|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 33
In the autumn of 1829, another opponent entered the lists against
us,--an enterprising Canadian, who had been for a long time in the
Company's service. This adventurer proceeded some distance inland, and
I need scarcely say that a party was sent to keep him company.
Understanding that the new competitor gave our people more trouble
than had been anticipated, I determined on taking an active part in
the game; and as I had only two men with me at Lac de Sable, whose
services were required there, I set off alone, intending to take with
me an Indian who had an encampment by the way, as I was unacquainted
with the route. I slept at the Indian's wigwam, who readily
accompanied me next morning; but the weather being intolerably cold,
the poor fellow got both his ears frozen, _et aliud quidquam
pr�terea_, in crossing a large lake not far from his camp. The moment
he perceived his mishap, he assailed me in the most abusive terms, and
swore that he would accompany me no farther; which, being conscious
that I was partly the cause of his misfortune, I bore with as much
equanimity as I could; and arriving at the opposite side of the lake,
we kindled a fire, and I proceeded to treat his case according to the
usual practice; that is, rubbing the part affected with snow, or
bathing it with cold water until it is thawed, and the circulation
restored. Having happily succeeded, I forthwith dismissed him, and
determined to find my way alone; and having a tolerable idea of the
direction in which I should go, and the weather being clear, I
entertained no doubt of falling somewhere on the river whereon the
post is situated. I came upon it, as it seemed to me, a considerable
distance below the establishment, just as the sun was setting.
Having travelled in deep snow the whole day, I felt so much fatigued
that I could scarcely exert myself sufficiently to keep my body warm,
the cold being intense. I walked as briskly as my diminished strength
would allow; but at length became so weak, that I was obliged to lay
myself down at short intervals. In this wretched state,--my limbs
benumbed with cold, and thinking I should never see daylight,--I
suddenly came upon a hard beaten path: this inspired me with new
vigour, as it indicated the close vicinity of a shanty. I soon
discovered the desired haven, and crawling up the steep bank that led
to it, I knocked at the door with my snow-shoes, and was immediately
admitted.
The noise I made roused the inmates, who had been sound asleep; and
who, seeing my helpless condition, exerted themselves in every
possible way to relieve me. I was nearly in the last stage of
exhaustion, being unable to take off my snow-shoes, or even articulate
a word. One of these noble woodsmen guided me next day to the post;
when, as a small mark of gratitude for his generous kindness, I
presented him and his companions with what is always acceptable to a
shanty-man, a liberal allowance of the "crathur," to enjoy themselves
withal.
If it be asked why I did not make a fire, when I had the necessary
apparatus; I answer, that I had but a very small axe, quite unfit for
felling so large timber as grew on the banks of this river; and I was,
besides, so benumbed and exhausted as to be unequal to the task even
of lighting a fire.
Sometime after my return from Montreal in the autumn of 1830, I went
to pay a visit to one of my customers whose lands were at a
considerable distance. I was accompanied by one man in a small canoe;
and as it was necessary that one of us should carry the canoe over the
portages, and the other the property, I chose the former, being the
lightest though by far the most inconvenient load. I found it very
oppressive at first, but use rendered it more easy. This was the first
time I carried a canoe.
On our return from the Indian's camp we met with rather a disagreeable
accident, while ascending a small and very rapid river. In pushing
forward the canoe against the stream, my pole happened to glance off a
stone, and the canoe swinging round came in contact with the trunk of
a tree projecting from the bank, and we, or at least I, was upset in
an instant. Fortunately the current, though strong, was smooth and
free from whirlpools; so that, after swimming down a short distance in
search of a landing-place, I rejoined my companion, whom I found
standing on the bank perfectly dry. On inquiring of him how he
happened to avoid a ducking, he told me he sprang ashore while I was
attempting to parry off the tree; doubtless his having done so was in
a great measure the cause of the accident. He, however, acted a very
prudent part after landing, having caught hold of the canoe in the act
of upsetting, and thus preserved the goods from being lost or damaged.
In the course of this year, the Iroquois and Algonquins were nearly
coming to blows on account of the hunting-grounds. This quarrel
originated from a speech which Colonel McKay, then at the head of the
Indian department, had addressed to the Iroquois, in which, making use
of the metaphorical language of the people, he observed that Indians
of all tribes ought to live together in the utmost concord and amity,
seeing they inhabited the same villages, "and ate out of the same
dish." This the Iroquois interpreted in a way more suitable to their
own wishes than consistent with its real meaning. "Our father," said
they, "tells us we eat out of the same dish with the Algonquins;--he
means that we have an equal right to the hunting-grounds." They
proceeded, accordingly, to avail themselves of the supposed privilege.
The consequence was a very violent quarrel, in which Government was
ultimately obliged to interfere.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|