A MYSTERY EXPLAINED. 189 
knew how to act. As they positively could not, however, 
work the raft np-stream, they determined to go into com- 
fortable quarters, and wait several days — a week, at 
least - — for the arrival of their friends, at the first spot 
which should show favorable indications as a camping- 
ground. 
The north bank of the river, for many miles below Fort 
Selkirk, had presented much the same appearance as the 
lower Hudson, a steep, columnar bluff playing the part of 
the Palisades. The south shore was less bold, and invited 
the voyagers to rest there during their enforced delay. 
A site for the camp was accordingly selected near the 
mouth of the Yuk-ko-kon Heena, or White River, whose 
swift, turbid waters poured down like a broad stream of 
milk into the deeper Yukon. 
The banks here were frozen some six or eight feet deep ; 
but their mossy surface was bright green, and at noon 
each day the sun was intensely hot. 
Here the expedition remained for four days, undis- 
turbed save by one or two thunder-storms and myriads of 
gnats and mosquitoes. Lieutenant Schwatka, who passed 
through the same region a dozen years later, declares 
that, when a netting is put up in these regions, two mos- 
quitoes will hold the wings of a third flat to his sides, and 
push him through the meshes ! 
While the raft was quietly resting at its moorings, 
during these few days, Richard had ample opportunity to 
examine the writings found under the fort. Of most of 
