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Show OLIFF OF THE HARP. 23 If the boat, in going over the falls, chances to get caught in some side current, and is turned from its course, so as to strike the wave ''broadside on," and the wave breaks at the same instant, the boat is capsized. Still, we must cling to her, for, the water tight compartments acting as buoys, she cannot sink ; and so we go, dragged through the waves, until still waters are reached. We then right the boat, and climb aboard. We have several such experiences to day. At night, we camp on the right bank, on a little shelving rock, between the river and the foot of the cliff; and with night comes gloom into these great depths. Mter supper, we sit by our camp fire, made of drift wood caught by the rocks, and tell stories of wild life; for the men have seen such in the mountains, or on the plains, and on the battle fields of the South. It is late before we spread our blankets on the beach. Lying down, we look up through the canon, and see that only a little of the blue heaven appears overhead-a crescent of blue sky, with two or three constellations peering down upon us. I do not sleep for some time, as the excitement of the day has not worn off. Soon I see a bright star, that appears to rest on the very verge of the cliff overhead to the east. Slowly it seems to float from its resting place on the rock over the canon. At first, it appeared like a jewel set on the brink of the cliff; but, as it moves out from the rock, I almost wonder that it does not fall. In fact, it does seem to descend in a gentle curve, as though the bright sky in which the stars are set was spread across the canon, resting on either wall, and swayed down by its own weight. The stars appear to be in the canon. I soon discover that it is the bright star Vega, so it occurs to me to designate this part of the wall as the "Oliff of the Harp." June 9.-0ne of the party suggests that we call this the Oa11on of Lodore, and the name is adopted. Very slowly wo make our way, often climbing on the rocks at the edge of the water for a few hundred yard~, to examine the channel before running it. During the afternoon, we come to a place where it is necessary to make a. portage. The little boat it landed, and the others are signaled to come up. When these rapid's or broken falls occur, usually the channel is sud- |
