up, to remove the baggage, on account of
the sudden rising of the water. Some fish were afterwards caught, about
the size of a herring, and resembling a species of fish which abounds in
Hudson's Bay. On the ensuing day, Mr. Mackenzie ascended an adjacent
hill, and saw much ice; and, towards the north-west, two small islands
in the ice. On the 14th, many animals were seen in the water, which, at
first, were supposed to be pieces of floating-ice, but which were
afterwards ascertained to be whales. Hence it became evident that this
apparent lake was a part of the _Northern Ocean_. Mr. Mackenzie sailed
upon it, to some distance from the shore, and landed at the eastern
extremity of an island, which he called _Whale Island_, and which was
about seven leagues in length, but not more than a mile broad. The
ebbing and flowing of the tide were here observed. He subsequently
landed on another island, where an Indian burying-place was observed.
The latitude of the shore of this northern ocean, was ascertained to be
69 degrees 14 minutes, north; and the longitude 135 degrees, west.

_Narrative of the Return of_ MR. MACKENZIE _from the Frozen
Ocean to Fort Chepewyan._

This gentlemen embarked, on his return, at half-past one o'clock, of the
21st of July, the weather being extremely cold and unpleasant. At ten,
the canoes re-entered the river; but the opposing current was so strong,
that the men were obliged, for a considerable distance, to tow them
along. The land on both sides was elevated, and almost perpendicular.
Much rain fell.

Mr. Mackenzie subsequently encamped near an Indian village, the
inhabitants of which were at first considerably alarmed. They
afterwards, however, became familiar. Some of them, having kindled a
fire, laid themselves round it, to sleep; and, notwithstanding the
excessive coldness of the climate, they had neither skins nor garments
to cover them.

The people of this nation are continually at variance with the
Esquimaux, who are said to take every opportunity of attacking them,
when not in a state to defend themselves. From their account it appeared
that a strong party of Esquimaux occasionally ascended the river, in
large canoes, to search for flint-stones, which they used as points for
their spears and arrows. These Esquimaux were said to wear their hair
short; and to have a hole perforated on each side of their mouth, in a
line with the under lip, and to place beads in the holes, by way of
orna