ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC^ lf57 



though we were frozen to the very marrow, did we all have to 

 travel and return four separate times, before our baggage was 

 properly deposited. It was by far the most fatiguing, cheerless, 

 and uncomfortable business in which I was ever engaged, and 

 truly glad was I to lie down at night on the cold, wet ground, 

 wrapped in my blankets, out of which I had just wrung the 

 water, and I think I never slept more soundly or comfortably 

 than that night.* 



I arose the next morning rested and refreshed, though some- 

 what sore from sundry bruises received on the hills to which I 

 have alluded. 



15th. — The rain still continued falling, but lightly, the weather 

 calm and cool. The water immediately below the cascades 

 foams and boils in a thousand eddies, forming little whirlpools, 

 which, however insignificant they may appear, are exceedingly 

 dangerous for light canoes, whirling their bows around to the 

 current, and capsising them in an instant. Near the shore, at 

 the foot of the cataract, there is a strong backward tow, through 

 which it is necessary to drag the canoe, by a line, for the dis- 

 tance of a hundred yards ; here it feels the force of the opposite 

 current, and is carried on at the rate of seven or eight miles to 

 the hour. 



The man whom we sent yesterday to the village, returned 

 this morning ; he stated that one canoe only could be had, but 

 that three Indians, accustomed to the navigation, would accom- 

 pany us ; that they would soon be with us, and endeavor to re- 

 pair our damaged boat. In an hour they came, and after the 

 necessar}'- clamping and caulking of our leaky vessel, we loaded, 

 and were soon moving rapidly down the river. The rain ceased 

 about noon, but the sun did not appear during the day. 



* 1 could not but recollect at that time, the last injunction of my dear old grand- 

 mother, not to sleep in damp beds ! ! 



