The Fraser River was afterwards followed to its outlet in the Straits of Georgia (opposite Vancouver Island) by Simon Fraser.] [Illustration: THE UPPER WATERS OF THE FRASER RIVER] Their experiences down the little mountain stream which was to take them into the Fraser nearly ended in complete disaster.

"The violence of the current being so great as to drive the canoe sideways down the river, and break her by the first bar, I instantly jumped into the water and the men followed my example; but before we could set her straight, or stop her, we came to deeper water, so that we were obliged to re-embark with the utmost precipitation....

We had hardly regained our situations when we drove against a rock which shattered the stern of the canoe in such a manner, that it held only by the gunwales, so that the steersman could no longer keep his place.

The violence of this stroke drove us to the opposite side of the river, which is but narrow, when the bow met with the same fate as the stern....

In a few moments, we came across a cascade which broke several large holes in the bottom of the canoe, and started all the bars....