1 906-7 . TRANSACTIONS. 33 



It was to make a journey down that great valley that I had 

 set myself to accomplish, and knowing that this could best be 

 done through the assistance of the Hudson's Bay Co., I applied 

 to my friend Mr. Chipman, the Commissioner, from whom I had 

 on previous occasions received many favors and soon was in pos- 

 session of a letter to their agents, which had only to be presented to 

 secure all the hospitality that could be given in a country where 

 hospitality means so much. 



I left Edmonton on the 2nd of June, 1906, at which point I 

 engaged a team of horses, and in three daj^s reached Athabaska 

 Landing. In this journey we passed over the height of land 

 dividing the waters flowing into the Arctic from those emptying 

 into Hudson's Bay but the elevation is so slight that it is not 

 noticeable till we are within sight of the Athabaska, where the 

 descent is considerable. 



The country passed over for the first 25 or 30 miles is similar 

 to that about Edmonton, the soil being first class and largely 

 prairie. After this it is for the most part second class with several 

 miles of very light sand and timbered with Jack or Banksian pine. 



The Athabaska at the Landing is from 60 to 80 rods wide, 

 and at the time we _saw it the water was of a yellow color contain- 

 ing a large percentage of mud. Later in the season it becomes 

 clearer. 



From this point I was to go with the first transport of the 

 Hudson's Bay Co. carrying supplies to their northern posts. We 

 found the steamer "Midnight Sun" at the Landing but had to 

 wait three days till she was loaded. All being ready on the after- 

 noon of the 8th of June she cut loose from the shore, was caught 

 by the rapid current and with the whole village on the banks 

 waving us bon voyage we were soon rushing down stream at about 

 12 miles an hour. 



The steamer, in addition to her own load, towed six scows, 

 each carrying about 10 tons. Most of these small scows are built 

 at the Landing from rough spruce lumber sawn at the little saw- 

 mill there; they cost about $100.00 each and are seldom brought 

 back, being usually broken up after reaching their destination and 

 the lumber used for building purposes. The land rises in benches 

 back from the river to the height of from 200 to 400 feet. It ig 

 generally wooded with poplar, spruce, birch, tamarac and willow 

 where the fire has not destroyed it. 



The land as we descend the stream appears rather light as 

 3 



