HOMEWARD BOUND--FAREWELL TO SAGASTA-WEEKEE--OLD NORWAY HOUSE--SAM'S
CLEVER SURMISINGS--A GLAD SURPRISE FOR FRANK AND ALEC--SAM'S WELL-
DESERVED DUCKING--A GLORIOUS EVENING--THE EARLY CALL--JUST ONE MORE
SWEET "GOOD-BYE"--"ALL ABOARD"--ON GREAT LAKE WINNIPEG--SAM'S SUCCESSFUL
SHOT AT A BEAR--RED RIVER--FIRST GLIMPSE OF THE PRAIRIES--FORT GARRY--
THE BELLS OF ST. BONIFACE--THE LONG TRIP ACROSS THE PLAINS--THE EXCITING
BUFFALO HUNT--SAINT PAUL'S--STILL ON BY LAKES AND RIVERS--MONTREAL--ON
BOARD SHIP--THE OCEAN VOYAGE--LIVERPOOL--HOME AT LAST.
The start was made from Sagasta-weekee in time for the boats to go that
afternoon as far as to the old Norway House fort, where the mighty
Nelson River begins its career. Here for scores of years it has been
the custom for the boats to camp for at least one night and make their
final preparations for the long trip of the whole length of Lake
Winnipeg to the mouth of the Red River.
To the great delight of the boys, some extra boats were sent in with the
Red River brigade, and so they had Big Tom as their guide, Martin
Papanekis as their cook, and Soquatum as bowman.
These boats are each propelled by eight sturdy oarsmen. The work of
rowing all day at these heavy oars is very laborious, and so there is
great delight when the wind is favourable and a mast can be placed in
position and a great square sail hauled up into the favouring breeze.
Then the voyage is a joyous holiday. What is most dreaded is a long,
continuous head wind, against which they can neither sail nor use the
oars with good effect.
Early in the forenoon on the day of starting the young gentlemen said
farewell to their good friends of the mission, Mr and Mrs Hurlburt and
the sweet young ladies, Rachel and Winnie. It is almost needless to add
that both Frank and Alec declared themselves as the most devoted of
lovers, and vowed that in a few years they would return and claim them
as their brides. We must leave time to tell the results of these
youthful loves, which had begun under such happy and romantic auspices.
To the surprise of the young gentlemen, Mrs Ross and the children left
Sagasta-weekee at the same time as did Mr Hurlburt and his family, and
so were not there to see them off when they left a few hours later.
So thoroughly and well had the packing been done that not much time was
lost after the arrival of the boats before everything was on board. The
kindly farewells to all were said, and they were off. Sam could not
help shouting back to Pasche, as he stood on a rock with a sorrowful
face:
"Don't set any more traps for moose bulls, Pasche!"
"No, mon garcon, I have had enough of that work," he shouted, amid the
laughter of the other servants.
With waving of handkerchiefs and shouts of "Bon voyage" and "Good-bye,"
Sagasta-weekee was left behind. There were tears in the eyes of the
lads who had spent within its comfortable walls such an eventful year.
They had grown much, not only physically, but there had been development
mentally and morally that would tell for good in the oncoming years. To
have been under the guidance of such a couple as Mr and Mr Ross in
such a formative period of their young lives was of incalculable value.
Happy are the boys who have such guardians; happier still if their own
parents are of this splendid class.
As the wind sprang up from the north the mast, which had been securely
tied to the outside of the boat, was quickly placed in position, and the
sail was soon doing its work. Mr Ross and the lads had comfortable
seats arranged for them in the stern of the boat. Just behind them
stood Big Tom, skillfully using a great oar as a rudder. Wild ducks and
a few geese flew by, but there was now no time for shooting. On they
sped, and it was easy to observe from the quiet yet frequent
consultations in the Indian language that passed between Mr Ross and
Big Tom that there was something more than the sail in the Sam, who had
picked up quite a knowledge of Indian, was the first to suspect what was
before them, and so he blurted out:
"Faith, I believe Oo-che-me-ke-se-gou is going to be repeated."
"What do you mean?" asked Frank.
"Mean, is it, you ask? Why, I mean that I fancy some other hands than
Martin's will pour the tea for us to-night."
"Do stop talking riddles, Sam," said Alec, "and tell us what your
palaver is all about."
"Well," replied the incorrigible tease, "I fancy that, if you young
gentlemen are getting sick of having pledged yourselves to eternal
loyalty, or, in other words, plighted your troths either to others, as
the book says, you will both have a chance to tell the fair damsels to
their faces ere the sun goes down."
"Sam!" they both shouted, "what do you mean?"
This explosion on their part caused Mr Ross to turn from his
consultation with Big Tom. In response rather to his looks than
anything he uttered Sam said:
"I have been trying to get it into the thick heads of these two boys
that there is an agreeable conspiracy on foot for their mutual
consolation and edification, but for the life of me I believe they are
as much in the dark as when I began."
"Chist!" ("Look!") cried Big Tom. "Akota wigwam!" ("There is the
tent!")
These words of Big Tom caused everything else to be forgotten, and so
even Mr Ross, who was vastly amused that Sam had been so observant, did
not make any reply to the lad's remarks.
Rapidly they sped along, and now soon to all was visible a large tent
and a number of persons on the distant sandy beach. Sam keenly watched
his comrades, and saw their cheeks flush, and their eyes get moist, as
they caught the sight of white handkerchiefs, waving from the hands of
those to whom they had become so deeply attached.
"It is too good to be true," said Frank, as he gripped Alec one hand,
while with the other he was waving his handkerchief wildly in response
to those of the loved ones on the shore.
Onward sped the boat, and soon all were recognised. Here they found all
who had left early in the morning--Mrs Ross and the children and all
the mission friends. What a delightful surprise, and how happy they all
were that it had been such a success! Poor Sam, the only one to see
through it, was the only one to come to grief. He had not patience
enough to wait until three or four of the big oars were lashed together,
to serve as a rude gangway on which to walk safely to the shore but,
seeing the ease with which some of the agile Indians ran out on a single
oar, in spite of the rocking of the boat, he boldly tried to do the
same, and ere he knew where he was he was down in the water, and nearly
drowned by a retreating wave under the boat. Quickly he was rescued,
but he was completely drenched to the skin. He was somewhat bruised,
but was not long the worse for the accident. But as he was quickly
hurried off to the shelter of the tent and dry clothes secured for him
he admitted that he deserved the ducking, as he had purposely hurried
ashore to make a few remarks when the young lovers should meet again.
And so Frank had the joy of again meeting his Rachel, and Alec his sweet
Winnie, and a delightful visit they had with them while Sam was having
his bruised body well rubbed in sturgeon oil by a stalwart Indian. This
is the Indian's drastic remedy for such a mishap, and a good one it is.
Very delightfully passed that long June evening. It was full eleven
o'clock ere the gorgeous colours all died away in the west and the stars
one by one came out in their quiet beauty and decked as with diamonds
that peerless northern sky. After a time the auroras flashed and blazed
in quiet beauty. To-night they seemed not as warriors bent on carnage,
but as troops of lovers tripping in joyous unison to some sweet strains
of music unheard by mortal ears.
Amid such surroundings sat and talked this happy group. It was, they
well knew, their last evening together, and so amid its joyousness there
was a tinge of sorrow and regret. As the evening darkened into night
they had all gathered near the great brilliant camp fire, which is
always welcome and agreeable even in June nights, no matter how warm has
been the day.
After the delightful events and incidents of the past had been referred
to and discussed by all, the conversation turned to the many dangers
that had come to some of them, and their narrow escapes. Gratitude to
God for their many marvellous deliverances was the uppermost feeling in
their hearts. Mr Hurlburt and Mr Ross spoke most impressively on this
wonderful providential care that had been over them.
The Indians, except those whose duty it was to see to the welfare of
their masters and mistresses, were all now asleep. Wrapped up each in
his blanket, they lay around on the rocks in picturesque places.
During the evening all the other boats had arrived from Norway House,
and so it was arranged that if the wind continued favourable they would
make an early start in the morning. When Mr Ross felt that it was time
to break up the delightful circle he asked Mr Hurlburt to take charge
of the devotional service. Always hallowed and precious were these
sacred hours of worship in the forest or on the shores, and this last
one was not less suggestive and profitable. First from memory they all
repeated the one-hundred-and-third psalm, then they sang the sweet hymn,
"Abide with me," and at its close Mrs Ross's sweet voice struck up,
"Blest be the tie that binds." Then Mr Hurlburt, the devoted
missionary, led in prayer. Heaven seemed very near as the good man
talked with God and commended Frank, Alec, and Sam to his loving,
omnipotent care during the long, varied journey before them.
"Say good-bye as well as good night," said Mr Ross; "for we may be off
in the morning without disturbing those who remain behind."
So the tender farewells were uttered, and all the ladies of the party
retired to the large, commodious tent that, as we have seen, had been
prepared for them. Mr Ross, Mr Hurlburt, and the boys went to the
camp beds that had been long waiting for them on the dry beach. Here
the Indians quickly tucked them in, and soon they were fast asleep--so
fast that Sam declared when he heard the sharp call, "Leve! leve!" in
the morning that he had not had time for even one sweet dream.
Quickly were the morning preparations made. The kettles were soon
boiling and a hasty breakfast prepared. When this was eaten the
Christian Indians asked Mr Hurlburt to take charge of their morning
devotions. This he cheerfully did, and so, as was customary, the
service was conducted in Cree and English.
Then the cry was, "All aboard!" The boys--Frank and Alec, we mean--
could not help casting their eyes toward the snow-white tent in hopes of
at least one more glimpse at two of its inmates. They were almost in
despair, when Sam's cheery voice rang out:
"Don't lose heart, my hearties! If all the boys should go to China, the
girls would surely go to Pekin. Sure they are _peekin'_ now, and here
they come! Hurrah, and welcome!"
Yes, here they come. Love's ears are sharp, and so Rachel and Winnie
heard the call to the travellers, and up they had sprung and dressed,
and now, radiant and lovely, once more they came in their sweet beauty
to greet and say "Good-bye" again, and "God be with you till we meet
again." For a few minutes they chatted, and then the "All aboard!"
again rang out, and so they once more lovingly saluted each other and
parted. Rachel and Winnie at once returned to the tent. Frank and Alec
were soon in their places in the boat. One after another of the boats
pushed off, until the whole little fleet was under way. The wind was
favourable, and so it was a pretty sight to see the whole brigade
speeding on over the rippling waves with the white sails filled by the
northern breeze.
Spider Islands were nearly reached ere much was said by anybody but Sam.
His good humour and mirth were irrepressible, and soon it became
contagious. He had tried his hand at a big oar, and, "catching a crab,"
had tumbled back amid some boxes, much to the amusement of all.
Thus on they sped. At Montreal Point they stopped long enough to boil
their kettles, and then their journey was resumed. At Poplar Point they
spent a few hours and had a good sleep. Then next morning, bright and
early, they were off again. At Beren's River they stopped for dinner,
then on they sped. At the Narrows they saw a great black bear swimming
across the channel. Poor bruin got into a tight place. Some of the
boats headed him off, and when he attempted to return he found that
others were between him and the shore. His perplexity was very great
and his temper much ruffled. Soon the bullets began to whistle around
him, and these added to his trouble. A bear swims very low in the
water, and so, unless in anger he inflates his lungs and raises himself
up to growl, there is very little to fire at. The result was, in this
case, the flintlock guns did not seem to be able to pierce his skull.
Mr Ross, who could not bear to see even a bear tortured, took out his
rifle and, loading it, handed it to Big Tom, to kill the animal at once.
Big Tom took the rifle, looked at it and then at Sam, and gravely said:
"Sam ran away from his first bear, suppose he shoots his last one."
Nothing could please the reckless Sam better, and so he quickly sprang
up beside Big Tom, who at once gave him some directions about allowing
for the motion of the boat.
"Now," said Big Tom, "I will swing the boat so that his head will be
right in front of you. When I call he will raise his head, and you hit
him right between the eyes."
Quickly was the boat swung in the right position, and as from Tom's lips
there was emitted a sound like the call of another bear, the one in the
water instantly raised up his head, in a listening attitude. Instantly
the report rang out, and a dead bear lay there in the water.
"Well done, Sam!" shouted Frank and Alec, while perhaps Big Tom was the
proudest man in the boat.
The bear was hauled on board by the crew of one of the boats in the
rear. That night the men skinned the bear, and as rapidly as possible
dried the robe, which was carried home to Ireland by Sam with his other
trophies.
Thus day after day passed. Sometimes there was hardly a breath of wind,
and then the men rowed all day. A couple of days were lost on account
of strong head winds, but, on the whole, they had a fairly good trip,
for at the end of the tenth day they entered the mouth of Red River and
camped on its low, marshy shores, amid its miles of reedy morass and its
millions of mosquitoes. This was the boys' first experience of them for
the season, but it was enough for a lifetime.
"The pious villains!" said Sam. "They sing over us and they prey upon
us!"
But the longest night has an end, and next day the boats were rowed up
to Lower Fort Garry. Here the boys bade good-bye to Big Tom and the
other Indians, after they had taken them up into the Hudson Bay
Company's store and bought for each some handsome presents. Mr Ross
found urgent letters here awaiting him, and so that afternoon horses
were secured, and he and our three boys were driven along the beautiful
prairie road, on the western bank of the winding Red River, twenty miles
up to Fort Garry.
This was the first glance the boys had ever had of a genuine prairie.
They were simply wild with delight at its vastness and inimitable
beauty. Seeing it as they did, in this early summer time, with its rich
grasses at the greenest and its brilliant spring flowers at the
perfection of their beauty, it was no wonder that they were in such
raptures of delight. Twenty miles of travel brought them to Upper Fort
Garry. This old historic fort had long played a prominent part in the
history of that country. Here they were hospitably entertained by the
officers of the Hudson Bay Company.
A few days only were needed to make all preparations for the long trip
across the prairies to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Some Red River carts,
each drawn by an ox, were secured to carry the baggage and supplies.
For the boys a double-seated buckboard wagon, with a canvas top, was
purchased, and Baptiste, a famous half-breed French and Indian driver,
was hired to manage the rather uncertain horses that in relays were to
drag the affair along. Saddles were also taken along for them to travel
on horseback when they so desired.
As there were all sorts of rumours and stories of troubles among the
hostile Sioux and Chippewa Indians along the route, it was decided that
the party should join a large brigade of carts that, loaded principally
with buffalo robes and furs, was just starting for St. Paul. These
brigades carried the trading flag of the Hudson Bay Company. Its motto
was "Pro pella cutem" ("Skin for skin"). It is a remarkable fact that
for generations, even among the most hostile tribes of Indians, this
flag was respected, and those carrying it were never robbed or in any
way interfered with.
With sincere regret and sorrow the parting between Mr Ross and the boys
took place. However, they were delighted at his promise that, if all
went well, he would see them a couple of years hence in their own homes
in the old land.
Just as they were leaving in the early morning the bells of St. Boniface
rang out their silvery notes. These are the bells, the first out there
on the lonely prairies, that Whittier has made famous by his beautiful
poem:
"The voyageur smiles as he listens
To the sound that grows apace;
Well he knows the vesper ringing
Of the bells of St. Boniface--
"The bells of the Roman Mission
That call from their turrets twain
To the boatmen on the river,
To the hunter on the plain!
"Even so in our mortal journey
The bitter north winds blow,
And thus upon life's Red River
Our hearts as oarsmen row."
As some officials of the Hudson Bay Company went along with the large
brigade, our young folks had some capital company. After a few days the
trip lost much of its excitement and interest. The prairies, beautiful
as they at first looked, became somewhat monotonous. Every little
lake--and they passed many--was greeted with pleasure. As the horses
could travel faster than the oxen, sometimes Baptiste would hurry on
ahead to some well-known lake full of wild ducks, and here the boys and
their friends would have some capital shooting, which largely and
agreeably added to the food supply.
When out about a week they were told by some of the outriders, who came
galloping up from the front, that a herd of buffalo was not far distant,
and that some Sioux Indians were preparing to run them. Saddles were at
once put on some of the relay horses, and Frank, Alec, and Sam, and some
of their comrades, at once set off to the front to see the exciting
sport. They fortunately reached a high swell in the prairie just in
time to have a splendid view of the whole affair. The buffaloes
numbered about six or eight hundred. Attacking them were perhaps fifty
or sixty of the finest horsemen in the world. Their horses were trained
buffalo runners, and entered into the mad, wild sport with all the
enthusiasm of the riders. All the saddle these riders had was a small
piece of buffalo robe so securely fastened on that it could not slip.
There was neither halter nor bride on their horses' heads. One end of a
long lariat was fastened loosely around their necks, while the rest of
it dragged along the ground.
The Indians availed themselves of a great swell in the prairies, and so
were able to get quite close to the herd ere they were discovered. Very
few of these warriors had guns, but they were well armed with their
famous bows and arrows. About two miles away from our party they began
the attack on the opposite side of the herd. The result was that as the
frightened animals came thundering on before their dreaded foes the boys
had a splendid view of the whole scene. For a time it looked as though
they might be involved in the mass of terrified animals, as the slope up
toward them was very gradual and they were in the direct line of the
rush. However, Baptiste and others, who well knew how to meet such an
emergency, quickly bunched the party together, and had all the guns
fired off in quick succession. This speedily parted the oncoming herd,
and so they in two divisions thundered by on the right and left, with
their merciless pursuers on their flanks and in the rear, rapidly
thinning their numbers.
It was a most exciting scene, and one to a genuine sportsman that was
worth many a day's travel to see. The boys were wild to plunge into the
fray, especially when the great buffaloes went galloping by not two
hundred yards on each side of them; but their horses, although excited,
were untrained for such sport, and in all probability if started off at
full speed would soon have stumbled into some badger's hole or prairie
dog's nest, and thus send their riders over their heads. So Baptiste
wisely restrained their ardour. The next day our party visited the
village of these noted warriors of the plains.
St. Paul at length was reached. Here passage was secured in a flat-
bottomed steamer, with its great wheel at the stern. Down to St. Croix,
on the Mississippi, in this they voyaged. Then across the State of
Wisconsin to Milwaukee they travelled by railroad. At this city they
secured passage in a steam propeller to Montreal. The trip through
Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Chair, and Erie was very delightful. In the
Canal the boys were much interested as they entered into the series of
locks, by which great vessels go up and down the great hillside. On
they steamed through the beautiful Lake Ontario. Then out into the
great St. Lawrence River they glided. The Thousand Islands seemed like
fairyland. The rapids, down which they plunged with the speed of an
express train, very much excited and delighted them. Toward the evening
of the fifth day from Milwaukee the towers and steeples of Montreal
became visible, with its splendid mountain in the rear. Soon they were
alongside of one of the wharves of that great, busy shipping port, and
this part of the journey was ended. By telegraph their berths had
already been secured for them, and so all our travellers had to do was
to oversee the trans-shipment of their boxes and bales from the lake
propeller to the ocean steamship.
As a day or two would intervene ere the voyage would begin, they had an
opportunity for a drive or two around the glorious mountain which gives
the city its name. They also visited the quaint old cathedral and other
places of historic interest in that famous city.
In due time the ocean voyage was begun. The great St. Lawrence is a
magnificent and picturesque river. Quebec, in its stern grandeur, very
much charmed the boys, and they gazed with interest as some well-read
travellers pointed out Wolfe's Cove, and the place up which Wolfe's
gallant men clambered in the night, to fight the next day, on the Plains
of Abraham, that fierce battle that caused half of the continent to
change from French to English masters. Then on again they steamed.
Soon they were out on the stormy Atlantic. The voyage was uneventful,
and in ten days or so they sighted the coast of Ireland. On and on they
pushed, until the Mersey was reached. The tide was favourable, and so
there was no delay.
Here they were at length, after all their wanderings, in dear old
England. Very green and beautiful did the country look, after their
long voyage on the stormy ocean. Yonder, in the distance, is Liverpool,
that mighty city where at its marvellous stone docks are seen the ships
of every sea. The boys are excited now. They are nearing home. The
coming of the ship has been reported hours before, and now, as she
gallantly feels her way among the many vessels passing out, the boys,
with staring eyes, are at the front, gazing for the sight of loved ones
that they are sure will be there to meet them.
"Hurrah!" they shout; for there, with waving handkerchiefs and excited
gestures, are representatives from three families to welcome home our
Frank, Alec, and Sam. Delightful is the home-coming; joyous are the
welcomes.
Here we leave them. We have had a very happy time together. We are
loath to separate from them. Whether we shall see them again and take
them back to those interesting regions to meet and wed their
sweethearts, left in that far-away country, will much depend upon events
which are beyond our ken at present. Suffice to say that the year spent
in the Great Lone Land proved to have been one of the most profitable of
their lives. They had returned in the most perfect health. Their
readings had not been neglected, and then they had in addition the rich
stores of knowledge and information that a year so full of varied
adventure could not fail to bestow.
They had also returned with something like correct views of the red
Indians of North America. Instead of war whoops and scalping scenes,
they had seen how the genuine Indian, when honourably dealt with, is a
peaceful person, and can, under decent treatment, become the most loyal
of friends. They delighted also to speak most emphatically and
encouragingly of the work accomplished by the self-denying missionaries
among them, who had been instrumental in winning thousands of them from
a degrading paganism to Christianity, and successfully introducing among
them the best phases of a genuine and abiding civilisation.