the Cook’s River of which he was in search.
Such was his zeal that he was ready, on the
strength of these vague rumours and with the
season far advanced, to set out on a new
expedition by land: “I made an advantage-
ous proposition to this man to accompany me
across the mountains to the other river, but
he refused it.” A fourth group of informants
later confirmed the account of the river with
much adornment; the inhabitants had wings,
fed on enormous birds, and so on.

During this stage of the journey Macken-
zie had difficulties with his Indian companions.
More than once they nearly caused trouble
by stealing from the natives. Moreover they
had lost heart, and were much afraid that
their undaunted leader would attempt some
new discovery before returning to Chipewyan.
Mackenzie suspected that they were conceal-
ing information in translating to him what
they learned from the natives. On August 13
he had a downright quarrel with the English
Chief: “I stated to him that I had come a
great way, and at a very considerable expense,
without having completed the object of my

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