PASCHE DISAPPEARS--THE SEARCH--BIG TOM AND MUSTAGAN--THE WHISKY JACKS--
PASCHE FOUND IN A HOLLOW TREE--CHASED BY AN ANGRY MOOSE BULL--PASCHE
RESCUED--HIS QUAINT ACCOUNT OF HIS ADVENTURES.
There was great excitement at Sagasta-weekee one morning when word came
in that the stableman who looked after the cows was missing. In fact,
he had not been around for three days, and the boy who helped him in the
stables was scolded for not having reported his absence. The name of
the missing man was Pasche. He was a French half-breed who had come up
from the Indian settlement near Montreal, several years before, in one
of the canoes of the famous Iroquois brigades that annually made the
trip up the Ottawa and other rivers into Lake Superior to Thunder Bay,
and from thence by Lake of the Woods and still other rivers until they
reached Lake Winnipeg.
Poor Pasche was ignominiously discharged by the despotic governor of the
Hudson Bay Company, as being unfit for the laborious work of a canoeman
in one of those large canoes. The fact was that it was only the most
vigorous and muscular men who could perform the tremendous task assigned
them by that tyrannical man, who drove his men on and on with all the
cruel, callous persistency of a slave-driver. No wonder poor, weak
Pasche gave out where many a stalwart man has also failed. He had been
a sailor for some years on the St. Lawrence, and had the agility of a
monkey in climbing up to the top of the masts. The unfortunate fellow
was left stranded in that wild country, and so, out of sympathy for the
poor exile, Mr Ross had given him work and a home, until he could
return to his own people. The kindness of his new master made him quite
contented where he was, and so year after year he had remained, and to
him had come the care of the cows both in the summer and winter.
Now he was missing, and had been for three days. The family was
alarmed, as it was such an unusual thing for Pasche ever to be away over
a night. Mr Ross at once called into the kitchen all who had lately
seen him or knew anything of his latest fads. Of these the poor fellow
had quite a number, and while some of them were sensible, others of them
were generally laughed at by his friends. The latest one was that he
imagined himself a great hunter, and had secured some traps and had set
them in the woods in various places, most of them several miles away.
The last time he was seen by the stable-boy was when he had finished the
morning work at the stable. Then he had taken his gun and axe and
started off to visit some of his traps. When Mr Ross chided the boy,
who had industriously attended to all the stable duties alone, he said
that Pasche had made him promise to say nothing about his huntings, for
fear he would be laughed at.
A heavy fall of snow had completely obliterated all tracks, and so there
was no possibility of following him up in that way. A messenger was
sent for old Mustagan and Big Tom, both famous Indian guides, and a
consultation was held with them. They smoked their stone pipes and
talked the matter over, and then went out. After closely questioning
the stable-boy they returned to the Indian village. Here they secured a
couple of sharp, bright little beaver dogs. With them they returned to
the stables, and there, showing the dogs a coat that Pasche was in the
habit of wearing, and making them thoroughly smell it, they tried to get
them on his trail. All, however, the dogs would do was to get back out
of the deep snow as quickly as possible and into the shelter of the
stables. The plan was not a success. These dogs were too small for the
deep snow, and soon the old Indians gave up this plan in disgust. Then
they strapped on their snowshoes and made a long circuit around the
place, and thus tried to find out some clue or trace of the missing man.
Failing in this, they returned to the house, and after a hearty meal
they equipped themselves to find that lost man. They had but little to
work on, as Pasche had never revealed to anyone the whereabouts of his
traps. However, Indian eyes are sharp, and so, unknown to him, keen
hunters had observed his doings, and could tell the locality of every
one of his traps and snares. Those who had any knowledge in this
direction were summoned, and then, with the information thus obtained,
the two old men set off on their snowshoes. It was not long ere they
reached his first trap, but the snow covered everything there. Then on
to his next resort, still no success; and thus it was throughout the
whole round.
The Indians were puzzled and perplexed, and as they had now been on the
go for hours they kindled a fire and awaited the arrival of some of the
sleds with supplies that were to meet them here at this designated spot.
The boys, who were equally grieved and excited with the rest at the
loss of Pasche, with whom they had had a lot of innocent fun, had
harnessed up their dog-trains and joined the party who brought out the
supplies. The meal was quickly prepared on the big, roaring fire, and
vigorous appetites made heavy inroads on the abundant supplies which
Mrs Ross had sent. They all noticed, while at the meal, the unusual
number of whisky jacks, the Indian's sacred bird, that were at once
attracted by the fire. They were all very noisy, and seemed unusually
excited. The Indians are quick to notice the actions of even the most
insignificant birds when on their hunting or warlike excursions. Many a
lurking warrior, securely hid from the keenest human eye, has been given
away by a noisy blue jay or a suspicious cawing crow, and has thus
failed in his attempt to surprise his enemy, and has been obliged to
make a hasty retreat.
In answer to Frank's question, Big Tom told the boys how some of the
wild animals are warned by the birds of the approach of the hunters, and
are thus the more difficult to reach. So here the whisky jacks, noisy
at any time, but unusually so now, attracted the curiosity of those
alert, watchful old Indians, as well as much amused the boys with their
saucy ways. The birds, as usual, clamoured around the fire, and as long
as a crumb or bit of anything could be obtained were very saucy and
persistent in their begging. It was great fun for the boys to feed
them, and to even catch some of them by their feet, so bold and
venturesome were they. They were all, however, speedily liberated, as
Mustagan and Big Tom were anxious, if possible, to learn something from
them. So the remains of the meal were speedily scattered, and while the
boys wrapped robes around themselves and sat near the fire to keep warm,
the Indians, lighting their pipes, sat down on a log near the fire to
watch the actions of the birds. For a time they fluttered around and
scolded in their pert, boisterous manner. Then, seeing there was
nothing more forthcoming, they began flying about in the woods, but
occasionally came back to see if the next meal was being prepared.
Seeing no signs of it, they flew further and further away, and now
principally in one direction.
After a while the quick ears of Mustagan detected a series of unusual
cries of the birds. He at once called Big Tom's attention to it, and
they both decided that there was something unusual to cause them thus to
act. Not knowing but it might be a wolverine or a wild cat at which the
birds seemed to be so angrily scolding, while the boys and the rest of
the party remained near the fire they took their guns and carefully made
their way through the woods to a spot where, without being seen
themselves, they could observe the birds. To their keenest
investigation nothing unusual was visible. The new, trackless snow was
as yet unmarked by step of man or beast. Still excitedly the birds
acted, and incessantly scolded. Soon the two men noticed that the
centre of their whirlings was a large dead trunk of a tree that had been
broken off between thirty and forty feet from the ground. Around this
stub of a tree the birds whirled and scolded, and occasionally some of
them would light on the rough, jagged edge of the top, and seemed to be
peeping down into the heart of the dead tree. The curiosity of the men
was aroused, and they wondered what animal the birds had there
discovered. Immediately they started for it, keeping their guns in
readiness to fire if it, whatever it was, should attempt to escape.
When they reached the spot there was not a track visible of any animal.
The birds whirled around if possible more noisily than ever, and so it
was evident to the men that there was something in that tree. Drawing
his axe from his belt, Big Tom made ready to pound against the side
while Mustagan, with pointed gun, was on the alert to shoot any animal
that the noise should disturb and cause to attempt to escape. With
lusty vigour Big Tom pounded away at the old tree, while carefully
Mustagan watched the top. In an instant after there were two very much
amazed Indians. For from the interior of that old tree thus vigorously
assailed there came the faint cry of a human being! What his first
words were neither man was particular to inquire. It was enough for
their quick wits to tell them that they had found the lost man for whom
they were seeking, and that he was still alive!
At once they lifted up their voices and shouted words of cheer and
encouragement to the imprisoned Pasche. Then they called to the rest of
the party who were at the fire to hasten to them. Neither the boys nor
the men required a second call. They were speedily at the side of the
two old Indians who, for such people, were very perceptibly excited.
At first the boys could hardly take in the situation, but quickly it
dawned on them that here was an imprisoned, half-starved man who must be
helped out of his dangerous predicament. What had best be done was the
question that Mustagan, Big Tom, and the other Indians were discussing.
Some suggested cutting down the big tree at once. This was discouraged
by some, who said that the blows of the axe on the dead tree would
dislodge so much dry, dusty, rotten wood that it would about smother the
imprisoned man. So it was quickly decided that he must be pulled out of
the top where, it was quite evident, he had fallen in. At once the
tail-ropes of the sleds and the packing and tie lines, which are also
made of leather, were fastened together, and an effort was made to get
one end to the poor fellow inside. In the meantime, while these
preparations were being made by the Indians, the boys endeavoured to
hold some kind of conversation with the imprisoned Pasche.
"Arrah, my man," shouted Sam, "and what are ye doing inside there?"
"I fell in," faintly came back to the listeners.
"Were ye looking for the cows?" persisted the irrepressible Sam, who was
a great favourite with Pasche, although he often unmercifully chaffed
him.
"No, but a moose bull was looking for me."
This answer was the explanation that told the whole story; but, while
the old Indians were able to now understand at once the whole matter,
they left it for Pasche, when rescued, to tell his story. So in the
meantime the question was how to liberate him as speedily as possible
without injury. They first tried by fastening a stone to one end of
their improvised leather rope to so throw it up that it would drop into
the hollow tree, as into a chimney. But although they succeeded several
times in getting the stone to fall in, yet so jagged was the edge of the
broken wood that the rope would not slide down. This plan failing, the
next one tried was to cut down as large a young tree as the whole party
could handle, and then carry it, and lean it up against the hollow tree,
in which was the imprisoned man. Alec, who was a daring climber, at
once volunteered to climb this, and thus carry up one end of the rope,
which could then be easily lowered down to Pasche. Ere he started
Mustagan handed him a ball of deerskin twine, and told him to put that
into his pocket, as he might need it before he came down again. Taking
off his overcoat, and tightly fastening his leather coat around him with
his sash belt, Alec gallantly began his difficult task. It was no easy
work, as the tree was in some places quite icy and it was hard to grip
with his hands, which soon began to feel the effects of the cold. But
he gallantly persevered, and, cheered and encouraged by Sam and Frank,
he at length succeeded in reaching the top. Here for a time, after a
cheery shout to Pasche, he rested, while he warmed his nearly frozen
hands in his warm mittens, which he had stuck in his sash belt. Then,
hauling up sufficient length of line, he carefully dropped it down to
the poor fellow at the bottom. But now another difficulty presented
itself to him. He alone could not haul out the imprisoned man, and the
men below could be of little service, as the rope if pulled on would
surely get caught in the ragged edge of the rotten tree. It was now
that Alec saw the value of Mustagan's forethought in giving him that
ball of deerskin twine.
Calling up to him Mustagan said:
"Hold on to the end of that twine, and let the ball drop to me."
This Alec at once did. Then Mustagan fastened a good solid green birch
stick about four feet long and five or six inches in diameter to the
string, and then said to Alec:
"Now draw it up and lay it across the top of the tree, where it will
rest firm and strong."
This was quickly done. Then calling to Pasche to tie the end let down
to him about his waist, and then to hold on, he placed the rope over the
strong, smooth green stick he had pulled up, and then gave the word to
the men below to haul away. No second order was necessary, and soon
Pasche was pulled up to the top. He had no difficulty in slipping down
the inclined tree, weak as he was. Alec also safely reached the ground.
Poor Pasche was quickly placed on a dog-sled, and they all hurried back
to the fire, where some tea and food were hastily prepared for the
hungry, half-frozen man. He was so weak and exhausted that it was
thought best not to trouble him to tell his story until they had all
returned to Sagasta-weekee.
The journey home was soon made, and there was great rejoicing at the
recovery of the poor fellow. The following is his quaint story of his
adventures:
"Well, you see, I was emulous. Les garcons--the boys--they succeed.
They capture le renard--the fox--the wild cat, and other animals. And
still they not natives. So I think it over when I milk la vache, and
Sam he pushed open la porte and he show me fine cross-fox he caught, and
that make me emulous. So I take my wage le maitre he give, and exchange
for the traps. When my work is done, en avant, on I go to the great
woods. Aller a pied--I walk--I carry my traps, I set them with much
bait. I get nothing. Le chien--the dog--he follows, he gets in the
traps. Then I try again. I go far away this time. I set my traps, I
await with tranquillity. It is far in the woods. I wait trois days.
Then I go to see if le renard, like Sam's, is in my trap. Aussitot que
possible--as soon as possible--I reach my traps. There is no renard.
So I return home. Il fait nuit--it is night. Then I say, A quoi bon?--
What good is it?--and stay with my cows. But Sam he comes again and he
say great things about la chasse--the hunting--and so I say, I try
again; and this time I take the great wolf trap that hang in the stable,
and start early, and go far in the woods, and set my traps, and put the
big one, the wolf trap, set with a log made fast to the chain, and then
I retourner--return--to my duties. Three days pass, then I advance
again in the woods. It is far. Il fait de la neige--it is snowing--
when I draw near. I hear a great noise. I draw nearer still. I see
the great moose bull, with his hind foot in the wolf trap. He also sees
me. I raise a great shout. A quoi bon?--What good is it? He comes for
me. Voulez-vous?--I say. So I fire my fusil--gun--at him. Still he
comes, for now I remember I only had shot for partridge in that gun.
J'ai chaud--I am hot. He makes me so, he looks so fierce. His great
ears, his long face, all his hair point toward me. I turn, I run. So
does he run, but it is toward me. Still he comes. He has still the
wolf trap on his foot. The log is fastened to the chain, so it troubles
him. Still on he comes. I can keep ahead, on account of the log, but
the log slips off the chain. So now he comes faster. I run, I fly. I
see him draw near. He looks diabolical. I despair. I see this tree
like the mast broken off in the storm. I learn to climb well when I
sail on the ship. I rush to the tree with the moose bull close behind
me. I drop my mittens, I seize hold of the rough bark, I climb up just
as that animal, like le diable--the devil--he rush up, and he strike his
great horns against the tree where I was, but I not there, I just above,
out of his reach. I dare not go back. So up and up I climb like the
sailor as I was, and when I get to the top I find plenty of sticks
there, where some time ago the crows they make the nest, and it seem
strong, and as I could not hold on at the sides of the tree I pull
myself up and try to stand on those sticks, and they break sudden and I
drop, I fall, I sink down into the tree. I throw out my arms to catch
hold, but the tree is rotten wood inside, so I lose my grip. The wood
it come down with me. I sink into the depths, and there I was. The
rotten wood made a great dust as down I slide. It nearly choke me. I
cannot call out; my mouth, my eyes, my throat all full. There I stay.
I could not climb out, the place too small. I could not work up my
knees, so there I stay. My heart gets very sad soon. Il fait nuit--it
is night. I am lost. Good-bye, I say, to all. I weep and then I
sleep, I wake up with a start, then I sleep again. When I wake again,
il fait clair--it is light--above and rejoice. The dust is all out of
my eyes and mouth. I can move back my head enough to look up and see
the blue sky. Then I call aloud, but there is no response. I then
remember I have some food in my pocket. It is difficile to get at it,
but I succeed. I eat it, it is very good. Then I find I have my knife
in my pocket. I call again and again. I think I hear a reply; but it
is only the birds, the whisky jacks. They fly across my vision at the
top; they look at me, they scream, they mock me. Never mind, I have my
knife; so I will hope to cut my way out. It is easy cutting in the
rotten wood. But the dust affects me, I cough much. I can work but
little. I have to wait for the dust to settle. The air is bad. When I
get to the hard outside wood I can do nothing, my strength is gone. It
is hard to breathe when I keep still. It is worse when I try to work.
So I give myself up to die. I call out at times, and try to think of my
friends, and try to pray, and that comforts me best of all. Thus passes
this second day, and now I am very faint. I can just easily move round
in my prison, but I cannot sit down or lie down. I am very tired.
Still I call, and more and more the whisky jacks come and mock me. They
seem angry I have nothing for them, and so they scold, as they do at the
camp fire when we feed them nothing. To-day for a time they left me,
and then they came back and seemed to laugh at me, and then I heard
Mustagan and Big Tom call, and was rescued.
"Je suis fache--I am sorry--I went hunting. I will go no more. Sam may
continue."