THROUGH LAPLAND. 63 
without our affiftance, would probably on many occafions have 
been dilheartened. They had not the lead: knowledge of the 
depth of a current from the appearance of the furface, and of two 
courfes prefented to their option, they were always fure to chufe 
the word and the {hallowed. Through their awkwardnefs and 
dupidity, we were obliged to pafs a confiderable part of our jour¬ 
ney along the river on foot. I have not a doubt but our Simon, 
through the cataradls of Muonio, would have difcovered with a 
'glance of his penetrating eye, fome place where the boats might 
have paded in fafety. Two of our Laplanders came out of 
their refpe&ive boats, and in each one remained. One of thofe 
who landed drew the boat along by means of a rope made of the 
bark of the birch-tree ; the other, with a rope made of the fame 
materials, checked and moderated its motion when the current 
was too rapid. If at any time the Laplanders who were on foot 
on the banks of the river, chanced to fpy any plant of the ange¬ 
lica, they would immediately run to gather it; and having their 
hands full of this herb, they would rather lofe hold of the ropes 
and let the boats ftrike on rocks, than quit the delicious vegetable. 
Sometimes when we were in the boat, they would chatter among 
themfelves at fuch a rate, or be immerfed fo profoundly in the 
pleafures of the pipe, that they took no manner of notice of ap¬ 
proaching dangers; to which, of courfe, we were obliged to be 
ourfelves attentive: and even when we did give them warning, 
they would rather let the boats drive againfl any obltacle, than in¬ 
terrupt or difcompofe the bufinefs of eating angelica, or fmoking 
tobacco. 
