at that time the
beginning of July, ice lay in great quantities all along the banks of
the river. On shore, the earth was thawed only to a depth of about
fourteen inches. Indeed, the soil of those regions _never_ thaws
completely. At the hottest season of the year, if you were to dig down
a few feet, you would come to a subsoil which is locked in the embrace
of _perpetual_ frost. Some signs of natives were discovered here, and,
from the appearance of the cut trees, it was evident that they possessed
no iron tools.

"Push forward," was Mackenzie's watchword more perhaps than it had been
of any previous discoverer in Rupert's Land. The Indians began ere long
to complain bitterly of his perseverance. They were not accustomed to
such constant and severe exertion, and it was with great difficulty that
he prevailed on them to continue the voyage.

As they advanced, fresh signs of natives were observed, and at last, one
evening, they came in sight of an encampment of them. It was at a place
where the current of the great river was so strong that it was in actual
ebullition, and produced a hissing noise like a kettle of water in a
moderate boiling state. The region was mountainous, and just before
them they perceived a high ridge covered with snow.

"They're evidently not much used to visitors," said Mackenzie, on
observing that the natives were running about in great confusion, some
making for the woods, and others hurrying to the canoes.

"They is used to be 'tacked by inimis," said English Chief, who was
rather proud of his knowledge of the English language.

"Hail them in the Chipewyan tongue," said Mackenzie, as the canoes
touched the beach. English Chief and the hunters landed first, and
addressed the few natives who had ventured to remain, but they were so
terrified as to be unable to reply. Seeing this, Mackenzie quietly
landed, and gave orders for the pitching of the tents. While this was
being done, the natives grew calm; they found that they understood
Chipewyan; a few words relieved them of their apprehensions, and soon
they not only came down to the tents, but were so gratified with their
reception that they sent for those members of their tribe who had fled.
Thus friendly relations were established.

There were five families, consisting of about thirty persons of two
different tribes--the Slave and the Dog-rib Indians.

CHAPTER SIX.

INDIANS MET WITH, AND THE MOUTH OF THE GREAT RIVER REACH