72 Mackenzie’s Voyages

resolved to go out to the ice, but a wind arose, and the fog returned and both ice and island were shut out from sight. A sail was hoisted, the swell became violent, and two men found it all they could do to bail out the water that came aboard. ‘“‘We were in a state of actual danger, and felt every corresponding emotion of pleasure when we reached the land.”” The Indians were nearer shore and their canoes were nearly filled with water. Realising the danger of navi- gating the seas in their frail craft, Mackenzie decided to give more attention to an examination of the islands in the hope of meeting people who could give them information. ‘The guide suggested that natives were more likely to be found on the eastern channel which he had originally recommended to Mackenzie. As the delta has a frontage of seventy miles on the seaward side and extends one hundred miles up- stream, the difficulty of examining the maze of channels in this intricate system of outlets can be readily understood. As a matter of fact Mackenzie made no serious attempt to search the delta, contenting himself with returning up-river in the most direct way.

“At eight we encamped on the eastern end of the island, which I had named the Whale Island. It is about seven leagues in length, but not more than half a mile in breadth. This morning I ordered a post to be erected close to our tents, on which I engraved the latitude of the place, my own name, the number of persons I had with me, and the time we had remained there.”

On the night of Wednesday the fifteenth, “being awakened by some casual circumstance at four this morning, I was surprised on perceiving that the water had flowed under our

1 The position of this island may be seen on any modern map, as it lies about thirty miles from the continental shore-line, off the delta, still bearing the name that Mackenzie gave it.