PORTAGE DES CHATS--TACTICS OF OUR OPPONENTS--TREACHERY OF AN
IROQUOIS--FIERCE, YET LUDICROUS NATURE OF THE OPPOSITION.
MR. Fisher returned from town in the month of March; he had learnt
that our opponents intended to shift the scene of operations to the
Chats, (where the greater number of the Indians pass on their way
going to or returning from their hunting grounds,) and were making
preparations of a very extensive nature for the spring competition.
The Company were not tardy in adopting such measures as were deemed
the most efficient to meet them on their own terms. We understood that
they had hired two _bullies_ for the purpose of deciding the matter
_par voie de fait_. Mr. Fisher hired two of the same description, who
were supposed to be more than a match for the opposition party. On the
28th of April, 1822, our opponents set off in two large canoes, manned
by eight men in each; we followed in three canoes with twenty-four
men, under the command of three leaders--namely, Captain Ducharme, who
had volunteered on the occasion, Mr. Lyons, a retired trader, and
myself. Nothing occurred worthy of description on our passage to the
Chats.
The Ottawa is at this point interrupted by a ledge of rock, which
extends across its whole breadth. In forcing a passage for itself
through this barrier, it is divided into several channels, which form
as many beautiful cascades as they fall into the extensive basin that
receives them below. On one of the islands thus formed, the natives
make a portage. Here, then, we took our station close to a cascade:
our opponents commenced building a hut on one side of the path, we on
the other. While this operation was in progress, basilisk looks
denoted the strength of feeling that pervaded the breasts of either
party, but not a word was exchanged between us. Our hut was first
completed, when our champion clambered aloft, and crowed defiance;
three times he crowed (aloud), but no responding voice was heard from
the opposite camp. This act was altogether voluntary on the part of
our man, but it did not displease us, as the result convinced us that
we stood on safe ground, should any violence be attempted. Our
opponents were enraged at the want of spirit evinced by their men, and
determined on being revenged upon _us_ in a manner that showed the
virulence of their animosity. A number of lumber men were making up
their rafts within a short distance of us at the time, who were for
the most part natives of the Emerald Isle. Paddy's "knocking down for
love" is proverbial. Our opponents immediately sent them word that the
Hudson's Bay Company had brought up a _bully_ from Montreal who defied
"the whole of the Grand River." "By my faith, does he thin," said Pat;
"let us have a look at him, any how."
On the succeeding evening (after the occurrence of the circumstance
above related) we were surprised to see the number of canoes that
arrived at the portage from all directions. The crew of each canoe as
they landed went direct to our opponents, where they appeared to be
liberally supplied with spirits. Their object was sufficiently
evident, as the potent agent they had employed, in a short time,
produced the desired effect. Oaths and execrations were heard amid
crowing and yelling. Our Canadians all took to their heels, except our
noble game-cock and two others; and now the drama opened. A
respectable good looking fellow stept out from the crowd, accompanied
by another man, a Canadian, and advancing to our champion, asked him
"if he would not sell his feathers" (his hat being decorated with
them). It is unnecessary to state the reply. An altercation ensued,
and blows would undoubtedly have succeeded, had I not then interfered.
I invited the stranger to my tent, and having opened my _garde de
vin_, produced some of the good things it contained. A little
conversation with my guest, proved him to be a shrewd sensible man;
and when I explained the nature of our dispute with our rivals, he
comprehended in an instant the object they had in view in circulating
the reports which induced him and others to assemble at the portage.
The consanguinity of the sons of Erin and Caledonia was next touched
upon, and the point settled to our mutual satisfaction; in short, my
brother Celt and I parted as good friends as half-an-hour's
acquaintance and a bottle of wine could make us. At the conclusion of
our interview he departed, and meeting our champion, cordially shook
him by the hand; then addressing his companions, remarked, "This, my
lads, is a quarrel between the traders, in which we have no right to
interfere at all; for my own part, I am very much obliged to the
jintlemin on both sides o' the road, for traiting me so jintaily; but
Jack Hall shall not be made a tool of by anybody whatsumdever."
Jack Hall embarked with his crew, and was soon afterwards followed by
the others. Both parties were thus again in their previous positions,
and a little tact saved us from the fatal consequences that might have
ensued, had their villainous design proved successful. The daring
insult was keenly felt by us all, and accordingly one of our trio
despatched a message to the only individual of the opposite party who
had any pretension to the title of gentleman, soliciting the pleasure
of his company to take the air next morning. The invitation was
accepted. Our party kept the appointment, and remained for two hours
on the ground, awaiting the arrival of their _friends_; but the
friends allowed them the sole enjoyment of the morning air.
A few days afterwards the natives began to make their appearance, and
scenes of a revolting nature were of frequent occurrence. Rum and
brandy flowed in streams, and dollars were scattered about as if they
had been of no greater value than pebbles on the beach. The expenses
incurred by both parties were very great; but while this lavish
expenditure seriously affected the resources of the petty traders, the
coffers of the Company were too liberally filled to be sensibly
diminished by such outlay. Nevertheless, the natives would not dispose
of their furs until they reached the village.
We remained at the portage until the 7th of June, when the natives
having all passed, we embarked, and arrived at the lake on the 10th,
where we were shocked to learn that our Bourgeois[1] had had a very
narrow escape from the treachery of an Iroquois during our absence,
the particulars of which were thus related to us. Mr. Fisher had
advanced a sum to this scoundrel two years before, and seeing him pass
his door the ensuing spring after the debt had been contracted, with
his furs, which he carried to our opponents, he watched his return,
and calling him in, demanded payment; an insolent reply was the return
for his kindness, which so much exasperated him, that he kicked him
out in presence of several other Indians. The insult was not
forgotten. Soon after his arrival this spring, he sent for Mr. Fisher,
who complied with the invitation, expecting payment of his debt. The
moment he entered the house, however, he discovered that he had been
inveigled. The Indian stood before him, his face painted, and a pistol
in his hand, which he presented. In an instant Mr. Fisher bared his
breast, and staring his enemy fiercely in the face, exclaimed, "Fire,
you black dog! What! did you imagine you had sent for an old woman?"
[1] The term Bourgeois is used for Master throughout the
Indian country.
Mr. Fisher's knowledge of the Indian character saved his life; had he
betrayed the slightest symptom of fear, he was a dead man; but the
undaunted attitude he assumed staggered the resolution of the savage;
a new bias seemed to operate on his mind, probably through a feeling
of respect for the determined courage displayed by his intended
victim. He could not brace his nerves to a second effort; his hand
dropped listlessly by his side; his gaze was fixed on Mr. Fisher for a
moment; then dashing the pistol violently on the ground, he beckoned
him to withdraw.[1]
[1] At that period some of the Iroquois made good hunts,
trapping beaver along the main rivers and outskirts of the
Algonquin lands.
Immediately after the close of the spring trade, the most formidable
of our opponents _hinted_ that he might be induced to quit the field;
a negotiation was accordingly opened with him, which soon terminated
in a favourable issue, on very advantageous terms to the retiring
party.
The solitary being who remained behind was thus thrown upon his own
resources, and his efforts to maintain the unequal contest unaided,
were so feeble and ineffectual, that the Company might be said to hold
a monopoly of the fur-trade at this period; but thereafter they paid
dearly for their triumph, as further sacrifices had yet to be made ere
they could enjoy it in quiet. A Canadian merchant, in easy
circumstances, who dwelt opposite to the village, having learned the
advantageous terms obtained by the petty traders from the Company,
addressed a very polite note to Mr. Fisher, stating his intention to
try his fortune as a trader, but that he would have no objection to
postpone the attempt for five years, provided the Company would allow
him 150l. per annum, during that period. The proposal was submitted to
Mr. Thane, who laconically replied, "Let him do his worst, and be...."
Accordingly, St. Julien immediately commenced operations. He hired one
end of an Indian house, which he fitted up as a trader's shop: Fisher
hired the other end. St. Julien then removed to another: Fisher
occupied the other end of that house also. St. Julien next rented a
_whole_ house: Fisher purchased a house, placed it upon rollers, and
wheeled it directly in front of that of his rival, rearwards, scarcely
leaving sufficient room for one person to pass between the premises.
This caused great amusement to the Indians; not so to St. Julien, who
had not anticipated so excessive a desire on the part of any of the
Company's officers for so close an intimacy; and at the end of six
weeks he took his departure without pay or pension from the Company.
In the course of this summer our Algonquins received a visit from a
party of Ottawas, (this tribe occupies the hunting grounds in the
vicinity of Michimmakina or Makinaw, and speaks the Sauteaux
language,) which created considerable alarm in the village, as they
came for the purpose of demanding satisfaction for the murder of one
of their tribe, which had been perpetrated two years before by an
Algonquin. The details of the atrocious deed were communicated to me
as follows. The Ottawas and Algonquins, with their families, were
proceeding in company to the Lake, in the spring of 1819, when being
encamped in the neighbourhood of the long Sault rapid, the Algonquin
sprang upon his unsuspecting companion, and cleft his skull with his
tomahawk, without the least apparent provocation; then dragging the
body to the water's edge, he cut it up into small pieces, and threw
them in. He next despatched the woman, and mutilated her body in the
same savage manner, having first committed the most horrible barbarity
on her person; (the recital of which curdled my blood; and yet our
Christianized (?) Algonquins laughed heartily on hearing it!) The
demon in human form, with the yet reeking tomahawk raised over the
heads of his wife and children, made them swear that they would never
divulge the horrid deed; but they did disclose it; and it was from the
wife the tale of horror was elicited. The object of the Ottawas was
not revenge. Compensation to the full estimated value of the lives of
a man and woman was all they demanded; and that they received to an
amount that far exceeded their expectations. Had the murderer been in
the village the chiefs declared they would have given him up; but they
had already delivered him over to the proper authorities, and he was
then in prison waiting his sentence.
It has been already mentioned, that the Company had assumed the
outstanding debts of the petty traders. When the accounts were closed
this autumn, the aggregate amount of liabilities due to the Company
exhibited the enormous sum of seventy-two thousand dollars--not a
shilling of that sum has ever been repaid.
Soon after the departure of the natives for the interior, I was
notified of my appointment to the charge of the Chats post. My friend
Mac also received marching orders; and after parting with him I took
leave of the Lake of Two Mountains on the 20th of August.