CHAPTER XII
THE RETURN TO FORT CHIPEWYAN

LEAVING at once when the explorer had accomplished his
purpose, the party travelled all night, arriving at Porcupine
Cove at 4.30 in the morning, Continuing on their way
they found the tide at the mouth of the river so low that it
was necessary to make a landing a mile below the village.

The moment the canoe touched the shore the guide
jumped out and hastened away, telling them to draw the
canoe up out of reach of the tide and leave it. Mackenzie
had long ago lost all faith in guides and was inclined to
suspect their motives. He could not understand why this
young man should be in such a hurry to leave them, when
he was perfectly safe in his own country. Mackenzie
hastened after him, and when nearing the village, while
the guide was fifteen or twenty paces ahead of him, two men
rushed from the houses with daggers in their hands and
fury in their aspect.

Mackenzie stopped short, threw down his cloak, and
raised his gun. They knew the effect of fire-arms and at
once dropped their daggers. Mackenzie lowered his gun and
drew his sword. Several others arrived, including the Indian
whose insolence had annoyed them so much a few days
before. Mackenzie’s wrath now flared, and he says, “My
resentment predominated and if he had come within my
reach I verily believe that I should have terminated his
insolence for ever.” |

The natives crowded around him, and one contrived to

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