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70 Sir ALEXANDER MACKENZIE

the Athabaska region. He had discovered one
of the great rivers of the world, from source
to mouth the longest in North America after
the Mississippi. He had proved that it was
possible to live on the country while travelling
rapidly, even in the most barren of the
inhabited regions of the earth. He had trained
himself as an explorer, and had demonstrated
his ability as a leader. Furthermore, his fail-
ure to reach the Pacific by the Mackenzie
River had created in him a stern resolve that
go there he should by another route. A great
fur-trader he continued to be, but he was now,
until the fulfilment of his desire, an explorer
above all.

Mackenzie spent the winter of 1789-90
at Fort Chipewyan with his cousin; it was a
good season for furs, and the returns were
admirable. In the spring he went to Grand
Portage to attend an important meeting of the
partners of the Company, at which a newagree-
ment was reached to last until the end of 1798.
After this reorganization there were ten part-
ners, holding among them twenty shares;
Mackenzie held two shares. The leading