2 
perhaps three motor-driven trading boats make the trip of 175 miles from 
Chipewyan to the far end of lake Athabaska, where, as its name implies, 
lies Fond-du-lac. 1 
Forest fires, which had destroyed the country and the timber for a 
distance of more than 50 miles from the lake shore, a scarcity of fish, and a 
severe epidemic of influenza at the time of my approach to Fond-du-lac, 
did not serve to make my mission popular. Having, in the meantime, 
fallen in with an Indian agent’s party, which likewise was bound for Fond- 
du-lac, I attached myself to it. I remained behind at Fond-du-lac, how- 
Figure 1. Index map showing Lake Athabaska region, 
ever, for several days after the party had left, until finding that I should 
be unable to achieve fully the purpose of my journey, I decided to overtake 
and rejoin the agent’s party, which was now en route for the reserves at 
Fitzgerald and Fort Smith. By doing so it seemed probable that I should 
glean more than by remaining where I was. I, accordingly, made my way 
to Chipewyan, While awaiting there the river-boat, which would take 
me to Fitzgerald, I found that almost every Indian had vanished, for their 
treaty had been paid, but this was not an entire loss to me, because before 
setting out for Fond-du-lac I had fortunately delayed long enough to 
measure them. 
1 Edmonton to Waterways. . 
Waterways to Chipewyan. 
Chipewyan to Fitzgerald.. 
Fitzgerald to Fort Smith. . 
Chipewyan to Fond-du-lac 
300 miles by rail. 
167 “ “ water. 
100 “ “ 
16 “ “ portage. 
175 " “ water. 
I* 
