Elcho Harbour is not named on Vancouver's chart, or any subsequent one, and is somewhat imperfectly indicated, so that Mackenzie had very good reason for supposing that he had been opposite the mouth of Cas- cade, the only inlet hereabouts surveyed in full detail. In order to “clear Vancouver's yard-arm’’ it may be pointed out that an expedition to the head of Cascade was particularly necessary as the Straits of De Fonte were said to exist in the neighbourhood. Elcho, however, obviously led nowhere, so that Vancouver would not have been justified in wasting time in surveying it.

_ Finally there has to be taken into consideration the fact that “the traverse is upwards of three miles North- West,” and that ““At some distance from land a channel opened... .South-West by West.’”’ A comparatively short glimpse down Dean Channel may be obtained from mid- stream opposite Cascade Inlet, but the bearing is nothing like South-West by West, whether Magnetic or Astro- nomic. Opposite Elcho, on the other hand, a clear view at the bearing mentioned may be had for many miles down Dean Channel, where Vancouver came on the 3lst of May, having left his ship in Restoration Bay.

Furthermore, as this is the only place reasonably near the latitude given by the observations where a tra- verse of three miles can be obtained in a north-westerly direction, we may feel justified in assuming that Mackenzie approached the mouth of Elcho Harbour, and not Cascade Inlet, from the south-east. The only evidence which does not support this is the fact that the distance “‘coasted along the land” from Edward Point is given as six miles. In view of the windings of the channel and of the somewhat harassing conditions at the time, an erroneous estimate of the length of this course would be quite pardonable. Possibly Mackenzie omitted to book his last course at the point where the “troublesome fellow’ forced himself into the canoe.

Elcho Harbour is, however, clearly indicated by all other evidence, including Mackenzie's description of his final camp, three miles to the North-East, a matter which is dealt with later on.

The direction of the shore line for some distance to the south of Elcho Harbour does not permit a clear view Page Twenty-one