INTRODUCTION. 95 



overland, large blocks generally divide the river, 

 through which it forces itself a passage by numerous 

 fissures, sometimes merely a few feet in breadth, in 

 other instances from fifty to sixty and upwards. At 

 the base of the blocks which form these rapids 

 there is generally an eddy, where the canoe is 

 almost stationary, having no current either way. 

 The head of the canoe, after a long hawser has been 

 fixed round her bow, is brought to the stream, and 

 the most intrepid and best swimmers of the crew 

 now attempt to reach the next rock, either by 

 wading, a courageous leap, or by swimming ; when 

 successful, the canoe or corial is pulled into one 

 of the shoots of the fall where there is water enough 

 to float her, and by main strength she is hauled 

 up the ascent, the steersman (sometimes lashed 

 for security's sake to his seat) attempting to di- 

 rect her course as far as in his power by his large 

 paddle. Safely arrived at the head of the rapid, 

 she is taken out of the current, and her stem laid 

 against the top of the rock with her head up the 

 stream; the crew instantaneously spring into her, 

 and paddling with all their strength, they endea- 

 vour to cross the current of the succeeding rapid, 

 until they get into another eddy. It is evident, 

 should the rope break in hauling her over the 

 ascent, or if the crew are not active in jumping 

 into the canoe when lying against the rock, and 

 should not be strong enough to pull against the 

 current, the head of the canoe is turned, and she 

 drifts broadside dow^n the fall, where she must 



