72 Mackenzie’s Voyages

resolved to go out to the ice, but a wind arose, and the
fog returned and both ice and island were shut out from
sight. A sail was hoisted, the swell became violent, and two
men found it all they could do to bail out the water that
came aboard. ‘“‘We were in a state of actual danger, and felt
every corresponding emotion of pleasure when we reached
the land.”” The Indians were nearer shore and their canoes
were nearly filled with water. Realising the danger of navi-
gating the seas in their frail craft, Mackenzie decided to give
more attention to an examination of the islands in the hope
of meeting people who could give them information. ‘The
guide suggested that natives were more likely to be found
on the eastern channel which he had originally recommended
to Mackenzie. As the delta has a frontage of seventy miles
on the seaward side and extends one hundred miles up-
stream, the difficulty of examining the maze of channels in
this intricate system of outlets can be readily understood.
As a matter of fact Mackenzie made no serious attempt to
search the delta, contenting himself with returning up-river
in the most direct way.

“At eight we encamped on the eastern end of the island,
which I had named the Whale Island. It is about seven
leagues in length, but not more than half a mile in breadth.
This morning I ordered a post to be erected close to our
tents, on which I engraved the latitude of the place, my own
name, the number of persons I had with me, and the time we
had remained there.”

On the night of Wednesday the fifteenth, “being awakened
by some casual circumstance at four this morning, I was
surprised on perceiving that the water had flowed under our

1 The position of this island may be seen on any modern map, as
it lies about thirty miles from the continental shore-line, off the
delta, still bearing the name that Mackenzie gave it.