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Page 27
CHAPTER XI.
SUCCESS OF THE IROQUOIS TRADERS--APPOINTED TO THE CHARGE OF THE
CHATS--CANADIAN DISPUTES POSSESSION--BIVOUAC WITHOUT A FIRE--RUSE TO
BAFFLE MY OPPONENTS--ROMAN CATHOLIC BIGOTRY.
The Iroquois passed early in spring with eighteen Indian packs in
their canoes,--each pack might be estimated at 60l.,--our other
opponent started for Montreal about the same time as last year, and I
was ordered down to Fort Coulonge to take Mr. S.'s place for the
summer. He returned from Montreal about the end of August, and I was
much gratified to learn from him that I had been again appointed to
the charge of the Chats, so that all the merit or demerit of good or
bad management would now be entirely my own. A few days after, a
middle-sized canoe arrived, manned by three Canadians, with whom I
embarked for the scene of my first essay as an Indian trader.
On arriving at the post, I was surprised to find an old Canadian and
his _cara sposa_ in possession,--a circumstance of which I had had no
previous intimation. This worthy pair seemed determined to maintain
their position in defiance of me; and not wishing to employ violent
means to dispossess them if it could possibly be done otherwise, I
passed the night in the hall. Having, however, obtained possession of
the outworks, I was determined to carry the citadel; and, summoning
the contumacious occupants into my presence next morning, I demanded,
in a peremptory tone, the immediate surrender of the keys.
"Show me your authority," said he.
"If I do not show it, you shall feel it presently!"
Seeing that I ordered my men to put my threat into execution, Jean
Baptiste assumed a more humble attitude, and requested me, as a
favour, to permit him to remain in the kitchen until he could find a
passage to Montreal;--with this request I willingly complied.
My old opponent had still a post in this district, and I was directed
to send a party in opposition to him; which being done, I remained
quiet until the winter communication became practicable, when I
determined on paying a visit to my friends in the Fort Coulonge
district. The distance being short, and my object having no connexion
with the Company's interests, I set off on my pleasure jaunt alone. I
put up the first night at a sort of tavern just then opened by an
American at the upper end of the Chats' Lake, the only habitation at
that time in the quarter, whence I started at early dawn, expecting to
reach Fort Coulonge before night. The lumbermen having commenced
sledging their winter supplies, the road formed by these vehicles
presented a hard, smooth surface, on which I made good speed, as I had
nothing to encumber me, save my blanket and tomahawk.
Arriving at a long bend of the river about 2 P.M., I put on my
snow-shoes to cut across the point and meet the road again, flattering
myself that I should thus shorten the distance some two or three
miles. The weather being mild, and the sun overcast, I was as much at
a loss to find my way in the woods as if I had been blindfolded; I
nevertheless continued my onward course, and again came on the road. I
proceeded in high spirits for a considerable time, when I perceived a
man before me going in the same direction with myself; quickening my
pace I soon came up with him, and asked him if he was bound for the
Fort?
"I guess I don't know of any fort in this part of the world," said he.
"What! not know of Fort Coulonge, and you so near to it? are you not
going there?"
"I have heard of such a place," said Jonathan; "but I'd take a
tarnation long time to get to it, I calculate, if I followed my nose
as it points now."
I told him who I was, whither bound, and where I slept last night.
"I guess then you had better sleep there again, for it is not quite
three miles off."
This was the result of making a short cut, and I resolved to follow
the long and sure road in future.
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