_NEW DUTIES LEAD TO LARGER TESTS._
With Robert’s return to Fort Garry a new incident, one which was
to lead him into unexpected and far-reaching new paths, developed.
When he returned to Factor Donald he was informed that a dangerous
criminal had been captured and brought to the fort, and that it was
to be someone’s duty to deliver the offender to Little York, on the
shore of Lake Ontario. It is perhaps easy to understand why Donald had
selected Robert as the probable guide. He knew that the young man could
be depended on in every way. He knew that the journey would be a long
and trying one, and knowing something of the prisoner, understood just
what would be demanded of the leader of the expedition. Had he known
that his choice would mean the loss of his most helpful assistant he
would probably have risked placing the prisoner in the charge of some
other employee. However, he was responsible for the safe delivery of
the criminal to the authorities at Little York, and he intended that,
so far as possible, his duties in this regard should be fulfilled.
The journey under these conditions, as could be anticipated, did not
appeal to Robert. He had liked his work of the past winters, and he was
anxious to go ahead with his Indians to carry forward the Company’s
interests. When Donald told him, however, what would be expected of
him and that he would be serving the Company just as directly in this
way as in the other he made no protest, and while the outlook for the
long trip with a companion who could not be congenial was anything
but pleasant, he felt that he must be true to his duty, must obey the
orders given by his superior, and agreed to assume the responsibility.
When he got a chance to look at the prisoner a little time later he
appreciated more of what the situation meant. The criminal was over six
feet and built accordingly. Apparently he had roamed in the wilds until
the effects of civilization had been lost on him, and he was now more
like an animal than a human being. However, Robert had undertaken to do
the job and he intended to carry it through. Preparations were made for
the long journey of more than fifteen hundred miles, and good-byes were
said to the few trappers and Company employees who were not already in
the forests for the winter season. A surprise came to Robert when he
was invited to take dinner with Factor Donald the last night before his
departure. While he knew that this man had appreciated his work he had
never been able to get under the Factor’s cold attitude. This last
night, however, proved that the young man’s character had won a place,
for Donald spoke to him as he had never done before and said good-bye
to him almost tenderly.
By this time Robert had become an expert dog driver, and he was not
displeased when he was given a team of the finest huskies owned by
the Company. His prisoner, with hands and feet securely fastened, was
placed on the sled with the provisions and necessary supplies. The
man had refused to walk, saying he would rather freeze first, so that
there was nothing to do but transport him in this fashion. Everything
went well the first day. The dogs, being fresh, travelled well, and the
prisoner, although he had not been informed of the party’s destination,
did not cause particular trouble. He was sullen and refused to talk,
but, pinioned as he was and tied to the sled, was not in a position
while the party was travelling to be the occasion of much disturbance.
The first night in camp with such a prisoner was not a particularly
pleasing incident. Robert had made up his mind during the day,
however, to try the same tactics on his prisoner as he had tried with
the Indians the first winter of his experiences in the North-West.
He prepared as good a meal as was possible under the circumstances,
partially loosening him so that he could eat without difficulty,
served him first, and gave him every consideration that was possible.
The man’s nature, however, was very evident. He remained sullen and
vicious, and when he did speak punctured his sentences with oaths,
which told something of his thoughts and the kind of a life he had been
living. Apparently, too, he had misread his man, thinking that because
his guide was youthful in appearance that he could be browbeaten and
made afraid.
After supper Robert made his prisoner as comfortable as possible. While
the chains were still left upon his ankles, they were loosened so that
he could take short steps and yet could not walk at all rapidly. Then
Robert heaped up the fire and, following a decision made earlier in
the day, thought it would not be safe for him to go to sleep, but sat
by the fire and after a little time assumed the attitude of sleep.
At the same time he watched the prisoner from the corner of his eye.
After a little time he saw the man glance at him carefully and slyly,
and then noted that he was working himself into an upright position. A
moment later the chains on the man’s ankles rattled and like a flash
the villain was on his feet and moving toward the fire. It was well for
Robert that he had been watching, for it was evident from the man’s
eyes that he intended to give no mercy. When the man was almost on
him Robert jumped up with his gun in his hand and faced the surprised
villain.
“Get back!” he cried. “I have tried to treat you decently, but I see
you do not appreciate it. You won’t have another chance either at me or
to escape while you are in my charge. It will be a grind and a fight
from here on.”
Following this policy Robert watched his prisoner continually. During
the day he loosened his bonds sufficiently to let him get the necessary
exercise, but took good care that he had a weapon at hand conveniently
while he was doing so. At night he chained him more closely so that he
could not rise alone. In this condition he was placed by the fire so
that he would not freeze. For the first night or two Robert had gone
without sleep and intended to do so, knowing that his prisoner must be
carefully watched, so long as he could.
With the hardships of the trail, however, he soon learned that he must
have the requisite sleep to make him fit for travel the next day. He
was careful, however, to keep some of the dogs between the prisoner
and himself. By this time the huskies had begun to respond to his kind
treatment and he knew that he was not likely to be disturbed.
Robert thought he had learned something about snow and cold in the
North-West, but as the days passed by and he began to journey along the
north shore of Lake Superior he found an unusual situation. For several
days the sun seemed scarcely to show its face and snow fell day after
day without let-up. The cold, too, increased in severity, and with
all this the travelling was becoming very hard, and as they came into
heavier wooded sections another danger appeared. Occasionally during
the day Robert had seen skulking wolves following the party at a little
distance, and as these increased he knew that the packs were hovering
about in considerable numbers. At night, while they were resting,
the young man had little fear, for it was easy to build huge fires,
which he knew would keep the animals at bay. Again, he was little
troubled for himself or his dogs, but he was disturbed for his helpless
prisoner, whom he intended to deliver, according to instructions, at
Little York.
With this came another trouble. While the dogs had been going
splendidly, the continual travelling in the deep snow had been very
trying, and with the added weight of the prisoner this condition was
accentuated. Finally the dogs refused to go further. Robert did his
best with the splendid old leader, who in his turn tried to pull the
team through the huge drifts, but his efforts were without avail. The
idea occurred to him of reasoning with the prisoner, but he concluded
that such attempts were useless, since the villain continued to return
only oaths for his kindness and had apparently made up his mind to
make his escape if the opportunity ever offered itself. There was
apparently little of the human in this man. He would not respond to
kindness in any form.
Robert prepared camp for the night, hoping that a rest would fit the
dogs for another day’s travel, and this time the animals were given
special care. As he measured out their food his thoughts flew back to
his old collie dog in his Orkney home, and he remembered how anxious
that animal had been to serve him. He realized that not only did the
success of his expedition, but also that his own life depended on
the dogs and that it was almost more than could be expected that the
animals could cope with conditions such as they had met with the last
few days for very much longer.
Another morning came, still without the sun. The sky was heavy and
black and snow continued to fall. Around the little band every twig,
every branch, was carrying its burden of white crystals. The cedars,
balsam and spruce, as well as the larger pines, were dressed in robes
of white purity, and the less sturdy of these were bending low under
the weight of their mantle. Another day of struggle brought them
somewhat nearer their goal, but again the dogs became excited, and
when the expedition stopped for the night Robert noticed that the
wolves were nearer than they had been before. The next morning when
the time came to start out it was found that two of the dogs were
unable to go further. They had done their best and more could not be
expected from them. Robert then had to perform a painful duty, for it
was necessary to put these faithful brutes out of their misery. To
somewhat counterbalance the loss of this pulling power everything that
could possibly be gotten along without was taken from the pack and left
behind. They travelled slowly, but kept moving on and on through the
deep, newly-fallen snow.
In this northern region at this season of the year the days were
exceedingly short, and since it was impossible to travel after dark the
hours of struggle were comparatively brief. After another day or two
Robert was convinced of the necessity of still further care in regard
to rations, and the prisoner was informed that his allowance would be
cut in two. His only answer to this came in curses, surely an evidence
that there was little of tenderness in his make-up. At nights the dogs
were buried deep in the snow, asleep. The prisoner could sleep well,
but while the sternness of the struggle made some sleep necessary for
Robert, the difficult situation bothered him a good deal and made his
sleep anything but regular. He was worried, for instance, over the
outlook, wondering whether it was at all probable that the duty he had
undertaken would be fulfilled. He was worried by the constant aloofness
and sullenness on the part of his prisoner, and he was worried again
by apprehensions as to his powers of dealing single-handed with the
wolf pack, which he knew was daily becoming bolder.
One afternoon, as he stood by the huge fire of burning logs which
he had gotten together to keep the wolves away during the hours of
darkness and which it was necessary for him to replenish from time to
time, his thoughts drifted away from the troublesome ones which usually
impressed him and involuntarily, it seemed, he began to plan for the
future. Then, in a moment, as he stood looking into the flickering
flames, an attractive face, of a type which he thought would be ideal
as a companion in life, as a loving helpmate who would make life worth
while, appeared to him. Perhaps it was not surprising that thoughts of
this kind gave him new determination, and he decided at the moment that
if he was given the strength to reach Little York with his prisoner he
would resign from the Company’s employ, would build a cabin for himself
and look for a sweetheart, one whom he could love and help through
life’s journey and who would love him and help him in return.
His dream met a sudden interruption. The wolves had been more
troublesome than usual that night, and occasionally, as he had seen
their eyes gleaming in the circle outside the camp-fire, Robert had
made good use of his shotgun. Suddenly, with howls from the pack, one
animal larger than the rest made a dash straight for him and in his
own way called to the others to follow. Fortunately, Robert’s gun was
ready, and the first wolf fell in his track. Here again came into play
the stamina and the self-control which had been bred into Robert in the
island home and which had been developed during his years in Canada.
An ordinary man, or one less experienced, would have flunked under the
situation, but Robert kept cool and made certain that whenever he was
able to fire the shot would have the expected effect. Finally, when two
or three animals closed in and he could not handle his muzzle-loader
quickly enough to be of further service he used a huge, burning brand
and, swinging it around his head in fiery circles, drove the band back
from the little camp. After this he built up the fire freshly, and the
new blaze served to keep the animals away until day dawned.
The next day the struggle was resumed, and in spite of the
difficulties, in spite of the cold, in spite of the protest on the part
of the dogs and the prisoner, mile after mile was gained on the long
journey. The day had been quiet so far as storm was concerned, but in
mid-afternoon the sky suddenly turned black until the heavens seemed
dropping to earth. Then, as the little party passed out of a patch of
woods, howls were heard as though coming from everywhere, and Robert
realized that the pack of the night before had been largely reinforced
and that he would have to meet another testing period. This time he
knew that the situation would be more trying, and with a view to
getting what help he could he threw the harness from the dogs, knowing
that they would defend themselves bravely. He looked to the prisoner
to see what aid could be expected from him, but again the character
of the man showed itself in his face, since abject fear was stamped
thereon. He was desperately afraid. Robert knew, however, that if it
came to the worst this human brute would be of some service, and in his
sense of justice he knew that the man should be given a chance at least
to fight for his life. Besides, he had undertaken the duty of landing
the prisoner alive at his destination, and he readily understood that
unless every possible effort were made in the present crisis it was
probable that his duty would not be fulfilled. The prisoner was rather
surprised, and for once a spark of gratefulness came to his eyes when
the chains binding his arms and hands were removed and the axe placed
beside him. Robert placed his back to a tree where he could watch the
prisoner and at the same time keep the wolves from surrounding him.
He was ready just in time, for the hungry animals, with hanging tongues
and fiery eyes, seemed to be rushing in from every direction. Crack!
went the young man’s gun, and as quickly as he could load and fire a
wolf fell. No bullets were wasted. Every one told. Don, the old leader
of the dogs, took his share in the fight also, challenging the leaders
of the pack and taking a place directly in front of the young man. On
and on the animals came, pushing one another forward, climbing over the
bodies of those which fell at the shots from the gun. After a minute or
two of fighting old Don went down. Robert was in process of loading. He
jammed the charge to the bottom of the barrel, drew out the ramrod and
fired into the middle of the pack; then seeing that his leader must be
saved and that time could not be wasted to re-load, he dropped his gun,
grabbed his axe and waded into the pack, swinging the weapon right and
left. The prisoner for once was proving himself useful. This time he
was fighting for his own life. He knew what the outcome would be unless
he bore his share of the responsibility, and he showed that he knew
well how to swing an axe. Wolf after wolf fell from the blows of the
heavy weapon. In one instant, when he had felled a wolf at one side,
another sprang for his throat. Robert had been trying to watch the man
out of the corner of his eye (for he knew he could not trust him) while
he had been struggling with the wolf pack, and had his opinion as to
the strength and ability of the prisoner in a country of this kind
confirmed. With seemingly more than human strength the huge fellow
tore the wolf from his throat and threw him back among the others, at
the same time administering a blow of the axe with the other hand to
another which had pressed in on him from the right.
[Illustration: “WOLF AFTER WOLF FELL FROM THE BLOWS.”]
For minutes the struggle continued. Don and the other dogs fought
valiantly, but the numbers were overwhelming, and looking around him
Robert saw that the members of his team were helpless, most of them
lying dead. At the moment he did not realize the situation, but had one
been looking on the impression gained would have been decidedly grim.
The clothing of both the fighting men had been badly torn. Gashes had
been made in various places on their bodies. Their hands were wounded
and bloody. Robert, however, was as full of fight as ever. Finally
there came a headlong rush of the wolves, which with difficulty was
beaten back, and then a lull. Half the pack had been disposed of and
the remainder apparently had not the courage to continue the struggle.
With tails between their legs they one by one withdrew to the shades of
the forest.
When this danger was over Robert was sure from the glint in the
prisoner’s eyes that he was face to face with a new one. While the man
could only move slowly on his feet, he took up a threatening attitude.
Robert had been prepared to thank him for the part he had taken in
the struggle, and even in the face of this threat held his temper
accordingly. Advancing toward the prisoner, but keeping out of reach,
he asked him calmly to submit to having the irons placed on his wrists
again. The answer came back quickly and viciously in the negative. With
an oath the villain said:
“I have been fighting for my life. I will fight you now for my freedom.
It is up to you and me to settle our accounts.”
Decision came to the young man like a flash. Before the fellow could
move he grabbed the handle of the axe with a grip of steel and at the
same time dealt the man a crack on the chin which laid him for the
moment helpless. While the giant was unconscious the irons were again
fastened on his wrists, and while he was returning to consciousness a
fire was kindled in a section of the wood removed from the scene of
struggle, to which he was dragged and made as comfortable as possible
on a blanket. When he came to Robert was eyeing him steadily, and when
he saw that his man could understand him he said, firmly:
[Illustration: “YOU’RE A COWARD, AND YOU’RE GOING TO BE TREATED LIKE A
COWARD.”]
“I am sorry I had to punish you, but you know yourself that it was
necessary. If you will behave yourself the rest of the way I will treat
you kindly; but you will be watched, and if you try any tricks like
that last one on me you will get your deserts just as you did that
time. You may think you are a strong man, but you are not a brave one.
You’re a coward, and you are going to be treated like a coward.”
The night was spent at this point in the woods, and Robert rose early
to try to size up the situation. During the night two of his dogs
returned to him. One, while somewhat injured, was able, after a supply
of food was given him, to do part of his share of the work with the
sled. Before leaving the place Robert could not resist the temptation
of going to have a last look at the old leader, Don, who had fought so
bravely for his master in the struggle of the day before. With these
thoughts naturally came a remembrance of his old dog back in the Orkney
home, and this led to thoughts of his mother and father and brothers
and sister.
When the start was made Robert saw that he was face to face with
assuming most of the burden of drawing the sled. The two dogs were of
some little help, but without Don to lead them they needed continual
attention. Again Robert made an appeal to the prisoner, suggesting
that if he would behave himself and would travel ahead of the sled the
chains on his feet would be removed. The only response, given as usual
in foul words, was that not one step would be travelled. Robert saw
then that the prisoner expected and hoped that he would collapse and
that thus freedom would come to him. The fellow’s calculations were
wrong, however. He did not know the endurance of the lad, nor did he
realize that there was a heart within this young body which did not
know defeat. After he had cut down still further the load of supplies,
Robert strapped the prisoner still more securely and then, putting the
dogs ahead of him where he could use the whip when necessary, he got
himself into the harness and started on again.
Then, as so frequently happens when men struggle against difficulties
and when the crisis seems to be past, nature seemed to smile and
give her aid. The sun came out again and played with its rays on the
mantle of snow. With the moderating weather and the heat of the sun
the snow packed better, and this made the drawing of the sled much
easier. During the day, also, two or three deer crossed the trail and
a fortunate shot brought a very welcome food supply. Just in time,
too, for the provisions were almost exhausted. This incident impressed
Robert, as had not occurred to him before, with the generous provision
God had made for man in the forest solitudes. He understood, as he had
not done previously, that a food supply was generally ready and that it
only required man’s own efforts to secure what he needed.
With the more favorable weather, too, and with an instinctive feeling
that he was approaching civilization, Robert began to appreciate
something of the bits of nature in this new district. As another day or
two passed they began to travel through almost unbroken forest, rough
and rocky sections where the trail, though better than it had been
before, showed occasional signs of travel. Animal life, too, began to
be more frequent, and although it was winter time almost every foot of
the trail showed traces of animals, small and large, going about as
instinct directed.
For several days the sled with its heavy burden was drawn along the
trail. As the days went by Robert anxiously consulted the map which had
been given him by Factor Donald, and while it was difficult to follow
this with any accuracy, he knew by certain signs that he could not now
be far distant from Little York. One day two Indians were encountered.
Robert had no wish to meet strangers, and particularly Indians, until
his prisoner was safely landed at the destination. Therefore, when he
saw that they were not members of any tribe he was familiar with and
realized that in all probability their language would be different from
that to which he was accustomed, he tramped past them without stopping.
He saw how carefully they eyed the prisoner, but finally they passed by
without commenting.
After another day the prisoner was surprised when Robert did not make
the usual halt for camp in the evening. The moon was full, and after
such supper as could be prepared the young man kept on through the
night with only a short rest as the light became dim during the early
morning. On the following day plainly-blazed trails leading through
the yet unbroken forest of pine and oak monarchs such as he had not
previously seen were met with, and here Robert stopped, resting, to
look up at these huge giants of the forest towering to the skies. That
afternoon a log cabin was seen. Robert realized how a lone pioneer
had blazed his way into the forest solitude, how he had hewn out a
home for himself and his loved ones in the heart of the forest, and
at the moment there returned to him his dream by the camp-fire in the
north-western district, and he wondered and renewed his determination
to go into the forest shortly and to build such a cabin for his future
home. He would have liked to have visited the cabin, from whose chimney
a welcoming smoke appeared, but with him duty was always first and the
landing of his prisoner safely was uppermost in his mind. After a few
minutes’ rest he started onward with quickened pace, and since the
trail seemed to furnish a downward slope the way from this on seemed
easier.
The following morning Robert noticed further signs of habitation. He
passed here and there strips of clearing, and about noon came out of
the forest. After the several days travelling through the unbroken
sweeps of woodland it was like entering a new world, and coming over
the crest of the hill Little York lay below and in full sight. His goal
was reached. As his eye swept over the hamlet below him, the largest
centre he had seen since leaving his Orkney home, he saw the bright
coats of the soldiers standing out against the snow as they paraded
on guard along the fort to the west, and he noted also the windmill
standing at the edge of the lake to the east. Beyond a stretch of water
to the south lay a barely-wooded sandbar.
Naturally, some little attention was attracted and comment was made
as the strange party passed through the streets which, to Robert’s
eyes seemed unusually busy. Several tried to halt him to inquire his
business, but as always duty came first, and only stopping to inquire
the way to the jail, he passed on without hesitating. His charge was
soon landed in custody and his responsibility for the prisoner turned
over to the jailer.
Only when his responsibility was removed did Robert realize what a
burden it had been. His task had been a most trying one, but he had
certainly done his part manfully in dealing with the prisoner. While
his patience had been tried in every way, he had been as kind as reason
could demand. His great desire had been to kindle a spark of love in
the prisoner’s soul and if possible to raise him from the bestial
spirit which seemed to possess him. While he had failed in this he knew
that he had done his duty, and as he stepped from the jail with his
responsibilities in this incident and to the Company ended he felt as
though a huge burden had been removed from his shoulders. After finding
comfortable quarters he made his way to the Company’s representatives,
deposited his papers and received the salary due him. Then, without
further consideration, for it will be remembered he had made up his
mind in the matter, he wrote a letter of resignation and in it thanked
the Company for its kindness. At the same time a letter was sent
forward to his mother and the loved ones at home telling something
of the experiences of the last few weeks. Thoughts of them brought
remembrances of his old friend Sandy, and, while he had no idea of the
sailor’s whereabouts at this time, another letter was addressed in care
of the captain of the old ship, in the hope that it would finally reach
the sailor friend. This done he went to his room and for hours slept
the sleep of one who has won and who has an easy conscience by reason
of having gained a victory by doing his full duty.