RUNNING THE RAPIDS. 39 



were the banks that only with great difficulty could we 

 see the river beyond. As far as the bend, though the 

 current was swift, there appeared to be but few rocks 

 near the left bank, and plenty of water. We therefore 

 decided to go ashore at that point, if necessary, and 

 examine the stream beyond. 



As we proceeded the stream became fearfully swift 

 and the waves increasingly heavy. At the speed we 

 were making the bend was soon reached, but just beyond 

 it another bluff point came in view. We would have 

 gone ashore to make a further inspection, but this was 

 impossible, as the banks were of perpendicular or even 

 overhanging walls of limestone. So alarmingly swift 

 was the current now becoming that we eagerly looked 

 for some place on the bank where a landing might be 

 made, but none could be seen. Retreat was equally 

 impossible against the enormous strength of the river; 

 all \ve could do was to keep straight in the current. 

 My brother's canoe, steered by old Pierre, being a little 

 in advance of my own, gave me a good opportunity of 

 seeing the fearful race we were running. Suspicions of 

 danger were already aroused, and the outcome was not 

 long deferred. As we were rounding the bluff, old Pierre 

 suddenly stood up from his seat in the stern, and in 

 another instant we likewise were gazing at what looked 

 like the end of the river. Right before us there extended 

 a perpendicular fall. We had no time for reflection, but 

 keeping straight with the current, and throwing our- 

 selves back in the canoes in order to lighten the bows 

 we braced ourselves for the plunge, and in a moment were 

 lost to sight in the foaming waters below. But only for 

 an instant. . Our light cedars, though partly filled by the 



