178 Mackenzie’s Voyages

country was void of anything to excite the cupidity of the
treasure-seeking Spaniards.

No other event in the history of the north-west quarter
of the continent is fraught with so much significance as the
successful termination of the overland journey performed by
Alexander Mackenzie, the leader on his own initiative, with
Alexander. Mackay, his second in command; and Joseph
Landry, and Charles Ducette, who had accompanied the
explorer in his voyage to the Arctic, Francois Beaulieux,
Baptist Bisson, Francois Courtois, Jaques Beauchamp and
the two Chipewyan Indians, one of whom is frequently
mentioned under the reputable name of Cancre the Crab.

Full credit must be given to all the members of the
party, for, in spite of the frequent alarms and rebellions of
the voyageurs and the Indians, the success of this remarkable
achievement was due to their co-operation, particularly
to their ability to endure the excessive hardships of the
journey.