June 26, 1793. Our Blind Guide.

June 26, 1793. Our Blind Guide. (Day 49)

Excerpts from the Journal of Alexander MacKenzie, on his epic Voyage of Discovery.

     “At midnight a rustling noise was heard in the woods which created a general alarm, and I was awakened to be informed of the circumstance, but heard nothing. At one I took my turn of the watch, and our dog continued unceasingly to run backwards and forwards along the skirts of the wood in a state of restless vigilance.” 

      Good boy! “Our Dog” is doing his job. 

     “At two in the morning the centinel informed me, that he saw something like an (sic) human figure creeping along on all-fours about fifty paces above us...when day appeared, it proved to be an old, grey haired, blind man...too infirm to join in the flight of the natives to whom he belonged...I immediately led him to our fire...and gave him something to eat...he had not tasted food for two days.” 

       Now he has someone to question. 

     “I requested him to acquaint me with the cause of that alarm which had taken place...a few days past. He replied, that very soon after we had left them, some natives arrived from above, who informed them that we were enemies; and our unexpected return, in direct contradiction to our own declarations, confirmed them in that opinion....We gave him the real history of our return, as well as the desertion of our guide...

    So now he knows the reason why; but he also realizes that he cannot pursue this journey without a guide to introduce him. And there is no one else around for him to enlist, so a blind guide will have to do.

   “In consequence of these communications, I deemed it altogether unnecessary to lose any more time at this place, and I informed the old man that he must accompany me for the purpose of introducing us to his friends and relations…”

     The old man said if he wasn’t blind he would gladly go on as a guide, but when MacKenzie insists that he is coming along anyways, even though he “expressed his wishes to be excused from this service…”

     “At seven in the morning we left this place, which I named Deserter’s River or Creek. Our blind guide was, however, so averse to continuing with us, that I was under the very disagreeable necessity of ordering the men to carry him into the canoe; and this was the first act during my voyage, that had the semblance of a violent dealing.” 

     It sounds like he is kidnapping the incapacitated elder, however he does intend to return him to his people as they journey west. Nowadays Deserter’s Creek is a popular hiking spot, leading through a canyon to a spectacular waterfall. 

Picture 1. Deserter’s Creek Falls

 “About three in the afternoon we perceived a lodge at the entrance of a considerable river on the right…a small river on the left”

     That considerable river is the Quesnel River, and he is now (again) at the present day site of the city of Quesnel, B.C.  

     “Throughout the whole of this day the men had been in an extreme state of ill-humour, and...they disputed and quarrelled among themselves. About sun-set the canoe struck upon the stump of a tree, which broke a large hole in her bottom; a circumstance that gave them an opportunity to let loose their discontents without reserve. I left them…(I was) in a state of mind which I scarce wish to recollect, and shall not attempt to describe.” 

      He needs a bit of time to himself, as do his frustrated and distressed men.

     “At this place there was a subterraneous house, where I determined to pass the night.”

Picture 2. A Pit House. BC Archive photo.

Picture 3. Photo cr. Canadian Encyclopedia.