Cache is divided by the line of hills to the 

 south marked Malton Range in the map. A mile 

 or so brought us to Canoe Biver, a tributary of 

 the Columbia, running towards the south-east. The 

 stream has worn a deep channel in the sandy ground, 

 and we descended a steep cliff to gain the valley of the 

 river, which we cut nearly at right angles. The waters 

 were at high flood, and the current very strong ; the 

 banks were beset with driftwood and overhanging 

 trees, and we moved some way up the stream in search 

 of a place where it would be possible to raft across. 

 We found a small open space at last, near which stood 

 some dead pines, and where the opposite bank was for a 

 short distance more free than usual from fallen trunks, 

 rocks, and brushwood. We then drove the horses 

 across, and commenced cutting down wood for the 

 raft. By the loss of the two axes previously we were 

 now reduced to one small one, and had to work hard 

 in relays until afternoon before we had felled enough 

 timber for our purpose. Then came the task of carry- 

 ing it down to the edge of the river, and Mr. O'B.'s 

 services were called into requisition amongst the rest. 

 We arranged that on the present occasion he should 

 be put in for some really hard work, as Cheadle's 

 partner. The sight was a most ludicrous one : Mr. 

 O'B. staggering along under one end of a heavy log, 

 with loud cries and fearful groans, trying to stop, 

 but driven forward bv the merciless Cheadle, who 

 could hardly carry his load for laughter at the excla- 

 mations and contortions of his companion. Mr. O'B. 

 sat down after delivering his load, and vowed he was 



