IN QUEST OF TREASURE 51 



breath. Then out again they would creep, and once more the 

 battle would rage and, working with might and main, the 

 paddlers would force the canoe gradually ahead and over into 

 the eddy of another boulder. Sometimes the water would 

 leap over the gunwales and come aboard with a savage hiss. 

 At other times the canoes seemed to become discouraged and, 

 with their heads almost buried beneath the angry, spitting 

 waves, would balk in midstream and not move forward so 

 much as a foot to the minute. It was dangerous work, for if 

 at any time a canoe became inclined across the current, even 

 to the slightest degree, it might be rolled over and over, like a 

 barrel descending an incline. Dangerous work it was, but it 

 was interesting to see how powerfully the Indians propelled 

 their canoes, how skilfully they guided them, and how adroitly 

 even the little children handled their paddles. However, we 

 landed safely at the head of the rapids, and upon going ashore 

 to drain the canoes, partook of a refreshing snack of tea and 

 bannock. Then to the canoes again. The aspect of the river 

 was now very beautiful, beautiful enough to ponder over and 

 to dream, so we took it easy. While pipes were going we 

 gazed, in peace and restfulness, at the reflections, for they were 

 wonderful. 



After dinner we encountered another rapid, but though it 

 was much shorter than the former, the current ran too strong 

 to attempt the ascent with the aid of only paddles or poles. 

 The northern tripper has the choice between five methods of 

 circumventing "white waters," and his selection depends upon 

 the strength of the current: first, paddling; second, poling; third, 

 wading ; fourth, tracking ; and fifth, portaging. You are already 

 familiar with the method of paddling, and also with that of 

 portaging, and a description of poling will shortly follow. 

 Wading is resorted to only when the trippers, unprovided with 

 poles, have been defeated in their effort to ascend with no other 

 aid than their paddles. Then they leap overboard and seizing 



