258 THE WILDERNESS OF THE UPPER YUKON 



ridges until no more could be found. Returning to the 

 river, camp was made there, and, later, we slept in spite 

 of the roar of the rapids. 



August 25. From there on the water was broken, 

 the tangents were longer, the bottom rocky, and the river 

 was bordered by low ridges. We were then in the moose 

 country, for the abundant willows were everywhere 

 cropped, and moose tracks were numerous. In two and 

 a half hours we reached the Skookum Rapids (so called by 

 the trappers), eighty-one miles up the river. Over a 

 precipitous descent for five hundred yards the river rushes 

 in a succession of white combers. Because of the low 

 stage of water, we succeeded in lining the boat up the west 

 side, and successfully passed through some similar rapids 

 of shorter length, two miles farther up. We then poled 

 for several miles to Prevost Canon. This canon, several 

 hundred yards long, is enclosed between high cliffs which 

 are so close together that the river is swelled and forced 

 through in a succession of cataracts. We were obliged 

 to unload and portage around to a favorable place, and 

 then carry the boat to the smoother water of an eddy just 

 at the head of the canon. 



Having again loaded it we crossed to another eddy on 

 the opposite side where a rocky shore gave a good foot- 

 hold for lining. This eddy was formed by a big boulder 

 standing out in the riffle where the river curves into the 

 canon. Jefferies put the rope over his shoulders and 

 throwing it around the boulder walked on the other side, 

 while I held the bow. After taking up the slack of the 

 rope he told me to push the bow out in the current. 





