164 THE LIFE OF E. J. PECK 



In May, 1885, almost immediately after their wed 

 ding, the newly-married pair left Liverpool for 

 Hudson s Bay. They travelled by way of Quebec, 

 Montreal, through Lake Huron, and a portion of 

 Lake Superior as far as Michipicoten, and from the 

 last-named place, about 500 miles to Moose, i n a 

 frail birch bark canoe. 



Novel were the experiences for the young bride 

 almost before the days of the honeymoon were over ; 

 lakes and rivers abounded in rapids which had to be 

 &quot;shot.&quot; The sensations of many in these positions of 

 excitement, not to mention danger, would have 

 been such as those experience &quot; who go down to the 

 sea in ships and occupy themselves in great waters.&quot; 

 The Psalmist describes them in the expressive words : 

 &quot; Their soul melteth away.&quot; 



The Indian guide who accompanied them, and 

 who could speak a quaint, broken English, hoping 

 to amuse and interest the travellers, gave detailed 

 accounts of all the thrilling events which had 

 occurred in the past, when voyagers had essayed 

 to shoot these rapids. 



One place he called &quot; De Frenchman s rapid,&quot; 

 and in response to the question, &quot; How did it acquire 

 that name ? &quot; he replied, for the special comfort 

 and edification of the two travellers, that three 

 Frenchmen had recently been drowned there, while 

 attempting to shoot that particular rapid. 



&quot; But shooting these rapids,&quot; writes Mr. Peck 



