The canoe was lost, and all it had contained, or nearly all. The
voyageurs had saved only their guns, knives, and the powder-horns and
pouches, that had been attached to their persons. One other thing had
been saved--an axe which Basil had flung upon the rock as he stepped out
of the sinking vessel. All the rest--robes, blankets, swans, cooking
utensils, bags of provisions, such as coffee, flour, and dried meat--
were lost--irrecoverably lost. These had either drifted off upon the
surface, or been carried under water and hidden among the loose stones
at the bottom. No matter where, they were lost; and our voyageurs now
stood on a small naked rock in the middle of the stream, with nothing
left but the clothes upon their backs, and the arms in their hands.
Such was their condition.
There was something so sudden and awful in the mishap that had befallen
them, that for some minutes they stood upon the spot where they had
settled without moving or addressing a word to one another. They gazed
after the canoe. They knew that it was wrecked, although they could see
nothing either of it or its contents. Thick darkness enveloped them,
rendered more intense from the sudden extinction of the torchlight.
They saw nothing but the foam flickering along the river; like the
ghosts of the swans they had killed, and they heard only the roaring of
the water, that sounded in their ears with a hoarse and melancholy wail.
For a long time they stood impressed with the lamentable condition into
which the accident had plunged them; and a lamentable condition it was,
sure enough. They were on a small rock in the midst of a rapid river.
They were in the midst of a great wilderness too, many long miles from a
settlement. The nearest could only be reached by travelling through
pathless forests, and over numerous and deep rivers. Impassable swamps,
and lakes with marshy shores, lay on the route, and barred the direct
course, and all this journey would have to be made on foot.
But none of our young voyageurs were of that stamp to yield themselves
to despair. One and all of them had experienced perils before--greater
even than that in which they now stood. As soon, therefore, as they
became fully satisfied that their little vessel was wrecked, and all its
contents scattered, instead of despairing, their first thoughts were how
to make the best of their situation.
For that night, at least, they were helpless. They could not leave the
rock. It was surrounded by rapids. Sharp, jagged points peeped out of
the water, and between these the current rushed with impetuosity. In
the darkness no human being could have crossed to either shore in
safety. To attempt it would have been madness, and our voyageurs soon
came to this conclusion. They had no other choice than to remain where
they were until the morning; so, seating themselves upon the rock, they
prepared to pass the night.
They sat huddled close together. They could not lie down--there was not
room enough for that. They kept awake most of the night, one or other
of them, overcome by fatigue, occasionally nodding over in a sort of
half-sleep, but awakening again after a few minutes' uncomfortable
dreaming. They talked but little, as the noise of the rushing rapids
rendered conversation painful. To be heard, they were under the
necessity of shouting to one another, like passengers in an omnibus. It
was cold, too. None of them had been much wetted in escaping from the
canoe; but they had saved neither overcoat, blanket, nor buffalo-robe;
and, although it was now late in the spring, the nights near Lake
Winnipeg, even at that season, are chilly. They were above the latitude
of 50 degrees; and although in England, which is on that parallel, it is
not very cold of a spring night, it must be remembered that the line of
equal temperature--in the language of meteorologists the "_isothermal
line_,"--is of a much lower latitude in America than in Europe.
Another fact worth remembering is, that upon the eastern or Atlantic
coast of the American Continent it is much colder in the same latitude
than on the western or Pacific side. The Pacific "sea-board" in its
climate is more like the western edge of the old continent. This would
seem to indicate that the climate of a coast country is much influenced
by the side upon which the ocean lies, whether east or west. This in
reality is the case, for you may observe on your map that the western
coasts of both the "old world" and the "new" are somewhat similarly
placed in regard to their oceans, and hence the similarity of their
climates.
There are many other causes connected with this; such as the direction
of winds, and the different effects produced by them on the atmosphere
when they have passed over water or over land. It was, and is still by
many people believed, that the winds are produced by the air becoming
heated in a particular place, and then ascending, and leaving a "vacuum"
into which the colder air rushes from all sides around. This "rushing,"
it was supposed, made the wind. To some extent this theory is true, but
there are several other causes that operate in producing wind.
Electricity--an agent hitherto but little known, but one of the most
important elements of our Earth--has much to do with the winds; and the
revolution of the Earth on its own axis has also an influence upon them.
Indeed it is to be wondered at, that mankind should have so long
remained satisfied with the very unsatisfactory theory of the _heated
air_. But it is not to be wondered at either, when we consider how
little mankind has had to do with these things--when we consider that as
yet nearly every country upon the face of the globe is despotic; that
the whole time of the great body of the people is occupied in a struggle
for life--occupied in toiling for a few, who by the most cunning devices
rob them of the fruits of their toils--rob them so skilfully that the
poor blinded masses have grown to consider eternal toil as the _natural
state of man_--nay more, are ready to persecute him who would elevate
them, and worship him who would sink them deeper in baseness and
bondage;--when we reflect on this almost hopeless darkness of soul that
has marked the history of the past, and is too much the character of the
present, we need not wonder that so few have had either leisure or
inclination to yield themselves to the acquirement or prosecution of
scientific knowledge. "The winds have blown where they listed, and we
have heard the sound thereof," but men absorbed in the hard struggle of
life have found but little time to inquire "whence they come or whither
they go."
The people of the United States are yet but partially free. They still
inherit, from customs and prejudices, the fruits of an ancestral
oppression, and a bondage of centuries of duration. But even their
_partial_ freedom has already shown its good effects. At this moment
knowledge is progressing faster among these people than any other on the
face of the earth. Meteorology begins to assume the palpable shape of
an exact science. The winds are being traced in their currents, and
followed through all their windings, by Maury and other men of talent;
and if you live twenty years longer (and I hope you may live three times
as many years), you will no doubt be able to tell "whence the wind
cometh and whither it goeth."
Well, we began this politico-scientific discussion by observing that it
was very cold in the latitude of Lake Winnipeg, even in late spring.
Only at night though; the days are sometimes so hot there that you might
fancy yourself in the tropics. These extremes are characteristic of the
climate of all American countries, and particularly those that lie at a
distance from the sea-coast.
Our voyageurs were chilled to the very bones, and of course glad to see
the daylight glimmering through the tops of the trees that grew upon the
banks of the river. As soon as day broke, they began to consider how
they would reach those trees. Although swimming a river of that width
would have been to any of the four a mere bagatelle, they saw that it
was not to be so easy an affair. Had they been upon either bank, they
could have crossed to the other without difficulty--as they would have
chosen a place where the water was comparatively still. On the rock
they had no choice, as the rapids extended on both sides above and below
it. Between the boulders the current rushed so impetuously, that had
they attempted to swim to either bank, they would have been carried
downward, and perhaps dashed with violence against one or other of the
sharp stones.
As soon as it was light, they saw all this; not without feelings of
apprehension and uneasiness. Their whole attention was now occupied
with the one object--how they should get to the bank of the river.
The right bank was the more distant; but the passage in that direction
appeared the easier one. The current was not so swift, nor yet did it
seem so deep. They thought they might ford it, and Basil made the
attempt; but he soon got beyond his depth; and was obliged, after being
carried off his feet, to swim up under the lee of the rock again.
From the rock to the right bank was about an hundred yards' distance.
Here and there, at irregular intervals, sharp, jagged stones rose above
the surface, some of them projecting three feet or more out of the
water, and looking _very_ much like upright tombstones. Lucien had
noticed these, and expressed the opinion that if they only had a rope,
they might fling it over one of these stones, and then, holding it fast
at the other end, might pass by that means from one to the other.
The suggestion was a good one, but where was the rope to come from? All
their ropes and cords--lassoes and all--had been swept away in the
wreck. Not a string remained, except those that fastened their horns,
flasks, and other accoutrements; and these were only small thongs, and
would be of no use for such a purpose. It would require a rope strong
enough to carry the weight of a man impelled by a rapid current--in
fact, a weight equal to that of several men. They all set to thinking
how this was to be obtained. Each looked at the other, and scanned the
straps and thongs that were around their bodies. They were satisfied at
a glance that these would not be sufficient to make such a rope as was
wanted. They did not give up the hope of being able to obtain one.
They were all of them accustomed to resort to strange expedients, and a
sufficiently strange one now suggested itself. Basil and Norman seemed
to have thought of it at the same time, for both at once unbuckled their
straps, and commenced pulling off their buckskin hunting-shirts. The
others said nothing, as they knew well what they were going to do with
them--they knew they intended cutting them into strips, and then
twisting a rope out of them.
All four set to work together. Lucien and Francois held the shirts
taut, while Basil and Norman handled the knives, and in a few minutes
the rock was covered with strips of buckskin about two inches wide, by a
yard or so in length. These were next joined and plaited together in
such a manner that a rope was formed nearly forty feet long. An eye was
made at one end, and through this the other end was reeved--so that a
running noose was obtained, in the same manner as the Mexicans and
Indians make their lassoes. The rope was now ready for use, and Basil
was the very hand to use it; for Basil knew how to fling a lasso as well
as either Mexican or Indian. He had practised it often, and had lassoed
many a long-horned bull upon the prairies of Opelousas and the
Attakapas. To Basil, therefore, the rope was given. He placed himself
on the highest part of the rock, having first coiled the new-made lasso,
and hung the coil lightly over his left arm. He then took the noose-end
in his right hand, and commenced winding it around his head. His
companions had laid themselves flat, so as not to be in the way of the
noose as it circled about. After a few turns the rope was launched
forth, and a loud "hurrah!" from Francois announced that the throw was
successful. It was so in fact, as the noose was seen settling smoothly
over the jutting-stone, taking full hold upon it. A pull from Basil
fixed it; and in a few minutes it was made quite fast, without the
slightest danger of its slipping off. The other end was then carried
round a projecting point of the rock on which they stood, and knotted
firmly, so that the rope was quite taut, and stretched in a nearly
horizontal direction, about a foot above the surface of the water.
The voyageurs now prepared to cross over. Their guns, pouches, and
flasks were carefully secured, so that the water could not damage them.
Then each took a piece of the buckskin thong, and fastened it round his
waist, leaving enough to form a running loop. This loop was intended to
embrace the rope, and run along it, as they drew themselves forward by
their hands.
Basil passed over first. He was the oldest, and, as he asserted, it was
but right he should run the risk in testing the new-fashioned bridge, of
which he was the architect. It worked admirably, and sustained the
weight of his body, with the whole force of the current acting upon it.
Of course he was swept far down, and the rope was stretched to its full
tension, but he succeeded in handing himself along, until he was able to
touch the second rock, and clamber upon it in safety. During the
passage across he was watched by his companions with emotions of no
ordinary character, but as soon as he had reached the opposite end of
the rope all three uttered a loud and simultaneous cheer. Lucien passed
over next, and after him Francois. Notwithstanding his danger, Francois
laughed loudly all the time he was in the water, while his brothers were
not without some fears for his safety. Marengo was next attached to the
rope, and pulled safely over.
Norman was the last to cross upon the buckskin bridge, but, like the
others, he landed in safety; and the four, with the dog, now stood upon
the little isolated boulder, where there was just room enough to give
them all a footing.
A difficulty now presented itself, which they had not hitherto thought
of. Another reach of rapid current was to be crossed, before they could
safely trust themselves to enter the water. This they knew before, but
they had also noticed that there was another jutting rock, upon which
they might fling their rope. But the rope itself was now the
difficulty. It was fast at both ends, and how were they to release it
from the rock they had left? One of them could easily cross over again
and untie it, but how was he to get back to the others? Here was a
dilemma which had not presented itself before, and they now saw
themselves no better off than ever. The rapid that remained to be
crossed, was as dangerous as the one they had succeeded in passing.
There was no hope that they could swim it in safety. They would
certainly be swept with violence against the rocks below. There was no
chance, then, of their going an inch farther--unless by some means
similar to that they had just used, and the rope was no longer at their
service.
For some time they all stood silent, each considering the matter in his
own way. How could they free the rope?
"It cannot be done," said one. "Impossible," rejoined another. "We
must make a second rope. Francois's shirt still remains, and our
leggings--we can use them."
This was the mode suggested by Francois and Norman, and Lucien seemed to
assent to it. They had already commenced untying their leggings, when
Basil uttered the ejaculation--
"Stop!"
"Well, what is it, brother?" asked Lucien.
"I think I can free the rope at the other end. At all events, let me
try. It will not cost much, either in time or trouble."
"How do you mean to do it, brother?"
"Sit close, all of you. Give me room--you shall see presently."
As directed by Basil, they all cowered closely down, so as to occupy as
little space as possible. Basil, having uncovered the lock of his
rifle--which had been carefully bound up in a piece of deer's bladder--
placed himself in a firm position, and appeared as if about to fire.
Such was his intention--for in a few moments he was seen to raise the
gun to his shoulder, and take aim. None of his companions uttered a
word. They had already guessed the object of this movement, and sat
silently awaiting the result.
On the rock which they had left, the rope still bound fast passed around
one of the angles, in such a way that, from the point where Basil stood,
it offered a fair mark. It was at this Basil was aiming. His object
was to cut the thong with his bullet. He could not do it with a single
shot, as the thong was broader than the bullet, but he had calculated
that he might effect his purpose with several. If he did not succeed in
cutting it clean through, the ball flattening upon the rock would,
perhaps, tear the rope in such a manner that, by pulling by the other
end, they might detach it. Such were the calculations and hopes of
Basil.
A moment more and the crack of his rifle was heard. At the same instant
the dust rose up from the point at which he had aimed, and several small
fragments flew off into the water. Again was heard Francois's "hurrah,"
for Francois, as well as the others, had seen that the rope had been hit
at the right place, and now exhibited a mangled appearance.
While Basil was reloading, Norman took aim and fired. Norman was a good
shot, though perhaps not so good a one as Basil, for that was no easy
matter, as there were few such marksmen to be found anywhere, not even
among the professional trappers and hunters themselves. But Norman was
a fair shot, and this time hit his mark. The thong was evidently better
than half divided by the two; bullets. Seeing this, Francois took hold
of the other end, and gave it a strong jerk or two, but it was still too
much for him, and he ceased pulling, and waited the effect of Basil's
second shot.
The latter had now reloaded, and, taking deliberate aim again, fired.
The rope was still held taut upon the rock, for part of it dragged in
the current, the force of which kept pressing it hard downward.
Scarcely was the report heard, when the farther end of the thong flew
from its fastening, and, swept by the running water, was seen falling
into the lee of the boulder on which the party now stood. A third time
was heard the voice of Francois uttering one of his customary "hurrahs."
The rope was now dragged up, and made ready for further use. Basil
again took hold of it; and, after coiling it as before, succeeded in
throwing the noose over the third rock, where it settled and held fast.
The other end was tied as before, and all passed safely to the new
station. Here, however, their labour ended. They found that from this
point to the shore the river was shallow, and fordable; and, leaving the
rope where it was, all four took the water, and waded safely to the
bank.