# Mr. Mackay — Journals character guide

> Mr. Mackay in Journals by Alexander Mackenzie.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Accordingly Mr. Mackay, sunset Mr. Mackay

**First appearance:** 0003-to-the-frozen-ocean-in-1789

## Snapshot

Mackenzie's steady companion, who chases down deserting guides, boils sea mussels for starving men, and keeps the expedition moving when the coast turns barbarous.

## Who they are

He is the second presence in the canoe, entrusted with hunters and sent ashore to try the woods for game while the narrator wrestles the leaky vessel along the rocks. When a young Indigenous companion bolts, Mackay pursues and brings him back — firm but not cruel, since the man is soon released with shoes and a handkerchief. His quiet competence anchors the middle stretch, where provisions dwindle and every small errand becomes a matter of survival.

## Relationships

### [The Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/characters/the_indians)

_professional_

Mr. Mackay interacts with the Indians as part of the expedition's trading or exploratory activities.

### [The English Chief](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/characters/the_english_chief)

_professional_

Mr. Mackay and the English Chief work together as part of the expedition team.

## In the story

### [Journals To the Frozen and Pacific Oceans in 1789 and 1793](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/journals)

Companion on the expeditions, assisting with navigation and logistics.

### [To the Pacific Ocean in 1793](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/to-the-pacific-ocean-in-1793)

Companion on the expedition.

### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/iii)

Sent on scouting missions and assists in navigating the rapids and repairing the canoe.

### [Chapter IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/iv)

Disembarks with the Indians to walk and lighten the boat.

### [Chapter V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/v)

Mr. Mackay is sent downriver with the Cancre to search for the missing canoe and returns with a successful signal.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/vi)

Sent to scout the great river; later tasked with watching the guide.

### [Chapter VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/vii)

Spotted deer on an island above the rapid, which could have provided additional provisions.

### [Chapter VIII: Encounters and Perils on the River](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/viii)

Embarks with an Indian in the small canoe, which seems to afford him great satisfaction and reduces his labor.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/ix)

Accompanies the narrator, helps hide supplies, carries a burden.

### [Chapter XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/xii)

Mr. Mackay accompanies the narrator, loses his gun overboard, and later joins the narrator in approaching the chief's house.

### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/chapters/xiii)

Met at the appointed place with hunters, reported on his route and the absence of the Indian path.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/characters/mr_mackay
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journals_se/characters