Tue Great Journey 123

Landing next day below Rascals’ Village, they
were deserted by the young chief, who refused
to wait while they dragged the canoe up the
beach. Mackenzie followed him alone, as he
could not afford to let him get out of his sight.
As soon as Mackenzie reached the village he
was surrounded by a menacing crowd of armed
men, including the fellow who claimed to have
been fired on by Vancouver. He drew his
pistols and resolved to sell his life dearly.
They closed in round him, and one had
grasped his arms from behind, when his men
arrived from the beach with their guns. The
Indians at once took to flight, and hid among
the houses. Mackenzie determined to teach
them a lesson. In the scuffle they had stolen
his hat and cloak, as well as other articles on
their previous meeting. He now made his
men prime their muskets, and demanded the
immediate restoration of all they had taken.
The Indians were cowed by this show of force,
and his orders were sullenly obeyed. The
missing property was restored, and at once the
party started up stream towards the Great
Village.