The effect of these cheerful prophecies was that the Slave
Lake guide refused to go on. English Chief bodily put the recalcitrant
into a canoe and forced him ahead at the end of a paddle. Snow-capped
mountains loomed to the west. The river from Bear Lake was passed,
greenish of hue like the sea, and the Slave Lake guide now feigned such
illness that watch was kept day and night to prevent his escape. The
river now began to wind, with lofty ramparts on each side; and once, at
a sharp bend in the current, Mackenzie looked back to see Slave Lake
Indians following to aid the guide in escaping. After that one of the
white men slept with the fellow each night to prevent desertion; but
during the confusion of a terrific thunder-storm, when tents and
cooking utensils were hurled about their heads, the Slave succeeded in
giving his watchers the slip. Mackenzie promptly stopped at an
encampment of strange Indians, and failing to obtain another guide by
persuasion, seized and hoisted a protesting savage into the big canoe,
and signalled the unwilling captive to point the way. The Indians of
the river were indifferent, if not friendly; but once Mackenzie
discovered a band hiding their women and children as soon as the
boatmen came in view. The unwilling guide was forced ashore, as
interpreter, and gifts pacified all fear. But the incident left its
impression on Mackenzie's comrades. They had now been away from
Chipewyan for forty days.
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