ed for the journey. Indians regularly employed by the
North-West Company were engaged as canoemen and guides. On August 18
the party set out from Fort William. At first the journey went
tranquilly enough. On the eighth day, about one o'clock in the
afternoon, the party drew up their canoes on Isle au Parisien, in
Whitefish Bay, to take dinner. A heavy westerly breeze sprang up, but
they were on the leeward side of the island and did not notice its full
strength. Lieutenant Fauche had misgivings, however, and before he
would resume the journey he consulted his prisoner, William
M'Gillivray, who was an expert canoeman. M'Gillivray was confident
that {126} the 'traverse' to Sault Ste Marie could be made in safety if
the Indian guides exercised great caution. The guides, on the other
hand, objected to leaving the island. Their advice was not heeded, and
the three canoes put out. Very soon they were running before a squall
and shipping water. The first canoe turned its prow in the direction
of Isle aux Erables, lying to the left, and the other two followed this
example. Near Isle aux Erables there were some shoals destined now to
cause tragic disaster. In attempting to pass these shoals the leading
canoe was capsized. The others, so heavily laden that they could do
nothing to rescue their companions, paddled hurriedly to shore,
unloaded part of their cargoes, and then hastened to the spot where
their comrades were struggling in the stormy waters. But it was too
late. In spite of the most heroic efforts nine of the twenty-one
persons belonging to the wrecked canoe were drowned. Kenneth M'Kenzie,
of the North-West Company, was one of those who perished; six of the
others were Indians; the remaining two were discharged soldiers.
Another canoe was procured at Sault Ste Marie. The party continued its
journey and reached York on September 3. Fauche at once sought the
{127} attorney-general, in order to take proper legal steps, but found
that he was absent. The prisoners meanwhile applied for a writ of
habeas corpus, and Fauche was instructed to take them to Montreal.
This was to take them to the home of the Nor'westers, where they would
be supported by powerful influences. On September 10, when the
partners arrived in Montreal, they were at once admitted to bail.

Meanwhile, Lord Selkirk continued to exercise full sway over Fort
William and its environs. He had himself no misgivings whatever with
regard to th