The Canadian Highland
Page 20
A couple of days after the doctor’s visit, I was starting to feel much better. I was becoming steady on my feet, and the cough was almost gone. It was on the morning of the second day after taking Dr. Edwards’ medicine when we were visited in our cabin by Governor MacDonell. This was a first, but not completely unexpected.
“My good settlers,” Governor MacDonell started as he entered our hut, “I trust all of you are in good health. I know some of you feel the cold more than others, yet this is a fine Canadian morning. The air is so pure this far north. Although there is little daylight, what we have is truly beautiful.”
“You grace us with your presence Governor,” said Mr. Docherty. “We were told by Dr. Edwards two days ago you would come to talk about the scurvy.”
“Ahh, to the point straight away! I have come to talk about important issues, but not all conversation has to be serious, does it?”
“I beg your pardon sir,” my father started, “It’s not that we don’t respect your gracious and kind words. From the start, you have been an excellent leader, helping us through conditions very few from Scotland have ever seen or even dreamed about. It’s just, well sir, there has been great cause for concern the last while, what with people who seem in perfect health being struck down so quickly and so terribly. If not for the kind help of Dr. Edwards, we could have others join poor Isabella McIntyre in the life beyond, may God have mercy on her soul.”
“Well then,” started the Governor, “I see we are not in the mood this morning for idle talk. To live comfortably, here by the banks of Hudson’s Bay, we need to do things that on the surface may appear desperate, but are in keeping with the ways of the people who have always lived here.”
“Over two hundred years ago,” continued Governor MacDonell, “a group of French explorers led by Jacques Cartier were stranded by the banks of a Canadian river called the St. Lawrence. You see, they were exploring the interior, not unlike Alexander Mackenzie’s great explorations, yet their ship was locked in because of the frozen ice. It only took a month for Cartier’s men to start feeling the terrible effects of the scurvy. Like some of you, many of his men were bed ridden, their gums swollen and teeth loose. Unfortunately, for at least fifty of his crew, God Almighty saw fit to take them from this earth in a most cruel way.”
“It was at the hour of greatest need that the leader of the native group, the Iroquois, took pity on the poor men who were left. The answer to all of their sickness came from a tree the Iroquois called the Annedda, a tree that grows around here in abundance. What will save us from the scurvy is not essence of malt or crystallized lemon. What will save us all, myself included, is a drink made from the Annedda, or Spruce tree. To feel better in this country, simply take needles from the Spruce, like the ones I have here in my hand. My dear Mrs. Fraser, if you could be so kind as to place these in some boiling water over the fire?”
Governor MacDonell spoke with such authority we all paid close attention. After a couple of minutes, the scent of Spruce became strong. “In order to benefit from the full effects of the tea, or Spruce beer if you like, it’s important to boil the needles until all you see in your pot is a dark liquid. Now, I know this is strange, but in order to live here for the winter, everyone must drink a cup of this every day. It may not be pleasant, but it saved the rest of Cartier’s crew, and it will do the same for us. In just a few moments it will be ready. Are there any here who would be willing to be the first to try it?”
The cabin became incredibly quiet as everyone started to look at each other. It seemed like Governor MacDonell was asking for someone to sacrifice their life, not actually try something that could save their life. Just when I thought no one would volunteer, my mother raised her hand. My father then spoke up.
“Governor, I thank you for the help you have given us here. I know my wife has raised her hand, but I think it best to give this tea from a tree a try.”
Lifting the cup Mama poured for him, I could tell Papa was not happy, but he and Mr. Docherty were the two men in charge in our hut, so if it was not one of them it would have been the other. Lifting the cup to his lips, I could see a pained expression on his face, yet it did not bother me to see him in pain. In fact, it was very funny.
“Come on John,” laughed Willie. “Someone as big and strong as you is not scared of a little wee drink.”
“You be careful brother, because as God is my witness after I finish this I’ll make sure you’re next.” And so, with everyone watching, Papa started to drink the tea. After the first sip, he spit it out.
“Come now John,” coaxed Mr. MacDonell. “Like most medicines, they taste terrible yet can work miracles. If you must, plug your nose, close your eyes, and be done with it as quickly as possible.” So saying, Papa did exactly what was told, and he drank the rest of the strange potion without a drop spilt. Once finished, the entire cabin started to clap.
“In time you will get used to the taste. Except for the young baby feeding from his mother, you are all ordered to drink this at least once a day. If there are any of you after drinking who still feel the effects of the scurvy, please let Dr. Edwards know right away since there are some other medicines that can also be used to treat the disease. These medicines are to be kept in reserve for only extreme cases of sickness. For all others, the tea from the spruce tree is not only recommended, it’s demanded.”
Mr. MacDonell left the cabin to a stunned silence. We have taken orders from him before, but this is the first time an order was issued to everyone, man, woman, and child alike. I did not understand why he would have to issue such an order? If it was in the best interest to drink the tea, would it not be done by everyone without question? And if someone were to disobey an order here, in what possible way could they be punished without officers of the law and without a jail?