CHAPTER IV.AN APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES.
Thearrival of a party in such an unusual fashion created considerable interest at Fort Garry. Donald, the Factor, had been expecting the young man and his guide for some time. Robert was somewhat disappointed when, in a gruff, grating, unsympathetic voice, the man he had come so far to assist inquired the cause of the trouble. However, he told the story of the accident in a straightforward, confident way, and suggested that the Company’s doctor should be sent for.
When Pete’s leg was given adequate examination it was found that while the setting was by no means perfect it was good enough to assure that the Indian guide would have the use of his leg again. Robert was not displeased when he was given a bunk close by his Indian friend, who by this time could scarcely satisfactorily evidence his thankfulness and regard.
It will be remembered that Factor MacTavish at Fort Churchill had given Pete a note for Factor Donald. Perhaps it was fortunate that this had come, since Donald in his first impression was rather disappointed that one who was so apparently a ladhad been sent him to fill the important place he anticipated using the new employee for. It is true that Robert tipped the scales at one hundred and fifty pounds, but his face more or less betrayed his youthfulness. Donald knew how necessary firmness and experience were in dealing with the trappers, and he judged at first that this lad would be of too mild a type to force respect with those with whom he was to come in contact.
More than at first appears lay behind the situation at Fort Garry. Instead of the Company’s business with the trappers increasing, it had decreased the past season. Donald knew that something was wrong, but as yet had not been able to place the responsibility. The real reason was that he was a cold, domineering man, with little thought for the feelings of others, who believed that he was taking the best course when he treated the Indians like dogs. The matter was one which troubled him continually and naturally kept him in an unpleasant frame of mind.
It was into an atmosphere of this kind that Robert entered when he was called for his first interview with the Factor. He felt the situation was none too propitious but, as had been his custom, he advanced quickly to Donald with a pleasant smile and grasped the Factor’s hand with a grip which, in spite of his coldness, went to the older man’s heart. Then asthe interview proceeded and question after question was put to him, he followed his superior carefully, gazing steadfastly into the other’s eyes. This latter point in itself was much in the lad’s favor. These soul windows of Robert’s were piercing deeper into the Factor’s heart than any glance had ever done before. After a little time Robert realized this and became quite at his ease, while the Factor began to show plainly that he was scarcely a match for the lad before him. It is only fair, too, to say that when the interview was over Donald sent the lad away with a good deal more respect and confidence in his new assistant than he had had previously.
There were more reasons for this than lay on the surface. As we have learned, Robert was a lad whose body and mind and soul were clean. He had read Donald’s mind and soul through his eyes and knew at once that he could not have much in common with the older man, so long at least as the Factor maintained that domineering spirit which usually belongs to a lower class nature. Robert was only a youth, it is true, but instinct and his training had taught him the principles of right and wrong, the equality and brotherhood of man, and the supremacy of God. The Factor was all for number one, which, put in other words, means that he was exceedingly selfish. Robert, while he believed in standing up for his own rights, thought continually,as we have already learned, of others’ privileges and was ready to respect them. He had realized during his comparatively brief connection with the Company that if he were to progress it could only come through using a spirit of goodwill, a spirit which would treat the Indians justly and would love them.
The following morning, as directed, Robert called again on the Factor for further instructions. Evidently the older man had recovered some of his assurance during the night, for he began again in the same domineering tones, directing the lad as to his relations to the Company and the Indians. Robert let him do most of the talking and listened respectfully. When he thought Donald had finished, however, he addressed the Factor pleasantly but firmly, something as follows:
“I realize, sir, that I am under a contract and that you doubtless hold a copy of the contract, which has come from the Company’s headquarters. If this has not come to you I have a copy with me, calling for the best services I can give for a term of years, and will be glad to have you read it. I want to do my full duty, to use my strength and my opportunities for the term of that contract in the best interests of the Hudson’s Bay Company.”
When Donald replied that he had a copy of the contract, Robert spoke again:
“I wish, then, that you would give me instruction as to my duties. If you will not think me bold I should like to make a suggestion. Of course I do not pretend to know anything about the Company’s business, though I have seen something of the territory surrounding the Fort and of the Indians. I believe that if you would give me Pete as a guide and would turn over some entirely new territory to me and let me deal with one hundred Indians, or whatever number you think is necessary to get results from such a territory, I would be willing to stake my future with the Company on the results. I believe the work will speak for itself.”
Donald saw immediately that he had been treating Robert in the wrong way. He realized now that he was dealing really with a man, and a man in whom there was wisdom and courage as well as physical strength. Maturity of mind was also apparent. It was evident that Robert’s words were not spoken in any ordinary way. There was a depth and earnestness to them that the Factor in his more confined nature could not understand. He realized that new territory must be opened up if the yearly output of furs from the Fort Garry district was to be increased, and the suggestion appealed immediately. Even with this, however, he was somewhat reluctant to start such a lad in new territory and to give himcontrol over it. He promised Robert that he would consider the matter.
One difficulty which lay in the way of carrying out this suggested plan was the accident which had befallen Pete. The Indian was shortly able to hobble around on crutches, however, and was apparently making good progress toward complete recovery. Robert was surprised and also delighted a morning or two later when he was again summoned to the office and informed by the Factor that his suggestion had been adopted, that a new territory would be given to him, and that with the assistance of Pete and one hundred and fifty Indians he would be allowed to try his hand. It was not thought advisable, however, that the season’s operations should be begun for at least a month or six weeks’ time, since the Indians, who usually came to the Fort to be outfitted for the season’s trapping, had not yet begun to come in in sufficient numbers. This turned out fortunately for all concerned, for the intervening time was spent to good advantage. Pete, as well as being a good guide, was a good judge of Indians, and since he was at once taken into Robert’s confidence he played his part well in selecting the Indians who were to make up Robert’s party. And this was not by any means an easy matter. While the Indians of the district were, perhaps, as reliable as any in the Canadian North-West, they were Indians, whichmeant that they were only half reliable, and since they had been handled by previous employees somewhat along the lines suggested by Factor Donald, the results of their labors had not been very satisfactory. Pete made his selections carefully, however, aiming to get men of a good type physically, who could at the same time be expected to respond to just and fair treatment.
THE PARTY TO COVER THE NEW TERRITORY LEAVINGFORT GARRY.
With the choosing of the men and the making of the necessary preparations the six weeks passed rapidly, and one morning the party to cover the new territory was drawn up outside the fort. With Robert and Pete and the Indians were half a dozen dog-sleds with their snapping teams of huskies. On the sleighs were piled the season’s supplies. When these had been exhausted the sleighs would be used to carry back the furs. Pete had seen to it that some of the Indians were familiar with the new territory, and these naturally were given a leading place in the party.
This was a big moment in Robert’s life. It was really the starting-point of his experiences in his new life. From this time onward he was to carry the burden of the responsibility of his party, and this was fully realized. Robert was pleased when Factor Donald condescended to come out and bid him good-bye, to wish the party good luck and a safe return.
The trip of three or four days to the new territoryagain gave Robert some new experiences. He learned for the first time what it meant to travel through snow with a dog-team, and learned to admire the ease with which the Indians got over the snow-laden trail. Here again Pete was a comfort and aid to him, not only with timely suggestions and advice, but also in the handling of the Indians, who even in this early part of the season showed an unacquaintance with discipline which did not bode strongly for the success of the expedition. When the allotted ground was reached the men were distributed according to a method Robert and Pete had planned so as to most adequately cover the territory. Numbers were prepared which were drawn in turn by each of the Indians, and as the location of the ground corresponding with the number was reached the one who held it dropped from the party when his limits had been defined. Robert and Pete located their camp as near as convenient to the centre of the district with a view to visiting each trapper as often as possible during the winter, to keep tab on the work and to give necessary encouragement or discipline.
Then the real labor of the season began. At first the Indians were inclined to take matters easy. Like others, they misjudged Robert by reason of his youthful appearance and believed that it would not be difficult to take advantage of him. They soonfound, however, that underneath his kindliness lay a characteristic determination such as they had not found very often, a characteristic which enabled him to see that each man did his duty so far as he could. Pete, again, had his part in this. He knew the hearts of the red men. He had helped some of them when they had been in trouble, and he knew that, contrary to the belief of many white men, if his brethren were treated kindly and justly they could be counted on to do their part.
It wasn’t an easy task, this one which Robert had set for himself and Pete. Those of us who know something of camping will appreciate some of the difficulties. Leaving their own camp, with the thermometer a score of degrees below zero, they made their way, sometimes with a dog-team, sometimes on snowshoes when the snow was too deep for the dogs, from camp to camp, waiting until the Indians returned from their circle of traps. Here encouragement was given, there admonishment. Here a man had to be dealt with severely, there a word of praise cheered another on to further efforts. Many and many a day the two travelled forty to fifty miles on foot. Many and many a night they slept without other protection than a clump of bushes or a snow-bank. Never a night went by, however, but that Robert got on his knees for at least a little time before going off to sleep to say a word for the Godhe served. When circumstances permitted a fire he spent a few minutes with his Bible, though reading was difficult with the varying light of the crackling branches. This had far-reaching effects, for after one or two rounds of his men their respect for Robert became so great that almost without exception the trapper with whom they spent the night listened attentively and bowed with the lad and Pete when the time came for the evening devotions. It had its effect in another way, too, when the red men appreciated what influence this sort of thing had on Robert’s life, and that it had a great deal to do with making him the courageous, just and kindly youth he was. They realized that he was a man whom they could safely follow and appreciated that he could be counted on to repay in full their best efforts. Thus it was perhaps not surprising that new life was kindled in the men. They were being treated as they never had been before, and the ingathering of furs was most encouraging.
Robert was delighted with the splendid skins which came to view on his rounds. Particularly pleased were the Indians when they were able to show him a black or a grey fox, skins which, in those days, though not so much as now, were highly prized.
For five months this strenuous life continued. Then, as the trapping season began to draw to a close, each Indian left his camp, tied up his furs withhis blanket, and met at a previously decided point for the return journey to Fort Garry. Robert and Pete had gained some idea during their winter’s travelling of how the work was going, but the success of the party became more in evidence as the red men gathered together. The success of Robert’s policy was at once noticeable. Not one of the Indians but had had a successful season. The hardships had been borne cheerfully, largely because of the fact that unusual encouragement had been given, and it was a happy band which made their way back to Fort Garry. How successful this policy had been was only demonstrated when the trappers from the other districts had brought in their returns and when the final checking showed that this band had more than doubled the efforts of any similar band in other districts. As can be imagined, Factor Donald was exceedingly well pleased, and he made his pleasure practical by inviting Robert and Pete to dine with him in the Company’s offices. In addition to this he had a special dinner spread for the Indian band in their own camp in the Company’s quarters. This experience had taught Donald a lesson. It was being forced into his understanding that these Indians had worked with an energy and with a spirit which had not previously been seen among the Company’s trappers, because they had been handled with a spirit ofkindly interest and had been treated as brothers rather than as slaves.
After the success of his first winter it was not surprising that the following year Robert was given charge as a sort of Sub-Factor of all the trappers sent out from the Fort, and while they were gathered at the Company’s quarters he talked to them night after night before the various expeditions started, throwing into them the same spirit he had been able to give to his band the previous winter. The men who had been out with him did good missionary work also. They told of his treatment of them, how interested he had seemed to be in their work, of his cheerfulness under difficulties, and how he had worked just as hard, if not harder, than any of them. Lastly, they did not forget to tell of the prayers and the Bible reading, which had seemed to have its own effect. This year, too, new territory was again opened up. More Indians were employed, and, as a result of Robert’s efforts, the season was very much more successful than any had been previously. All this was, as may be expected, very pleasing to the Company’s officers at headquarters. Fort Garry, from a condition of backwardness, had jumped in two years’ time to one of the most profitable posts in Canada. Donald, of course, was given credit for the improved conditions. As a matter of fact, the greater part of this was due to Robert andPete. However, efforts of this kind cannot long remain unnoted, and from various sources other than Donald something of the lad’s part in these successful operations found their way to headquarters, and after a little time he was placed in a position of further responsibility and with an increased wage. As he had anticipated, back in his Orkney home, his efforts had not been in vain. Thus far efficiency, reliability and faithfulness to duty had been his watchword. Coupled with this was the continued thought of helpfulness to others. While his promotion was naturally very pleasing, he was not ready to accept this as entirely the result of his own efforts, and in consequence made a strong plea with the Company’s Factor on behalf of his friend Pete. At first Donald demurred, but the young man had made his methods and his policy so successful that his plea finally carried, and ultimately a letter was written the head office, not only recommending an increase in Pete’s salary but also that all the trappers be given a larger allowance for the furs they brought in. Robert waited for the year which necessarily passed before a reply could be received, and then the long-looked-for letter came which agreed to the increase, largely by reason of the splendid returns which had been made by the Fort Garry trappers.
The increased pay worked wonders. Those who had seen the Indians at work previously thought thatthey had done about all that could be expected of them in the first year under Robert’s supervision. The red men realized, however, that in addition to the kind treatment they had been receiving their efforts had been duly rewarded in a financial way, and they worked in consequence as Indians had never been known to work before. Pete, too, was naturally very much delighted at the reward which had finally come to him for his faithful service. However, it had another effect. Although Pete was still hearty and able, he was getting along toward the age of seventy, and the severe hardships he had undergone, as well as the accident he had suffered when guiding Robert to Fort Garry, had begun to tell on him. With the Company’s allowance he had sufficient to retire from such active duties as had been keeping him engaged for so many years and to take life easier. Thus, after a time, Robert was forced to part with his first and best friend of the wilderness. Pete did not forget the principles of right living Robert had taught him by precept and example, however, and became something of a missionary among his Indian brothers.
Robert spent two more seasons very successfully in the Fort Garry district, and then realized one day that the old contract under which he had enlisted in the Company’s service was no more binding. And with the realization that he could be free if hewished naturally came new thoughts and a new outlook. Robert felt that he had a good deal to be thankful for. During the four years of his experience with the Company he had not been ill for a single day. He had had many narrow escapes, through which he seemed to be guided by an unseen hand. The life, too, seemed to exert something of a fascination over him, and he had grown to regard the Indians very highly for the good qualities which were apparent when they were properly treated. Other thoughts, however, came to him at times, since he still forwarded half of his pay to his parents in Scotland, it was only natural that he should think of them at times, and sometimes touches of home-sickness came to him, feelings which those of us who have experienced will appreciate took more spirit and character to bear than other kinds of illness. While his mind wandered off and across the sea his thoughts turned, as a real man’s ideas will, to other things, and at times he dreamed dreams of a real home such as he might expect to have some time in the future where he would have a helpmeet who would be sympathetic and whose burdens he might have a chance of sharing.