Although it was now the middle of May, it was but a few days before
their departure that there was the least sign of verdure, or the trees
had burst into leaf; but in the course of the three days before they
quitted Quebec, so rapid was the vegetation, that it appeared as if
summer had come upon them all at once. The heat was also very great,
although, when they had landed, the weather was piercing cold; but in
Canada, as well as in all Northern America, the transitions from heat to
cold, and from cold to heat, are very rapid.
My young readers will be surprised to hear that, when the winter sets in
at Quebec, all the animals required for the winter's consumption are at
once killed. If the troops are numerous, perhaps three or four hundred
bullocks are slaughtered and hung up. Every family kill their cattle,
their sheep, pigs, turkeys, fowls, etcetera, and all are put up in the
garrets, where the carcases immediately freeze hard, and remain quite
good and sweet during the six or seven months of severe winter which
occur in that climate. When any portion of meat is to be cooked, it is
gradually thawed in lukewarm water, and after that is put to the fire.
If put at once to the fire in its frozen state, it spoils. There is
another strange circumstance which occurs in these cold latitudes; a
small fish, called the snow-fish, is caught during the winter by making
holes in the thick ice; and these fish, coming to the holes in thousands
to breathe, are thrown out with hand-nets upon the ice, where they
become in a few minutes frozen quite hard, so that, if you wish it, you
may break them in half like a rotten stick. The cattle are fed upon
these fish during the winter months. But it has been proved--which is
very strange--that if, after they have been frozen for twenty-four hours
or more, you put these fish into water and gradually thaw them as you do
the meat, they will recover and swim about again as well as ever. To
proceed, however, with our history.
Mr Campbell found that, after all his expenses, he had still three
hundred pounds left, and this money he left in the Quebec Bank, to use
as he might find necessary. His expenditure had been very great.
First, there was the removal of so large a family, and the passage out;
then he had procured at Liverpool a large quantity of cutlery and tools,
furniture, etcetera, all of which articles were cheaper there than at
Quebec. At Quebec he had also much to purchase: all the most expensive
portion of his house; such as windows ready glazed, stoves, boarding for
floors, cupboards, and partitions; salt provisions, crockery of every
description, two small waggons ready to be put together, several casks
of nails, and a variety of things which it would be too tedious to
mention. Procuring these, with the expenses of living, had taken away
all his money, except the three hundred pounds I have mentioned.
It was on the 13th of May that the embarkation took place, and it was
not until the afternoon that all was prepared, and Mrs Campbell and her
nieces were conducted down to the _bateaux_, which lay at the wharf,
with the troops already on board of them. The Governor and his
aides-de-camp, besides many other influential people of Quebec, escorted
them down, and as soon as they had paid their adieux, the word was
given, the soldiers in the _bateaux_ gave three cheers, and away they
went from the wharf into the stream. For a short time there was waving
of handkerchiefs and other tokens of good-will on the part of those who
were on the wharf; but that was soon left behind them, and the family
found themselves separated from their acquaintances and silently
listening to the measured sound of the oars, as they dropped into the
water.
And it is not to be wondered at that they were silent, for all were
occupied with their own thoughts. They called to mind the beautiful
park at Wexton, which they had quitted, after having resided there so
long and so happily; the hall, with all its splendour and all its
comfort, rose up in their remembrance; each room with its furniture,
each window with its view, was recalled to their memories; they had
crossed the Atlantic, and were now about to leave civilisation and
comfort behind them--to isolate themselves in the Canadian woods--to
trust to their own resources, their own society, and their own
exertions. It was, indeed, the commencement of a new life, and for
which they felt themselves little adapted, after the luxuries they had
enjoyed in their former condition; but if their thoughts and
reminiscences made them grave and silent, they did not make them
despairing or repining; they trusted to that Power who alone could
protect--who gives and who takes away, and doeth with us as He judges
best; and if hope was not buoyant in all of them, still there was
confidence, resolution, and resignation. Gradually they were roused
from their reveries by the beauty of the scenery and the novelty of what
met their sight; the songs, also, of the Canadian boatmen were musical
and cheering, and by degrees, they had all recovered their usual good
spirits.
Alfred was the first to shake off his melancholy feelings and to attempt
to remove them from others; nor was he unsuccessful. The officer who
commanded the detachment of troops, and who was in the same _bateaux_
with the family, had respected their silence upon their departure from
the wharf--perhaps he felt as much as they did. His name was Sinclair,
and his rank that of senior captain in the regiment--a handsome, florid
young man, tall and well made, very gentleman-like, and very gentle in
his manners.
"How very beautiful the foliage is on that point, mother," said Alfred,
first breaking the silence, "what a contrast between the leaves of the
sycamore, so transparent and yellow, with the sun behind them, and the
new shoots of the spruce fir."
"It is indeed very lovely," replied Mrs Campbell; "and the branches of
the trees, feathering down as they do to the surface of the water--"
"Like good Samaritans," said Emma, "extending their arms, that any
unfortunate drowning person who was swept away by the stream might save
himself by their assistance."
"I had no idea that trees had so much charity or reflection, Emma,"
rejoined Alfred.
"I cannot answer for their charity, but, by the side of this clear
water, you must allow them reflection, cousin," replied Emma.
"I presume you will add vanity to their attributes?" answered Alfred;
"for they certainly appear to be hanging over the stream that they may
look and admire themselves in the glassy mirror."
"Pretty well that for a midshipman; I was not aware that they use such
choice language in a cockpit," retorted the young lady.
"Perhaps not, cousin," answered Alfred; "but when sailors are in the
company of ladies, they become refined, from the association."
"Well, I must admit, Alfred, that you are a great deal more polished
after you have been a month on shore."
"Thank you, cousin Emma, even for that slight admission," replied Alfred
laughing.
"But what is that," said Mary Percival, "at the point, is it a village--
one, two, three houses--just opening upon us?"
"That is a raft, Miss Percival, which is coming down the river," replied
Captain Sinclair. "You will see when we are nearer to it, that perhaps
it covers two acres of water, and there are three tiers of timber on it.
These rafts are worth many thousand pounds. They are first framed with
logs, fastened by wooden tree-nails, and the timber placed within the
frame. There are, perhaps, from forty to a hundred people on this raft
to guide it down the stream, and the houses you see are built on it for
the accommodation of these people. I have seen as many as fifteen
houses upon a raft, which will sometimes contain the cargoes of thirty
or forty large ships."
"It is very wonderful how they guide and direct it down the stream,"
said Mr Campbell.
"It is very dexterous; and it seems strange that such an enormous mass
can be so guided, but it is done, as you will perceive; there are three
or four rudders made of long sweeps, and as you may observe, several
sweeps on each side."
All the party were now standing up in the stern-sheets of the _bateaux_
to look at the people on the raft, who amounted to about fifty or sixty
men--now running over the top to one side, and dragging at the sweeps,
which required the joint power of seven or eight men to each of them--
now passing again over to the opposite sweeps, as directed by the
steersman.
The _bateaux_ kept well in to the shore, out of the way, and the raft
passed them very quickly. As soon as it was clear of the point, as
their course to Quebec was now straight, and there was a slight breeze
down the river, the people on board of the raft hoisted ten or fifteen
sails upon different masts, to assist them in their descent; and this
again excited the admiration of the party.
The conversation now became general, until the _bateaux_ were made fast
to the shores of the river, while the men took their dinners, which had
been prepared for them before they left Quebec. After a repose of two
hours, they again started, and at nightfall arrived at Saint Anne's,
where they found everything ready for their reception. Although their
beds were composed of the leaves of the maize or Indian corn, they were
so tired that they found them very comfortable, and at daylight arose
quite refreshed, and anxious to continue their route. Martin Super,
who, with the two youngest boys, had been placed in a separate boat, had
been very attentive to the comforts of the ladies after the debarkation;
and it appeared that he had quite won the hearts of the two boys by his
amusing anecdotes during the day.
Soon after their embarkation, the name of Pontiac being again mentioned
by Captain Sinclair, Mrs Campbell observed--
"Our man Super mentioned that name before. I confess that I do not know
anything of Canadian affairs; I know only that Pontiac was an Indian
chief. Can you, Captain Sinclair, give us any information relative to a
person who appears so well known in the province?"
"I shall be happy, Mrs Campbell, as far as I am able, to satisfy you.
On one point, I can certainly speak with confidence, as my uncle was one
of the detachment in the fort of Detroit at the time that it was so
nearly surprised, and he has often told the history of the affair in my
presence. Pontiac was chief of all the Lake tribes of Indians. I will
not repeat the names of the different tribes, but his own particular
tribe was that of the Ottawas. He ruled at the time that the Canadas
were surrendered to us by the French. At first, although very proud and
haughty, and claiming the sovereignty of the country, he was very civil
to the English, or, at least, appeared so to be; for the French had
given us so bad a reputation with all the northern tribes, that they had
hitherto shown nothing but the most determined hostility, and appeared
to hate our very name. They are now inclined to quiet, and it is to be
hoped their fear of us, after the several conflicts between us, will
induce them to remain so. You are, perhaps, aware that the French had
built many forts at the most commanding spots in the interior and on the
lakes, all of which, when they gave up the country, were garrisoned by
our troops, to keep the Indians under control.
"All these forts are isolated, and communication between them is rare.
It was in 1763 that Pontiac first showed his hostility against us, and
his determination, if possible, to drive us from the lakes. He was as
cunning as he was brave; and, as an Indian, showed more generalship than
might be expected--that is, according to their system of war, which is
always based upon stratagem. His plan of operation was, to surprise all
our forts at the same time, if he possibly could; and so excellent were
his arrangements, that it was only fifteen days after the plan was first
laid, that he succeeded in gaining possession of all but three; that is,
he surprised ten out of thirteen forts. Of course, the attacks were
made by other chiefs, under his directions, as Pontiac could not be at
all the simultaneous assaults."
"Did he murder the garrisons, Captain Sinclair?" said Alfred.
"The major portion of them: some were spared, and afterwards ransomed at
high prices. I ought to have mentioned, as a singular instance of the
advance of this chief in comparison with the other Indians, that at this
time he issued bills of credit on slips of bark, signed with his totem,
the otter; and that these bills, unlike many of more civilised society,
were all taken up and paid."
"That is very remarkable in a savage," observed Mrs Campbell; "but how
did Pontiac contrive to surprise all the forts?"
"Almost the whole of them were taken by a singular stratagem. The
Indians are very partial to, and exceedingly dexterous at, a game called
the `Baggatiway': it is played with a ball and a long-handled sort of
racket. They divide into two parties, and the object of each party is
to drive the hall to their own goal. It is something like hurly in
England, or golf in Scotland. Many hundreds are sometimes engaged on
both sides; and the Europeans are so fond of seeing the activity and
dexterity shown by the Indians at this game, that it was very common to
request them to play it, when they happened to be near the forts. Upon
this, Pontiac arranged his plan, which was that his Indians should
commence the game of ball under the forts, and after playing a short
time, strike the ball into the fort: of course, some of them would go in
for it; and having done this two or three times, and recommenced the
play to avoid suspicion, they were to strike it over again, and follow
it up by a rush after it through the gates; and then, when they were all
in, they would draw their concealed weapons, and overpower the
unsuspicious garrison."
"It was, certainly, a very ingenious stratagem," observed Mrs Campbell.
"And it succeeded, as I have observed, except on three forts. The one
which Pontiac directed the attack upon himself, and which was that which
he was most anxious to obtain, was Detroit, in which, as I have before
observed, my uncle was garrisoned; but there he failed, and by a
singular circumstance."
"Pray tell us how, Captain Sinclair," said Emma; "you don't know how
much you have interested me."
"And me, too, Captain Sinclair," continued Mary.
"I am very happy that I have been able to wear away any portion of your
tedious journey, Miss Percival, so I shall proceed with my history.
"The fort of Detroit was garrisoned by about three hundred men, when
Pontiac arrived there with a large force of Indians, and encamped under
the walls; but he had his warriors so mixed up with the women and
children, and brought so many articles for trade, that no suspicion was
created. The garrison had not heard of the capture of the other forts
which had already taken place. At the same time the unusual number of
the Indians was pointed out to Major Gladwin, who commanded the fort,
but he had no suspicions. Pontiac sent word to the major, that he
wished to `have a talk' with him, in order to cement more fully the
friendship between the Indians and the English; and to this Major
Gladwin consented, appointing the next day to receive Pontiac and his
chiefs in the fort.
"Now it so happened, that Major Gladwin had employed an Indian woman to
make him a pair of mocassins out of a very curiously marked elk-skin.
The Indian woman brought him the mocassins with the remainder of the
skin. The major was so pleased with them, that he ordered her to make
him a second pair of mocassins out of the skin, and then told her that
she might keep the remainder for herself. The woman having received the
order, quitted the major; but instead of leaving the fort, remained
loitering about till she was observed, and they inquired why she did not
go. She replied, that she wanted to return the rest of the skin, as he
set so great a value on it; and as this appeared strange conduct, she
was questioned, and then she said, that if she took away the skin then,
she never would be able to return it.
"Major Gladwin sent for the woman, upon hearing of the expressions which
she had used, and it was evident that she wanted to communicate
something, but was afraid; but on being pressed hard and encouraged, and
assured of protection, she then informed Major Gladwin, that Pontiac and
his chiefs were to come into the fort to-morrow, under the plea of
holding a talk; but that they had cut the barrels of their rifles short,
to conceal them under their blankets, and that it was their intention,
at a signal given by Pontiac, to murder Major Gladwin and all his
officers who were at the council; while the other warriors, who would
also come into the fort with concealed arms, under pretence of trading,
would attack the garrison outside.
"Having obtained this information, Major Gladwin did all he could to put
the fort into a state of defence, and took every necessary precaution.
He made known to the officers and men what the intentions of the Indians
were, and instructed the officers how to act at the council, and the
garrison how to meet the pretended traders outside.
"About ten o'clock, Pontiac and his thirty-six chiefs, with a train of
warriors, came into the fort to their pretended council, and were
received with great politeness. Pontiac made his speech, and when he
came forward to present the wampum belt, the receipt of which by the
major was, as the Indian woman had informed them, to be the signal for
the chiefs and warriors to commence the assault, the major and his
officers drew their swords half out of their scabbards, and the troops,
with their muskets loaded and bayonets fixed, appeared outside and in
the council-room, all ready to present. Pontiac, brave as he really
was, turned pale: he perceived that he was discovered, and consequently,
to avoid any open detection, he finished his speech with many
professions of regard for the English. Major Gladwin then rose to reply
to him, and immediately informed him that he was aware of his plot and
his murderous intentions. Pontiac denied it; but Major Gladwin stepped
to the chief, and drawing aside his blanket, exposed his rifle cut
short, which left Pontiac and his chiefs without a word to say in reply.
Major Gladwin then desired Pontiac to quit the fort immediately, as
otherwise he should not be able to restrain the indignation of the
soldiers, who would immolate him and all his followers who were outside
the fort. Pontiac and his chiefs did not wait for a second intimation,
but made all the haste they could to get outside of the gates."
"Was it prudent in Major Gladwin to allow Pontiac and his chiefs to
leave, after they had come into the fort with an intent to murder him
and his men?" said Henry Campbell. "Would not the major have been
justified in detaining them?"
"I certainly think he would have been, and so did my uncle, but Major
Gladwin thought otherwise. He said that he had promised safe conduct
and protection to and from the fort before he was aware of the
conspiracy; and, having made a promise, his honour would not allow him
to depart from it."
"At all events, the major, if he erred, erred on the right side,"
observed Alfred. "I think myself that he was too scrupulous, and that I
in his place should have detained some of them, if not Pontiac himself,
as a hostage for the good behaviour of the rest of the tribes."
"The result proved that if Major Gladwin had done so, he would have done
wisely; for the next day Pontiac, not at all disarmed by Major Gladwin's
clemency, made a furious attack upon the fort. Every stratagem was
resorted to, but the attack failed. Pontiac then invested it, cut off
all their supplies, and the garrison was reduced to great distress. But
I must break off now, for here we are at Trois Rivieres, where we shall
remain for the night. I hope you will not find your accommodation very
uncomfortable, Mrs Campbell: I fear as we advance you will have to put
up with worse."
"And we are fully prepared for it, Captain Sinclair," replied Mr
Campbell; "but my wife and my nieces have too much good sense to expect
London hotels in the wilds of Canada."
The _bateaux_ were now on shore, and the party landed to pass the night
at the small stockaded village of Trois Rivieres.