PERILS OF PIONEERING. 157 



canoe and cross the flood, swim the horses over, and 

 proceed on horseback. We started to swim the horses, 

 but the poor brutes refused to cross the torrent, and, 

 in spite of all entreatings and urgings, would not 

 breast the tide. We then decided to leave waggon, 

 baggage, and horses, cross ourselves, and travel on foot 

 to Columbra, ten miles from the river. 



Having made a canoe, and placed a few necessaries 

 therein, my brother and I made the first voyage, and 

 succeeded in reaching the other side. I returned for 

 my wife. The second journey was begun : and, after 

 placing an old air-jacket which, although defective, 

 contained sufficient air to keep one afloat for a few 

 minutes, a single paddle was used to propel the canoe. 

 And now a misfortune happened, which placed our 

 lives in extreme jeopardy. The flood had submerged 

 snags and saplings, and, passing over one of these, the 

 paddle was entangled, and in an instant was jerked 

 from my hand. We were now at the mercy of the 

 foaming torrent. The canoe whirled round and round, 

 in the eddyings of the current, and was swiftly borne 

 down the stream, rushing past trees which threatened 

 our destruction. My brother was left behind a mile, 

 when our frail bark dashed against a tree, and com- 

 menced to sink. 



Foreseeing the catastrophe, 1 divested myself of all 



