DOWN -.THE ATHABASCA. 23 
Late in the afternoon the first rapid of the trip was 
sighted, but the water being high we had no difficulty 
in running it. In the evening camp was made on a 
beautiful sandy beach. During supper-time we had 
a visit from an old Cree Indian, who came paddling up 
the river in a little bark canoe. Of course he landed at 
our camp, forit is a principle strictly observed by every 
Indian to lose no opportunity of receiving hospitalities, 
and in accordance with his ideas of propriety, refresh- 
ments were given him. He received them as those of his 
race usually receive all favors, as no more than his right, 
and without a smile or the least visible expression of 
pleasure, seated himself by the fire to enjoy them. 
On the following morning the great walls of ice, which 
we had been passing for miles, began to disappear as the 
channel of the river became wider. At about 9.50 we 
reached a place known as the Rapid of the Jolly Fool. 
It issaid to have received its name from the fact that at 
one time an awkward canoeman lost his life by allowing 
_ his canoe to be smashed upon the most conspicuous rock 
in the rapid. We wasted no time examining it, as it was 
reported to be aneasy one, but keeping near the left 
bank, headed our little crafts into the rushing waters. 
We had descended only a short distance, and were turn- 
ing a bend in the stream, when, a little ahead of us, my 
brother noticed moving objects on the shore. One of the 
men said they were wolves, while others maintained they 
were bears, but my brother getting his rifle in readiness, 
cut the discussion short by demanding silence. As we 
swept swiftly down with the current, the objects were 
seen to be a moose deer and her calf. Having no fresh 
meat on hand, these new-found acquaintances were hailed 
