CHAPTER IV 



DOWN THE SILENT RIVER WITH THE 

 MOUNTED POLICE 



AT Fort MacMurray we learned that there was no tell- 

 ing when the steamer might arrive; Major Jarvis was 

 under orders to proceed without delay to Smith Land- 

 ing; so to solve all our difficulties I bought a 30-foot 

 boat (sturgeon-head) of Joe Bird, and arranged to join 

 forces with the police for the next part of the journey. 



I had made several unsuccessful attempts to get an 

 experienced native boatman to go northward with me. 

 All seemed to fear the intending plunge into the 

 unknown; so was agreeably surprised when a sturdy 

 young fellow of Scottish and Cree parentage came and 

 volunteered for the trip. A few inquiries proved him 

 to bear a good reputation as a river-man and worker, 

 so William C. Loutit was added to my expedition and 

 served me faithfully throughout. 



In time I learned that Billy was a famous traveller. 

 Some years ago, when the flood had severed all com- 

 munication between Athabaska Landing and Edmon- 

 ton, Billy volunteered to carry some important des- 

 patches, and covered the 96 miles on foot in one and a 

 half days, although much of the road was under water. 

 On another occasion he went alone and afoot from 

 House River up the Athabaska to Calling River, and 



26 



