by Ken Busato
Chapter 18
“You stand here accused of treason, against the company that has housed you, against Lord Selkirk who has paid for your upkeep, against those others of your party who know order and discipline in extreme conditions must be maintained. A threat to any one person in this group is a threat to us all. What did you think would happen after this bold and daring escape? That, upon freeing Mr. Finlay, your lives would continue as they have these many months? The rashness and stupidity of your actions place everyone in harm’s way. What benefit is it to act so hastily, when the outcome could have been death or terrible injury for both yourself and Mr. Finlay?”
MacDonell is in fine form. He’s a military man, and his comfort in court is obvious. Sitting with him is Mr. Cook and Mr. Hillier. This is the first time we have been back to York Factory since we came here six months ago. The Governor thought it necessary to empty the entire encampment so we could witness the proceedings against the men who burnt down Finlay’s jail. These men are to be made an example of. This is a way for MacDonell to prove once again he is in charge. He appears extremely confident in this large room, the “Great Hall” of York Factory.
Before Mr. MacDonell stand fourteen men, the group of Selkirk Settlers from Orkney and Glasgow. All except Mr. Finlay stare coldly at the floor, expecting nothing from this court but a guilty verdict. Some of them still have dark stains on their clothes and skin from the rescue attempt of a few days ago, smudges of black scattered all over shirts and pants. Others carry burn marks on their garments where embers must have fallen. They look wretched, as if having spent time in hell itself.
Everyone was quiet. As I scanned the crowd, I saw a familiar face that helped me tolerate the long voyage on the Edward and Anne: George Cooper.
“Mr. Hillier”, continued Mr. MacDonell in a voice that echoed from wall to wall, “Do you have any words to say before the sentence is brought forward?”
Mr. Hillier cleared his throat. With a smirk on his face, he started to talk. “Ladies and gentlemen, what exactly are we to do with this group of rascals that now stand before this court? Certainly, the evils of alcohol may have played a part in their attempt to rescue their comrade, but we cannot put drink on trial, now can we.” MacDonell, Hillier, and Cook started to chuckle to themselves, but no one else in that large room found what he said funny.
Mr. Hillier continued, “Although a man might be drunk, his actions are his own. To those who work hard and obey what simple rules there are, the rewards are plentiful, yet to those who act in contempt of law and order, may justice be served. Mr. MacDonell, Mr. Cook, my good colonists, it is quite obvious what must be done with these men.”
“Quite right, Mr. Hillier, quite right indeed” continued Mr. MacDonell. “Before sentence is carried out, do any of you ruffians have anything to say for yourself?”
Almost everyone in the crowd, settler and worker alike, turned their head and cupped their hand behind their ear to hear anything that might be said in defence of the crime. It took but a few moments for Mr. Finlay to step forward from the rest of the accused. What boldness this poor man possessed.
“There is not much a man can say to stop what is coming from coming” he started. “You look upon us as criminals, as men lower than yourselves. Back home this might be true, but here we are all equal. We all share in the pain, the damp, the freezing cold, the darkness, the loneliness. You stand in judgement over me, over my friends, and true enough, you do have some small power to hold us responsible for these actions, but are not these the actions of men who are already punished, men who are already in jail? You look upon me, upon us, ready to give a verdict; to punish us for this treason. What, Governor MacDonell, can you possibly do to those of us who already feel defeated?”
Finlay took a step back and lowered his head to the ground like the other men on trial. MacDonell and Hillier, eyes wide open, sat in stunned silence, not sure what to do. Even Mr. Cook appeared uncomfortable in his seat. I could see people’s eyes dart back and forth, with a look of recognition on their faces. Mr. Finlay, once again, was able to say what was on everyone’s mind. When a man is pushed to the edge, when he feels there is nothing left he can fight for, the only thing he has left to hold on to is the truth.
“A very fine speech indeed,” started Mr. MacDonell, “But it does not change what has happened. You disobeyed the order not to drink daily of the spruce tea, and you and your fellow Scotsmen from Orkney and Glasgow burnt down the hut used for your confinement. Since there is no place large enough to house fourteen prisoners, you will continue to live at the encampment, but this is as far as you will get to Red River. Once the spring thaw has cleared the ice, you will be taken back to Scotland and placed under arrest.” MacDonell, Cook, and Hillier got up from their chairs and made their way past the accused men. They walked with their heads held high.
I didn’t think Governor MacDonell would go this far. If anything, we all expected to make it to our new home sometime this summer. Each person has already gone through so much, has already endured such hardship, to think they must make the return trip across the ocean, to never see the dream of a new life fulfilled… this seemed almost like a fate worse than death.
“Papa, what do we do now?” I enquired. “Do we make our way back to the encampment?”
“I don’t know Molly. I don’t know anything anymore. MacDonell wants these men to come back with us, to continue to live with us knowing they cannot continue on. Surrounded by men like this is bad business indeed. Terrible days may still lie ahead of us.”
I knew exactly what he meant, and it started to make me a little sick to my stomach. “Can I step outside for a few minutes to get some air Papa? I don’t feel well.”
“Of course Molly, but don’t stray off too far, since we’ll probably have to make the journey back to the encampment while we still have some light with us.”
I felt like I was suffocating. I didn’t know what was coming over me? It was like the first few days on ship when I didn’t have my sea legs. The room was so large, yet it felt like the walls were starting to close in around me, crushing me where I stood. I quickly let go of Liam and made a dash for the door. Pushing a couple of the native workers aside, I hurried outside where I could be alone with the snow, the wind, and my own sickness.
I curled up into a ball on the ground, closed my eyes, and desperately tried to think about home. I tried to picture my mind loft, warm blankets, and the smell of Mama’s breakfast. I tried to see Papa’s face, not worn with the worry he now carries. I wanted to see my uncle, my courageous, ill-tempered uncle, filled with hope, humour, and song. But the images, once so clear and vivid, did not come to me. I was fighting with my own thoughts. Forgetfulness was taking hold, and it was winning. In place of my happy childhood, all I could see were images of the past year, of shattered lives and suffering. Stop this, I commanded myself, things will get better, things will get better, things must get better…
“Molly, are you alright?” I looked up from the ground to see George Cooper. “You left so fast, I could tell something was wrong. You must get up from off the ground Molly; you’ll die from the cold if you are not careful.”
“I can think of worse things than dying out here in the cold and snow,” I bluntly replied.
“Molly, you certainly can’t mean that. Please let me help you up.”
George extended his hand and helped me to my feet. Taking a couple of deep breaths, I pushed the snow off my coat and legs. “Thank you for your help, but it was not needed.”
“Molly, it’s been such a long time since we last spoke to each other. Is this how you rekindle old friendship?”
I looked into George’s eyes and a faint memory started to take shape: a memory of a time when we first met on ship, and how good I felt about the talks we had. I started to soften a little, and the sickness seemed to pass. “Much has happened in the last few months George, more than a lifetime worth of memories. If
I appear a little ill-tempered, I apologize.”
“There have been many times when I’ve thought about you Molly. I’ve wanted to make the trip to the encampment, but my duties have kept me busy.”
“What have you been doing all this time George?”
“York Factory is the jewel of the Hudson Bay Company, and yet as the headquarters of the Company’s Northern Department, there are still problems with competition from the other fur traders on the continent: The North-West Company.”
“I’ve heard about them. Didn’t Alexander Mackenzie work them?”
“I believe so,” George replied. “Mr. Cook has grand plans for this fort. If we are to be the main trading post for Hudson’s Bay, Mr. Cook will see this fort increase in importance, and in size.”
“So you are a general labourer?”
“Yes, and the labour is both bone chilling and back breaking. I have done well here, but this life is not for me.”
“What do you intend to do George?”
“I intend to break with the other Selkirk settlers for Red River in the summertime.”
“Have you spoken to Governor MacDonell of your plans?”
“I have mentioned it to him, and he seemed fine with the idea. With fourteen men forced to turn back, I’m sure the need for settlers is much greater.”
“I’m afraid the sentence carried out today is only the start of something bad.”
“These men have no quarrel with you Molly. It has been a harsh winter, and some men broke down long ago. Didn’t you notice how many settlers made their way to the fort from the encampment? They came for work and a chance to live in conditions that are more civilized than what you are forced to live in.”
“Why can’t these guilty men be kept here at the fort away from us?”
“If MacDonell had his way, these men would be locked up with the key thrown away. MacDonell thinks he is in full control of the situation here, but even he must answer to Governor Cook, and there is no chance in hell Cook will have these men at the fort.”
“So, Finlay and his friends are found guilty, yet they still walk freely among us?”
“There is more than just that Molly. Perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, but you will find out soon enough. There are many who feel sympathy for your situation. It is common knowledge certain supplies have been taken from the warehouses to help ease your suffering. Some of you have received medicine, but the men who stand trial today also have guns in their possession.”
“What is their intention?” I cried. “You tell me I should not worry, these men have no quarrel with me, my family, yet they now have the use of guns, not just fists and clubs! George, you were not at the encampment at the beginning of the New Year when a drunken brawl broke out. You were not there to see how beaten up some men were, all because of too much whisky. What are we expected to do?” I had just finished crying not even three minutes ago, and the tears started to well up in my eyes once again.
Before I could think of what to do, George had me in his arms and held me closely. I should pull away, but his arms had such a powerful grip, and deep inside I knew I did not want him to let go. He held me for a long time, letting me cry on his shoulder. All the emotion of the day was pouring out of me, a torrent of sadness and fear. I was letting myself go, letting someone else see exactly how vulnerable, how lonely I was. Soon my breathing became steadier, and I could feel the tightness of George’s arms start to loosen. I pulled away from George and started to wipe the tears from my eyes.
“Soon,” George started, “The ice will start to thaw, the snow will melt, and you will be free of this place. I know what men are like, so please be careful. Molly, think about the future, think about your family. And if that’s not enough, then I beg you to think about me.”
I could not look George in the eye for fear he might see more tears. I did something unexpected: I reached up and gave George a kiss on the cheek. A young woman should never be so forward, but I couldn’t help myself. Saying a hasty goodbye, I quickly turned to go back inside where my family was waiting for me. Such an emotional day filled with highs and lows. If anything, this grand adventure I was on was certainly full of surprises.