THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION. 309 



reached that point which exists in most falls from 

 whence the water seems to begin its run preparatory 

 to a good jump over into the abyss below ; and we 

 knew, from, having watched many great cataracts for 

 hours, that it was a bourne from whence there was 

 no return. Quick as lightning the idea flashed across 

 us that the Indians had made a mistake, and that 

 everything was over for us in this world. In that 

 infinitesimal fraction of time a glimpse of the counte- 

 nance of the sturdy bowsman rather confirmed this 

 idea his teeth appeared set, and there was an un- 

 usual look in his eye. All creations of our own 

 heated fancy ; for in another second the canoe's head 

 swept in towards the rocks, and was turned nose up 

 stream in tolerably slack water, two of the paddlers 

 jumping out and holding it firmly there. All our 

 poetical fancies were rudely dispersed by a cheer and 

 chorus of laughter from the Irroquois crew. The 

 breaking of a paddle in the hands of either bowsman 

 or steersman would have been fatal at that critical 

 moment when we turned sharply in to the bank, the 

 stern being allowed to swing round in the heavy 

 stream, and by so doing, aid in driving the bow in- 

 wards. Nothing could have saved us if such an ac- 

 cident had occurred ; yet here were these Indians 

 chuckling over the danger they had only just escaped 

 by the exertions of their greatest skill and of their 

 utmost muscular power. They had needlessly and 

 wittingly encountered it, for they could have gained 



VOL. L X 



