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Page 10
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 150_l._ 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.
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