them.

Suddenly, however, a loud roar burst on my ears, and I found the canoe
drawn rapidly forward. Bouncer looked up and barked, gazing towards the
shore. I attempted to turn the canoe and paddle in that direction, but
the current was too strong to enable me to succeed. I at once saw that
my only chance of safety was boldly to descend the rapids.

I grasped my paddle tightly. In another moment the bow of my canoe was
on the very edge of the cataract, and the next instant gliding downwards
like an arrow, the water boiling and hissing on either side.

I looked anxiously ahead, to ascertain if there were any rocks in the
way. Should my frail canoe strike on one, she must in a moment be
knocked to pieces; and in so rapid a current I might find it very
difficult to reach the shore, though I knew that Bouncer would give me
all the assistance in his power.

I held my paddle in the water, my only aim being to keep the canoe with
her head straight down the rapid. She floated buoyantly, though it
seemed a wonder that she should not be overwhelmed by the tumultuous
waters raging around her.

Much depended on my retaining my presence of mind, and avoiding any
rocks which might appear. On and on I went; now a dark rock rose on one
side, now on the other, the spray as the water struck them from above
being scattered far round, and often completely deluging me.

Now the canoe seemed to be hurrying on to a rock, when by exerting all
my strength I directed her course so as to avoid it, and the next moment
was shooting by, almost touching as I passed. Thus the canoe rushed
forward in its rapid descent. I had no time to think or to consider
what I should do, if it were to strike. I could not tell how long a
time was spent in shooting the rapid; I only know that at length I found
myself at its foot, floating on the comparatively tranquil water.

Striking now on one side, now on the other, I made the canoe dart
forward and continued my course, thankful that I had escaped the danger,
and earnestly hoping that I should not have to encounter another of a
similar character; still I knew that very possibly there might be more
rapids before the stream emptied itself into the broad Saskatchewan.

Should I find myself much above the fort, I might have others to shoot
in that river; but I was well acquainted with them, and had no fear
about being able to guide my canoe in safety amid the rocks which rose
up here and there across