62 Mackenzie’s Voyages

They promised to go for their furs and other articles
which they wished to trade, and be at this point in two
months’ time when Mackenzie expected to be passing on
his way up.

“There was a youth among them in the capacity of a
slave whom our Indians understood better than any of the
natives of this country whom they had yet seen. He was
invited to accompany us, but took the first opportunity to
conceal himself and we saw him no more.”

The guide renewed his complaints, assuring Mackenzie
that the Eskimos, “whom he represented to be a very wicked
and malignant people, would put us all to death. Two
summers since a large party of these came up the river and
killed many of his relatives.”

Next day other lodges were seen. ‘“‘We were informed
that they were of a different tribe, called the Hare Indians,
as hares and fish are their principal support, from the scarcity
of reindeer and beaver. A small quantity of our usual presents
were received by them with great satisfaction.”

The guide who had become troublesome was here
exchanged for another, who at once repented of his bargain,
but “‘we paid very little attention to his remonstrances, and
compelled him to embark.”

A hunting party of eight encountered the following day
told them wonderful stories of danger and terror. “‘We were
now informed that behind the opposite island there was a
Manitoe or Spirit in the river which swallowed every
person that approached it.”

In the course of the night during a violent thunderstorm
the new guide escaped. “We therefore compelled another
of these people, very much against his will, to supply the
place of his fugitive companion.”

A party of natives of a more pleasing appearance was