SOLDIER BOATMEN. THE CANADIAN LEADERS. 255 so that the water flowed too swiftly down to sail or row against.

So, putting in to the bank, one-half the crew of each whaler took tow-ropes ashore and began laboriously to track up stream. But in this was seen the advantage of small boats over large. The dahabeeah aforesaid, heavy and unwieldy, had to stop altogether, waiting for the breeze to freshen, while the boats went on until sundown. While they were pulling up against the rapids I was struck with the comparative degree of efficiency the soldiers displayed in the use of their oars. Probably no nation in the world, save ours, could venture to despatch an expedition like this one. For there are few English lads, to whatever class they may belono- who have not one time or other, on river, lake, or sea, mastered the rudiments of rowing. And so, amongst these fifty engineers there were half a dozen found to handle the tiller; some were able from the beginning to display high art in feathering their oars, while all could do their share of work in propelling the craft on which they had embarked. Every da)-, too, the crews will get more proficient, so that if ever we reach Khartum it will be with three or four thousand soldiers who .are experienced boatmen as well."

The adjectives and expressions employed by the voyageurs savoured very evidently of American backwoods and Canadian lumber rafts. Yet the names of the five Canadians in charge of the pioneer boats were: James Graham, foreman, a complete Scotchman in type, and cautious disposition. Anthony Milks, a handsome Anglo-Saxon, with soft blue eyes and brown hair, of the true old Viking stock. Robert Simpson, another Scotsman in descent; and William M'Nair, and James Elliott, who, although they never saw Ireland, were as evident sons of Erin in appearance and manner as may be found between Dublin and Cork. All five, although not selected men by any means, were of magnificent physique; far above the average of their respective mother countries in that respect; and good enough in every way to be put forward as specimens of the best of the race. There were neither Frenchmcn nor Indians in the first boats; and the five Americo-Britons were proud of the fact that they had the pioneer boats of