her. They went up the rapid as far
as they could paddle and then swung around and came racing back. When
they came to the quiet part of the river again, Bob said,

"That's great fun. I bet we have some excitement to-morrow when we go
down the river to a point opposite Lac Parent."

"I guess we'll enjoy it all right. I pity Pud if he gets in the drink,"
said Bill.

The next morning, the guides and their two leaders took the greatest
precautions in binding up the duffle bags and the grub. Everything was
folded so that even though they might be capsized, there would be little
risk of their kits and grub.

"You are making preparations as if you expect trouble," said Bob to Mr.
Waterman.

"Not especially," was the reply. "It is always best to be ready for
anything in fast water. A broken paddle, just a mistake in judgment, may
spell disaster. However, I think you'll enjoy it this morning. The river
has some fast water all right but it is not very deep and though we may
get wet, there will not be much real danger."

"How are we going to pair off?" asked Bob.

"Jack will take Pud. Joe will pair with Bill, you will come with me and
Jean and Mr. Anderson will make up the party."

They were soon off, with Mr. Waterman and Bob leading. They had quite a
stretch of slow water first and the boys were given their directions
then.

"The main thing about getting through fast water is not to lose your
nerve," said Mr. Waterman. "Next you must have confidence in your
steersman and do what he tells you just as soon as he tells you."

"That's what I'm here for," said Bob, in his position up in the bow.

They soon swung into the rapids and it was exhilarating fun at first.
Then Bob's heart came up into his throat for a minute as he looked ahead
and could see only a smother of foam. Mr. Waterman steered straight for
what seemed the worst part of it. In another moment they were in it and
Bob thought that the canoe would never rise to the wall of water ahead.
But it did. In a second, they were shooting down with Bob paddling for
dear life trying as best he could to follow the calm directions of Mr.
Waterman. The very speedy part of the descent lasted only a few minutes,
but it was very exciting. Then they swung once more into the calm waters
of the broad reaches of the river.

"Did we cover those two miles that took us over an hour to do the other
day when we were portaging up?" asked Bob.

"That we did," said Mr. Waterman. "We