PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 169 



of the rapids was abundantly exciting, not only 

 because great muscular exertion and skill were 

 necessary on the part of the guides, but because it 

 was often a matter of grave doubt whether the 

 ascent could possibly be made. In the event of a 

 failure, either from the force of the current or 

 because of the divergence of the canoe from the 

 proper line, nothing could prevent the frail craft 

 from being hurled backward amid the huge bowl- 

 ders which render the ascent or descent of the 

 rapids always perilous. Accidents from either of 

 these causes seldom happen; but there are occa- 

 sional compulsory retreats and unpleasant upsets 

 caused by the breakage or loss of setting poles or 

 paddles at the most critical moment. 



Upon one occasion my canoe had just surmounted 

 a dangerous fall and was moving along in seeming 

 security against the swift water a few rods above 

 the crest of the rapids, when the setting poles of 

 both my guides were caught in the clefts of the 

 hidden rocks and snatched from their hands. The 

 canoe was thus left to the mercy of the current. An 

 upset seemed inevitable, and I instinctively began 

 to disencumber myself for a cold bath. But in an 

 instant both guides seized their paddles, and by 

 almost superhuman exertions held their boat in 

 proper line until it fell back upon the canoe in the 

 rear, whose guides had caught up the floating set- 

 22 



