104 THEOUGH THE MACKENZIE BASIN 



on Coal Island — ^now called Potato Island — about A.D. 

 1815, when the Hudson's Bay Company recommenced trad- 

 ing in this part of the country." He often visited this 

 island post, then in charge of a Mr. Robertson, and, in June, 

 engaged there for his memorable journey his bowmen, steers- 

 men and middlemen, and an interpreter, his other men being 

 furnished by the rival company. Fort Chipewyan was in 

 charge at that time of Messrs. Keith and Black, of the North- 

 West Company, a noticeable feature of the post being a 

 tower built, Franklin says, about the year 1812, " to watch 

 Indians who had evil designs." 



The site was well chosen, being sheltered from storms from 

 the lake side by a great bulwark of wooded and rocky 

 islands. The largest is Potato Island, just opposite, its out- 

 liers being the Calf and English Islands — the Lapeta, 

 Echeranaway and Theyaodene of the Chipewyans; the 

 Petac, Moostoos and Akayasoo of the "Crees. 



Fort Chipewyan stands upon a rising ground fronting a 

 sort of bay formed by these islands, and at the time of our 

 visit consisted of a trading-store, several large warehouses 

 and the master's residence, etc., all of solid timber, erected 

 in the days of Chief-factor MacFarlane, who ruled here 

 for many years.* 



*Mr. MacFarlane's career in the service of the Hudson's Bay Com- 

 pany is typical of the varied life and movements of its old-time 

 adventurous traders. He entered the service in 1852, his first winter 

 heing spent as a clerk at Pembina (now Emerson), and also as 

 trader in charge at the Long Creek outpost. From here he was 

 transferred to Fort Rae, and afterwards to Fort Good Hope, Macken- 

 zie River, where he remained six years. His next post was Fort 

 Anderson, on the Begh-ula, or Anderson River, : in the Barren 

 Grounds, which he held for five years, much of his scientific work 

 being done during excursions from this point. Afterwards he 

 became trader and accountant at Fort Simpson, and was for two 

 years in charge of the Mackenzie River district. This was succeeded 

 by a six months' residence at Fort Chipewyan, where, subsequently, 

 for fifteen years he had charge of the district. For two years he had 

 control of the Caledonia district, in British Columbia, but removed 

 to Fort Cumberland, Sask., where he remained for five years. Other 

 removals followed until he finally retired from the service, and, 

 returning to Winnipeg, has lived there ever since. 



