S5 



blocked by an almost perpendicular cliff; We apptoach. 

 nearer, and perceive the river takes a sudden ttirn, almost 

 at right angles. Kest we here ! — basking in the sunshine of 

 a most glorious day, but too clear for fishing ; with a suc' 

 cession of salmon-pools before us that would make the 

 sportsman's heart leap for joy ; but though w6 used every 

 art to tickle their fancy, yet could we not tempt them 

 from their sandy bed. Well, if they w&nt bite ! we will. 

 Kichly did we enjoy our repast^ with our double Gloster 

 and the contents of our flask. My friend Veasey took a 

 bath, and bathed also in the sunshine of delights, puffing 

 at his meerschaum, while I thrashed the water in expec- 

 tation of a fi^sh. The scenery is enchanting, a fitting 

 place for the Naiads to sport in. But we must away. The 

 word is given, — emharquez ! and away we.do go with a ven- 

 geance, over the dashing torrent and thundering cataract, 

 and, in the words of the song, compelled literally to 

 " keep life's boat in trim." We sit without a movement, 

 holding our breath in anxiety, depending on the quick 

 eye and ready arm of our guide. The least error, and 

 we shall go floundering down the stream. Look at that 

 fearful rapid below ! had we not better disembark ? 

 " Non, non," cries our guide, " ma vie comme a vous," 

 — my life's as good as yours. Go on ! my fine fellow : 

 wbere you go we will follow ; and within half an hour, 

 skimming the surface it had taken three hours to ascend ; 

 and shooting over rapids like an arrow from a bow, we 

 arrive in safety at our starting-point of the morning, the 

 Chute ; where we are again tempted to try a cast, the 

 water being in fine condition and the sky having become 

 clouded, with soft showers. 'Tis all to no purpose, they 



