Chapter V: Stirring Adventure in the North

Nowadays two brothers in the Canadian West who had any esteem for one another could communicate in several ways and would probably write each other very frequently. It was natural that at times Robert’s thoughts should turn to his brother Will, but aside from occasional stories which came to him through the Indians and other employees of the Company, no definite word had been received. Once or twice, it is true, he had written to his brother, but in those days and in a country so vast there was no certainty of mail delivery, and it appears probable that the letters were never delivered. The same conditions prevailed in regard to other youths who had made up the original party from Scotland.

In his fifth year in the new land, at a time when such an arrangement would be convenient, Robert secured leave of absence with the idea of travelling north to visit his brother. He journeyed by foot and by dog-sled to one of the northernmost forts, fully twelve hundred miles from Fort Garry, finding occasional news of his brother as he passed from fort to fort on his journey. When he arrived at his brother’s headquarters, however, he was told by the Factor that Will had been sent on a prospecting tour into new territory. Robert was anxious to follow his brother, and would have done so had he not been assured by the Factor that it would be a practical impossibility to reach him, since Will had already been away two months and was expected to be away fully six months more. While Robert was sadly disappointed his trip had not wholly been in vain, for he learned from the Factor’s lips, as he had not been able in any other way, how successful his brother also had been, how his services had been appreciated by the Company, and how through heroism, faithful service and obedience he too had been given due promotion.

On his way back to Fort Garry Robert ran into an experience which again showed his mettle. Following along the trail late one afternoon he was held up by a band of about two hundred Indians who, for some reason, had started on the war-path. The moment the white man was seen he was surrounded. At first he thought he would have no difficulty with these men, presuming that he could handle them as easily as he had done his own Indians in the Fort Garry district. In a moment or two, however, he saw that these natives had no respect for the white man. He knew from their faces and from the glare of their eyes that they meant anything but friendliness toward him. It was useless to try to escape. He laid down his pack and stood erect, facing the leader with a fearless and undismayed look, and as the painted red man approached Robert stepped forward with outstretched hand and smiled. The chief was nonplussed. He had expected a craven attitude, and was so surprised that he clasped Robert’s hand and was forced to return the straight look in the eye which the young man gave him. His surprise was more manifest when Robert addressed him in a language very similar to his own, explaining where he was going and why he was on the trail at that time. After a moment or two of conversation Robert was able to gather enough information to learn the name of the chief and know the nature of the band. It was part of a roving tribe which had made itself a terror in the northern districts and which had accounted for the fate of many a trapper. Robert knew well what he might expect if he was not able to get the situation in hand. His faith did not leave him, however. He sent up a prayer to his Heavenly Father for aid which he well knew was needed, and felt God was nearer him than ever before. For a moment, perhaps, he felt physical fear, but then he got himself together and knew that with God’s help he was master of the situation.

Robert did his best to convince the chief that his errand was peaceful and that he should be allowed to proceed without being disturbed. After a moment or two the chief left him, apparently to consult with some of the other savages. To keep hold of himself under the strain Robert untied the pack which was lying at his feet, ate some of the pemmican which largely made up his supply of food, and stepped toward a fire which was burning to one side, hoping to get the attention of the members of the band. Perhaps by reason of the novelty of the situation, or possibly because they were forced to respect the manner in which he carried himself, they listened while he told the fierce-looking warriors of the Great Spirit on high who had come down to be in the midst of them and who was close by his side. For a minute or two he went on with his story, trying as strongly as he knew how to change the hearts of the savages, and while he could see that an impression had been made on a few, most of them were still sullen and apparently anxious to carry out their earlier intentions.

While he had been talking to them he had been watching them carefully, as he had learned before he had to do with Indians, and finally he noticed one giant warrior gradually making his way to the rear of the band. Suspecting treachery, he suddenly shouted at the Indians in a voice like thunder telling them that the Great Spirit was by his side and that if they dared to injure him they would suffer. Then with a sudden turn he faced the red man who was at his back and who was ready with upraised knife to spring on him. As the Indian leaped Robert caught his wrist with one hand and with the other grabbed the savage by the throat in a vicelike grip and held him right over the blazing fire until he writhed with agony. It wasn’t easy for him to do this. While outwardly he was stern his heart was tender, and he felt toward the Indian as a father to a child. He realized, however, that if his life was to be saved a stern example must be set. After inflicting pain over the fire for a moment or two, while the rest of the tribe stood off, in awe that a white man could so control one of their mightiest warriors, he threw the savage on the ground to one side, from which the Indian leaped quickly to his feet, and without looking around ran off down the trail. Apparently he had been forced to believe Robert’s story that the Great Spirit was in league with him. With the disappearance of one of the number in this fashion the remainder of the band vanished quickly, and in a moment or two Robert fell on his knees and thanked his Heavenly Father for the help that had been given him in this time of stress.