AMONGST THE WILD GOATS OF THE CASCADES. 281 



the stern weight was suspended prevented the canoe 

 from approaching within a certain distance from land 

 as the tide rose ; if the tide was ebbing the canoe was 

 allowed to ground if the beach was sandy ; if not, it 

 was kept anchored below low-water mark. 



The following morning I enjoyed an exquisite view 

 of the ranges of mountains on Vancouver's Island 

 across the straits. West by south could be seen 

 the fine snowy and rocky peak, named Mount Victoria 

 (7,404 ft.), exceedingly steep and rugged, of which 

 no attempted ascent is known ; more west stands 

 Mount Crown (6,028 ft.), and next it massive Mount 

 Alexandra ; then comes a low depression extending 

 right across the island, containing Buttle Lake. On 

 the opposite side of this depression, about south-west 

 by west, rose Mount Albert Edward (6,968 ft.). 

 Opposite lay Comox, with smoke rising from the 

 new mines, and behind it the long snowy range. 



Camp life on the coast, in these sheltered archi- 

 pelagoes, is as pleasant as need be, especially during 

 the long spells of fine sunny weather. The absence 

 of mosquitoes is also one of its blessings, best appre- 

 ciated by those who have experienced these plagues 

 in the interior of the continent. 



We started late next day to gain the advantage of 

 a flowing tide, and enjoyed a favourable breeze during 

 the whole day of just the right strength, which swept 

 us rapidly along past crescent-shaped Savary Island, a 

 pleasant- looking spot, with white sandy cliffs like 

 those of Harwood. 



