400 EMULATION 01' VOYAGEURS. 



breakfasted at the head of the rapid, and while 

 so engaged were joined by Messrs. Bell and Ross, 

 who had brought up the second brigade. 



The flotilla was divided into two brigades or bands 

 for convenience,' as the whole number would delay 

 each other's progress up the rapids, and embarrass 

 the portages in the conveyance of goods; for this 

 reason it is customary for one division to leave head- 

 quarters some days in advance of the other, but the 

 emulation of the men is such that the hindmost 

 party make the most strenuous exertions to reach 

 the vanguard, and in this they frequently succeed, 

 as they are generally the stronger and more active. 

 At a short distance from the Noye we encountered the 

 Pelican Rapid ; here the craft were entirely cleared 

 and dragged over a ridge of rocks ; the rest of the 

 rapid was accomplished with great labour and some 

 risk, the bows of the boats being frequently high 

 upraised and the water rushing in at the stern ; at 

 one part of this rapid a " batteau " was lost last 

 year. Next came the Mountain, and this being a 

 regular fall of about ten feet the boats could not of 

 course ascend it, but were dragged over a steep and 

 rugged ledge of rocks at an angle of 45° with the 

 horizon. Hence we proceeded to the Brule, and 

 having carried the goods across the portage encamped 



