Annals of our ancestors; one hundred and fifty years of history in the ...

OUR MOTHER, SOPHRONIA KEELER 45
rooms were well situated for observation. The moon shone
on tlie sweep of the river as it swiftly passed on to break its
sheen in masses of jeweled foam. I thought ot the long years
this wonderful transformation had been taking place continu-
ously — deeps of crystal water dashing in a torrent that fell
far below in millions of tiny, snow-white bubbles — would
the river's pulse ever (juict again on its way to the inland sea?
It was with difficulty that I calmed my excited thoughts
enough to forget the grandeur without and fall asleep.
When I opened my eyes it was to find the dawning of a
lovely, bright day, and as soon as we could get breakfast we
started out to view the glistening, foaming cataract from
different angles. Sister Ida and I went under the falls in the
little steamboat. Maid of the Mist, while brother waited to see
if we came out alive. It was a strange sensation, and not un-
pleasant. On our way to Buffalo we were interested in seeing
from the train the Whirlpool Rapids. Having reached this
city on Lake Erie we took a steamer of the famous Richelieu
and Ontario Line and were on our way across to Toronto.
We did not stop long in this Canadian city, but sailed on toward
the St. Lawrence. We found our steamers well provided
with everything to make passengers comfortable, and they
were loaded with tourists.
The scenery along the St. Lawrence has often been described,
and what I note are just some of the things that linger in
our memory: the old-fashioned windmills flapping their wings,
though for the most part they were inactive; the fine, wellcultivated
estates; the green and gold of summer fields. Every
stop our boat made brought a crowd. At one of the landings
a small company of Indians came with baskets and trinkets
to sell. While we were at dinner one day we passed the Lansing
Rapids. I heard the bottom of the boat scraping along
the rocks, but felt no alarm until a passenger told me that a
steamer just a little in advance of us had been so injured that
it had kept up with difficulty until the shore was reached. I
soon noticed a great crowd on the pier, and two or three
hundred passengers from that boat were taken upon our steam-
er to continue their interrupted journey. As no lives were lost