DOWN THE ATHABASCA. 33 



through the boiling waters by means of lines from the 

 shore and the assistance of poles on board, to again re- 

 ceive their loads at the foot of the island. Two or three 

 scows were also similarly engaged in transporting the 

 cargo of the steamer, of which our supplies formed part, 

 and, much to our annoyance, there was considerable de- 

 lay on account of having to repair the tramway across 

 the island. We were informed that the Grahame could 

 not now reach Chippewyan before the 20th of June, 

 which would be ten days later than we had expected to 

 be able to leave that place. However, we could only 

 accept the inevitable, and try to make the best use of 

 the time. 



While Schott and his crews were thus engaged with 

 their transport, our own men were not idle. They had 

 been told that the rapid would have to be portaged, as 

 no canoeman would venture to run it; but having walked 

 down the shore and themselves examined the river, the 

 Iroquois asked and obtained permission to run it by 

 taking one canoe down at a time. Schott and his 

 Indians thought them mad to try such a venture, but 

 seeming to have every confidence in their own abilities, 

 we determined to see what they could do. John gladly 

 chose the work of portaging along the rough boulder 

 shore and over precipitous rocks in preference to taking 

 a paddle, but the three Iroquois took their places, Louis 

 in the bow, Michel in the middle, and old Pierre in the 

 stern. As the three daring fellows pushed off from the 

 shore into the surging stream, those of us who gazed 

 upon them did so with grave forebodings. They had 

 started, and now there was nothing to do but go through 

 3 



