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Page 15
"Je sui,
"Cher Mon^r, &c.
"JOSEPH GODIN."
$/
The Indians attached to this post speak the Sauteux language, and are
denominated "Tetes des Boules" by the French, and "Men of the Woods"
by the other Indians. Although so near to priests and ministers, they
are still Pagans, but are nevertheless a quiet harmless race, and
excellent hunters. The greater part of them originally belonged to
Temiscamingue, and were drawn to this quarter by Mr. Godin. A
considerable number of Algonquins also trade here, where they pass the
greater part of their lives without visiting the Lake. The people
appear to me to differ in no respect from their heathen brethren, save
in the very negligent observance of certain external forms of worship,
and in being more enlightened in the arts of deceiving and lying.
About the middle of August, I was gratified by the arrival of Mr.
Godin's interpreter, and three men, by whom I received letters from
head-quarters, informing me that my neighbours of last winter intended
to establish posts in this quarter also, and that I should soon be
joined by a strong reinforcement of men, to enable me to cope
successfully with them. We complain of solitude in the Indian forests,
yet the vicinity of such a neighbour is considered the greatest evil;
and instead of cherishing the feelings enjoined in the Decalogue, one
hates his neighbour as the d----l, and employs every means to get rid
of him.
The natives having been all supplied, had taken their departure for
their hunting-grounds by the latter end of August; I then commenced
making the arrangements requisite for the coming contest.
CHAPTER VII.
SUPERSEDED--FEELINGS ON THE OCCASION--MORE OPPOSITION--�.
MACDONELL--TACTICS--MELANCHOLY DEATH OF AN INDIAN.
About the middle of September, I observed a north canoe paddling in
for the landing-place, having a gentleman passenger on board, who
immediately on landing ordered his servant to carry his baggage up to
the Fort. On his entering the house, the apparent mystery was soon
unfolded. Mr. Siviright handed me a letter from Mr. Thane, conveying
the agreeable Intelligence of my being superseded by the
bearer,--commanding me to obey him as my bourgeois, and to conduct
myself in such a manner as to give Mr. S. every satisfaction. The
latter injunction I felt very little inclination to comply with at the
time; in fact, the slight put upon me caused my northern blood to rise
to fever heat; and in this excited frame of mind I sat down to reply
to the "great man's" communication, in which I gave vent to my injured
feelings in very plain language. What he may have thought of the
epistle, I know not, as he never deigned to reply. It was
inconsiderate in me, however, to have so acted; but prudence had not
yet assumed her due influence over me.
Mr. S. had been at that time twenty-four years in the service, I only
three; he had therefore a superior claim to any I could advance: but
why not inform me at once that my appointment to the charge was merely
temporary? This double dealing manifested a distrust of me, for which
no cause could possibly be assigned: that excited my resentment, and
not the circumstance of being superseded.
Towards the latter end of the month of September, our opponents made
their appearance in three small canoes, while I embarked in pursuit
with the same number. One of my north canoes was in charge of three
men, the others contained two, counting myself as a man. Having become
rather expert as an amateur voyageur, I considered myself capable of
undertaking the real duty now, and accordingly volunteered my services
as steersman, as no additional hand could be spared, without great
inconvenience to my bourgeois. A little experience convinced me,
however, that my zeal exceeded my ability. My opponent was in a light
canoe, and moved, about with a celerity that my utmost exertions could
not cope with; for as soon as an Indian canoe appeared, he paddled off
for it; I of course attempted to compete, but generally arrived just
in time to find that he had already concluded his transaction with the
hunters.
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