Over the Divide 149

Fraser was travelled so often by them that their path is
visible throughout the whole journey, which lies along
small lakes and rivers. Chey appeared to be well acquainted
with this route, which they said occupied six nights to the
place where they met the coast Indians, from whom they
received iron, brass, copper, and beads, for dressed leather,
beaver, bear, lynx, fox, and marten skins.

Mackenzie’s party thought that it would be madness to
attempt the overland passage through so many savage tribes,
who appeared to be more aggressive than those east of the
Rockies. The provisions had been reduced to thirty days’
rations, the ammunition amounted to one hundred and
fifty bullets and thirty pounds of shot, and the hunters were
not remarkable for their skill and zeal in the chase. But all
these impediments vanished, or were minimised, when
Mackenzie reviewed the situation. He was convinced that
this river, the Fraser, could not empty itself north of the
position of the supposed ‘‘ River of the West,” the Columbia.
The distance and the difficulties enumerated made it useless
to think of descending it to its mouth. In any event he felt
it necessary to give up any thought of returning to Atha-
basca this year, but in spite of these reflections, he decided
to pursue his object with resolution, and let the future take
care of itself. A dash overland to the coast appealed to him.
There was after all a possibility of reaching the ocean and
returning safely within a period short enough to enable him
to return to Athabasca before the freeze-up, and he deter-
mined to risk it.

Mackenzie was alone in cherishing a desire to achieve
his object. His people were not merely indifferent but eager
to turn back. Hence the burden carried by the leader could
not be lightened by any member of the party. Without
counsel or the possibility of a friendly discussion of the pros