174 PLEASURES OF ANGLLNG. 



elation of the flow and force of the currents ; but 

 nothing seems so difficult as the exact balance 

 they preserve during these great muscular exer- 

 tions. They constantly change their setting poles 

 from side to side and half face about with every 

 change ; but in doing so they preserve a perfect 

 poise, not casting an ounce of improper weight 

 upon either side while making these rapid changes. 

 A novice, whatever props he might call to his 

 aid, would find it impossible to maintain his 

 equilibrium while passing either up or down these 

 boiling cauldrons. But to lose his balance is the 

 last thing to be apprehended from an expert canoe- 

 man. He has this art perfectly acquired by long 

 years of constant practice. 



Indian Falls is by far the most threatening rapid 

 on the river, and is the only one where anglers 

 are expected to disembark in ascending. The 

 canoes, however, are always polled up and it is 

 very seldom that any accident happens. The des- 

 cent is even more difficult, and prudent voyageurs 

 take to terra firma rather than run the gauntlet of 

 the numerous bowlders which dot the channel 

 from summit to base. Only one of our party, how- 

 ever, had the good sense to " take to the woods " 

 for half a mile rather than run the risk of a cold 

 bath or something worse, by rushing down the 

 fearfully turbulent waterway. It so happened 



