OVER THE ARCTIC MOUNTAINS 219 



When all was done I had a raft twenty feet long, about 

 ten feet wide at the big end and six feet wide at the 

 small end. On the middle of this raft we made a fire- 

 place of stones so that I could cook meals without losing 

 any time in landing. Firth had told me that there were 

 few rapids in the river and none dangerous. It was my 

 intention, accordingly, to sleep on the raft and travel 

 both day and night. 



