Nor is it a matter of moment to us, how the struggle began until we have brought before our minds the stalwart figure of Sir Alexander Mackenzie--Lord Selkirk's great protagonist.

Like many a distinguished man who has made his mark in the new world, and notably our great Lord Strathcona, who came as a mere lad to Canada, Alexander Mackenzie, a stripling of sixteen, arrived in Montreal to make his fortune.

He was born as the Scottish people say of "kenn't" of "well-to-do" folk in Stornoway, in the Hebrides.

He received a fair education and as a boy had a liking for the sea.

Two partners, Gregory and McLeod, were fighting at Montreal in opposition to the dominant firm of McTavish and Frobisher.