Photo by George Shiras, 31-d 
AN0THE;R view of the IIOARY MARMOT, RAREEY FOUND BEEOW TIMBER EINE 
They have a remarkable system of signals on the approach of an enemy. This marmot 
had just signaled our approach with an almost human whistle, which was as clear as a bell. 
The whistle often confuses hunters who have been separated. 
faster than the current, with the oars- 
man's back to the danger, a smash-np 
would have been a certainty. Charlie, 
on the other hand, in the light and easier- 
handled canoe, took the inshore channel 
with a few strokes of his paddle. 
Thus the lighter boat depended upon 
speed and ease of propulsion, while the 
-clumsy and heavily laden skiff, with Tom 
facing downstream, could be kept in the 
middle of the river or pulled to either 
side in time to avoid rocks or rough 
water. 
I must concede, however, that there 
were times when the skiff thus handled 
had the advantage over the canoe, for 
when entering certain rapids, where the 
breakers extended from bank to bank, 
by pulling at the oars, and thus slightly 
checking the descent, the great curling 
435 
