CANOEING. 
147 
easily be done by lashing two small canoes together, at about one yard 
apart, and laying a platform across them, on which to place the stores, &c. 
This, however, should not be done in dangerous and rapid rivers. The 
following remarks do not, therefore, apply to large canoes, which, having 
nearly the stability of a boat, may be handled in the same manner. 
Paddles .—It will generally be found that the native paddles will be 
best suited for the work. The double-bladed paddle, such as is used with 
canoes in this country, is quite useless on a rapid and dangerous river. 
Sail .—The sail should be made of duck, or some such light material, 
fastened to a light yard at each end, and its hoist should be about twice 
its breadth; its size must be in proportion to the canoe, the hoist being 
about one-fourth of the canoe’s length. The mast should be as light as 
possible, with a hole at the top for the halliards to pass through freely 
The end should be stepped in a chock in the bottom of the canoe (when in 
use), and it should be lashed to one of the stays, or cross-pieces of the 
canoe. The sail should never be used unless the wind is steady and 
abaft the beam, and the halliards should be taken to the after part of the 
canoe in order to stay the mast, and secured in such a manner that it 
can be instantly let go, when the sail will at once fall, and undue pressure 
on the canoe relieved. 
The Tow-line .—Too much attention cannot be paid to this important 
article. It should be light, but of the best material (such as the rope 
used by the Alpine Club), as its giving way at a critical moment in a rapid 
is sure to be attended with most serious results. 
Loading the Canoe .—The packages should not exceed 50 lbs. in weight, 
as they may have to be carried long distances over portages, and care 
must be taken not to overload the canoe. Natives, who are all good 
swimmers, and have nothing to lose by a capsize, are very apt to put 
more into a canoe than is safe, so that it is a matter in which the 
traveller should use his own discretion. 
In ascending a rapid river, keep close to one of its banks, and endeavour 
to take advantage of eddies. It will often happen that, owing to the 
strength of the stream, no headway can be made with the paddles, in 
which case recourse must be had to poling or tracking. In the event of 
the former, the poles should be straight and tough, and as long as can be 
conveniently carried in the canoe. Natives generally stand up to pole, 
but this the traveller should not attempt to do, or he will in all pro- 
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