each crib, which we connected together by short pieces of scantling,
which are bored near each end with a two-inch auger and strung on the
corner-pickets of each crib, thus uniting them in one length. At each
end of the raft, a long oar is securely fixed, in temporary rowlocks
for that purpose.

The whole course of the river, from the mill to the harbour at
Goderich, is a strong rapid: two perpendicular falls occur in its
course to the lake. The Upper, or Big Fall, is about six feet, and the
Little Fall three. We made a capital run down, though in plunging over
the first Fall we were up to our arm-pits in water. But our little raft
rose gallantly to the surface; and we encountered no further
difficulty.

I enjoyed my trip down the river amazingly. I do not know anything more
delightful, when all goes well than being borne over the foaming rapids
at the rate of eight or ten miles an hour. The channel of the Maitland
is wide, and the banks picturesque. Our voyage did not exceed an hour,
though the distance was above nine miles.



CHAPTER XIX.

MY NEW HOUSE AT GODERICH. -- CARPENTRY AN ESSENTIAL ART. -- AMERICAN
ENERGY. -- AGREEABLE VISITORS. -- MY WIFE'S DISASTERS. -- HINTS FOR
ANGLERS. -- THE NINE-MILE-CREEK FROLIC. -- THE TEMPEST. -- OUR SKIPPER
AND HIS LEMON-PUNCH. -- SHORT COMMONS. -- CAMP IN THE WOODS. -- RETURN
ON FOOT. -- LUDICROUS TERMINATION TO OUR FROLIC.