Over the Divide 145

prepared, and rum enough distributed to raise their spirits.
Mackenzie then addressed them in his persuasive way,
urging the honour of conquering disasters, and the disgrace
that would attend them on their return home without having
attained the object of the expedition. “‘Nor did I fail to
mention the courage and resolution which was the peculiar
boast of the north men, and that I depended on them at that
moment for the maintenance of their character. The effect
was gratifying. They swore that they were ready to go where-
ever I should lead.”

Scouts were sent out to gather bark for the canoe, to view
the country, and particularly the water route. Their reports
were discouraging. The river was so obstructed by boulders
and log-jams that the scouts thought it would be necessary
to carry the whole way through a dreadful country where
much time and labour would be required to make the
passage.

Two days after their misfortune they were able to proceed
again, but in fourteen hours of hard labour they were not
able to make more than three miles. Here one of the crew,
Beauchamp, refused to embark. This was the first instance
of absolute disobedience, and the disciplinarian in the leader
desired mightily to deal severely with the mutineer. Beau-
champ was a very useful, active and laborious man, but he
had the general character of a simpleton among his com-
panions, and Mackenzie met the case by making him an
object of ridicule. A regale of rum that night before a roaring
fire helped to clear their minds of present difficulties, and
induced them to look forward with pleasure to the hour
when they should be gliding over the waters of the Great
River which they were approaching. But the morrow brought
its discouragements. Roads had to be cut to get by the falls,
and the canoe was carried two miles through a swamp at