Page:Canadian Alpine Journal I, 1.djvu/21

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There is no record of any European having crossed the continent of America north of the Gulf of Mexico at an earlier date than one hundred and fourteen years ago. The idea of reaching the Western sea overland had fired the ambition of the men of New France for a hundred years and more. After long effort they succeeded in reaching a point within sight of the Rocky mountains, but a distant view of the gleaming peaks of that mighty range marked the utmost limit of their achievement. It remained for a Scotchman, a partner of the enterprising North-West Company of Canada, to gain the coveted honor. Alexander Mackenzie was born in Scotland in 1760, came to Canada as a young man, and at once threw himself into the hazardous service of the western fur trade. His restless ambition found little congenial in the commercial side of his occupation, but he eagerly seized upon the opportunities it offered for exploration. Always ready to engage in perilous enterprises, he discovered the great river of the north which springs in the passes of the mountains and bears the name of its discoverer. He was the first from Canada to reach the Arctic ocean. Not content with that notable exploit, he turned to the westward, penetrated the mountains, and reached the Pacific at Bella Coola, a point not far distant from the site of Prince Rupert, the recently selected terminus of the Grand Trunk Pacific railway. On a rock facing the tide water of the western ocean