144 Mackenzie’s Voyages

deeper water, and all had to clamber aboard precipitately,
one man being left behind in the confusion. Being now out
of control the canoe was at the mercy of the wild waters.
First the stern was shattered, and was only held together
by the gunwales; the force of the impact as well as the
velocity of the current swung them over to the other shore,
where the bow was smashed; Mackay seized some branches
and was swung clean out of the canoe with tremendous
force. The canoe continued its mad career with its helpless
occupants, and in shooting a fall had a number of holes
punched in its bottom. All the thwarts were started except
the one behind the scooping-seat. ‘The canoe flattened out
on the water, to which occurrence, bad as it was, they owed
their lives and the salvation of their baggage, for in this
condition it was impossible to upset the wreck. On reaching
shallower water the mass came to rest on some stones, “The
crew were thoroughly exhausted by their strenuous exertions
and by the numbing effect of the ice-fed waters. ‘The shore
party came to their assistance, except the Indians, who on
seeing the wreckage sat down and wept aloud. Mackenzie
kept his station breast-high in the chilling waters on the far
side of the raft until everything had been safely got ashore.
It was found that their stock of leaden balls was gone, and
some of their necessary articles. ““’The loss was considerable
and important, but these considerations were forgotten in
the impression of our remarkable escape.”

All had escaped without injury. The crew regarded the
accident with mixed feelings. ‘They were on the whole
by no means sorry that the mishap had occurred as it
promised an immediate return to the fort.

It seemed for the moment, even to the undaunted leader,
that it would be impossible to proceed farther. But the things
were spread out to dry. Big fires were lighted, a hearty meal