ACTIVITY OF OUR OPPONENTS--VIOLENT CONDUCT OF AN INDIAN--NARROW
ESCAPE--ARTIFICE--TRIP TO INDIAN'S LODGE--STUPIDITY OF INTERPRETER.
When we discovered that our opponents had outwitted us, we would
despatch messengers in pursuit; and I need scarcely add, the same
means were resorted to by our neighbours, when inquisitive about
our movements. We had now the advantage in point of numbers, being
nearly two to one; yet it so happened that we seldom could perform
a trip unattended; very frequently by a single man against two or
three--still he got his share; for the system of trade in this quarter
does not allow violent means being employed to obtain possession of
the products of the hunt. The mode of procedure is this:--On entering
the lodge of an Indian, you present him with a small keg of nectar, as
a propitiatory offering; then, in suppliant tones, request payment of
the debt he may owe you, which he probably defers to a future day--the
day of judgment. If your opponent be present, you dare not open your
lips in objection to the delay; for you may offend his dignity, and
consequently lose all his furs. This you are aware of, and accordingly
proceed to untie your pack, and exposing its contents to view, solicit
him to give, at least, the preference in trade. Your opponent, on the
other side of the fire-place, having also poured out his libation,
imitates your example in every respect; and most probably he may
secure the wife, while you engage the husband as customers.
A few weeks elapsed without the arrival of any hunters, and we were
beginning to recover from the effects of our late fatigues, when a
numerous band arrived from a considerable distance, and encamped on
the same spot that had been occupied by those lately noticed, and the
same riotous scenes were again enacted, although these new comers were
fully aware of the misfortune that had already occurred in consequence
of similar disgusting intemperance.
Among this band was a son of the principal sachem of the Algonquins,
who was acknowledged heir apparent to his _dad's vermin_, and who
assumed the airs of a man of great consequence, in virtue of his
prospective dignity. The father bore a respectable character; the son
was a sot. In consideration of his furs, however, I paid him some
little attentions, though much against my inclination. He came one
evening reeling into our hut, more than "half-seas over," having been
thus far advanced on his voyage to Elysium through the insinuating
influences of my opponent's "fire-water;" and seating himself on a
three-legged stool, close to the fire-place, he soon began to nod;
then, losing his equilibrium, ultimately fell at full length on the
floor. I could not suppress a smile at sight of his copper highness's
prostrate position, when springing up in a furious passion, he seized
an axe, and proceeded to demolish the seat. I wrested the axe from his
grasp, and reprimanded him sharply for his insolence. This exasperated
him to the utmost: he swore I was in league with the stool to insult
him; but that he should be revenged on us both before morning.
Uttering these menaces, he set out for the camp.
It so happened that a strong party of men arrived on that evening from
Fort Coulonge with supplies, and were huddled together with myself
and my men, all under the same roof. The greater part of them lay
down to rest; but a few still continued the vigil, indulging in the
favourite luxury of smoking, and chatting about the enjoyments of
"Mont-rial,"--when, all of a sudden, the dread-inspiring war-whoop
echoed through our little hut; the next instant the door flew off
its wooden hinges, and fell with a crash on the floor, exhibiting to
view the person of the Indian, standing on the threshold, holding a
double-barrelled gun in his hand, with blackened face and his eyes
flashing fire.
The men had now all started to their feet, as well as myself. The
moment the eyes of the savage fell upon me, in the midst of the crowd,
he brought the piece to bear upon me, or at least attempted to do
so; but I sprang upon him with a bound, and beat the muzzle down;
instantly the discharge followed: we then struggled for the possession
of the gun, which I quickly wrested from his grasp; and, applying the
butt end of it "gently" to his ear, laid him sprawling at my feet.
On the discharge of the gun, I heard a voice calling out, "Mon Dieu!"
and another, in a plaintive tone, exclaiming, "Ah mon garçon!" This
was all I heard distinctly, when every voice joined in one cry,
"Tueons le crapaud;" and presently the wretched Indian was kicked
and cuffed by as many as could press round him. I called on them to
desist--as well have spoken to the wind!--not a soul heeded my orders.
At length one of them observed, "What occasion is there for more
beating of him--the black dog is dead enough."
I looked about for the person whom I supposed to have been wounded,
in vain--the whole mass was in motion. As soon as the tumult had
subsided, however, I was glad to find that no one had received any
serious injury; the ball had grazed the thigh of a youth (who had
arrived from Montreal on a visit to his father), and lodged in a log
of the building.
The uproar occasioned by the men soon brought the Indians from the
camp about the hut; and perceiving the apparently lifeless body
stretched on the floor, they raised a yell that was reverberated by
the surrounding hills. "Revenge! revenge!" shouted every savage
present. We mustered too strong, however, to permit their threats
being put into execution without great hazard to themselves; which
fact pressed itself so powerfully on their minds, that for the present
they discreetly vented their rage in abuse, and returned to their
quarters. Satisfied by the feeble beating of the Indian's pulse that
the vital spark was not extinct, I would not allow his kinsmen to
remove him. Towards morning, recovering the use of speech, he
inquired, in a voice scarcely audible, if he "had shed the blood of a
white man?" I replied in the affirmative. "Then," said he, "it would
have been better had you despatched me at once, for I shall certainly
be hanged."
With the view of pacifying the natives, I deemed it advisable to
represent the young man's wound as very severe, and exercised my wits
to give my representation the semblance of truth. I caused the young
man's leg to be carefully bandaged; and, luckily, happening to have
a fresh beaver in the house, the bandage was speedily besmeared with
its blood, and the sound patient placed in bed, with instructions how
to act his part. The Indians returned early on the following morning
to inquire after their young chief, and being all perfectly sober,
I descanted on the calamity of the previous night, describing _my_
young man's case to be of such a serious nature as to induce the
apprehension that death, or at least amputation of the limb, would be
the consequence. In confirmation of the veracity of this statement,
the afflicted leg was exposed to view, while the patient's groans,
which impressed on the minds of the bystanders the conviction of the
pain he endured, prevented too close a scrutiny.
"Alas!" they exclaimed, "it is all very true. Wagh! this is indeed a
sad business; but the bad fire-water is to blame for it all."
My stratagem had succeeded. Most of the natives acknowledged the
justice of the punishment inflicted on their young chief, who had a
brother present, however, whose sullen countenance betrayed the
vindictive feelings in his breast, although he maintained a profound
silence.
The Fort Coulonge party started early next day, dragging their wounded
companion on a sled, until they were out of sight. The relatives of
the chief removed him to the camp, where he soon recovered. All the
other Indians took their departure on the day following the affray.
Shortly afterwards we were favoured with a visit from one whose
hunting-grounds bordered on Rice Lake, a distance of 150 miles. I
had advanced this Indian all the supplies he required previous to
Mr. Siviright's arrival, which formed a pretty large amount. On
examining the books, he animadverted upon the advance in terms of
disapprobation, as being very imprudent to risk so much with an
Indian. Most gratified and happy was I then to learn from the hunter
that he had sufficient to liquidate the debt, and nearly as much more
to trade. On making out his requisition for the latter purpose, it was
found that four sleds at least would be required for the transport of
all the property. To employ this number in one direction, however,
would leave my neighbour at liberty to prosecute his views in another
quarter without the necessary attendance. Still, I determined on
risking a point, and securing at all hazards the valuable prize now
offered. Obtaining a _piece_ at the sacrifice of a _pawn_ is
considered good play.
I proceeded accordingly with the Indian, accompanied by four men,
all with heavily laden sleds, with a pack of goods strapped over my
shoulders weighing eighty pounds. Macdonell did not follow, as the
Indian gave him no encouragement. We reached the Indian's lodge on the
eleventh day from the post, when the abundant display of furs I beheld
gave assurance of being amply remunerated for my trip. There were
eleven packs of beaver piled upon a scaffold, besides some others,
amounting to at least 600l. sterling. My hospitable customer detained
me two days with him to partake of his good cheer. After settling
accounts with him, together with payment of the sum he owed, seven of
the eleven packs were placed in my possession, with which I started on
my return, as proud as if I had been advanced to a share in the
Company.
We arrived at the post after an absence of twenty-five days; and I
was mortified to learn that my substitute had most stupidly bungled
affairs. A number of Indians had come in during my absence who were
considered our best friends, and entering our hut without noticing our
opponent, threw down their bundles, thereby clearly indicating,
according to the usual custom, their intention of trading with one
party only. On the other hand, should they leave a bundle at the door,
it shows that they intend to divide its contents between two parties.
With these particulars the interpreter's experience rendered him
perfectly well acquainted, but he "cau'd na be fasht."
It is customary when the Indians arrive, to present each with a pipe,
a plug of tobacco, and, though last, not least in their estimation, "a
dram." The usual _politesse_ was expected as a matter of course on
this occasion. Seeing it was not forthcoming, the Indians demanded it.
They were answered that no instructions had been left to that effect.
"Very well," said they, "we shall soon find it elsewhere." And away
they went.
Macdonell received them with open arms. His reception not only induced
them to trade every skin they had brought with them, but they also
invited him to their camp; and he consequently returned with his own
and his men's sleds laden with furs.
I learnt all these particulars from himself; for he and I were on as
good terms as the nature of our occupation and our relative positions
would admit. I was, moreover, made acquainted through him that the
Indians had expressed regret at my absence, and that an immense
quantity of "beaver" still remained at their camp.
The spring was now fast approaching, the ice so bad as to render
travelling dangerous, and but little snow on the ground. Still, I
determined on paying a visit to these Indians, in order to retrieve
the loss, if possible, sustained through the mismanagement of the
interpreter. They might yet be in want of some supplies, poor fellows;
and we were all so anxious they should want for nothing we could spare
for their accommodation;--we, therefore, good, humane souls, supplied
them even at the hazard of our lives.