79 
Attempts to reach the Sea by Mackenzie's River, 
away by stealth. Such an unequivocal demonstration of a hos- 
tile purpose, increased the apprehensions of the party, and they 
hurried into the canoe, but were instantly assailed by a flight of 
arrows from the Eskimaux, each of whom shot three from his 
bow at a time. Mr Livingston and a Canadian traveller fell 
under the first discharge : two of the Indians, who had not yet 
embarked, but were holding on the bow of the canoe, let go, 
and escaped into the woods, whilst James Sutherland and the 
other survivors floated down the stream. They were instantly 
pursued by the Eskimaux in their boats, and the Indians from 
their hiding places observed the conflict to be carried on until 
five of the Eskimaux were killed, and James Sutherland was 
left alone in the bow of his canoe, which was in a sinking con- 
dition. This much was learnt from one of the Indians, who 
travelled to Fort Chepewyan with the account of the melancho- 
ly catastrophe, having, in his route, had his wants supplied by 
parties of the Loucheux, and other nations he fell in with. It 
was afterwards ascertained, through the medium of the Flare 
Indians, that the canoe had drifted down opposite the main en- 
campment of the Eskimaux, and that James Sutherland there 
threw himself into the water, swam ashore, and placed himself 
betwixt the knees of an elderly man, for protection. A consul- 
tation being now held, his destruction was decided upon ; and as 
he was judged invulnerable from his having escaped from the 
conflict without a wound, they effected their purpose by tying 
a stone round his neck, and throwing him into the river ; his 
protector having, in the mean time, conveyed himself away, it 
being contrary to their ideas of humanity, that he should wit- 
ness the death of his protege. 
The year following this tragical event, a party of the Red- 
knife or Copper Indians, making war upon the Eskimaux, at 
the mouth of the Copper-mine River, found some part of the 
clothing of Mr Livingston’s party in the huts of those they de- 
stroyed. 
A second attempt to reach the sea was made by Mr Clarke 
in 1809. He descended the river as far as the assemblage of 
islands which form the various channels of which Sir Alexander 
Mackenzie speaks ; but here a numerous party of Eskimaux, 
occupying both banks of the river, put themselves in such a me- 
