62 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



the same route through which the provisions have been carried 

 to the next landing, where the goods are again reshipped, and 

 we proceed by water on lake or stream, with the alternate rou- 

 tine of paddling, poling, and lugging, until the place of destina- 

 tion is reached. 



Persons wholly unacquainted with river navigation can have 

 but an imperfect idea of the skill as well as nerve brought into 

 requisition in taking a heavy-laden bateau, skiff, or canoe up over 

 rapids. Let such a person stand upon the banks of the river, 

 and survey some places over which these frail boats, loaded to the 

 gunwale, pass, and he would not only regard the thing as exceed- 

 ingly difficult and hazardous, but as altogether impossible ; with 

 the inexperienced it would, indeed, be both, but our skillful wa- 

 termen will perform it with the greatest dexterity. Should any 

 traveler chance to take an up-river trip with those boatmen, I am 

 quite sure his observations would confirm my statement respect- 

 ing them. I am happy to add here the testimony of Dr. Jack- 

 son, who had an opportunity to witness their skill : " Those who 

 have never been on such a journey would be surprised at the 

 dexterity of the Penobscot boatmen as they drive their frail ba- 

 teau through the rapids and among dangerous rocks. The slight- 

 est failure on their part, on passing the numerous waterfalls, would 

 place the lives of those on board in imminent peril, and the trav- 

 eler has good reason to be thankful if the boat by their care is 

 saved from being overturned or sunk in the river. 



" When the waters rush down a rapid slope of smooth and 

 round rocks, forming what are called gravel-beds, the most stren- 

 uous exertions of the boatmen are required to stem the current, 

 and not unfrequently their ' setting' poles are caught between 

 the rocks, so as to be jerked from their grasp. Bateaux are nav- 

 igated up stream by means of slender poles of spruce, about 

 twelve or fifteen feet in length, armed with an iron point, con- 

 fined by a ferule or iron band around its extremity. One boat- 



