_AN APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES._
The arrival of a party in such an unusual fashion created considerable
interest at Fort Garry. Donald, the Factor, had been expecting the
young man and his guide for some time. Robert was somewhat disappointed
when, in a gruff, grating, unsympathetic voice, the man he had come
so far to assist inquired the cause of the trouble. However, he told
the story of the accident in a straightforward, confident way, and
suggested that the Company’s doctor should be sent for.
When Pete’s leg was given adequate examination it was found that while
the setting was by no means perfect it was good enough to assure that
the Indian guide would have the use of his leg again. Robert was not
displeased when he was given a bunk close by his Indian friend, who by
this time could scarcely satisfactorily evidence his thankfulness and
regard.
It will be remembered that Factor MacTavish at Fort Churchill had given
Pete a note for Factor Donald. Perhaps it was fortunate that this had
come, since Donald in his first impression was rather disappointed
that one who was so apparently a lad had been sent him to fill the
important place he anticipated using the new employee for. It is true
that Robert tipped the scales at one hundred and fifty pounds, but his
face more or less betrayed his youthfulness. Donald knew how necessary
firmness and experience were in dealing with the trappers, and he
judged at first that this lad would be of too mild a type to force
respect with those with whom he was to come in contact.
More than at first appears lay behind the situation at Fort Garry.
Instead of the Company’s business with the trappers increasing, it
had decreased the past season. Donald knew that something was wrong,
but as yet had not been able to place the responsibility. The real
reason was that he was a cold, domineering man, with little thought
for the feelings of others, who believed that he was taking the best
course when he treated the Indians like dogs. The matter was one which
troubled him continually and naturally kept him in an unpleasant frame
of mind.
It was into an atmosphere of this kind that Robert entered when he was
called for his first interview with the Factor. He felt the situation
was none too propitious but, as had been his custom, he advanced
quickly to Donald with a pleasant smile and grasped the Factor’s hand
with a grip which, in spite of his coldness, went to the older man’s
heart. Then as the interview proceeded and question after question
was put to him, he followed his superior carefully, gazing steadfastly
into the other’s eyes. This latter point in itself was much in the
lad’s favor. These soul windows of Robert’s were piercing deeper into
the Factor’s heart than any glance had ever done before. After a
little time Robert realized this and became quite at his ease, while
the Factor began to show plainly that he was scarcely a match for the
lad before him. It is only fair, too, to say that when the interview
was over Donald sent the lad away with a good deal more respect and
confidence in his new assistant than he had had previously.
There were more reasons for this than lay on the surface. As we have
learned, Robert was a lad whose body and mind and soul were clean. He
had read Donald’s mind and soul through his eyes and knew at once that
he could not have much in common with the older man, so long at least
as the Factor maintained that domineering spirit which usually belongs
to a lower class nature. Robert was only a youth, it is true, but
instinct and his training had taught him the principles of right and
wrong, the equality and brotherhood of man, and the supremacy of God.
The Factor was all for number one, which, put in other words, means
that he was exceedingly selfish. Robert, while he believed in standing
up for his own rights, thought continually, as we have already
learned, of others’ privileges and was ready to respect them. He had
realized during his comparatively brief connection with the Company
that if he were to progress it could only come through using a spirit
of goodwill, a spirit which would treat the Indians justly and would
love them.
The following morning, as directed, Robert called again on the Factor
for further instructions. Evidently the older man had recovered some
of his assurance during the night, for he began again in the same
domineering tones, directing the lad as to his relations to the
Company and the Indians. Robert let him do most of the talking and
listened respectfully. When he thought Donald had finished, however, he
addressed the Factor pleasantly but firmly, something as follows:
“I realize, sir, that I am under a contract and that you doubtless hold
a copy of the contract, which has come from the Company’s headquarters.
If this has not come to you I have a copy with me, calling for the
best services I can give for a term of years, and will be glad to have
you read it. I want to do my full duty, to use my strength and my
opportunities for the term of that contract in the best interests of
the Hudson’s Bay Company.”
When Donald replied that he had a copy of the contract, Robert spoke
again:
“I wish, then, that you would give me instruction as to my duties.
If you will not think me bold I should like to make a suggestion. Of
course I do not pretend to know anything about the Company’s business,
though I have seen something of the territory surrounding the Fort and
of the Indians. I believe that if you would give me Pete as a guide and
would turn over some entirely new territory to me and let me deal with
one hundred Indians, or whatever number you think is necessary to get
results from such a territory, I would be willing to stake my future
with the Company on the results. I believe the work will speak for
itself.”
Donald saw immediately that he had been treating Robert in the wrong
way. He realized now that he was dealing really with a man, and a man
in whom there was wisdom and courage as well as physical strength.
Maturity of mind was also apparent. It was evident that Robert’s
words were not spoken in any ordinary way. There was a depth and
earnestness to them that the Factor in his more confined nature could
not understand. He realized that new territory must be opened up if the
yearly output of furs from the Fort Garry district was to be increased,
and the suggestion appealed immediately. Even with this, however, he
was somewhat reluctant to start such a lad in new territory and to give
him control over it. He promised Robert that he would consider the
matter.
One difficulty which lay in the way of carrying out this suggested
plan was the accident which had befallen Pete. The Indian was shortly
able to hobble around on crutches, however, and was apparently making
good progress toward complete recovery. Robert was surprised and
also delighted a morning or two later when he was again summoned to
the office and informed by the Factor that his suggestion had been
adopted, that a new territory would be given to him, and that with
the assistance of Pete and one hundred and fifty Indians he would be
allowed to try his hand. It was not thought advisable, however, that
the season’s operations should be begun for at least a month or six
weeks’ time, since the Indians, who usually came to the Fort to be
outfitted for the season’s trapping, had not yet begun to come in in
sufficient numbers. This turned out fortunately for all concerned,
for the intervening time was spent to good advantage. Pete, as well
as being a good guide, was a good judge of Indians, and since he was
at once taken into Robert’s confidence he played his part well in
selecting the Indians who were to make up Robert’s party. And this was
not by any means an easy matter. While the Indians of the district
were, perhaps, as reliable as any in the Canadian North-West, they were
Indians, which meant that they were only half reliable, and since
they had been handled by previous employees somewhat along the lines
suggested by Factor Donald, the results of their labors had not been
very satisfactory. Pete made his selections carefully, however, aiming
to get men of a good type physically, who could at the same time be
expected to respond to just and fair treatment.
[Illustration: THE PARTY TO COVER THE NEW TERRITORY LEAVING FORT GARRY.]
With the choosing of the men and the making of the necessary
preparations the six weeks passed rapidly, and one morning the party to
cover the new territory was drawn up outside the fort. With Robert and
Pete and the Indians were half a dozen dog-sleds with their snapping
teams of huskies. On the sleighs were piled the season’s supplies. When
these had been exhausted the sleighs would be used to carry back the
furs. Pete had seen to it that some of the Indians were familiar with
the new territory, and these naturally were given a leading place in
the party.
This was a big moment in Robert’s life. It was really the
starting-point of his experiences in his new life. From this time
onward he was to carry the burden of the responsibility of his party,
and this was fully realized. Robert was pleased when Factor Donald
condescended to come out and bid him good-bye, to wish the party good
luck and a safe return.
The trip of three or four days to the new territory again gave Robert
some new experiences. He learned for the first time what it meant to
travel through snow with a dog-team, and learned to admire the ease
with which the Indians got over the snow-laden trail. Here again Pete
was a comfort and aid to him, not only with timely suggestions and
advice, but also in the handling of the Indians, who even in this early
part of the season showed an unacquaintance with discipline which
did not bode strongly for the success of the expedition. When the
allotted ground was reached the men were distributed according to a
method Robert and Pete had planned so as to most adequately cover the
territory. Numbers were prepared which were drawn in turn by each of
the Indians, and as the location of the ground corresponding with the
number was reached the one who held it dropped from the party when his
limits had been defined. Robert and Pete located their camp as near as
convenient to the centre of the district with a view to visiting each
trapper as often as possible during the winter, to keep tab on the work
and to give necessary encouragement or discipline.
Then the real labor of the season began. At first the Indians were
inclined to take matters easy. Like others, they misjudged Robert by
reason of his youthful appearance and believed that it would not be
difficult to take advantage of him. They soon found, however, that
underneath his kindliness lay a characteristic determination such as
they had not found very often, a characteristic which enabled him to
see that each man did his duty so far as he could. Pete, again, had his
part in this. He knew the hearts of the red men. He had helped some
of them when they had been in trouble, and he knew that, contrary to
the belief of many white men, if his brethren were treated kindly and
justly they could be counted on to do their part.
It wasn’t an easy task, this one which Robert had set for himself and
Pete. Those of us who know something of camping will appreciate some of
the difficulties. Leaving their own camp, with the thermometer a score
of degrees below zero, they made their way, sometimes with a dog-team,
sometimes on snowshoes when the snow was too deep for the dogs, from
camp to camp, waiting until the Indians returned from their circle of
traps. Here encouragement was given, there admonishment. Here a man
had to be dealt with severely, there a word of praise cheered another
on to further efforts. Many and many a day the two travelled forty to
fifty miles on foot. Many and many a night they slept without other
protection than a clump of bushes or a snow-bank. Never a night went
by, however, but that Robert got on his knees for at least a little
time before going off to sleep to say a word for the God he served.
When circumstances permitted a fire he spent a few minutes with his
Bible, though reading was difficult with the varying light of the
crackling branches. This had far-reaching effects, for after one or two
rounds of his men their respect for Robert became so great that almost
without exception the trapper with whom they spent the night listened
attentively and bowed with the lad and Pete when the time came for the
evening devotions. It had its effect in another way, too, when the red
men appreciated what influence this sort of thing had on Robert’s life,
and that it had a great deal to do with making him the courageous, just
and kindly youth he was. They realized that he was a man whom they
could safely follow and appreciated that he could be counted on to
repay in full their best efforts. Thus it was perhaps not surprising
that new life was kindled in the men. They were being treated as they
never had been before, and the ingathering of furs was most encouraging.
Robert was delighted with the splendid skins which came to view on his
rounds. Particularly pleased were the Indians when they were able to
show him a black or a grey fox, skins which, in those days, though not
so much as now, were highly prized.
For five months this strenuous life continued. Then, as the trapping
season began to draw to a close, each Indian left his camp, tied up
his furs with his blanket, and met at a previously decided point for
the return journey to Fort Garry. Robert and Pete had gained some idea
during their winter’s travelling of how the work was going, but the
success of the party became more in evidence as the red men gathered
together. The success of Robert’s policy was at once noticeable. Not
one of the Indians but had had a successful season. The hardships
had been borne cheerfully, largely because of the fact that unusual
encouragement had been given, and it was a happy band which made their
way back to Fort Garry. How successful this policy had been was only
demonstrated when the trappers from the other districts had brought in
their returns and when the final checking showed that this band had
more than doubled the efforts of any similar band in other districts.
As can be imagined, Factor Donald was exceedingly well pleased, and he
made his pleasure practical by inviting Robert and Pete to dine with
him in the Company’s offices. In addition to this he had a special
dinner spread for the Indian band in their own camp in the Company’s
quarters. This experience had taught Donald a lesson. It was being
forced into his understanding that these Indians had worked with an
energy and with a spirit which had not previously been seen among the
Company’s trappers, because they had been handled with a spirit of
kindly interest and had been treated as brothers rather than as slaves.
After the success of his first winter it was not surprising that the
following year Robert was given charge as a sort of Sub-Factor of all
the trappers sent out from the Fort, and while they were gathered at
the Company’s quarters he talked to them night after night before the
various expeditions started, throwing into them the same spirit he
had been able to give to his band the previous winter. The men who
had been out with him did good missionary work also. They told of his
treatment of them, how interested he had seemed to be in their work,
of his cheerfulness under difficulties, and how he had worked just as
hard, if not harder, than any of them. Lastly, they did not forget to
tell of the prayers and the Bible reading, which had seemed to have its
own effect. This year, too, new territory was again opened up. More
Indians were employed, and, as a result of Robert’s efforts, the season
was very much more successful than any had been previously. All this
was, as may be expected, very pleasing to the Company’s officers at
headquarters. Fort Garry, from a condition of backwardness, had jumped
in two years’ time to one of the most profitable posts in Canada.
Donald, of course, was given credit for the improved conditions. As a
matter of fact, the greater part of this was due to Robert and Pete.
However, efforts of this kind cannot long remain unnoted, and from
various sources other than Donald something of the lad’s part in these
successful operations found their way to headquarters, and after a
little time he was placed in a position of further responsibility and
with an increased wage. As he had anticipated, back in his Orkney home,
his efforts had not been in vain. Thus far efficiency, reliability and
faithfulness to duty had been his watchword. Coupled with this was the
continued thought of helpfulness to others. While his promotion was
naturally very pleasing, he was not ready to accept this as entirely
the result of his own efforts, and in consequence made a strong plea
with the Company’s Factor on behalf of his friend Pete. At first Donald
demurred, but the young man had made his methods and his policy so
successful that his plea finally carried, and ultimately a letter was
written the head office, not only recommending an increase in Pete’s
salary but also that all the trappers be given a larger allowance for
the furs they brought in. Robert waited for the year which necessarily
passed before a reply could be received, and then the long-looked-for
letter came which agreed to the increase, largely by reason of the
splendid returns which had been made by the Fort Garry trappers.
The increased pay worked wonders. Those who had seen the Indians at
work previously thought that they had done about all that could be
expected of them in the first year under Robert’s supervision. The red
men realized, however, that in addition to the kind treatment they had
been receiving their efforts had been duly rewarded in a financial way,
and they worked in consequence as Indians had never been known to work
before. Pete, too, was naturally very much delighted at the reward
which had finally come to him for his faithful service. However, it had
another effect. Although Pete was still hearty and able, he was getting
along toward the age of seventy, and the severe hardships he had
undergone, as well as the accident he had suffered when guiding Robert
to Fort Garry, had begun to tell on him. With the Company’s allowance
he had sufficient to retire from such active duties as had been keeping
him engaged for so many years and to take life easier. Thus, after a
time, Robert was forced to part with his first and best friend of the
wilderness. Pete did not forget the principles of right living Robert
had taught him by precept and example, however, and became something of
a missionary among his Indian brothers.
Robert spent two more seasons very successfully in the Fort Garry
district, and then realized one day that the old contract under which
he had enlisted in the Company’s service was no more binding. And with
the realization that he could be free if he wished naturally came
new thoughts and a new outlook. Robert felt that he had a good deal
to be thankful for. During the four years of his experience with the
Company he had not been ill for a single day. He had had many narrow
escapes, through which he seemed to be guided by an unseen hand. The
life, too, seemed to exert something of a fascination over him, and
he had grown to regard the Indians very highly for the good qualities
which were apparent when they were properly treated. Other thoughts,
however, came to him at times, since he still forwarded half of his pay
to his parents in Scotland, it was only natural that he should think
of them at times, and sometimes touches of home-sickness came to him,
feelings which those of us who have experienced will appreciate took
more spirit and character to bear than other kinds of illness. While
his mind wandered off and across the sea his thoughts turned, as a real
man’s ideas will, to other things, and at times he dreamed dreams of a
real home such as he might expect to have some time in the future where
he would have a helpmeet who would be sympathetic and whose burdens he
might have a chance of sharing.