CHAPTER III.
RUNNING THE RAPIDS.
Before leaving the Grand Rapid several good photographs
of it were obtained, and then on the morning of
the 7th of June, bidding adieu to Inspector Howard, and
leaving our supplies in the freighters' hands, we started
down the river for Fort McMurray. The first object of
special interest passed was a natural gas flow, occurring
on the left bank about fifteen miles below the Rapid.
At this place a considerable volume of gas is continually
discharging, and may be seen bubbling up through the
water over a considerable area, as well as escaping from
rifts in the bank. The gas burns with a hot pale blue
flame, and is said to be used at times by boatmen for
cooking purposes. Eight or ten miles farther down
stream came the Brûle Rapids, the first of the long
series, and though they might easily have been run, we
did not try it, as my brother wished to remain on shore
for some time to collect fossils. Meanwhile our stuff
was portaged, and without difficulty the empty canoes
run down to the foot of the rapids, where camp was
made. Just at this place commence the wonderful tar
sand-beds of the Athabasca, extending over an enormous
area. These certainly present a very striking appearance.
During warm weather, in many places, the faces
