Tue Younc Fur-TRapER 19

It was rich in furs, and in 1786 and 1787 both
he and his rival of the North West Company
were able to bring out ample returns. His
range was the upper Churchill River and its
tributaries, in what is now northern Saskatche-
wan, a region far beyond the limits of modern
settlement and still not fully explored. After
the first season he was joined by his cousin,
Roderick McKenzie, who had apprenticed
himself as a clerk to the New Company; the
two remained for nine years in close associa-
tion and warm friendship. Mackenzie’s head-
quarters were at Ile a La Crosse, an important
post which commanded the route to the Atha-
baska region. Here in the spring of 1787 he
collected his men and furs for his second jour-
ney to Grand Portage. His intention had
been to await the arrival of Ross and the
Athabaska brigade so as to make the long
journey in company; but after a few days’
delay he was forced to depart without Ross,
for fear lest a further halt should prevent his
return before the ice set in once more. Dur-
ing his absence at Grand Portage Roderick
was left in charge.