usiness in carrying settlers and settlers'
supplies into that upper country. Indeed, they found the owner of the
boat, a stalwart and kindly man, himself formerly a trader among the
Indians, and now a prominent official in the Dominion government,
ready to accompany them as far as Athabasca Landing, and eager to talk
further with Mr. Wilcox regarding coming development of the country
which Moise had called the Land of Plenty.

They found that the Athabasca River also flows to the northward in its
main course, joining the water of the Peace River in the great
Mackenzie, the artery of this region between the Rockies and the
Arctics; but here it makes a great bend far to the south, as though to
invite into the Far North any one living in the civilized settlements
far below. Their maps, old and new, became objects of still greater
interest to the young travelers, both on board the vessel, where they
had talked with every one, as usual, regarding their trip and the
country, and after they had left the steamer at the thriving frontier
town of Athabasca Landing.

Here they were almost in touch with the head of the rails, but still
clinging to their wish to travel as the natives long had done, they
took wagon transportation from Athabasca Landing to the city of
Edmonton, something like a hundred miles southward from the terminus
of their water journey. At this point, indeed, they felt again that
their long trail was ended, for all around them were tall buildings,
busy streets, blazing electric lights, and all the tokens of a
thriving modern city. Here, too, they and their journey became objects
of newspaper comment, and for the brief time of their stay the young
_voyageurs_ were quite lionized by men who could well understand the
feat they had performed.

Mr. Wilcox was obliged to remain in the north for some time yet in
connection with his engineering duties, which would not close until
the approach of winter. He therefore sent the boys off alone for their
railway journey, which would take them first to Calgary, and then
across the Rockies and Selkirks through Banff, and forward to
Vancouver, Victoria, and Seattle, from which latter point they were
expected to take coast boats up the long Alaska coast to Valdez--a sea
voyage of seven days more from Seattle.

Mr. Wilcox gave them full instructions regarding the remaining
portions of their journey, and at length shook hands with them as he
left them on the sleeping-car.