A Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador An Account Of The Exploration Of The Nascaupee And George Rivers By Mrs. Leonidas Hubbard, Junior
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He Reported The River Rapid As Far As
He Went Or Could See.
Monday we started at 8.30 A.M., crossing to the other shore, where
I walked along a bear trail on the flats, while the men brought the
canoes up by poling and tracking.
The morning was wonderfully
clear, and millions of dewdrops glistened on the low growth. The
"country," or "Indian," tea which grew in abundance was in blossom,
and the air was filled with fragrance. It seemed to me the most
beautiful morning we had yet had.
As the river grew more and more difficult part of the outfit had to
be portaged. Two miles above camp about half a load was put into
one of the canoes, and slipping the noose of a tracking line round
the bow George and Gilbert went forward with it, while Job and Joe
got into the canoe to pole. Had it not been for my confidence in
them I should have been anxious here, for the river was very rough,
and close to shore, where they would have to go, was a big rock
round which the water poured in a way that to me looked impassable.
But I only thought, "They will know how to manage that," and
picking up my kodaks I climbed up the bank to avoid the willows. I
had just reached the top when looking round I saw the canoe turn
bottom up like a flash, and both men disappeared.
I stood unable to move. Almost immediately Joe came up. He had
caught the tracking line and held to it. Then I saw Job appear.
He had not been able to hold to the canoe. The current had swept
him off, and was now carrying him down the river. My heart
sickened at the sight, and still I could not move. Then an eddy
caught him, and he went down out of sight again. Again he
appeared, and this time closer to us, for the eddy had somehow
thrown him in shore where the water was not so deep. He was on his
back now and swimming a little, but could neither get up nor turn
over. I wondered why the men stood motionless watching him. Then
it dawned on me that George was holding the canoe, and I found my
voice to shout: "Run, Joe." Joe's own experience had for the
moment dazed him, but now he suddenly came to life. Springing
forward, he waded out and caught Job's hand before he was carried
into deep water again. As he felt himself safe in Joe's strong
grasp, Job asked: "Where is Mrs. Hubbard? Is she all right?"
At first he did not seem able to get up, but when George, on
reaching the canoe, turned it right side up, and to the utter
astonishment of every one, it appeared that nearly the whole load
was still in it - the sight revived Job. He got up and came ashore
to the canoe, which was found still to contain the two tents, one
rifle, my fishing-rod, the sextant, and artificial horizon, a box
of baking-powder, a box of chocolate, my sweater, three of the
men's coats, and one tarpaulin.
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