rove
profitable. I do not myself believe to any extent in the
agricultural possibilities of that upper country. A few men
will be able to subsist there. Some grain can be raised in
many of the valleys of that upper country. The seasons are,
however, so short, and the difficulties of permanent
settlement so many, that while in my estimation the railroad
would be a benefit for a time to a few individuals, it would
not be a profitable permanent enterprise far to the
northward of its present terminus. I regard the Peace River
valley as about its permanent agricultural north, although
many traders and boomers may dispute that.

"As to the feasibility of a railway line connecting the
Yukon to the Mackenzie, I can see no reason whatever for
contemplating the matter seriously. In my passage across the
summit on the Rat Portage we found some squared timbers
which had been prepared there with a view to laying a sort
of tramway. The idea was long since abandoned by the
Hudson's Bay Company, which once purposed it. I cannot say
whether or not they intended to use steam transport. Since
then the country has wholly lapsed into its original wild
and bleak character. It is, in my opinion, and will and
should remain, a wilderness. Its resources would not in any
wise support any considerable transportation enterprise
permanently.

"The companions who went with me on this trip report well
and sound, and I commend them for the manner in which they
withstood the hardships, at times very considerable.

"My subsequent and more complete report will be made at the
offices of the Company at a later date.

"Respectfully submitted.
"RICHARD MCINTYRE."

The second letter was addressed to the mother of one of our young
adventurers, and in this Uncle Dick wrote in rather less formal
fashion:

"DEAR SISTER,--Here we are at the railroad, and within a
couple of hours will be steaming out across the mountains
for Skagway. All safe and sound. Never saw boys eat the way
these do, and cannot say whether or not we will have enough
money to get them home.

"Nothing much has happened since we left, as the cow-puncher
said when he killed the ranch-manager in the owner's
absence. We have made our trip around in two or three days'