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Page 16
We reached Black River on the third day from Fort Coulonge, where it
appeared my opponent's intention to remain for some time, to await the
arrival of certain Indians who were expected down by that river. I
determined therefore to despatch a canoe to Fort Coulonge, to acquaint
Mr. S with the particulars above related; and sent back therewith such
of the property as I thought could be dispensed with at the time, as
it was quite evident we could not keep up with our opponent in the
portages with such a quantity of baggage as we then had, and we could
obtain no information that could be depended upon as to their ultimate
destination--it might be at the distance of a hundred miles, or only
ten.
My messengers were but two days absent; and I was not a little
mortified to learn from them, that Mr. S., instead of attending to my
suggestions, not only returned all the property I had sent, but nearly
an equal quantity in addition. He wrote me his reasons for doing so;
but I felt assured that he had no other object in view than to show me
that he was the superior, I the subordinate; and I resolved from that
moment, to perform no more extra duty.
After continuing a fortnight at our encampment, we again embarked,
when I ordered the third man in the large canoe into my own, and
tossing my paddle down stream, took my station in the middle of my
canoe. A few hours' paddling brought us to an old shanty in the island
of Allumette, where, to my great joy, I perceived my opponent intended
to fix his winter quarters. We accordingly commenced erecting a couple
of huts, a store, and dwelling-house, in close proximity to him. This
being the best season of the year for the natives to hunt, it was the
interest of all parties not to molest them; and we therefore employed
our time in preparing suitable accommodation for the winter.
On the completion of our arrangements, I set out, about the beginning
of October, on a visit to Fort Coulonge; and on the day after my
arrival there we observed a north canoe paddling slowly past, and
distinguished the features of every individual on board through a
telescope, but could recognise no one: however, to clear up the doubt,
the interpreter was sent after them in a small canoe, with
instructions to make a close scrutiny. They no sooner discovered that
he was in pursuit, than they ceased paddling. After a long
confabulation he learned that they were proceeding to Sault St. Marie,
where they intended to settle. I passed two days with my bourgeois,
and returned home, where we--our opponents and ourselves--watched each
other's movements, being our only occupation until the end of
November, when Mr. S. paid me a visit, which proved anything but
gratifying.
He (Mr. S.) had learned from some lumbermen, that the "Settlers for
the Sault Ste. Marie" were an opposition party conducted by Mr. �neas
Macdonell, my predecessor at the Chats; and that he purposed to
_settle_ for the winter near Lac des Allumettes. This gentleman's
engagement had been cancelled at the earnest solicitation of his
father, whom death had lately deprived of another son; and who now, to
requite the favour granted to him by the Company, sent this son in
opposition! We had barely a sufficient number of men to perform the
necessary duties of the two posts already established; we were,
therefore, completely at a loss to meet this emergency. Mr. S. could
spare one man only from his own post, whom he brought up to me.
I embarked early next morning with one of my own men, in search of the
"settler." On reaching Lac des Allumettes on the same evening, our
attention was arrested by the voices of Indians, singing on an island.
We immediately pulled in for the spot, and found a large camp of
Algonquins, men, women and children, all in a state of intoxication;
from whom I learned, though with much difficulty, the whereabouts of
Macdonell's retreat. Quitting this disgusting scene as speedily as
possible, we resumed our paddles, and soon afterwards discovered the
opposition post. When we landed, my quondam mess-mate advanced to
receive me, and, after a cordial shake of the hand, kindly invited me
to pass the night with him. I gladly accepted the offer; and was not a
little concerned to perceive that his preparations for winter were
already complete; a circumstance which gave him a decided advantage.
Happening in the course of conversation to express my surprise at
seeing him in the character of an opponent, he told me that nothing
could be farther from his intention than to oppose the Company. He
came to this quarter for the purpose of preparing timber for the
Quebec market; in provincial phrase, "to make a shanty." But I knew
well enough his designs.
I started early next morning on my return, and immediately thereafter
prepared a small outfit; and re-embarked next evening with five men in
two canoes, leaving the interpreter in charge of the post, with one
man to assist him.
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