136 



KAMSCEATKA. 



[chap. 



from the trunk of the topoyina or poplar-tree. They are generally 

 about twenty -five or thirty feet long, by two feet in beam and 

 depth, and are made to a great extent by burning out the interior 

 of the tree-trunk selected, the finishing only being done by means 

 of axes. We were able to procure five of these boats, 

 and by their aid constructed two rafts in the following 

 manner. We lashed three together side by side, with 

 an interval of about one foot between each, taking 

 care to place the weakest in the middle, and on this 

 foundation placed a platform of poles and axe-hewn 

 planks amidships, for a length of twelve or fourteen 

 feet. Over this platform we constructed a rough 

 shelter -hut, with a birch -bark roof sloping away 

 behind, and the back and sides composed of water- 

 proof sheets which could easily be furled or removed 

 when necessary. The other raft, which carried Louis, 

 Cook, and our two hunters, was made in the same 

 way, but without the hut ; and owing to its having but 

 two canoes as a foundation, was laden fully up to 

 where its Plimsoll-mark should have been. Our 

 natives sat at the head and stern of each canoe, wielding paddles 

 with a spade-like handle. They were also provided with poles, the 

 use of which, wherever the river was sufficiently shallow, they 

 seemed greatly to prefer. Shortly before noon our preparations 

 were completed, our men waved their adieux to the remaining 

 three-fourths of the inhabitants of Sherowmy, and pushing out into 

 mid-stream, we began our descent of the river. 



Immediately below the settlement the branches of the Kams- 

 chatka reunite to form a stream nearly as wide as the Thames at 

 Hampton Court, but scarcely more than a foot or two in depth. 

 The current is rather swift, but without rapids, and the only 

 dangers to be apprehended are the snags beneath the surface of 

 the water. In the upper part of the river there are not many, 

 but, lower down, the tremendous freshets which occur on the 



