A Cruise in the Cassiar 



branch-excursion to the largest of the three low-de- 

 scending glaciers we had passed. The Indian pilot, 

 well acquainted with this part of the coast, declared 

 himself willing to guide us. The water in these fiord 

 channels is generally deep and safe, and though at 

 wide intervals rocks rise abruptly here and there, 

 lacking only a few feet in height to enable them to 

 take rank as islands, the flat-bottomed Cassiar drew 

 but little more water than a duck, so that even the 

 most timid raised no objection on this score. .The 

 cylinder-heads of our engines were the main source of 

 anxiety; provided they could be kept on all might 

 yet be well. But in this matter there was evidently 

 some distrust, the engineer having imprudently in- 

 formed some of the passengers that in consequence of 

 using salt water in his frothing boilers the cylinder- 

 heads might fly off at any moment. To the glacier, 

 however, it was at length decided we should venture. 

 Arriving opposite the mouth of its fiord, we steered 

 straight inland between beautiful wooded shores, and 

 the grand glacier came in sight in its granite valley, 

 glowing in the early sunshine and extending a noble 

 invitation to come and see. After we passed between 

 the two mountain rocks that guard the gate of the 

 fiord, the view that was unfolded fixed every eye in 

 wondering admiration. No words can convey any- 

 thing like an adequate conception of its sublime 

 grandeur — the noble simplicity and fineness of the 

 sculpture of the walls; their magnificent proportions; 

 their cascades, gardens, and forest adornments; the 

 placid fiord between them; the great white and blue 



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