The Canadian Highland
Page 57
Chapter 34
June 19th, 1816 started out as a day like any other. Days have been tense, yet we do what is expected. Women tend to the fire and washing, men tend to the fields, children to their laughter… like any hot day, the insects swarm close by, sometimes blotting out the sun momentarily with their movement. Storms rage at night, and during the day, skies of blue can be seen forever, with only a hint of cloud to shield the colour.
Last summer, before we were forced to leave by the torch, we had at least lived in houses, cold and damp at night as they were. Before the soddies were burnt to the ground at the hands of the Metis, we had something to call our own, a small piece of property on the plains. Now, we inhabit a tent village placed close to the walls of Fort Douglas. Our new governor, supposedly ever careful of our needs, would have the settlers near in case of sudden attack, where the walls could provide protection for the women and children.
And yet, if he truly had our best interests at heart, why try to start a fight when a fight was not needed. Before Colin Robertson left, he spoke to my father once more about what it would take to live safely. We may not like those who inhabit the fort across the river, he said, but to thrive and survive, peace with the North West needs to be made. For Colin Robertson, a man who had worked for both companies, this was the only way.
This was not the approach taken by Governor Semple. Shortly after Robertson’s departure for York Factory, Semple gave orders for the siege of Fort Gibraltar. With a company of thirty men, it took him a week to take over the fort and tear it down. To add to the insult, the stockade was dismantled and turned into a raft. On the raft was piled pieces of the buildings Semple used to erect our own fort.
“Semple is stupid and will bring us all to ruin,” George quietly confided in me.
“Is he not proving how tough the HBC is?” I asked in return.
“He is proving he is a fool. I’m sure there are those among us, your uncle in particular, who like what he is doing. But Molly, this is an unnatural act. Take over a fort for a time to prove your strength, but have the grace to give it back with conditions once you have shown what you can do.”
“What do you mean?” George’s words were confusing me.
“The true strength of leadership is not the strength of arms but the strength of wisdom,” George exclaimed. “Semple comes with something to prove. He feels he is doing what is right by the Hudson’s Bay and Lord Selkirk, but he is really stirring to anger those around us who we have to learn to live with.”
“Are the days numbered for us?” I quietly asked, afraid of the answer.
“I don’t want to offer you any false hope Molly,” George replied as he took his hand in mine, holding it close to his heart. “In our minds and hearts, we need to prepare for what may happen. All the signs point to a bloody confrontation.”
“Will you be forced to fight?” I asked anxiously.
“Yes,” he wearily replied, taking my head in his hands, gently placing it on his shoulder. “If I am called, I will rise up in defense of the company. I will not like it, I will not agree with it, but I will do it.”
I lifted my head off his shoulder and looked deeply into his eyes. They were filled with so much wisdom, so much sadness. My eyes started to fill with tears, each tear a silent plea for him not to fight. “I love you George,” I quietly said as I felt the water stream down my face.
“I love you too Molly,” George softly replied, as he pressed his lips firmly to mine. There was passion mixed with fear in his embrace, a fear of what may happen, of plans that may never come to pass...