174 "LA GRANDE DECHAKGE" OF LAKE ST. JOHN 



opposite to it of the waters of the Grand and Little 

 Discharge. The smaller channel is on the right, and 

 is comparatively dead water, so nearly imperceptible 

 is its current. How striking is the contrast offered to 

 it by the Grand Discharge ! Here, to the left, are pretty 

 nearly the heaviest rapids of the entire Saguenay series. 

 They are, for the most part, a succession of roaring and 

 foaming cascades, whose white and fleecy waves look 

 soft as carded wool, while the mighty diapason of their 

 flood rumbles with the voice of never-ending thunder. 

 Long and wonderingly we sat and gazed that summer 

 night at the ceaseless rush of the angry waters, and 

 followed with our eyes the descent of the torrent that 

 struck with such violence upon the shore of the main- 

 land immediately facing the point of the island that 

 a portion of its stream was dashed in an upward cur- 

 rent of considerable width along the opposite margin 

 of the Little Discharge. There was no other way to 

 descend the river than to enter and cross the fleecy 

 waters of the Vache Caille before reaching the treach- 

 erous counter-current just described. How we won- 

 dered, as we watched it, where and how it was to be 

 done! At half-past five next morning we knew all 

 about it. The canoes had scarcely shot out from the 

 point in front of the club-house when they were worked 

 gradually into the heavy rapids below. It was an ex- 

 citing time, for we could read plainly the anxiety 

 depicted upon the countenances and evidenced by the 

 alertness and exertions of the guides. Nor could we 

 help, even amid the intense excitement and exhilara- 

 tion of our surroundings, but be lost in admiration for 

 the ability, tact, and coolness with which the voyageurs 



