CONSULTATION. 85 



spot, where they perceived the canoe stranded against 

 the verge of the bushes. Strange to say, it had not 

 been capsized nor injured ; but the stores, which had 

 been unprotected against the heavy rain, were drenched 

 through, and the boat itself was half -full of water. 



Having set matters to right, they lifted the canoe 

 from the ground and carried it down to the creek, 

 which at this place was deep enough to float it. They 

 then returned to the rocks below the cave and loaded 

 themselves with the packs of furs. These they brought 

 to the canoe. After several journeys they removed all 

 the peltries, and embarked. 



The passage down to the Athabasca was performed 

 in safety ; and having taken on board the furs which 

 they had left here upon the- bank, they once more 

 floated quietly down the broad waters of the noble 

 river. 



The hunters now held a consultation on their future 

 course. Jake proposed that they should descend the 

 Athabasca to the lake of the same name, and then, 

 entering the Slave River, pass through the Great Slave 

 Lake and the Mackenzie River, and ascend the Liard. 

 This course would, he said, bring them within range 

 of the head-waters of the Youkon River, which would 

 carry them through an almost unexplored country, 

 where game of all kinds abounded. 



Pierre, on the other hand, recommended the route 

 of the Peace River, which was long and difficult enough 

 to occupy them during the remainder of the summer. 



