CHAPTER II. 
DOWN THE ATHABASCA. 
THE town of Athabasca Landing consists in all of six 
log buildings, picturesquely set in the deep and_ beauti- 
ful valley of one of the greatest rivers of America. 
Though not of imposing size, it is nevertheless an im- 
portant station of the Hudson’s Bay Company, being 
the point from which all supplies for the many northern 
trading-posts along the Athabasca and Mackenzie rivers 
are shipped, and the point at which the furs from these 
places are received. In order to provide for this ship- 
ping business, the Company has a large warehouse and 
wharf. 
It is a fact I think not very well known, that from 
this place up stream for about one hundred miles and 
down for fifteen hundred miles to the Arctic Ocean, 
this great waterway, excepting at two rapids, is 
regularly navigated by large river steamers, owned by 
the Hudson’s Bay Company and employed in carrying 
supplies for their posts and the furs which are secured 
in trade. Because of these two impassable rapids the 
river is divided into three sections, necessitating the 
use of three steamers, one for each section. Goods are 
transported from one boat to the other over the greater 
part of the rapids by means of scows, but for a short 
