The Canadian Highland
Chapter 30
Each settler has to take turns guarding the shelters. We only have so many weapons to go around. Every house has been given one musket to share. We have been ordered by Governor MacDonell never to walk by ourselves.
The North West Company is increasing the fighting between us and the Metis. A representative of the North West, Duncan Cameron, was seen a few days ago nailing a sheet of paper to a tree close to the storehouse. Although most of us cannot read, we later found out it was a call to arms against us. According to Cameron, if we are not stopped, we will starve Metis families. You would think the Scots and Irish are like the devil’s children based on the way Cameron describes us.
It has been about a week since George left for Brandon House, and each night I find it harder to get to sleep. It doesn’t help that two men are asked to stay awake each night and guard the shelter. A night watch is not something anyone wants, but it is still something we have to painfully accept. No one else wants a fight except for Cameron and other agents of the North West.
Lifting myself up gently, I quietly made my way over to where Papa and Willie were sitting. It was their turn to watch. As I crept closer to where they were, I could hear the faint sounds of breathing mixed with snoring. There was Willie, hunched over on his chair with his head bent low, peacefully sleeping. Papa put his finger to his lips, gesturing me not to talk so that I didn’t disturb him.
“He’s had a tough few days,” Papa softly remarked, “It’s a good thing to let the boy have a bit of a sleep. It’s too cold of a night for any trouble to come our way anyhow. Poor bugger is worried sick for Chloe, who has come down with a terrible cold.”
“At least he can go see her,” I replied. “Even though George said everything would be alright, I’m still scared for his safety.”
“I’ve seen it in your face every day now for the past week. George is a smart one though, and I have no doubt he’ll outwit any trouble in his way.”
Papa’s confidence helped me a bit. I can’t help but worry, but I guess I have to trust George will stay true to his word and come back safe. “I hope we’ll keep ourselves out of harm’s way too.”
“I hope so too. This Cameron thinks us a violent lot. He’s so wrong.”
“I don’t understand why he has said such terrible things about us. Isn’t he a Scot himself? I thought MacDonell paid for all provisions?”
“Molly, this Cameron does not care too much for pemmican. What the bugger cares about is control. Sure, he needs the food and we need it too, but even more than this, he needs to show he is a bigger man than MacDonell, and his company will not be forced out of business by the Baymen.”
“It’s such huge land. Isn’t there enough room for all of us to live?”
“It certainly seems like the land in this country stretches forever. I think you are right, but men hungry for money and power do not see things in the same way.”
“Is MacDonell hungry for these same things, for money and power?”
“I’d say he is a man who is always trying to prove his worth. It seems to me it’s also about doing something that has never been done here before. When you hear them talk, it’s all about helping us poor Scottish and Irish who were kicked off our land back home, but it’s all about the glory of creating a settlement here and making it stick. You know Molly, sometimes I think Selkirk and MacDonell don’t give a damn about us.”
“Papa, do you ever feel like a poor lost sheep?”
“How do you mean Molly?”
“When I think about it, I can’t help but notice we’re just like those sheep that were brought to take our place back home in Argyll. MacDonell is just like a shepherd leading his flock to a placed promised to him. He’s kicking people off the land who’ve lived here for a long time. I guess that might mean these Metis and Natives have much in common with us, at least the way we used to be. They are the crofters, and we are the sheep who have come to drive them away.”
“I never really thought about things quite like that before, but I guess you’re right. We tried to fight them off back home, but it didn’t work. Let’s hope when they fight us we’ll win the day.”
“So there is going to be a battle, no doubt?”
“No doubt.”
“And the sooner the better is all I can say,” Willie said with a wide yawn as he started to stretch his wakening limbs. “Molly, if you’re going to sit here, maybe I can take your place in bed?”
“Molly,” Mama whispered from across the room. “Come back to bed dear and try and take some rest. John and Willie will be able to take some sleep when day breaks, but you will not be as lucky.”
I was still wide awake as I lay down beside my mother. She put her arm across me for warmth, and soon I could hear her steady breathing. Papa and Willie were whispering to themselves, and I could see in the darkish haze they were sharing a flask. Whatever it takes to make it through I thought to myself as I closed my eyes to try and get some sleep.