the sailing qualities of the boats were all
important, and when towed by line the keel would give a chance to shoot
out into the current to get round rocks, where a flat bottom would have
followed the line broadside and fetched up against the rock. In shooting
the cataracts the boats did not answer the helm as quickly as would flat
bottoms, but this drawback was not sufficient to condemn the keel.

Next day, Thursday, November 6th, we ran some more swift water to
Sarras, nine miles below foot of Semnah. We met there thirty whalers
with troops and stores ready to ascend. Colonel Denison asked me to give
him one man to act as pilot, so I gave him Mathias Hill, an Iroquois.
Colonel Denison went up with this fleet.

Most of the Canadian voyageurs asked me how I found the Rapids. I told
them that I had no trouble, considering it unadvisable to give a minute
description, as I had already discovered how the fast falling water
daily changed the appearance of the river, and what was a good place for
me to go up, would be bad now, whilst a bad place might be better. I was
well aware that these voyageurs would have more trouble than I had. They
had not only larger loads but soldier crews, whilst I had my Caughnawaga
boys with whom I had worked from youth up and who promptly caught at a
sign from me, while the soldiers had to be talked to, and, although
having the best of will, could not always comprehend the situation.

After thirty whalers had started, I was informed by Lord Avon more
of the order to camp. Next day the 7th November, another fleet of
twenty-eight boats started, for which Lord Avonmore asked me a pilot.
I gave him John Bruce of St. Regis.

The following day, the 8th, Lord Avonmore requested of me seven men and
a foreman, to go with him up to the Dal cataract to be stationed there,
owing probably, as I thought to myself, that Col. Alleyne considered
the Dal the most difficult. I pointed out Peter Canoe as the most
experienced boatman I had, and as he does not speak English, James Deer
went as their interpreter. I received orders for myself to go down with
the rest of my men to Gemai. At Gemai I found twenty-three light boats
manned by Dongolese. Placing a captain in each boat we started, but were
disappointed to find that these men had never seen a boat nor used an
oar. With the help of the usual north wind we managed to ascend in good
time to Sarras. On the way up we had to teach one man to steer and then
go ro