Journals by Alexander Mackenzie — Read

Tuesday, June 4. -- We embarked this morning at four in a very heavy fog. The water had been continually rising, and, in many places, overflowed its banks. The current also was so strong that our progress was very tedious, and required the most laborious exertions. Our course was this day, south-southeast one mile, south-southwest half a mile, southeast three quarters of a mile, northeast by east three quarters of a mile, southeast half a mile, southeast by south one mile, south-southeast one mile and three quarters, southeast by south half a mile, east by south a quarter of a mile, southeast three quarters of a mile, northeast by east half a mile, east by north a quarter of a mile, southeast half a mile, southeast by south a quarter of a mile, southeast by east half a mile, northeast by east half a mile, north-northeast three quarters of a mile to south by east one mile and a half. We could not find a place fit for an encampment, till nine at night, when we landed on a bank of gravel, of which little more appeared above water than the spot we occupied.

Wednesday, June 5. -- This morning we found our canoe and baggage in the water, which had continued rising during the night. We then gummed the canoe, as we arrived at too late an hour to perform that operation on the preceding evening. This necessary business being completed, we traversed to the north shore, where I disembarked with Mr. Mackay, and the hunters, in order to ascend an adjacent mountain, with the hope of obtaining a view of the interior part of the country. I directed my people to proceed with all possible diligence, and that, if they met with any accident, or found my return necessary, they should fire two guns. They also understood, that when they should hear the same signal from me, they were to answer, and wait for me, if I were behind them.