ACROSS UNKNOWN SOUTH AMERICA 
a great bump we stuck with a heavy list to starboard on 
a rock in the middle of the rapid, and presently the canoe 
was filled with water. Had we not stuck fast on that 
rock we certainly should have capsized. The water was 
baled out in due course, the canoe was floated once more. 
Soon afterwards another strong rapid, with a pe dr aria 
extending right across the stream from south-southwest to 
north-northeast, gave us endless trouble. 
I warned Alcides to get us alongside some rocks in 
order that we might let the canoe down with ropes, as the 
rapid, with a sheer drop of over six feet, looked too 
dangerous for us to shoot it. But Alcides was furious with 
the other men, and in order to punish them steered the 
canoe into the most dangerous part of the rapid. A 
second later the canoe, at an angle of 45°, was swept away 
down the foaming current along the slant of the rapid, 
which extended there for about fifteen metres. The 
channel was a most intricate one, with rocks scattered all 
over it, so that it was absolutely impossible for the canoe, 
with her great length, to go through without having an 
accident. 
As we shaved a big rock in the middle of the rapid, 
and I saw the canoe steering straight for another big 
rock in front, I knew disaster was imminent, and leapt 
out on the rock. So frequently was it necessary for me 
to do so, that I had become quite an expert at jumping, 
and had acquired almost the agility of a monkey. Alcides, 
too, seeing the danger, also tried to follow my example, 
but unfortunately missed his footing and was swept 
away by the current. I just managed to seize him before 
he disappeared for good, and dragged him safely on to 
the rock. 
In the meantime the canoe had swung with great 
vigour and struck the big rock sidewise, smashing her 
side and filling at once with water. All the baggage was 
swamped; only a portion of the canoe aft remained above 
186 
