RUNNING THE RAPIDS. 39 
were the banks that only with great difficulty could we 
see the river beyond. As far as the bend, though the 
current was swift, there appeared to be but few rocks 
near the left bank, and plenty of water. We therefore 
decided to go ashore at that point, if necessary, and 
examine the stream beyond. 
As we proceeded the stream became fearfully swift 
and the waves increasingly heavy. At the speed we 
were making the bend was soon reached, but just beyond 
it another bluff point came in view. We would have 
gone ashore to make a further inspection, but this was 
impossible, as the banks were of perpendicular or even 
overhanging walls of limestone. So alarmingly swift 
was the current now becoming that we eagerly looked 
for some place on the bank where a landing might be 
made, but none could be seen. Retreat was equally 
impossible against the enormous strength of the river; 
all we could do was to keep straight in the current. 
My brother's canoe, steered by old Pierre, being a little 
in advance of my own, gave mea good opportunity of 
seeing the fearful race we were running. Suspicions of 
danger were already aroused, and the outcome was not 
long deferred. As we were rounding the bluff, old Pierre 
suddenly stood up from his seat in the stern, and in 
another instant we likewise were gazing at what looked 
hke the end of theriver. Right before us there extended 
a perpendicular fall. We had no time for reflection, but 
keeping straight with the current, and throwing our- 
selves back in the canoes in order to lighten the bows 
we braced ourselves for the plunge, and in a moment were 
lost to sight in the foaming waters below. But only for 
an instant. Our light cedars, though partly filled by the 
