C Ihe Ladies c cu. V'VVAN - History and Classics, Department of

72 THE LADIES , THE GWICH ' IN, A N D THE RATArchdeacon CharlesEdward Whittaker. n.d.ACC/ GSA P7517-301."I could steer clear of the snags all right," she said, "but I'm not so sure if wecome to rapids."So there we sat like two old wise-acres faced with a problem too hard for them,discussing things about which we knew nothing at all and then we suddenly agreedthat I must go out to the river bank and pick up first-hand information."None of your old-wives' tales. " said Gwen, "don't listen to any croakers. Findmen who've done that 1I5-mile stretch and get first-hand information about it."I set off on my quest. Resolution came ebbing back into me like a slow tide. Ofcourse we could and must paddle down from La Pierre House to Old Crow by