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Page 25
Next morning we set off determined to be more cautious; the mistake of
the previous day was ascribed to the sound of a high cascade at the
head of the rapid, which we had mistaken for another considerably
farther down; our Canadian still acted as guide--the blind leading the
blind--and after two hours' walk we fell upon our own tracks
again;--the poor fellow had yielded so completely to despair, that he
walked about mechanically, scarcely knowing or caring whither he went;
he was therefore ordered to the rear, and Primeau succeeded as leader.
We saw nothing more of our tracks, but encamped in the evening with
much the same prospects as before. I felt extremely weak, having
carried Primeau's pack along with my own, as the old man could
scarcely move when beating the track in the deep snow. Having a few
fresh beaver skins, we cut off the thicker parts about the head and
legs, and made a _bouillon_ of them, which we drank, and then turned
in.
In the morning it became a subject of serious debate what direction we
should proceed in; the sky, however, having been clear the preceding
evening, I observed the sun setting, and determined in my own mind the
proper course; both my companions differed from me, but readily agreed
to follow me. I therefore took the lead, and was so fortunate as to
discover an old track, soon after leaving our encampment, which we
followed until it brought us in sight of the Grand River--the
long-looked for object of our fast failing hopes. Tears of joy burst
from my eyes, as I beheld before me the wide expanse of the noble
stream: although covered with ice and divested of the beauties of
summer, it never appeared more lovely to me. We reached the post after
night-fall; opening the door cautiously, I threw in my snow-shoes,
then bolting in myself, was gratified with the sight of a table
garnished with the best things the country afforded, which my two
friends had prepared for their Christmas dinner; the sight, however,
was all that prudence allowed us for the present to enjoy, our long
abstinence rendering it necessary to confine ourselves, for a time, to
a very weak diet.
Next day I despatched a messenger to Fort Coulonge with the narrative
of my adventures; and as soon as my strength was sufficiently
recruited I set off again, accompanied by a _t�te de boule_ as my
guide, who led us direct to the camp of the Indian I had so long been
in search of; where I had the mortification to learn, that on my first
attempt I had returned from within a day's journey of him, and that if
I had then succeeded in finding him, I should have secured the whole
of the valuable hunts of him and his people, which were now in
possession of the Iroquois traders. On my return to the post I
communicated my sentiments freely to Mr. S. in writing, regarding the
oversight that had led to consequences so injurious to the Company,
and went afterwards, at his own request, to talk over the matter with
him. It was now decided that I should go with a party of men to
establish a post against them, _i.e._ to shut the stable-door after
the steed was stolen. To accomplish this object supplies of every kind
must be hauled on sledges by the men, at an enormous expense, and
after all we could not furnish the means of competing with the
Iroquois with any prospect of advantage. I however lost no time in
executing the orders of my superior, and set off with as many men as
could be spared for the purpose.
On arriving at our destination, we built a temporary hut for our own
accommodation, and a small store for the goods; but I soon discovered
that the Iroquois had not only already secured all the Indians' furs,
but had so completely ingratiated themselves with them that we were
scarcely noticed. I remained two months in this wretched situation,
and, as Mr. S.'s instructions left me in some measure to the exercise
of my own judgment, I resolved on transferring the _honourable_ charge
to persons less sanguine than myself, and returned to my post, where I
knew my services could be turned to better account. In returning I
happened to fall in with a small band of Indians, who had not yet been
visited by the Iroquois, one of whom was the brother of the Algonquin
chief, who had been so severely chastised the preceding winter. At his
lodge I passed the night, and was not only treated with the usual
Indian hospitality, but received a very pressing invitation to return
with a supply of goods, which he promised to trade.
Such invitations are never neglected. The moment I arrived at my post
I laid aside the articles required by the Indians, and after one day's
rest, started, myself and two men, carrying everything on our backs.
It being late in the season, we encountered every possible difficulty
on our way: the small streams overflowed, and the ice was so bad on
the rivers as to preclude travelling on them. We were therefore under
the necessity of taking to the woods, through a horridly rugged
country, now ascending hills so steep that we could only scramble up
their sides by holding on by the branches and underwood, the descent
on the opposite side being equally difficult and laborious; now
forcing our way through deep ravines overgrown with underwood, all but
impervious; sinking to the ground at every step, and raising on our
snow-shoes a load of half-melted snow, which strained the tendons of
the legs and caused acute pain.
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