CHAPTER II. 



DOWN THE ATHABASCA. 



THE town of Athabasca Landing consists in all of six 

 log buildings, picturesquely set in the deep and beauti- 

 ful valley of one of the greatest rivers of America. 

 Though not of imposing size, it is nevertheless an im- 

 portant station of the Hudson's Bay Company, being 

 the point from which all supplies for the many northern 

 trading-posts along the Athabasca and Mackenzie rivers 

 are shipped, and the point at which the furs from these 

 places are received. In order to provide for this ship- 

 ping business, the Company has a large warehouse and 

 wharf. 



It is a fact I think not very well known, that from 

 this place up stream for about one hundred miles and 

 down for fifteen hundred miles to the Arctic Ocean, 

 this great waterway, excepting at two rapids, is 

 regularly navigated by large river steamers, owned by 

 the Hudson's Bay Company and employed in carrying 

 supplies for their posts and the furs which are secured 

 in trade. Because of these two impassable rapids the 

 river is divided into three sections, necessitating the 

 use of three steamers, one for each section. Goods are 

 transported from one boat to the other over the greater 

 part of the rapids by means of scows, but for a short 



