“We were in our canoe by four this morning, and passed by the Indian hut, which appeared in a state of perfect tranquillity.  We soon came in sight of the point where we first saw the natives, and at eight were much surprised and disappointed at seeing Mr. Mackay and our two Indians coming alone from the ruins of a house that had been partly carried away by the ice and water, at a short distance below the place where we had appointed to meet.  Nor was our surprise and apprehension diminished by the alarm which was painted in their countenances....  They informed me they had taken refuge in that place, with the determination to sell their lives ... as dear as possible.  In a very short time after we had separated, they met a party of the Indians, whom we had known at this place, and were probably those whom we had seen landing from their canoe.  These Indians appeared to be in a state of extreme rage, and had their bows bent, with their arrows across them.  The guide stopped to ask them some questions, which our people did not understand, and then set off with his utmost speed.  Mr. Mackay, however, followed, and did not leave him till they were both exhausted with running....  The guide then said that some treacherous design was meditated against them, ... and conducted them through very bad ways as fast as they could run.  When he was desired to slacken his pace, he answered that they might follow him in any manner they pleased, but that he was impatient to get to his family, in order to prepare shoes and other necessaries for his journey.  They did not, however, think it prudent to quit him, and he would not stop till ten at night.  On passing a track that was but lately made, they began to be seriously alarmed, and on enquiring of the guide where they were, he pretended not to understand.  Then they all laid down, exhausted with fatigue, and without any kind of covering; they were cold, wet, and hungry, but dared not light a fire, from the apprehension of an enemy.  This comfortless spot they left at the dawn of day, and, on their arrival at the lodges, found them deserted; the property of the Indians being scattered about, as if abandoned for ever.  The guide then made two or three trips into the woods, calling aloud, and bellowing like a madman.  At length he set off in the same direction as they had come, and had not since appeared.  To heighten their misery, as they did not find us at the place appointed, they concluded that we were all destroyed, and had already formed their plan to take to the woods, and cross in as direct a line as they could proceed, to the waters of the Peace River, a scheme which could only be suggested by despair.  They intended to have waited for us till noon, and if we did not appear by that time, to have entered without further delay on their desperate expedition.”