358 HAZARDOUS PASSAGE 



the same barren and naked appearance as those 

 on each side. From the projection of the main 

 western shore, which concealed the opening, 

 issued another serpentine rapid and fall ; while 

 to the right there was a strife of surge and rock, 

 the roar of which was heard far and wide. The 

 space occupying the centre from the first descent 

 to the island was full of sunken rocks of unequal 

 heights, over which the rapid foamed, and boiled, 

 and rushed with impetuous and deadly fury. 

 At that part it was raised into an arch ; while the 

 sides were yawning and cavernous, swallowing 

 huge masses of ice, and then again tossing the 

 splintered fragments high into the air. A more 

 terrific sight could not well be conceived, and 

 the impression which it produced was apparent 

 on the countenances of the men. The portage 

 was over scattered debris of the rocks (of which 

 two more with perpendicular and rounded sides 

 formed a kind of wall to the left), and afforded a 

 rugged and difficult way to a single rock at the 

 foot of the rapid, about a mile distant. The boat 

 was emptied of her cargo, but was still too 

 heavy to be carried more than a few yards ; and, 

 whatever the consequence, there was thus no 

 alternative but to try the falls. 



Every precaution that experience could devise 

 was adopted ; double lines to the bow and stern 

 were held on shore by the most careful of the 



