The return trip was uneventful and on reaching Fort Smith, I found orders awaiting me, to make a last trip on the Lady Mackworth – pushing a scow loaded with freight for Fort Resolution.
Willie MacNeill, a Labrador half breed, who later very nearly caused me to freeze to death, was nominally Captain for the duration of the trip, but we all acted as Captain, Pilot, Purser, Crew and even Cook – taking each in turn.
It was now getting late in the Fall, and on our return the Lady Mackworth was pulled up, high and dry, on shore, beside the MacKenzie River, to rest there till the following spring.
My orders were to go to Edmonton for the Winter, where I could work on the season's books.
