SELF-CONFIDENCE 
more came to another great barrier, with two islands, 
stretching, like most of the others, from southwest to 
northeast. The only point at which we could take the 
canoe down was in the rapid in the very centre of the 
stream, a nasty-looking place, I can assure you, followed 
by a whirlpool of such proportions as would have 
frightened most humans. I must say for my men that 
they showed a great deal of courage that day. Whether 
it was because they did not quite realize the danger, or 
whether it was because they had got accustomed to it by 
then, I do not know; but the fact remains that when I 
ordered them to go down that terrifying place they obeyed 
without saying a word. 
We had to exercise the greatest care, having to jump 
out on small rocks which stuck up in the middle of the 
rapid in order to arrest the almost uncontrollable speed of 
the canoe. Had they missed their footing while jumping 
on those rocks and holding the ropes attached to the canoe, 
the men would certainly have lost their lives, as it was 
out of the question to save anybody in those diabolical 
waters. Therefore, when you considered the terrific speed 
at which the canoe was travelling, and that the men must 
have known that a mistake in judging the distance would 
have meant utter destruction, you could not but admire 
them for their really amazing self-confidence. On many 
occasions, indeed, I had to do the same thing myself, but 
I must say I never liked it much; although I was in a 
better position than they were, as I am a good swimmer 
— not that a swimmer would have much chance in those 
waters. 
A number of islets were seen below the rapids and 
whirlpool. From that point we discerned on the right 
bank an elongated hill, 100 feet high. Slightly beyond, 
preceded by a great mass of rock, was another island, 200 
metres long, dividing the stream in two. Two other 
islands, one 700 metres long, Leda Island, the other one 
151 
