1789. ALEXANDER MACKENZIE. 343 



of a large size. The latitude of the Quarrellers is 

 about 67° 45\ On the 10th they passed three 

 encampments of the Esquimaux. The river now 

 began to widen fast, and to flow in a number of 

 narrow meandering channels among low islands, 

 on which were only observed a few dwarf willows. 

 On the 12th July they entered a lake, in latitude 

 69^ V, open to the westward, in which, out of the 

 channel of the river, there was not more than 

 four feet water, and in some places the depth did 

 not exceed one foot. They arrived at an island, 

 the deepest water in the passage to it for fifteen 

 miles not exceeding five feet. From a high part 

 of this island they could see the solid ice extend- 

 ing from the south-west by compass to the east- 

 ward. In the south-west they could dimly per- 

 ceive a chain of mountains, at the distance of 

 more than twenty leagues, stretching farther to 

 the north than the edo-e of the ice. To the east- 

 ward were observed many islands. Mr. Mackenzie 

 says, " My people could not at this time refrain 

 from expressions of real concern that they were 

 obliged to return, without reaching the sea." Yet 

 we are told that the people were obliged to re- 

 move the baggage on account of the rising of the 

 water; that this rising they concluded to be the 

 tide ; and that it appeared to rise sixteen or 

 eighteen inches : there were besides a great num- 

 ber of whales in the water, which, the guide 

 informed them, were the same kind of fish which 



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