20 ACROSS THE SUB-ARCTICS OP CANE 
distance, at the Grand Rapid, by means of a tramway 
built for the purpose. 
As we had previously ascertained, the steamer Atha- 
basca was due to leave the Landing on her down-stream 
trip on or about the Ist of June, so, taking advantage 
of the opportunity, we shipped the bulk of our stuff to 
Fort Chippewyan, situated about three hundred and 
fifty miles down the river on Lake Athabasca. Every- 
thing excepting the canoes and provisions sufficient to. 
take us to Chippewyan was loaded upon the steamer. 
Letters were written and sent back to Edmonton by the 
drivers, and on the evening of the last day of May we 
launched our handsome “ Peterboroughs” in the great. 
stream, and commenced our long canoe voyage. 
The arrangement of the party was as follows: My 
brother occupied a central position in one canoe, and I 
a corresponding place in the other. As steersman he 
chose the eldest of the Iroquois, Pierre, with Michel 
as bowman. The remaining Iroquois, Louis, took the 
steering paddle of my canoe, and John, the western 
man, occupied the bow. Thus were our little crafts 
manned, each person, including my brother and myself, 
being provided with a broad maple paddle. Our loads. | 
being light, we were in good speeding condition. Just 
after launching we met some native Indians in their 
bark canoes, and by way of amusement and exhibition 
of speed paddled completely around them in the current, 
much to their amazement. Then with farewell salute, 
and the stroke of our paddles timed to the song of the 
canoemen, we glided swiftly down the stream. 
As the start had been made late in the afternoon, not 
many miles were passed before it became necessary to 
