N 



obstructed channel there was none; but it 



was an old story for everyone, and to N 



a trivial affair. Our custom was to despatch 

 the living freight over the portage, divide 

 the baggage and dispose it so as to put the 

 canoes in the handiest trim. The idea of 

 following any different plan had not enter- 

 ed my head, so I was utterly surprised to 

 see N equipping a load with a tump- 

 line. 



'Why do that? There is no more carry- 

 ing.' 



'For the portage.' 



'For the portage! But we run the bag- 

 gage!' 



''Le rapide est vilain; — mieux portager! 



'The rapid is safe enough — there will be 

 more water than usual.' 



'Yes, more water, too much and not 

 enough. It will be ugly. We may smash 

 a canoe.' 



'No great danger of that, but what if we 

 do? Our risk. The carry would take too 

 much time.' 



Grudgingly, almost sulkily, N 



yielded. The two French Canadians, fin- 

 ishing their breakfast beside us, followed 

 the interchange with curious intentness; 



but the passing wonder at N 's re- 



209 

 14 



