neers prepared to cross the
wilderness on foot.

CHAPTER TEN.

THE LAST.

We follow our travellers now over the last portion of their trying
journey. Well would it have been for them if they could have followed
their route as easily as you and I, reader, follow them in imagination.
Over mountain and swamp, through forest and brake, in heat and in cold,
sunshine and rain, they plodded wearily but resolutely on towards the
far west, until they reached the farthest west of all, where the great
continent dips into the greater Pacific.

At starting on this overland route they buried some provisions, and
putting in a place of security their canoe and such stores as they did
not require or could not carry, they set out, each man laden with a
burden varying from forty-five to ninety pounds weight, besides arms and
ammunition. They were led by an Indian guide with several of his
relations, and followed by their dog Wolf. This guide was deemed
necessary, not so much to show the way as to introduce them to the
various tribes through whose territory they should have to pass.

It takes a large portion of a quarto volume to recount their interesting
adventures by the way. How then, can we presume to attempt a fair
narrative in a few pages? The thing is impossible. We can but refer
our readers to Mackenzie's ponderous journal, in which, embedded amongst
a mass of important details, will be found a record of one of the most
interesting voyages ever undertaken.

As a matter of course difficulties assailed them at the outset. This
would seem to be the universal experience of pioneers. Game latterly
had begun to grow scarce, so that, their provisions being low, they were
obliged to go on short allowance--two meals a day. Their food, being
pemmican, required no cooking. Mingled heat, mosquitoes, sandflies, and
a rugged country, with short commons, and danger, as well as worry from
savages, was the beginning--and pretty much the middle and end--of their
experience. They were soon joined by an elderly man and three other
natives, and not only did these three Indians, but all the others along
the route, harass them by their caprice, unfaithfulness, and childish
petulance, and self-will.

One day their guide resolved to leave them; then, without being
solicited to stay, he changed his mind and went on with them. Again,
one night, at a time when they were anxious not to lose him, Mackenzie,
who knew he meant to take lea