264 WILD LIFE AND THE CAISIERA 



the frail craft and destruction. After many futile 

 efforts the how would be brought to point towards 

 the turbulent channel, guarded on either side by 

 monstrous stones, which, like watching devils, lay 

 there ready to grind to atoms the boat that for an 

 instant left the narrow path and came within their 

 reach. A vigorous push, and the light craft shot 

 over the racing waters, passed the rocks and for a 

 moment wavered as though she would drop back 

 again and face the stony demons ; another push and 

 we were out of reach of the eddy, and there was 

 time to breathe and rest before attempting the next 

 falls. These were passed after what seemed an 

 interminable time, and then came the return. 

 Running down stream requires almost more nerve, 

 though less exertion, than going against the current. 

 When fairly in the race you sweep past rocks at an 

 awful speed. I had visions of an unwished-for 

 bath and a canoe to be paid for, as the water carried 

 me along utterly regardless of my feelings in the 

 matter. A quick shove here and there against a 

 passing stone would turn the canoe to where a 

 suitable opening appeared. Occasionally we grazed 

 a partly submerged rock whose paint-marked 

 surface told of some canoe that had come in 

 contact with it. Such beacons mark the channel 

 through most of the rapids and shallow places. 

 We were nearing the last falls, and I was " holding 

 back " with all my strength when my pole caught 

 between the rocks ; my heart sank within me, as I 

 realised that unless I recovered the pole I must 

 inevitably be dashed to pieces ; so, leaning over, even 

 at the risk of upsetting the canoe, I jerked the pole 



