31

before I sat down to write we came to a place where
before we had to rise a great many feet in about
two miles. No less than 9 locks to go through. Several
of us (gentlemen) got out and went ashore, and walked
it for a change, we got into the Steamer again, where
the canal joins the river. The rapids look very beautiful,
they are one mass of foam in places, I can't tell you
the names of all the rapids. I shall now close and
finish to-day Wednesday by candlelight. I have been
having some chat with the Captain. He says there are
sixteen or eighteen locks, he forgets which that we
had passed to-day, and that we shall pass, at least six
more to-morrow. That each lock rises 10 feet. This will
give you an idea of the rapidity of the stream. The rapids
in one place run at the rate of 23 miles per hour, and
a Steamer steams at the rate of 16 miles an hour, so
you may judge at what speed they go down the river.
The scenery every moment is most enchanting, it defies
description. We wind in and out among inumerable
isles and islets, and each isle is covered with a dense
and thick wood which throws a very dark shadow
on the water. At sunset this evening we were in a part
of the river Lake Francis. The river is very broad indeed.