NORTHERN INTERIOR OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

“On passing a track that was but lately made, they
began to be ferociously alarmed, and on inquiring of the
guide where they were, he pretended not to understand
them. They then all lay down, exhausted with fatigue,
and without any kind of covering ; they were cold, wet and
hungry, but dared not light a fire from the apprehension of
an enemy. This comfortless spot they left at dawn of
day and, on their arrival at the lodges, found them deserted,
the property of the Indians being scattered about as if
abandoned forever.

“ The guide then made two or three trips into the woods,
calling aloud and bellowing like a madman. At length he
set off in the same direction as they came, and had not
since appeared. To heighten their misery, as they did not
find us at the place appointed, they concluded that we
were all destroyed, and had already formed their plans to
take to the woods and cross in as direct line as they could
to the waters of the Peace River, a scheme which could
only be suggested by despair.”:

At this recital, a general panic seized those around
Mackenzie, and, unloading everything except six packages,
which he left to the care of four men, the leader was
prevailed upon to return to the camp of the previous night,
which was more propitious for defence. There he saw to
it that the party’s arms were in good order, filled each
man’s flask with powder, and distributed one hundred
bullets, while some of the men were employed in melting
down shot to make more.

While they were busy with these warlike preparations,
an Indian landed where they stood, who, on perceiving
them, bolted away with the threat that he would hasten
and join his friends, who would come and kill the intruders.

They passed an uneasy night and kept strict watch

1. ‘‘Journal,” pp. 263-4.

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