84 ON THE GREAT CHURCHILL RIVER 



June 25. — On the water about 6 a.m. and pro- 

 ceeding onward through Key Lake. 



About 11.30 a.m. we reached the bottom of the 

 lake, where we portaged overland at Key Falls. 



Below the falls, going quietly downstream, we 

 came on a very large brown bear. The bear, when 

 first seen, was wading belly-deep in the water on 

 the outside of some reeds on the north shore on 

 the prowl for fish — suckers or pike, which such 

 animals capture by striking at in the water in 

 lightning scrap fashion. Providence or sense of 

 danger stirred in the brute while we watched, 

 for it waded leisurely ashore and disappeared into 

 the bush before we had even planned how to get 

 near enough for shooting. The animal gave no 

 sign of having seen us or scented us, and so we were 

 induced to paddle down on to the south shore of 

 J;he river, and go into hiding opposite where it had 

 been hunting on the chance of its returning. 

 There we lay up for two hours, but our patience 

 was unavailing, and disappointed we resumed our 

 journey at the end of that time. 



In the late afternoon we made a portage at 

 Grand Rapids and camped for the night at the 

 lower end. The portage at this rapid was a long 

 one, nearly half a mile in length. 



Again and again I am prompted to exclaim in 

 admiration of the vastness of the Churchill River. 

 After twenty-four days on the great waterway, 

 her lakes and rapids have not lost one whit of 

 their impressive strength and grandeur ; unbridled 

 force running wild ; powerful water-power 

 worth many a man's kingdom if only it were 

 within the boundary of civilisation. In such a 



