island at
the mouth of the creek; both, of which are in charge of Mr. J. Ladue,
one of the partners of the firm, and who was at one time in the employ
of the Alaska Commercial Company.]

"Six and a half miles above Port Reliance the Thron-Diuck[12] River of
the Indians (Deer River of Schwatka) enters from the east. It is a small
river about forty yards wide at the mouth, and shallow; the water is
clear and transparent, and of beautiful blue color. The Indians catch
great numbers of salmon here. They had been fishing shortly before my
arrival, and the river, for some distance up, was full of salmon traps.

[Footnote 12: Dawson City is situated at the mouth of the Thron-Diuck
now known as Klondyke, and although it was located only a few months ago
it is the scene of great activity. Very rich deposits of gold have been
lately found on Bonanza Creek and other affluents of the Thron-Diuck.]

"A miner had prospected up this river for an estimated distance of forty
miles, in the season of 1887. I did not see him, but got some of his
information at second hand. The water being so beautifully clear I
thought it must come through a large lake not far up; but as far as he
had gone no lakes were seen. He said the current was comparatively
slack, with an occasional 'ripple' or small rapid. Where he turned back
the river is surrounded by high mountains, which were then covered with
snow, which accounts for the purity and clearness of the water.

"It appears that the Indians go up this stream a long distance to hunt,
but I could learn nothing definite as to their statements concerning it.

"Twelve and a half miles below Fort Reliance, the Chandindu River, as
named by Schwatka, enters from the east. It is thirty to forty yards
wide at the mouth, very shallow, and for half a mile up is one
continuous rapid. Its valley is wide and can be seen for a long distance
looking north-eastward from the mouth.

"Between Fort Reliance and Forty Mile River (called Cone Hill River by
Schwatka) the Yukon assumes its normal appearance, having fewer islands
and being narrower, averaging four to six hundred yards wide, and the
current being more regular. This stretch is forty-six miles long, but
was estimated by the traders at forty, from which the Forty Mile River
took its name.

"Forty Mile River[13] joins the main river from the west. Its general
course as far up as the International Boundary, a distance of
twenty-three miles, is south-west; a