DOWN THE ATHABASCA 



of their paddles the collision was averted. But in a moment 

 they were in worse danger, for right ahead were two great 

 rocks, over and around which the tumbling waters rushed 

 wildly. Would they try the right side or the left ? Only an 

 instant was afforded for thought, but in that instant Pierre 

 saw his only chance and took it — heading his canoe straight 

 for the chute between the rocks. Should they swerve a foot 

 to one side or the other the result would be fatal, but with 

 unerring judgment and unflinching nerve they shot straight 

 through the notch, and disappeared in the trough below. 

 Rising buoyantly from the billows of foam and flying spray, 

 they swept on with the rushing waters until, in a little eddy 

 half-way down the rapid, they pulled in to the shore in safety. 

 They were all well soaked by the spray and foam, but with- 

 out concern or excitement returned for the second canoe. In 

 taking this dovsm a valise of stationery and photographic sup- 

 plies, inadvertently allowed to remain in the canoe, got a 

 rather serious wetting, but as soon as possible its contents 

 were spread out upon the smooth, clean rocks to dry. Past 

 the remainder of the rapid a portage was made and camp 

 pitched at the foot. While our Iroquois were thus occupied, 

 Schott and his men had been hard at work running doAvn 

 their scows, and had been unfortimate enough to get one of 

 them stranded on a big flat rock in the middle of the rapid. 

 Had it not been for the timely assistance of our party and 

 the generalship of old Pierre, he would probably never have 

 gotten it off. As it was, the accomplishment of the task occu- 

 pied our united energies for several hours. 



33 



