lthough it was not exactly where Rob's map said it ought to
be. They paused at this place for their first rest, and occupied
themselves for a time figuring out, each according to his notion, a
map of the country on ahead, which all admitted now was entirely
strange to them.

Alex and Moise agreed pretty closely in their description of the
country below the Finlay, for they had friends who had made that trip
numbers of times. As to the country between this place and the mouth
of the Finlay, Rob seemed to be deferred to more than any one else,
because he had read carefully and mapped out the country in accordance
with the Fraser and Mackenzie journals and such narratives of later
travelers as he could find, surveyors, traders, and prospectors.

"Now," said he presently, "if we should run down two or three hours
farther we'd make say fifteen miles, and that ought to bring us about
to the spot where Mackenzie climbed the tree to look out over the
country. As near as I can get at it, that was pretty near the real
divide between the eastern and western waters--that is to say, not far
from where the small stream leads back to McLeod Lake, and the McLeod
Lake portage across to the Fraser, the way the fur-traders went later
on. That's the Giscombe portage route. It's a lot easier than the one
we've taken, too."

"Well, I don't see how they ever got boats up this way at all," said
Jesse, looking with wonder at the swiftly moving current which passed
at their feet.

"And just to think," said John, "they didn't know where they were at
all, even as much as we do now; and we're pretty much lost, if it
comes to that."

"Mackenzie, she'll been good man," said Moise. "Maybe so most as good
man like my wife hees onkle, Pete Fraser."

"Well," said Alex, "we can drop down a way farther and if we don't
meet bad water we'll get into camp early."

"'Drop down' just about describes it," said Rob. "It's like sliding
downhill on a sled, almost, isn't it? I'll know more about the making
of a big river than I ever did before."

None the less the boys, who had gained confidence with every hour in
the care of these skilled boatmen, felt less and less fear as they
passed on down the sometimes tumbling and roaring stream which now lay
before them. The water was not really dangerous for some distance now,
and only in two instances did Alex go ashore and line the boats down
at the edge of rapids, although time and again he cautioned Moise,
wh