The 9 Mountain of Rocks**—-- 137

_While weather-bound at a camp about three miles above
these rapids, Mackenzie enclosed a letter in an empty nine-
gallon rum keg and “consigned this epistolatory cargo to the
mercy of the current.”

All the rivers flowing in from the mountains on either
hand were swollen, and, where they entered the Peace, it
was necessary to use great Caution in passing the turbulent
waters caused by the junction of these torrents with the
main stream. Trout were plentiful at these junctions,
particularly the Arctic trout, a beautifully marked fish from
ten to fourteen inches long, with most brilliant scales and a
dorsal fin sticking up as high as the body ts deep.

Throughout Friday their way wound through the highest
parts of the Rockies, the mountains being one solid mass
of up-ended limestone, bare, craggy, and majestic beyond
words. The explorer refers in the most casual way to his
passage through this gorge, seemingly not impressed very
greatly by the scenery and, it may be, not fully aware that
he was now passing to the west of the backbone of the
continent. His men were cold, and went ashore to kindle
a fire, but a drink or two of rum warmed them up, “and the
current being so smooth to admit of the use of paddles I
encouraged them to proceed without further delay.” ‘They
had now passed Mount Selwyn which dominates the scene,
and the view that opened out before them looked west
beyond the Rockies towards the Omineca country. “An
extensive view opened upon us displaying a beautiful sheet
of water. Here the wooded mountains opened on either
side, so that we entertained the hope of soon leaving them
behind. When we had got to the termination of this prospect,
the river was barred with rocks, forming cascades and small
islands.” This obstruction later received the name of Finlay
Rapids, after the fur-trading explorer of that name, whom