LA RIVIERE NOIRE. 105 



in the water took the same channel, and down the stream 

 we all went merrily for half a mile. The rapid ended in a 

 deep and quiet hole where the fish was soon gaffed ; and 

 after a little rest, and a coup of brandy to the old man, 

 notwithstanding his delinquencies, he placed the canoe on 

 his shoulders, I carried the fish, and we retm-ned by the 

 bank. 



" The practicability of passing the smaller rapid being 

 thus established, Wingfield, two or three days after, having 

 hooked a large salmon, and not being able to prevent 

 it from going down, guided it in the canoe through 

 the same branch of the river; but, unfortunately, the 

 line caught in a rock near the bottom and the fish broke 

 off. 



" We spent a delightful fortnight at Malbaie, killing many 

 fine salmon, and a great number of magnificent trout ; 

 whilst we employed our servant, when we were fishing, in 

 pickling, smoking, or salting them. But the season became 

 dry, the river fell, and the fish ceased to rise in any con- 

 siderable numbers. Towards the end of July we struck 

 our tent, embarked in a large boat, and proceeded twenty 

 miles down the north shore of the St. Lawrence, \vith the 

 intention of exploring a small salmon stream, called ' La 

 Eiviere Noire,' which it was said had never been fished. 



" The north shore of the great Canadian estuary is an 

 interesting field for the geologist ; and it has not yet been 

 half explored. Indeed, a comprehensive and scientific 



