FOREST LIFE. 63 



man stands in the bow and braces his foot against the stern as he 

 labors ; the other stands in the stern, and they both pole on the 

 same side as they proceed up the margin of the stream. De- 

 scending the river, they make use of paddles." However, the 

 depth to which these frail boats are loaded, in which condition 

 they pass through rough waters and wide lakes, where the wind 

 is liable in a few minutes to raise high waves, can not be regard- 

 ed as prudent, with all their matchless skill in navigating. 



When I call to mind the intemperate habits to which most 

 lumbermen in times past were addicted, I am surprised that no 

 more accidents have occurred while navigating our rivers. 



I shall not soon forget the perilous circumstances in which I 

 was once placed, in company with others, while taking a deeply- 

 laden skiff" up to the head waters of the St. Croix. 



Having safely passed the rapids of the river, we embarked upon 

 the Lake Che-pet-na-cook, up which we paddled about twenty 

 miles to the portage, over which we had to carry our effects to 

 Grand Lake, distant some two miles. By the time we had ac- 

 complished these moves the shadows of a September evening 

 began to gather around vis, giving a pecuUar tint to the large 

 sheet of water before us, which spread to the north some twenty- 

 five miles, with an expanse east and west of about six miles, wash- 

 ing a portion of the shores of Maine on the west, and the prov- 

 ince of New Brunswick on the east. 



The point of destination lay about half way up the lake on 

 the American side. Our boat was deeply laden with men and 

 provisions ; of the former there were seven in number. A light 

 wind from the east caused a gentle ripple upon the surface of the 

 waters, which induced us to hug the easterly shore pretty closely. 

 "We proceeded slowly, and when it became necessary to change 

 our course in order to cross the lake, night had nearly settled 

 down upon the waters, leaving only sufficient light to reveal the 

 opposite shore, which stretched along the verge of the horizon, 



