DOWN. LHE. ALHABASCA 21 
look for a camping place. The banks of the river, 
formed of boulder clay, were very high, and good land- 
ings were scarce. In places the mud on the shore was 
soft and deep, but about seven o'clock a landing was 
effected and camp pitched for the night. At this time 
only two small tents were used, an “A” tent for the 
canoemen and a wall tent, affording a httle more head 
room, for ourselves. The banks being well wooded with 
white and black poplar, spruce and birch, plenty of fuel 
was available. A fire was soon kindled and our even- 
ing meal prepared, in the cooking of which John was 
given the first opportunity of distinguishing himself. 
He was assisted by little Michel, who proved to be a 
very good hand. Having some bread and biscuits in 
stock, baking was not yet a necessity. 
The weather now being fair and cool, and the great 
pest of camp life, the mosquito, not having yet arrived, 
our experience at this time was most enjoyable. It was 
the season of spring, and the sweet perfume of the Balm 
of Gilead, so abundant in the valley of the Athabasca, 
permeated the air. The leaves on many of the trees 
were just opening, so that everywhere the woods pre- 
sented a remarkable freshness and brilliancy of foliage. 
These were our environments at the commencement of 
the canoe voyage, and at our first camp on the banks of 
the Athabasca. How different were they to be at the 
other end of the journey ! 
On the morning of the Ist of June camp was called 
early, and we continued on our way. As we glided down 
stream a succession of grand views passed, panorama- 
like, before us. The banks were high, towering in some 
places three, four or five hundred feet above the river ; 
