guide, the Indians of the party lost heart and refused 
to go any farther. Mackenzie begged them to continue for
seven days longer, promising to turn back if they did 
not discover the sea within that time. Before the week
was ended they reached the mouth of the river and stood 
upon the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Mackenzie decided 
to return at once. After erecting a post. bearing his name,
the latitude of the place, and the number of persons he
had with him, he turned his course homewards. On September
12th the party was again at Fort Chipewyan.



Image:
FUR TRADERS AND INDIANS MAKING A PORTAGE.


 Three years later Mackenzie prepared to make another
dash for the Pacific. In the fall of the year he ascended
the Peace River as far as the forks. Here he spent the
winter. As soon as the river was clear of ice, the party,
consisting of eight white men and two Indian guides, 
embarked in one big canoe, twenty-five feet in length.
From the outset the difficulties of the way were very great.
Rapids and falls made progress hard and even dangerous. 
As the travellers drew near the mountains, the river, 
hemmed in by steep, rocky banks, presented a succession
of roaring falls.  Portages  were frequent and 
usually hard to travel. In places the men drew the 
canoe upstream by grasping the branches of overhanging 
trees. The discouragement of the men was overcome only 
by the courage of their leader.


Image:
SIMON FRASER


 The greatest of their difficulties came at the height 
of land, where a road had to be cut through dense woods. 
On the west slope of the mountains they found themselves 
on the bank of a navigable river. This, as we know, 
was the Fraser. The descent of this mountain stream 
brought the travellers varied experiences, - meetings  
with strange Indians, breaking and rebuilding  canoes,
shooting dangerous rapids, and toiling over long 
portages.  Discouraged by a report of the great 
length and dangerous nature of the river, Mackenzie 
turned back and struck off overland in search of the 
sea. This he did in spite of a warning that the coast 
Indians were "as numerous as mosquitoes" and very 
unfriendly.
 By the middle of July the party had reached the Bella 
Coola River. In spite of the hostility of certain of 
the native Indian tribes, Mackenzie continued his course 
west-wards. On the 20th they reached salt water. At last 
the weary travellers were rewarded with a glimpse of 
the Pacific. Upon the face of the rock their leader recorded 

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Visitor #
Web Master: Julia Adamson,
for Sask Gen Web Project

Dear Valued Visitors of Saskatchewan GenWeb's New Domain, We're delighted to welcome you to our new digital abode at https://saskgenweb.ca/cansk/Saskatchewan! If you've been a traveler through the pathways of the Provincial Saskatchewan GenWeb site hosted by Rootsweb and Ancestry, to find that they have become static without updates nor upgrades, fret not?our webpages will not only endure but thrive at this new domain. A New Chapter Unfolds: This is not just a change of address; it's the dawn of a new chapter in documenting the rich tapestry of Saskatchewan's history. The one-room schoolhouses, cemetery headstones, historical maps, and the myriad of placenames will continue to find a digital home here. Patreon: Fueling the Future: The heartbeat of this endeavor is our Patreon community. Their support ensures not only the financing of this project for the current year but paves the way for future years. It's a collective effort where every contribution propels us forward. The Saskatchewan GenWeb Mission Persists: As volunteers diligently place new information and updates online, we're excited to persist in this labor of love. Your visits, support, and enthusiasm make it possible for us to continue unearthing and preserving the stories of the past. The Journey to Sustain History: The new domain and web hosting provider stand as pillars, thanks to the incredible support from our growing Patreon community. We're not just looking at this as a one-time venture but a sustained effort year after year. Support Us on Patreon: Behind every update and every historical map scanned, there's a team of dedicated volunteers. If you find our service beneficial, consider supporting us through Patreon. Your contribution is an investment in preserving Saskatchewan's history. Gratitude to Ancestry.com and Rootsweb.com: A heartfelt thank you to Ancestry.com and Rootsweb.com for providing the foundation. Now, as we transition, we seek your support in finding paid web hosting. Your backing ensures a lasting legacy. Together, Let's Preserve and Propel: The Saskatchewan GenWeb service has been a guiding light for historians, genealogists, and the public. Join us in preserving and propelling this legacy into the digital future. Join Us in This Exciting Chapter: Explore https://saskgenweb.ca/cansk/Saskatchewan and be a part of this thrilling continuation. Your support is not just appreciated; it's crucial for the ongoing journey. Thank you for being a cherished part of our community. Your passion for history fuels our dedication. Warm regards, The Saskatchewan GenWeb Volunteer Team

The West 1763-1812, The West 1812-1841, Western Canada,
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 Western provinces, Sask Gen Web, Saskatchewan Gen Web