120 Sir ALEXANDER MACKENZIE

Indian was evidently referring to a meeting
with his party. ‘The newcomers insisted on
keeping in company with Mackenzie; they
persuaded the young chief from Great Village
to enter one of their boats; and the “trouble-
some fellow” forced his way into Mackenzie’s
canoe. He demanded numerous presents, and
persuaded Mackenzie to steer across the inlet
towards his village. Landing on the opposite
shore at a ruined village near the mouth of
Elcho Harbour, they were at once visited by
an imposing fleet of ten canoes the occupants
of which urged them to go on with them to
the village. The behaviour of the natives was
such that Mackenzie was certain that they
were about to attack, and for the first time he
admitted his fears to his men. His party,
therefore, took possession of a steep rock
“which permitted of our defending ourselves
in case we should be attacked,” and prepared
to spend the night. At last their visitors
departed at sunset, after stealing several
articles.

Indians from another village, less vio-
lently disposed, came in the evening, told