heir old boat also
with them. This was fastened by a tow-rope behind the canoe. It was
filled with frozen provisions, having been first lined with rough furs,
others were laid closely over them. In this way Godfrey calculated that
they would remain frozen for a long time. The rest of the store of flour
and a stock of firewood were added.

As to the extra weight of towing the canoe it was immaterial, as until
they reached the mouth of the river there would be no occasion for
paddling, and beyond that the stock of provisions could be transferred
to their own canoe to take the place of those used up on the way, and
the craft could then be cast adrift. As there was a light breeze,
however, the sail was hoisted, rather because it gave them steerage way
than for any increase to their speed. As soon as the canoe shot out into
the rougher water in the full force of the stream, Godfrey was still
more delighted with the boat, the empty compartments fore and aft
rendering her exceedingly buoyant. She had been built with somewhat
higher sides than the canoes Godfrey had seen at home, and rose a good
deal towards the ends; and she floated as lightly as a cork on the
surface of the water. That afternoon they passed Turukhansk. Below this
the river widened out. In the evening they lowered the sail, as they did
not wish to run the risk of striking either the shore or a piece of ice
that might have got delayed on its journey. All night they hurried on,
lying snugly in the bottom of the boat with the apron closed overhead.

In the morning they found they were not far from the left bank, and that
the river now was more than four miles wide. The sail was again hoisted
and breakfast made, after which they got out their lines and hooks,
baited, and dropped them into the water. During the course of the day
they caught several fish, and picked up a considerable quantity of
floating wood, which they stowed in the large canoe.

"I think, Luka," Godfrey said, "that instead of letting our old boat go
we may as well keep it for a time. As long as there is wind, it makes no
great difference to our speed, though, of course, it would be heavy if
we were paddling. If we had bad weather we could land and turn it bottom
upwards, and there would be a hut ready made for us. This canoe is all
right for sleeping in when the water is smooth, but with its deep keel
we could not sleep in it ashore."

Luka was, as usual, quite of Godfrey's opinion. After this