True to George’s word, we were camped by the shores of Lake Winnipeg for only a week before we were approached by a group of men in four canoes. The women and children hid away from shore in the tall weeds while all the men stood by the ready, with what weapons we had at our disposal- clubs, knives, the few guns we possessed- to greet these strangers. Everyone was angry and itching for a fight. Even Papa, always so calm, shook as he held a club in his hands. He was beaten once, and it would not happen to him again. If it were Metis who were approaching, the first impulse would be to shoot and not talk.
As the party of men approached the shore, I vaguely recollected seeing one of them before, but for the life of me I could not place him right away. Waving to George and the others on shore, I knew we had come across friends. Twenty men came to greet us, but only one of them truly stood out. What shocked me was the leader of this group, the man who was almost a head taller than everyone else, was none other than Colin Robertson.
When I realized who it was, a wave of memory overtook me. I couldn’t believe this was the same man who long ago persuaded so many of us to start over again. I remembered my first impressions of him as I sat in Greyfriars Church in New Lanark. I was entranced by his clothes, his stories, and his sense of adventure. I was such a young girl back then. Although I was certainly glad to see him, a friendly face in an unfriendly area, there was a part of me who also wanted to hit him across the face for selling Lord Selkirk’s false fantasy of a paradise along Red River.
In the back of his craft, Mr. Robertson had a very large flask which he grabbed as his canoe was pulled to the shore. Upon seeing him more closely, I noticed that age had taken hold of his face. He was a man grey too early, with an equal share of wrinkles and creases stretching from cheek to cheek.
“Is everyone well?” Mr. Robertson asked as the men greedily drank from what he offered them.
Although not in charge, Willie took it upon himself to act like he was. “Is everyone well? What a question this fine gentleman asks us. I remember you sir from long ago. Your words fell from your lips like honey, so convincing they were to all of us assembled. Aye, we are all well. Well enough to string you up by the ears and knock some sense into your head.”
“And who are you?” Robertson coldly asked.
“My name is William Fraser, a Highlander from Argyll. Like my brother John you also see standing here, I come from a noble line of thieves, marauders, and drunkards. I thank you for the drink, because it saves me from having to take it from you by force.”
Robertson stared at us quietly for a moment with a look of amazement. He probably thought he was coming to us as a saviour. I don’t think he was ready for our scorn and anger.
“Listen to me, everyone,” Robertson started. “I know how difficult things have been for you. I have lived in this land too, and I can tell you what you have suffered through I too have shared. I remember what I said to people as Selkirk’s agent. Life on the frontier would be difficult: to take up the offer would not be easy.”
“Hard work I can manage,” Papa responded, while everyone around him nodded in agreement. “The voyage I too can manage. Hell, we spent winters at York Factory and Pembina, waiting for our chance to prove the land could not beat us. All these things, Mr. Robertson, I can manage. But when a man points a gun at my head and threatens my family... that I cannot manage unless I am equally armed.”
“News of what happened has only reached me recently. I now know the North West Company placed Miles MacDonell under arrest for holding onto pemmican. Arresting him was an illegal act that we will overturn. It was only when passing by the settlement a few days ago that I realized the extent to which the North West Company has gone to destroy all of the work you have done. Rest assured everyone, we will go back in force to take from the North West what is rightfully ours.”
“With what men?” Papa asked. “With everyone who is assembled here, how can we put up a resistance against Cameron, Cuthbert Grant, and his Metis followers?”
“More are on the way. I have heard a new group of settlers in a short time will make their way to Red River. We will meet with them and together claim the land once and for all.”
“Poor buggers,” Willie exclaimed. “They don’t know all the delights of this country.”
“They are sturdy folks, just like you,” Mr. Robertson quickly replied to stop Willie from continuing further. “The group soon to join us comes from a rural parish on the East Coast of Sutherlandshire in Scotland. They’re from Helmsdale and the parish of Kildonan with good Scottish names like Matheson, Bannerman, Sutherland, Polson, and Gunn. Leading them will be the new Governor of Red River, Captain Robert Semple.”
“What’s he like?” I anxiously asked.
“I am not familiar with the man,” Mr. Robertson started. “I do know he has the full backing of the Hudson’s Bay Company. He’s an American from Philadelphia, and yet he has served in the British Army.”
“What can he do that MacDonell couldn’t?” Papa suspiciously asked.
“I can’t answer your question, but I can tell you all even though you may feel abandoned, nothing could be farther from the truth. Lord Selkirk hopes to visit this land in a year, and he expects the colony to be established and thriving. He is not at all discouraged by reports suggesting both danger and difficulty.”
“But how much is left, and how much is destroyed?” George inquired. “You said you passed by the settlement to find us here. Did you see Mr. McLeod? How has he fared?”
“Aye,” Robertson replied. “It was McLeod who told me where I could find you. He told me all about Duncan Cameron’s cunning. None of this will dampen Selkirk’s mood of creating a settlement, however. Although many of your homes were destroyed by fire, some buildings close to the water remain, thanks to the stubbornness of that McLeod who refused to leave.”
“How was he able to hold off Cuthbert Grant and his Metis followers?” I asked, wanting any bit of news I could possibly get.
“And who is this fine lady who continues to ask me questions?” Robertson courteously asked.
“My name is Molly, daughter of John, niece of William, once a Highland Fraser and now a Canadian Fraser.”
“Well then, Miss Fraser of the Canadian Frasers,” Mr. Robertson smiled as he spoke, “Let’s just say that John McLeod possesses a large degree of pluck. With only one field piece and courage beyond compare, he and his men defended many of the colony’s buildings. The Metis on their prairie ponies hovered around for a time, but none dared approach for fear of being blown to bits. When my men and I approached, the Metis were well westward in their own area, Qu’Appelle.”
“So there are buildings to return to?” I inquired, unafraid of asking questions.
“Yes, there are buildings to return to. With the assistance of some freemen for hire across the river, McLeod has started construction on a new fort. Further down the river where the banks fall in, he has even laid out plans for a Governor’s House.”
“Things seem to be going much better than I would have thought,” Papa interrupted. “Are there no attempts being made by the Metis to come back and finish the job they started by driving us away?”
“We will always need to be on our guard,” Robertson responded. “But as it stands now, the North West Company did exactly what it wanted to: they were able to capture your governor and destroy the existing colony. They have no idea how many of us are coming back and our plans. An animal with a full belly does not strike out. That’s what we have now with the North West. As far as they are concerned, the matter of Selkirk’s colony is complete. We will show them otherwise.”
“It’s time to return the favour and do to them exactly what they did to us,” Willie exclaimed.
Robertson looked at Willie sadly and shook his head. “Willie? I know you have thoughts of revenge. It did not take me long to see what kind of a strong, courageous man you are. But you have to be careful.”
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?We have been trampled on ever since we got here,” Willie countered. “Why on earth do I now have to be careful?”
“Selkirk has land grant for this area. It entitles you to property, a fence, and a life. But my good man, there are many others here who also have claim to a life, people who have been here for generations. When you meet the Metis, you see them as aggressive, as warriors, but they see you as a threat and nothing more. Before I worked for the Hudson’s Bay, I was a member of the North West, and I can tell you firsthand about the decency and civility of the men, women, and children who you protest against. I know this is not what you want to hear, but the best way to proceed is to build your life on the frontier, and not chase after others who have wronged you.”
“That is a simple matter for you to say,” my uncle angrily replied. “You have not lost as much as I have. I had plans to marry, but my family and their needs came first. I had plans to have children, a working farm, animals, all those things a decent Scot should have. So you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t see things the same way you do.”
“There are many people who have suffered as much as you have Willie. Periods of drought, famine, floods have been as much a part of this land as the buffalo on the plains and the insects in the air. Let’s go back together and build once more what was destroyed. If we pay attention to our own business, I am certain the life I once promised you long ago can be yours, with a wife, children, and all you can hopefully want.”
“I don’t think we have too much choice in the matter do we?” Papa asked. “We can’t stay here, there is nothing for us. The only choice left is to return.”
“What would you ask of Lord Selkirk to help satisfy your concerns?”
“We need more weapons, and more training as well. They come at us on horseback, and all we can do is run. We need horses too, and as many farm animals as can be brought…”
“I’m sure your needs can be looked after.”
“I’m not finished,” Papa quickly snapped, irritated at so quickly being cut off. “I want assurances no threats will come from the North West. When this new Governor comes, we want to know we will be safe. If this Semple cannot control the area, you will find an enemy not in the Metis but in me. I will not give anyone my respect until they have earned it.”
“Mr. Fraser,” Robertson started, “You have my word you and your family will be safe. All Lord Selkirk has wanted from the beginning was to help the poor crofters of Scotland find some dignity here on the western plains of Canada. It looks to me like you have always had it. I will do whatever I can to make sure you have all you need.”
“Dignity I have. Just give me a home and a place to teach my sons how to become men.”