HUMAN NATURE ON THE RIVER 21 



On the 27th we came to the Cascade Rapids. The 

 first or Little Cascade has about two feet fall, the 

 second or Grand Cascade, a mile farther, is about a six 

 foot sheer drop. These are considered very difficult 



Natural amphitheatre on Athabaska Canyon 



to run, and the manner of doing it changes with every 

 change in season or water level. 



We therefore went through an important ceremony, 

 always carried out in the same way. All 13 boats 

 were beached, the 13 pilots went ahead on the bank to 

 study the problem, they decided on the one safe place 

 and manner, then returned, and each of the 13 boats 

 was run over in 13 different places and manners. 

 They always do this. You are supposed to have run 

 the Cascades successfully if you cross them alive, but 

 to have failed if you drown. In this case all were 

 successful. 



Below the Cascades I had a sample of Indian grati- 

 tude that set me thinking. My success with John 



