Photo by George Sliiras, 3rd 
A HOARY MARMOT 
The northern type of the American woodchuck — a good example of protective coloration. 
Photographed on mountain at head of Benjamin Creek 
the combers in the narrower channels, or 
cross-currents, throw the waves a foot or 
two higher than the stern of the boat, 
seemed inviting catastrophe, had it not 
been proven otherwise, seconded by the 
fact that Tom had the reputation of be- 
ing the most capable and experienced 
riverman in the Kenai Valley. 
Grave concern was expressed, how- 
ever, over the safety of our canoe, and 
so the feeling of distrust was mutual. 
Tom said that he would rather take his 
chances on a saw-log, "Because it never 
took in water, and the part above the 
surface was always the top, no matter 
how often it rolled over." So here was 
a chance to try out the efficiency and 
safety of each boat, running practically 
side by side. 
The explanation for this method of 
handling such a skiff soon became plain. 
No ordinary boat can safely run a swift 
and tortuous stream when floating at the 
same speed as the current. It must go 
either faster or slower, in order to re- 
spond readily to the rudder or paddle 
when steering. In a canoe the occupants 
of course face ahead, wdiile by letting the 
skiff' run down stern first the oarsman, 
and in this particular instance the steers- 
man, also faced down the river, the full 
advantages of which I learned later. 
Since the river was unknown to my 
Michigan guide, who was to manage the 
canoe, it was arranged that I should sit 
in the stern of the skiff, facing upstream, 
and, with the canoe keeping 50 yards 
or more in the rear, I could signal the 
character of the water at each bend and 
which side the canoe should take when 
necessary. 
The first proof that the different 
methods were based upon the character 
of the boats came a few minutes after 
starting. On rounding a bend we found 
in the middle of the stream, less than 30 
yards away, an immense rock, over 
which the water was breaking with great 
force and against which we would have 
drifted broadside, as the current divided. 
Tom pulled vigorously to the left, quar- 
tering upstream, and althottgh he could 
not quite stem the current the boat 
slowly worked inshore, with a good 
margin to spare when we dropped past 
the rock. Had the boat been going 
434 
