282 TRAVEL, AD VENTURE, AND SPORT. 



rapids one particular spot perhaps where some back 

 eddy from a rock tends to suck in everything that ap- 

 proaches that is the climax of the danger, which, if 

 passed safely, the rest is easy sailing. The intensity 

 of the look with which they regard the rushing water 

 in front of them whilst every fibre in their powerful 

 frames is at its utmost tension, is a thing to be ad- 

 mired, but not to be described in words, nor even on 

 canvas. There is a mixture of extreme, almost un- 

 earthly, enjoyment, alloyed with a realisation of the 

 danger to be encountered, in their expression, which 

 we never remember having seen in any face before, 

 except in the countenance of soldiers at the hottest 

 moment of a storming-party. It bespoke the earnest- 

 ness of men prepared to dare anything, and who 

 gloried and revelled in the attendant danger. 



Our daily routine was as follows : At the first 

 streak of daylight (occasionally long before it) the 

 reveille was sounded, followed quickly by a cry of 

 " Fort Garry " from every tent or bivouac fire. This 

 was the watchword of the force, as " Anns, men, and 

 canoes " (" Arma virumque cano ") was the punning 

 motto adopted for us by our witty chaplain. Tents 

 were struck and stowed away in the boats, and all 

 were soon on board and working hard at the oar. 

 We halted for an hour at 8 A.M. for breakfast, and 

 again for another hour for dinner at 1 P.M., and finally 

 for the night about 6 or 7 P.M. It was surprising, 

 after the first week's practice, to see the rapidity with 



