138 Sir ALEXANDER MACKENZIE whoop as well as Mackenzie and McGillivray, we could all sing admirably, we could all drink like fishes.” The war-whoop seems to have been a part of the ritual on all festive occa- sions of the North-Westers. Landmann records another entertainment, of similar character, given at Lachine next spring by the same hosts on the departure of the canoes for Grand Portage; at its conclusion the whole company was prostrate on the floor. In 1800 a more sober traveller, John Maude, tells of dining with Mackenzie when there were no fewer than thirty persons at table.

Mackenzie’s work as an agent gave him plenty to do. He describes the agents’ func- tions as follows:

Their duty was to import the necessary goods from England, store them at their own expense at Montreal, get them made up into the articles suited to the trade, pack and for- ward them, and supply the cash that might be wanting for the outfits; for which they received, independent of the profit on their shares, a commission on the amount of the accounts, which they were obliged to make out annually, and keep the adventure of each year distinct,