noon
Here , on a high clean bank , stood the big red river warehouse of the H. B. Company . Among the willow bushes opposite it was a fleet of new `` sturgeon heads , '' and just below these , two boats that had been put aside for Colonel Howell . From among the bushes near the warehouse the two Indians produced a pump and then for two hours took turns in drawing the water from the half submerged boats . Just before noon , Moosetooth taking his place in the stern of the rear boat with a small steering oar , La Biche loosened the craft and Norman and Roy were on their first voyage in the historic flatboat of the Athabasca . It was curious to note the skill with which the veteran riverman allowed the current to carry his boats on their way , and the ease with which they were finally drawn in to the bank opposite the freight cars . Roy proposed to secure a shovel for cleaning out the mud , but old La Biche laughed . `` The sun , '' he said , `` he goin ' do dat . ''