56 Mackenzie’s Voyages

elevation as that on which we stood, the intervals between
the hills were covered with small lakes, which were inhabited
by great numbers of swans. We saw no trees but the pine
and the birch, which were small in size and few in number.
We were obliged to shorten our stay here from the swarm
of mosquitoes which attacked us on all sides.”

Cold weather prevailed next day, which was in great
contrast with the sultriness experienced recently. ‘The river
maintained its speed and about six in the evening turned
sharply to the west for three or four miles. Ice was piled
up along the banks, ‘‘The hunters killed a beaver and a
goose, the former of which sank before they could get to
him: beavers, otters, bears, etc., if shot dead at once, remain
floating like a bladder, but if there remains enough life for
them to struggle, they soon fill with water and go to the
bottom.”

The sun set at fifty-three minutes past nine, and rose
seven minutes before two next morning. The party was on
the move soon after sunrise, passing among islands for
five miles, when the river began to widen and the current
to slacken. A rugged snow-covered mountain appeared
ahead, and in the evening several smokes were seen on the
north shore, which proved to be a bivouac of the first Indians
encountered on the river.

‘“‘As we drew nearer we discovered the natives running
about in great confusion; some were making to the woods
and others hurrying to their canoes.” Perceiving that it
was impossible to avoid the strangers, they made signs to
the canoes to keep at a distance. English Chief and his
young man persuaded them to approach the tents, and
finding themselves well received they hastened to call their
fugitive companions from their hiding-places. “There were
five families consisting of thirty persons of two different