The canoe was overset in consequence in the middle of the rapid.

We fortunately kept hold of it until we touched a rock where the water did not reach higher than our waists; here we kept our footing, notwithstanding the strength of the current, until the water was emptied out of the canoe.

Belanger then held the canoe steady whilst St.Germain placed me in it and afterwards embarked himself in a very dexterous manner.

It was impossible however to embark Belanger, as the canoe would have been hurried down the rapid the moment he should have raised his foot from the rock on which he stood.

We were therefore compelled to leave him in his perilous situation.