NORTHERN INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

going to follow the river to its mouth had confirmed those
rumors and created a panic of which he had been one of
the victims, since, unable to follow them, he had been left
to his fate.

At these words Mackenzie must have remembered with -
dismay the pleasure he had taken in firing off his gun to
show the extent of his power, and the unspeakable fright
they had manifested on hearing its report. This circum-
stance had now turned against him, and he and his men
were in the ludicrous position of people haunted by the
apprehension of those whom fear had driven away from.
them.

The next day, which was the 28th of June, was employed
in making a new canoe, and on the 29th they were agree-
ably surprised at beholding their Carrier guide, with a com-
panion, making fortheir camp. He declared that he had
spent his time in search of his missing family, who had fled
like the others.

On Tuesday, 2nd July, 1793, the whole party reached
the mouth of the Blackwater, where Mackenzie ha-
rangued his men, declaring his firm and irrevocable resolu-
tion to go west, even though he might be left alone. Then
he made another cache, left his canoe on a scaffolding, and
handing each of his white companions a pack of some
ninety pounds, with a gun and ammunition—the
Indians grumbling with only half that weight—he directed
his steps in their company towards the village of the Nas-
khu’tins, which was then eleven miles distant from the
mouth of the Blackwater River, ona lake called Pcencho..

There he found, as usual, several articles of European
manufacture, among which he mentions a lance resembling
a sergeant’s halberd, which had lately come from the sea
coast. Taking care to send two couriers in advance to
predispose people in his favor, he proceeded west, and in

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