96 Srr ALEXANDER MACKENZIE

the bottom, and all the thwarts but one were
dragged from their fastenings. The bowman
seized a branch to stop them, and was vio-
lently jerked out on to the shore. The canoe
flattened on the water, its occupants jumped
into the icy stream, and they were carried
several hundred yards clinging to the wreck.
At last they were borne, numb with cold, into
shallow water, and were able to unload their
drenched belongings. The only serious loss
was almost the whole stock of bullets. Mac-
kenzie calls their escape from death miracu-
lous.

Immediately after the accident the men
began to argue that they must now turn back.
Mackenzie made no answer until they had
had a good meal and an ample ration of rum.
Then he addressed them, appealing to the
courage and resolution which were “the pecu-
liar boast of the North men,” and emphasizing
the disgrace of surrender after they had come
so far. At last he overcame their fears, and
they consented to go on. The next two days
were spent in reconstructing the canoe, which
had by this time become very heavy from the