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HISTORY
I2s
CA]
KATH
'St 'I
■ 0 '
PICTURES FROM
CANADIAN HISTORY
KOK
BOYS AND GITILS
BY
KATHARINE LIVINCiSTONE MArPHERSON
ArTllOU OK
"St.'KNIO SiKllKS AM> HATTI.KKIKI.ItS OK KIIKNOU (.'ANADA,' KTO.
IVcndhift their souls' suhlimett nods
With tasks of every day.
They went ahout their greatest deeds
Like noble boys at play. "
RENOUF PUBLISHING CO.
25 MdiiLL colm<:(;k avknik
MONTREAL
INSCRIBED BY PERMISSION
TO
THK RIGHT HON. THK EARI. GREY
G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O.
I.ATR auVKRNOR.«JKNKKAr< OF CANADA
WHOSK INSPIKINO FAITH IN AND ZEAL FOR
THE DOMINION WILL LONG BE KEMEMBERED BY A
GRATEFUL AND AFFECTIONATE PEOPLE
CONTENTS
Hymn to Canada .
Chrihtoi'her Coumhus
The Discovery of America
Cartier, the Navigator
Westward Ho I .
hochelaoa .
The Indian .
Indian Folklore .
Indian Himour .
The First Colony
The Order op Good Times
Small Beginnings
Arg all's Raid
Cham PLAIN .
The Explorer in the Wilds
The Lost Missionary .
The Hi RON Campakjn
BruliS's Adventure
Affairs in Acadia
Charnisay's Plot
Hero and Heroine
The Toy of Fortune .
On the St. Lawrence
Pioneers
Ville-Marie
The Fate op Dollard
La Salle's Quest
The Indian Wars
MaDELAINE DE VERCHfeRES
The Cause of Acadia
The Fall op Louisburg
The Acadians
TlCONDEROOA
PAflK
1
3
7
II
15
17
20
23
25
28
30
32
33
36
40
45
46
48
61
54
55
59
62
65
66
69
73
79
81
87
90
92
98
VII
viii rurniRKs ruoM Canadian history
Camphkll of Inverawk
Thk Sikuk of Qieuki'
CoNFIIlMINO THK VlCTOUY .
Thk IUttlb of Saintk Foyk
Undkh Kritihh Rule .
The Old KfiuiMB ....
The CoNHi'iRACY of Pontiac
Caxaua Invaded ....
The United Empire Loyalihth .
The Indian Trail
The Finder of the Fu ahkr River
The War of I8I5J
Laira Skcord ....
The War Continued .
The End of the AVar
The Merchants Adventurkrh .
The Company's Trappers .
The Selkirk Settlers
The Prairie Province
Stirring Times in Canada
Mackenzie, the Patriot .
The Secret of Canada's Polar Seas
Explorers ....
The Search— and its Result
The Smallest Province
The Crown Colony .
Puck's Girdle .
British Columbia
The Romance of the Mounted Police
The Passing of the IUffalo
Indian Unrest .
The North- West Rehellion
From Ocean to Ocean
The Rhyme of Victoria I^av
The Route of the Great Railways
Roughing It
Heroes of the Wilds
Bridge Builders .
The Land of Plenty .
The Shore Fisheries .
A Notable Event
TAflK
100
102
107
108
111
113
115
117
120
124
126
134
ISO
139
142
144
149
154
157
162
164
167
170
174
179
181
189
193
198
202
203
206
209
212
213
216
219
224
225
227
229
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
(.'on MHi'H AT La Uaui da (Coloured) . . . Frontupiece
Paintal hy OhOKCK CatTKKMolK.
I'AOR
Tmk CoMiNiJ OP THK Whith Man 13
Intkhiou OF Indian Louuk : Sk.vkiiai. Familikh Hkhidknt 19
Mkuicink Pii'K Stkm Danck (Colourud) .... 26
Painted by TaI'L KanK.
Shooting a Kaimd 41
Landing of Champlain at (^tkhkc, lOOS (ColounMl) . 43
J'liinlcd Inj (;. A. Ukik, K.C.A.
EnCOUNTKK IIKTWKEN ILvHITANT AND lUOgi'OlS ... 67
Lous XIV AND La Sallk, 1077 75
Madelaink dk Vkuchkhks • . 83
"KvANdKUNK" 93
TiiK Dkath ok WoLFi; 106
TnK Dkath of Montcalm 109
The United Kmi'iue Loyalists 121
Mount Sir Donald, in thk Sklkiuks .... 131
Thk Battlk of Lindy's Lank (Coloured) .... 145
J'ainUd by C W. .Ikkkukvs.
Indian Thaitkus of thk Nouth-Wkst .... 151
iiomeskkkkiis 161
Thk *'Fox" Stkaminu olt of thk IIollinu I*ack . . 175
Thk Disputed Trail (Coloured) 196
i'ainUd hy JoHN Innks.
North-West Mountkd Polickman in a Blizzard . . 201
Half-Brkkdh Running Buffalo (Coloured) . . . 205
Fainted by Paul Kank.
Kla-How-Yah on thk Pacific (Coloured). . . . 211
Painted by John Innks.
A Forest Fire (Coloured) 222
II
PICTUllES FHOM CANADIAN
HISTOIIY
HYMN TO CANADA
0 Canada, thy regal head
Lift higher to the skies,
Pride with humility be wed
Deep in thy tender eyes.
Stand forth to a more honoured place
Proud though thy past hath been,
Stand forth, and vindicate thy race,
Thou daughter of a Queen.
As Venus from the ocean
In living beauty sprang,
And stood without emotion
While heaven with plaudits rancr —
So thou, my own dear land, arose °'
Far on the western sea,
In graces all adorned, for those
Long sighing to be free.
Thou art a hope the toiler holds
Within his heart—a star
That many a weary foot still guides
From hill and vale afar
2 riCTUllES rilOM CANADIAN lIlS'iX)UY
Oil plains to which the streams flow ''jwn,
In forest and by sea,
. They live anew in hopes that crown
This land of liberty.
Think what thy storied past hath been,
Thy guarded, ancient lore,
The deeds thy former years have seen
Remembered ever more !
For thee, a babe of nations,
The best of blood was spilt,
And firmly thy foundations
On heroes' bones were built !
O Canada, unworthy
Of them thou shalt not be,
All noble ends to further
The constant aim of thee,
Till in the van a leader called
Triumphant thou shalt stand,
A people's faith, like city walled.
Safe in thy honoured hand.
— One of the Prize Poems
( Witness National Song Competition, 1899).
CIIUISTOrHEll COLUMBUS
CHRISTOPHER COLmnU^S— I
I. It has been humorously said that when the patriarch
Xoah died, he divided the Old World between his three
sons, Shem, Ham, and Japhet. To Shem he gave the
continent of Asia, to Ham, Africa, to Japhet and his
descendants the wild, unknown stretches of Europe. Had
he had a fourth son, no doubt to him would have been
bequeathed North and South America.
2. However that may be, when Columbus reached
the New World in 1492, he found it already well
peopled. Some, the ruins of whose ancient cities point
to a high state of civilisation, were gentle and refined ;
the others were in various stages of savagery. All were
of the dark races of the earth, but where they came from,
or when they reached America, has never been found
out, and it is likely never will.
3. Christopher Columbus was born about the middle
of the fifteenth century, the son of a wool-weaver. His
native place was Cenoa, which you will find on the map
of Italy. He was a clever, thoughtful boy, and, with his
brothers, well taught at school. He was particularly fond
of studying geography, and loved to draw charts and
maps of foreign countries.
4. The Genoese were great sailors, and often had
desperate battles with the North African pirates, who
infested the Mediterranean Sea. These cruel sea-rovers
frequently captured and made slaves of white men, and
in different parts of Europe there are still funds long
since set apart to redeem such captives. At fourteen
Christopher took to the sea like the rest of the citizens.
He nmst have had plenty of adventures, but of that
part of his life we know nothing.
4 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
5. As he grew older young Columbus became more
and more anxious to be a navigator. He read all the
books he could find about the rich and wonderful coun-
tries of the East, and, like the ancients, began to think
the world was round, an idea that had long been out
of date.
6. At that time the way to the East by water was still
unknown. If a traveller wished to go to India, he must
make a long and dangerous journey by horse and camel
caravan across a great part of Asia. The sea-going ships
were small, and seldom went out of sight of land, but
already adventurous and determined seamen were trying
to fight their way round the south of Africa. Their
vessels were constantly driven back by wind and tide,
but once round, they hoped by sailing eastward to reach
India.
7. It was then that the idea took hold of Christopher's
mind that if he boldly plunged out into the Atlantic Ocean
he would get to the Indies the other way. It never
dawned upon him that a great obstacle like a continent
lay in his path.
8. Like many other people who are clever, Columbus
was poor. His great difficulty was that no voyage could
be taken without a ship, and he had no means of fitting
one out. For awhile, hoping to arouse interest, he
talked to anyone who would listen about his wonderful
ideas. But it was dipcouraging work. The people were
thinking of business and pleasure just as they are now,
and only smiled at him for a dreamer, or shrugged their
shoulders over his foolish fancies.
.-sammltm
CHIlISTOriIKU COLUMBUS
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS— H
1. Italy at that time had a great deal of trade with
Spain and Portugal, whose harbours in the south-west of
lOurope were always lively with ships and sailors. It
must have been about 1470 that Columbus decided to
try his luck in one of these countries.
2. By this time the young man had grown up to be
tall and handsome, His manly and generous ways made
liira a favourite among his friends, and he was known
to be very religious. When speaking of the great dis-
coveries he hoped to make, his eyes would sparkle with
enthusiasm.
3. When Columbus first arrived in Lisbon he found
everyone much interested in maritime affairs. He was
liappy in finding friends who thought like himself, and
soon married Donna de Perestrello, a lady whose father
had been a navigator in the King's service. AVith her he
got a number of line books and maps, which made him
more sure than ever that his ideas were correct. The
King of Portugal at that time liked nothing so much as
navigation, and it is likely that our hero's fortune would
soon have been made, had not the good King died.
4. After all his high hopes, nothing but troubles seemed
to come to him in Portugal. After a while his wife.
Donna Filipa, died, leaving him with a baby boy. People
began to grow weary of hearing about the endless riches
of the countries it was expected to find. They would not
risk their money, only perhaps to lose it, so it was with
a sore heart that Columbus at last decided to take his
little motherless child and go home to Italy.
5. By and by, to his delight, the navigator heard that
his ideas were gaining ground in Spain. Hastening
6 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
there, he met several noblemen, who showed their
friendship by presenting him to the King and Queen.
Unfortunately, just then Ferdinand and Isabella were
engaged in a terrible war with the Moors, an enemy who
swarmed over the country. For weeks at a time the
royal pair stayed in camp with their soldiers, but so
great was the danger that they could not think of any
other work until the foe was entirely driven away.
6. In the meantime the Queen often sent for Columbus,
and talked to him kindly of h's great hopes. This was
very encouraging, but as soon as he turned away the
courtiers were often rude and unkind. Sometimes they
made fun of his shabby clothes and careworn face ; some-
times they asked, in mockery, if one so humble as he
could take them to lands full of gold and precious stones.
When at last Queen Isabella sent word that she could do
nothing to help the enterprise, poor Columbus abruptly
disappeared, leaving no trace.
7. It is years before we see him again. Then with
Diego, a boy of fourteen, he was wearily plodding along a
country road in Spain. The clothes of father and son
were old and faded, and in the bag they carried there was
not even a crust of bread left. Presently, in the distance,
the boy pointed out towers rising against the sky, and
was told that they were drawing near to the celebrated
monastery of La Kabida.
8. In those days there were few inns in country places,
but to make up for the want, travellers of all classes were
made welcome at the monasteries as they passed. The
weary pair quickened tlieir pace.
" Here," they thought, thankfully, " we shall at least
get a good meal and rest for the night ! "
9. But, had they only known it, something better than
that was in store for them. Coming nearer, they met the
prior of the convent, who, struck by their appearance,
u#mMwbm>';
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA 7
stopped to talk to them. Encouraged by his interest, tlie
navigator soon began to talk on his favourite subject, and
when, after supper, he spread out his chart on the table,
and traced the way he would go across the Atlantic, the
delight of his kind host knew no bounds.
10. Shortly afterwards, the monk, whose name was
Don Juan de Marchena, took his friend to see the
(^)ueen. They were graciously received, for their foes
had been driven out of the country, and her Majesty
was now glad to provide for a voyage of discovery.
Preparations were pushed forward, and in August,
14!>2, three small ships were ready for their eventful
Journey. The Pinta and the Nina had each a captain
of her own, but all three wore under the command
of Christopher Columbus.
THE DISCOVERY OF A:MERICA -I
1. Try to imagine the Nina, the Pinta, and the t%\nta
Maria as they stood out to sea on their famous voyage
four hundred years ago ! They were vessels of the
kind called caravels. The largest was not nearly as
big as one of our river ferry-boats. Xone except tlie
hundred-ton Santa Maria bad even a deck, and the crews
altogether numbered one hundred and twenty men.
2. The sailors had been engaged in the Mediterranean
and West Coast of Africa trade, but none of them
were ever far out at sea before. Like everyone else,
they imagined that the earth was an immense Hat
plain, surrounded by endless oceans. If the admii-al
thought that the world was round, and that by sailing
on and on he would reach a new and wonderful land,
the men did not trouble themselves much about it.
3. As the last known land faded out of sight on
^
8 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
the horizon, the little fleet faced south-west. Like
living things the stoutly built boats gallantly settled
to their work, now rolling in the trough, now rising
on the crest of the waves. The wind whistled through
the rigging, and the huge billows tossed them aboutj
like playthings. Who can wonder that the hearts oil
the seamen sank lower at every fresh plunge.
4. With danger, however, the courage of the admira]
rose higher and higher. The wind was sending tlieiu
along at a furious rate, and the faces of the men showeJ
that they were both angry and afraid. But they wer^
not allowed to become despondent. Going about frou
group to group, Columbus kept up their spirits, alwayj
pointing to the unchanging compass, and the Nortlj
Star as their guide and hope.
5. The voyage for all on board was certainly a very hai^
one. Everything that happened forced the men's hope
wildly up or down. One day a water-logged spar rollinj
on the waves made them think of wrecks and death. A]
another time some land birds found in the rigging werj
taken down, and petted and fed with childish delight.
G. In the meantime the chilly gloom of mid-oceaj
had all disappeared. The hot sun shone down on ther
and the soft sweep of the wind, swelling their sail
sent the vessels along easily. Now and then bunch^
of floating seaweed roused a great deal of excitemenj
and at every cloudbank on the horizon the cry
" Land ho ! " broke out afresh.
7. This went on day after day, however, until tii
men thought it would never end. Scorched with heal
and parched with thirst, the sight of water and oull
water, brought back all their dreadful fears, and droi
them almost frantic. In the forecastle the sailon
told each other strange tales of enchanted breezes th^
blew only in one direction, and of ships that nev^
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
9
Icame back. With black looks, and muttered threats,
|the crews were on the point of mutiny.
8. Fortunately, however, a day came which put every
lone into a better mood. There was a great commotion
|on deck, when a thorn branch covered with berries and
carved wooden staff were picked up among the drifting
reed. At once every doubt turned to joy and happiness.
[Calling the men around him, Columbus thanked God that
lis hopes were at last realised, and the now penitent crews
Iwith tears kissed the hands of the great navigator.
THE DISCOVERY OF AMERICA— II
With redoubled energy the crews strained their
?ye8 round the horizon, each eager to have the first
sight of land. Hours afterwards, when the lights were
)ut, and sleep had fallen upon the crews, the deck of
the Pinta held a little group of watchers. At a sudden
^hout from the crow's-nest everyone sprang to his feet,
jazing into the darkness. The roar of a gun followed,
md from lip to lip flew the joyful cry, '* Land, land ! "
2. Earliest dawn showed the three caravels at anchor
)eside a level island dotted with palm trees, and so near
rere they that the ringing cheers of the men brought
frowds of wondering natives out of their huts to see
^hat had happened. It was the 12 th of October, 1492,
day ever to be remembered in modern history.
3. To the Spaniards it was an ending worthy of all the
langer they had come through. The natives, timid at
irst, soon became friendly, and there was no end to the
render and delight on both sides. The island, under the
lame of San Salvador, was at once taken possession of for
jpain, and Columbus, thinking the western route to Asia
)und, called the islands Indies, and the people Indians.
B
10 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
4. This, perhaps, was the happiest part of the great
navigator's life. Without losing time, he set out at once
to explore farther, and was more and more carried away
by what he saw. Months passed before he could tear
himself from the scene. The following spring the little
fleet, battered by wind and wave, brought home its own
glorious news, " the richest freight that ever lay upon the
bosom of the deep."
5. A magnificent welcome met the return of Columbus.
All Spain went wild with delight, hastening to do honour
to her hero. The joyful pride of the people was almost
worthy of the man to whom it was ollered.
6. Voyage after voyage followed, in which, with
restless energy, the navigator planted colonies in the
name of his adopted country, and sent the rich cargoes of
many vessels to fill her waiting cofllers.
7. But with his success, hosts of enemies rushed
forward, trying to grasp the honours he had so splendidly
won. The reputation of the noble Genoese was attacked,
and wicked falsehoods soon caused the disgrace and
overthrow of the people's idol. On one occasion he was
even sent home in chains. Bitterly resenting this injustice,
as long as he lived the iron fetters hung on his walls to
remind him of the cruel ingratitude he had suffered.
8. To Spain Columbus had been the means of giving
wealth and power far beyond his wildest dreams — yet in
neglect and poverty she allowed him to die. By some
strange fate the new land does not even bear his name,
but that of another — Amerigo. Yet, though not so much
as one island of all that he gave her remains, it is the
proudest boast of Spain that the noble explorer served
her, and over his tomb, near Seville, remains the lasting
phrase :
*' For Leon and Castile
Columbus found a New World."
CARTIER, THE NAVIGATOR
11
CARTIER, THE NAVIGATOR— I
1. Years passed, and in England the old undaunled
spirit of the Cabots had almost died out. The early tales
of the vast riches of the New World ceased to tempt
seekers across the wild Atlantic. The first English
<liscoveries were in danger of being forgotten.
2. So far, France had taken little part in these expedi-
tions. There, however, as everywhere else, the people
listened with wonder to the stories of returned mariners,
and often longed for a share in their adventures. It was in
ir)34 that the hopes of Jacques Cartier were fulfilled, when
two ships were fitted out for a voyage of discovery. These
vessels we should now think far too small for ocean use
They were but sixty tons each, and the crews together
numbered only one hundred and twenty-two men.
."]. A certain bright spring day in April, 1534, was an
exciting one in the ancient coast town of St. Malo, where
most of the men and boys were sailors. Fathers, mothers,
and children flocked from far and near to see the gallant
little ships depart, and loud and long were the cheers
and good wishes that greeted the order " Up anchor, and
away ! " The vessels, with spread canvas, sped out into the
Channel, and gradually disappeared in the distance.
4. Most of the explorers before this had been sailing
far to the south-west, but Cartier determined to go due
west, and see what he should find there. There were
no charts then of the Atlantic, and he did not know what
rocks he might run against. He might not find any land
at all, but it was worth trying.
5. Happily, all went well with the expedition, and in
about three weeks they reached the rocky shores of
Newfoundland. With the breakers thundering at the
foot of the cliffs, and in a thick fog, the St. Malo men
12 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
found a safe anchorage, but hardly were they settled
when the mouth of the bay filled up with ice. Days
passed before they could get out.
6. When they did, everything that met their eyes
seemed wonderful. The fish were so thick in the water
that one could catch them with his hands. The rocks
were so covered with sea birds that they seemed like
heaps of drifted snow. Some little birds nestled under
the wings of big ones, and some had red legs and huge
red beaks that clashed together, while others, when the
sailors tried to catch them, bit like dogs.
7. In some places, immense, ungainly animals, with
tusks from one to two feet long, lay on the sandbanks.
They were the only things that appeared timid, for they
did not wait the approach of the boats. Sliding off, they
plunged into the sea. Cartier called them sea-cows,
though now they are known as walrus.
8. Bears, too, pure white and very large, could be seen
swimming from shore to island, where they leisurely
caught and feasted upon the birds that took no trouble to
keep out of their way. None of the creatures took the
least notice of the newcomers, except the seals, who,
with their black noses above water, swam everywhere
after the boats. Looking at the rowers with their soft,
friendly eyes, they seemed to say : " We never saw such
queer creatures before. What can they be ? "
i
CARTIER, THE NAVIGATOR— II
1. These things, of course, were not all discovered at
once. For weeks the two ships followed the coast from
Cape Race to Belle Isle, while the commander busied
himself with giving names to headlands, bays, and rivers.
2. As the summer advanced, the men sometimes rowed
.:te^
TORY
ey settled
ice. Days
their eyes
I the water
The rocks
jemed like
tied under
and huge
, when the
mals. with
sandbanks,
d, for they
ig off, they
sea-cows,
lid be seen
r leisurely
trouble to
1 took the
eals, who,
verywhere
their soft,
saw such
I
covered at
2oast from
ler busied
nd rivers,
nes rowed
H
O B
^ s
14 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
P ■H
11 18
P 1
lill
b 1
up the adjacent rivers, finding there a lovely country
covered with trees. Raspberries, strawberries, and wild
cherries grew in quantities, while thickets of red and
white roses filled the air with perfume. Birds sang in
the trees, and fish jumped in the rivers until the sailors
thought they were in fairyland.
3. It was on one of the islands that the white men
first found natives, both men and women. Their faces,
painted with red and white, looked hideous to the
Europeans, and their long, black hair was wound on the
top of their heads and stuck with feathers. The clothes
of the natives were made of skins sewn together, and
their birchbark canoes were very strong and graceful.
When found, these were full of dried fish and seal meat.
4. Carefully searching for rivers leading inland, Cartier
sailed round the Gulf, which he called St. Lawrence. In
different places he came upon camps of Indians, who
proved very friendly. Many presents were exchanged,
and the natives eagerly stripped themselves of their
clothes and ornaments, seeming overjoyed to receive in
return the knives, hatchets, and bright-coloured beads
brought from France.
5. August had now arrived, and the mariners relnc-
tantly prepared to return home. Before doing so, a
wooden cross, thirty feet high, was set up on a point
overlooking the sea. It bore a shield engraved with
fleurs-de-lys, and the words " Vive le Roy de France."
6. Anxious to show the French people some of the
wonders of the New World, Cartier ordered his men to
seize two young Indians, and take them on board ship.
Their skin clothing was exchanged for coloured coats, and
with red caps on their heads and copper chains round
their neck, the youths appeared quite happy, but it was
the first breach of trust on the part of the white man,
and was not forgotten.
WESTWARD HOI
15
WESTWARD HO!— I
1. Tfiere was great rejoicing in St. Malo when the
travellers returned safe and sound. The townsfolk
crowded round to hear and to see everything, and the
two natives, dressed in the richest of clothes, were feasted
as if they had been princes.
2. Next spring it was decided that Cartier must make
another voyage to the west, and, eager to see for them-
selves, several gentlemen joined the cruise. Before
weighing anchor the party took the sacrament together
in the Cathedral, and the fleet and all it contained were
solemnly blessed by the Lord Bishop in his robes.
3. This time there were three ships — the Great Ifermina^
the Zitfle Htrmina, and one called the Finjirs-^e. The
vessels hoped to have kept together, but unfortunately
a raging tempest soon drove them apart. For two long
months none knew what had become of the others,
tliough, strange to say, they all turned up about the same
time at Newfoundland.
4. As had been arranged, the three ships went on
together as straight as possible for the mouth of the
St. Lawrence. It might be a great river or only a deep
inlet, but they were determined to trace it to the end.
5. As the stream became narrower, however, and the
mountains were seen on either side, the matter was set
at rest once for all. It was the grandest river the
explorers had ever seen. The rocky shores and islands
were covered with dense, silent forest, already touched
with the glowing tints of autumn. The Frenchmen, in
speechless wonder, looked at the beautiful scene they
were passing.
6. Sailing slowly the ships kept up a constant sound-
ing, in order to avoid accident. The Indian lads, who
II
ri
16 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
were returning to their native land, knew the river well,
and pointed out the dangerous pl'.ces. Northwards, they
said, lay the kingdom of Saguenay, famous for its red
copper and race of one-legged men. To the west were
Canada and Hochelaga. It was the first time that white
men had heard the word Canada.
7. Still sailing, the explorers found themselves near a
lovely island, covered with grape vines. The rich glow
of the purple fruit charmed their sight, and some of the
travellers named it the Isle de Bacchus. Lying in the
stream below Quebec, it is now known as the Island of
Orleans.
8. Close by, on the mainland, a massive cliff, between
two and three hundred feet high, jutted out into the
stream. In great excitement, the native boys pointed
out the village at the foot. They had reached their
home Stadacona, over which ruled the wise and good
chief, Donnacona.
WESTWARD HO!— II
I I
1. Hardly had the little fleet come to anchor, when
the chief, accompanied by numbers of canoes, came out
to welcome the strangers. Imagine their surprise when
they found on board the two young Indians, returned
from France !
2. The natives made a great din, singing and shouting
in their high spirits, and goodwill prevailed on both
sides. Numerous presents were given and received,
including a little girl and two baby boys, who were
formally presented to Captain Cartier. On ship and
shore all was merriment and festivity.
3. When Donnacona found, however, that the French-
men were going farther up the river, he was far from
Lit
HOCHELAGA
17
pleased. The Indiana are wise folk, and they knew by
instinct that if the white m.pn saw tb«ir Sec country,
they would want it for themselves.
4. Every device was used to prevent them from going
on. Among others, a canoe was filled with devils, or
rather me whose painted faces and yard-long horns,
bid fair to give all who saw them nightmares. Coming
near, they prophesied all sorts of evil to the voyagers.
At this the white men only laughed, and the baffled
savages retired in deep anger.
5. Two of the ships were left at Stadacona, and Cartier,
with all the gentlemen and fifty sailors, pushed on in open
boats. "On both sides of the river," as the old story
goes, " we beganne to see as goodly a country as possibly
can with eye be scene." Fruit trees and grape-laden vines
lined the shores, patches of Indian corn with its silky
tassels waved in the wind, and big melons lay ripening
on the ground. Owing, however, to the low state of the
water-course, it took thirteen days' steady travel to reach
Hochelaga.
HOCHELAGA
1. This island, the party found, was formed by two
majesiic rivers, one passing on each side. At the foot
the waters joined, afterwards flowing on together to the
ocean. The arrival of the boats was greeted by more than
a thousand men, women, and children, who all tried to see
who could be most kind in welcoming the strangers.
2. About the town of Hochelaga, and especially a sacred
mountain in the vicinity, Cartier had heard from his
captives. Anxious to see for themselves, the company
rose early the next morning, dressing in full uniform to
do honour to the occasion.
3. Landing in state, they followed their guides through
18 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
|:|i
il
the forest for several miles. The well-beaten path led
through groves of russet-coloured oaks, under which lay
heaps of acorns. Ileaching at length a huge bonfire,
whose flames and smoke rolled skyward, the Frenchmen
found a chief with his followers awaiting them. The
manner of the savages was dignified, and their speech of
welcome very friendly.
4. After a rest, the groups went on together until they
reached Hochelaga. The town was round in shape, and
circled by three strong palisades. In the courtyard, the
women crowded round, without the least sign of fear.
5. Weeping with joy, they held their babies up to the
faces and hands of their white guests, signing them
to touch the little ones. While this was going on, the
grand chief Agouhanna, who was a great invalid, was
carried in and laid on a deerskin. As well as he was
able he welcomed the ship's company, showing his poor,
palsied limbs, which the Captain stroked and rubbed
gently with his hands. At this Agouhanna's face lighted
up, and taking off his chief's headdress, with a few
gracious words, he presented it to Jacques Cartier.
G. Tliis done, the tribesmen ran and brought in all the
sick, the blind, and lame of the village, to be touched.
To the simple natives it seemed that the great ]\Ianitou
himself had come down from heaven to heal them. The
white men looked on almost with tears as the Captain
did what they wished, and the touching scene was not
finished until part of the Gospel of St. John had been
recited, and a prayer added that they might soon become
Christians.
7. Later on, still with the greatest friendliness, some
of the tribe escorted their guests to the top of the near
by hill. It was a warm and beautiful autumn day, and
before them stretched a noble view.
8. On all sides the slopes were thickly covered with
5T0RY
n path led
' which lay
?e bonfire,
Frenchmen
hem. The
' speech of
J -^
'j^. y.
5 -^^
fa .'^
C c
* • '* - i'
H
t
20 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
trees, glowing in rich tones of red, bronze, and gold.
From the west rolled the broad blue St. Lawrence, and
for many miles the eye swept over a fair and noble
country. Beyond the plain rose the circling mountains,
like courtiers awaiting the nod of their sovereign.
9. Before t^^e delighted visitors turned away, Mont
Ilovale had received its name, in time to be handed on
to the new city at its foot.
THE INDIAN
11!
I!
1. Apart from the Indian as a warrior and hunter,
there is much that places him far above our general
ideas of savagery. Indeed, there are those who believe
that could we look back far enough into his history,
we should find him descended from some highly civilised
race of the Asiatic world.
2. Physically, the early explorers found both men and
women to be beautifully proportioned, their complexion
of a rich copper-colour, with black eyes and straight black
hair, often of great length. Their heads were well-
shaped, and their features, though somewhat set, of a fine
aquiline cast. The rather fierce expression, caused by
their hard fight for existence, was increased when on the
warpath by curious devices in bright-coloured paints.
3. Self-control was greatly valued among them, and
was acquired by long practice. The women and children,
no less than hunter and warrior, were able to go for many
days without food and sleep, and all were nerved to see
and take part in scenes of cruelty. It is a mistake,
however, to suppose that all the tribes were utterly blood-
thirsty ; according to the first Jesuit missionaries, many
of them were of an amiable and even gentle character,
iUn
THE INDIAN
n
and early accepted the truths of Christianity with child-
like devotion.
4. It is said that they were possessed of more agility
than strength, and were better framed for swiftness
than hard labour. Their sight, smell, hearing, and other
senses were brought to the highest state of perfection by
practice, and their knowledge of distance and direction
was remarkable.
5. Severe physical training made all the young men
experts in foot-racing, canoeing, arrow-shooting, wrest-
ling, and many other sports requiring skill and energy.
The chiefs and older members of the tribes encouraged
such games, and always made a point of being present
to applaud and at the same time put down any attempt
at unfair play.
6. Like all imaginative peoples, the Indians are pas-
sionately fond of stories, and it has been their custom
from past ages to draw round the winter fires in their
lodges, to hear and tell the tales handed down from
their ancestors. Every shade of pathos and humour is
employed to heighten the effect of their words, and all
are more or less good as storytellers.
7. Singing, from our point of view, was never an
Indian accomplishment, though the war dances were
aided by irregular choruses, and accompanied with rattles
and the loud monotone of the war-drum. The dances
showed the great dramatic power of the natives. The
children were early taught to understand the meaning
of the devices used, such as carnivorous birds and beasts,
expressing courage, patience, and other heroic virtues.
8. The dancers were arrayed in grotesque masks and
costumes, which added much to the fierce character of
the performance. Beginning slowly, the pictured scenes
rapidly increased in quickness and vehemence. Warriors
ready for the part, from time to time bounded into the
22 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
circle, with wild yells of exultation, which naturally
wrought the onlookers to a terrible pitch of excitement.
Chants also expressed with deep feeling the memory of
their dead heroes and children, to whom they were
tenderly attached.
9. Long and terrible ordeals of starvation and torture
awaited every youth, before he could join the ranks of
the braves. This produced the unflinching courage in
bodily pain which was the pride of the race. Singing
the death-song, and hurling scornful epithets from the
very brink of the grave at their enemies, they often showed
the height of human endurance.
10. The tribal chiefs were hereditary, and generally
ruled their people with wisdom and energy. The codes
of many tribes showed a keen sense of right and wrong,
and the punishment of certain crimes was swift and very
severe.
11. The chiefs in council were dignified, and their
great eloquence was soon revealed to the astonished
French pioneers. Never before had they heard anything
like such language except in epic poetry. According to
an early writer, no Greek or Eoman orator ever spoke
with greater strength or pathos than on one such
occasion.
12. The French, for some reason, wished to induce a
tribe to remove to a distance from their native soil, but
the speech delivered in return caused them to withdraw
the demand. " We were born," said the chief with dignity,
" on this ground. Our parents lie buried in it. Shall we
say to the bones of our fathers : ' Arise, and come with
us into a foreign land ' ? "
5^'
!!,!
ttmm
INDIAN FOLKLORE
INDIAN FOLKLORE
1. A DEEP love of the beautiful in nature lies in the
heart of the Canadian savage. From the earliest times
we are told they took the explorers with pride to view
their favourite scenes. Indeed, it is not unlikely that
the genuine delight of the French in the picturesque
scenery of Canada had something to do with winning
for them the friendship of the natives.
2. The language is well fitted for expressing beautiful
ideas. The words are made up of many liquid syllables,
almost every second letter being a vowel. The well-
chosen names of a thousand places show love of beauty
and harmony. Caugh-na-wa-ga, means Near the rapids ;
Ontario, Beautiful prospect of rocks, hills, and waters;
Toronto, Trees in the water ; and so on.
3. The tribes believed in one Great Spirit, Manitou,
who ruled over all things, and looked with a loving eye
from the clouds upon his red children. There were many
lesser deities, however. Every spot in the land which
inspired awe or reverence, the Indian believed to be the
abode of a god. Every mountain, lake, and waterfall
was guarded by an invisible spirit. The murmuring of
the breeze, the rush of water, every flash of lightning
and roll of thunder was the message of a god.
4. The name of Hiawatha has long been familiar to
the white man. Hiawatha taught all the useful arts to
the Five Nations and their fellows of the west. He
showed them how to raise corn and beans, cleared the
fishing grounds and streams of rocks, and destroyed great
and evil monsters. He loved peace, and wished all men
to be brothers. He was more skilful with the bow than
the bravest hunter, and more eloquent than the greatest
orator. His adventures and miracles were endless.
i'
'1 '
,1
i
!
1 :
iij '
::
li: 1
I i
24 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
5. On the Atlantic coast the place of Hiawatha was
taken by the strong and friendly Glooskap, who at one
time dwelt upon earth, and looked after the wants of
men. Glooskap lived alone on the top of a mountain on
the Acadian shore. Once in a while he descended, and
went about among the lodges of the people. He was
never too far off, however, to hear a cry of pain or
trouble, and always came to the aid of those who called
him.
6. One of many charming legends concerning him is
the following : " The two great salmon rivers, the Mata-
pedia and the Kestigouche, rise at some distance from
each other, one in the Province of Quebec, the other
in New Brunswick. After a time, however, they join,
and empty from one channel into the Bay of Chaleurs.
7. " Ages ago, it is said, the Matapedia had an opening
of its own to the sea, but the Restigou.che claimed the
smaller river as its bride, and one day appealed to
Glooskap, as he stood staff in hand on the top of Sugar-
Loaf Mountain.
8. " The great Mic-mac deity stooped, and struck the
wall of rock that divided the two rivers. At once a
mighty block of land fell into the Restigouche, forming
one of the islands, at this place. The larger river
rushed in and grasped its bride, and together ever
afterwards they have flowed to mingle their waters
with the sea."
9. In course of time, however, in spite of having every-
thing to make them good and happy, men began to grow
very wicked. Not content with doing wrong themselves,
they encouraged even the beasts to become wild and
savage. Then GlooSkap, though it gave him pain, deter-
mined to go away, and leave them to themselves.
10. Because man had grown utterly unworthy, for him
there was no farewell; but the beasts, wild and tame,
Hm
INDIAN HUMOUR 25
were bidden to a parting feast on the seashore. There
their mighty friend
" . fed the panther's cnifty broo'l, and filled
The lean wolf's Imnger ; from the hollow tree
His honey stayed the bear's terrific jaws ;
And the brown rabbit couched at peace, within
The circling shadow of the eagle's wings." '
When it was all over, he bade tlieni a solemn good-bye.
11. Into the glowing splendour of the sunset, he who
was more than man
" launched his birch canoe,
And spread his yellow sail, and moved from shore."
As he sailed he sang, hia farewell notes floating back
like a benediction on those who loved him, hut not
enough to do his will. And presently as tiiey all looked
on sorrowfully,
" . . . the canoe grew little like a bird,
And black, and vanished in the shining trail"
12. All this happened long, long ago. But the good
and the true among his people wait and remember still,
for to them he has promised that he will come again, and
all shall yet be well.
INDIAN HUMOUR
1. It is not strange that humour should be a strong
point with the tribesmen. A love of the beautiful and
quick wit often go hand in hand. The Indian's sense of
satire was keen, and, even at the point of death, surprising.
^ The Dcpiirtiiu/ of Gluxkap, by Charles G. D. Roberts,
C
^Ij
w i
C ;
O ^
Hjii
INDIAN HUMOUR
87
There is one story, however, which has no satire about
it, but is only merry and delightful. It is taken from
Mr. Leland's Alf/onquin Legends : —
2. Now, it came to pass, when Glooskap had conquered
ill! his enemies, even the giants and sorcerers, Pamola,
who is the evil spirit of the night air, and all manner of
f^hosts, witches and goblins, that he thought upon what
he had done, and wondered if his work was at an end.
3. And he said this to a certain woman. But she
replied, "Not so fast, Master, for there yet remains
( )ne whom no one has ever conquered or got the better
of in any way, and who will remain uiiconquered to
the end of time."
4. " And who is he ? " inquired the Master.
" It is the mighty Wasis," she replied, " and there
he sits; and I warn you that if you meddle with him
vou will be in sore trouble."
5. Now Wasis was the baby. And he sat on the
floor sucking a piece of maple sugar, greatly contented,
troubling no one.
6. As the Lord of Men and Beasts had never married
or had a child, he knew naught of the way of managing
children. Therefore he was quite certain, as is the
wont of such people, that he knew all about it. So
he turned to Baby with a bewitching smile, and bade
him come to him.
7. Then Baby smiled again, but did not budge. And
the Master spoke sweetly, and made his voice like that
of the summer bird, but it was of no avail, for Wasis
sat still and sucked his maple sugar.
8. Then the Master frowned and spoke terribly, and
ordered Wasis to come crawling to him immediately.
And Baby burst out into crying and yelling, but did
not come for all that.
c2
;1!
' ni
28 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
9. Then, since he could do but one thing more, the
Master had recourse to magic. He used his most
awful spells, and sang the songs which raise the dead
and scare the devils. And Wasis sat and looked on
admiringly, and seemed to find it very interesting, but
all the same he never moved an inch.
10. So Glooskap gave it up in despair, and Wasis,
sitting on the floor in the sunshine, went (joo ! goo ! and
crowed.
11. And to this day, when you see a babe well con-
tented, going goo! goo! and crowing, and no one can
tell why, know that it is because he remembers the
time when he overcame the Master who had conquered
all the world. For of all the beings that have ever
been since the beginning, Baby alune is the only in-
vincible one.
U i
THE FIRST COLON Y— I
1. One day in the summer of 1604, a small ship of
French build was slowly sailing along the Acadian coast.
On her deck stood a party of distinguished-looking men
enjoying the scene. Samuel de Champlain, yet to be
named the Father of Canada, was one of the number.
Young as he was, Champlain was already a rising man
and a noted traveller.
2. The expedition was under a French nobleman
called de Monts, and in his keeping he held a much-
prized roll of parchment signed in big letters " Henri."
Now Henri IV was the reigning King of France, and to
his faithful subject de Monts he was entrusting a great
section of North America, in order that it might be
colonised.
3. The King did not really know what a huge terri-
m
mmmm
THE FIRST COLONY
ftd
tory he was giving away. It was what we now call
the Maritime Provinces, a great part of Quebec, and
stretching south as far as Pennsylvania. Through the
country rushed several wide rivers, and both mountain
iind plain were one dense wilderness of trees. Even
yet, three hundred years afterwards, white men shrink
from going through such forests alone.
4. The ship soon entered a lovely bay, whose waters
reflected the trees and hills around as well as the blue
sky above. Baron de Poutrincourt, standing on the deck,
was so charmed with the sight, that he lost no time in
applying for it for his own use.
5. This granted, he at once set about making plans
for the houses he meant to build for his family and
servants. The place he christened Port Itoyal, and
though the town now standing on the spot is called
Annapolis, it is rightly considered the oldest settlement
in North America.
G. The rest of the su iimer was spent by the explorers
in cruising along the coast. For some reason they did
not come back to Port Royal. Instead they spent the
following winter in great misery on a near by island
which they called St. Croix. Here there were no trees
to keep off the wind, and their wooden huts were half
buried in snow most of the time.
7. It did not take the colonists long to find that
winter in Canada is much colder than in France, and that
big tires, plenty of clothes, and well-built houses are
needed to defy the weather. Canadians now love the
winter, and have lots of fun because they have learned to
keep themselves warm.
8. When summer came again, however, the explorers
soon forgot their misery. The woods were full of wild
tlowers when de Monts, Champlain, and the rest of the
party went off on another long trip. Delighted with
il * i
30 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
the beauty on every side, they eailed in and out along
the coast, which they named Maine. Some of the
streams and islands are still called by the names then
given them. In one place beside the sea they found a
very old wooden cross standing. It was thick with
moss and falling to decay, but there was nothing to show
by whom it had been set up.
9. Wherever they went the Frenchmen made friends
with the Indians, whom they found kind and hospitable.
Round most of the villages large patches of maize, beans,
squashes, and tobacco were growing, and the people were
intelligent and well-to-do. Nowhere, however, did the
travellers find a place they admired so much as Port
Royal.
10 When they at last returned to St. Croix, it was
only to pull down their houses, and move everything
across the bay. For the rest of the summer they were
all very busy making things snug for the cold weather.
In spite of their hard work the colonists were as lively as
possible, making light of their hardships and spending
their spare time as merrily as they could.
THE ORDER OF GOOD TIMES
1. Among other funny things the gentlemen did, they
founded a club called the Order of Good Times. There
were fifteen members, and each one in turn was Grand
Master for twenty-four hours. During that time it was
his principal duty to get up a good dinner for the rest.
As well as providing the feast, this high ofhcial must stay
in the kitchen, and see that it was properly cooked and
served.
2. Of course, everyone tried to have a meal better than
the one before, and there was lots of fun over it. There
i4TL«Ml_
~.mDSSE9Bm
THE ORDER OF GOOD TIMES
31
were plenty of good things to be had from the surround-
ing forest. Venison, bear-steaks, hares, wild ducks, wild
geese, and other kinds of game ; sturgeon, salmon, and
every sort of fresh and salt water fish. With the stores
of the ship to fall back upon, one does not wonder that
the happy exiles thought themselves better off than their
friends in Paris.
3. According to the fashion of the times, the Noble
Order of Good Times dined at noon. To keep up the fun
they copied the ceremonies of the King's palace at home.
When everything was ready, they entered the dining-
room in single file, led by the Grand Master, who by this
time had quite forgotten that he had helped to cook the
dinner. '
4. Round his neck this gentleman wore a costly (!) state
collar, and in his hand he held a staff of office. The Club
followed in order, each carrying a smoking dish, which
they solemnly placed upon the table. This done, they all
sat down and enjoyed themselves like schoolboys.
5. The French were always kind and friendly to the
Indians, who naturally grew very fond of them. In the
edge of the forest, near by, stood the wigwams of a tribe
whose chief at that time was over a hundred years old.
There was nothing Membertou enjoyed so much as to be
with his white friends.
6. Encouraged by the interest they took, he often told
them about the wars and great hunting parties of his
youth. Among other things he remembered quite well
the arrival of Jacques Cartier, the first white man, seventy
years before. Amused with the shrewd wit of the old
savage, the Club often invited him to dinner, and nothing
would have induced Membertou to miss his part in the
fun.
I
f ?!
32 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
)|:i
I i^
F'i '
l\
SMALL BEGINNINGS
1. All this time the colonists were as busy as bees
building the fort, which they mounted with cannon from
the ship. A strong palisade was thrown round the little
settlement, and soon gardens outside the stockade began
to show the common plants and flowers of home.
2. One thing more remained to be done before winter
set in. Some miles up the bay a fine bit of meadowland
sloped to the water's edge, and here the light-hearted
settlers set about planting the first wheat in Canada. It
was an experiment that, to the delight of all, proved a
great success. How surprised they would have been to
know that some day this land would send out millions of
bushels to feed people in different parts of the world.
3. For some years the colony flourished, but in France
enemies were at work. The King was induced to change
his mind, and, before de Monts knew of it, his rights had
all been taken away and given to others. To their sorrow,
the settlers were ordered home. The Indians, grieved
to lose the white men, begged them to return, and de
Poutrincourt, in departing, left everything in charge of
his friends, the savages.
4. When some years afterwards the Baron was able
to return to his colony, he brought with him his son, a
manly and handi. ^me young sailor called Biencourt.
5. The Indians were still there, and overjoyed to see
their friends again. The old chief, now in his hundred
and tenth year, was the first to welcome them, and the
colonists found that good care had been taken of the
property in their absence.
6. In Paris the gay court of Marie de Medicis was
always busy amusing itself, but it still had time, now and
then, to think of Canada. The New World interested the
ij4^_
r-i";-inqH.-u;r=;raK.3T»iai3aaK:w
ARGALL'S RAID
33
grand people in two ways. One was in trying to make
Christians of the Indians, whether they would or not,
I lie other had to do with the lovely furs supplied to the
extravagant courtiers.
7. No material or ornament used for the rich and
beautiful clothes of the time was such a favourite as fur.
Fur trimmed and lined nearly every article of dress. In-
stead of silk, as now, the beaver hats were made of real
skins, and, until it began to come from Canada, they
could never get enough of it.
8. Only ladies and gentlemen of the noblesse, however,
wore fur. Others, no matter how wealthy, were not
allowed to do so. An old French version of the story of
Cinderella declares that the magic slipper was not glass
at all, but fur- trimmed, which shows that Cinderella was
a real princess.
ARGALL'S RAID— I
1. It was a beautiful summer day in 1613, and in a
deep bay of Mount Desert Island, a ship lay at anchor
with her spars reflected in water like a mirror. Round
about rose the grey cliffs against the sky, while on the
sloping green shore stood four white tents and a tall
wooden cross.
2. The vessel had just arrived from France, and held a
little band of Jesuit missionaries, who had been sent to
Christianise the natives of America. With them they
carried horses and goats to stock a new colony.
3. Scarcely had they become settled, however, when in
the distance a ship was observed heading for the island.
She did not look friendly. A red flag floated at the
masthead, and fierce-looking men crowded her decks.
As she came on the black muzzles of cannon could be
seen jutting from her side.
'^ •ml
T
i !
If,
¥ 'I
34 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
4. By this time, eight hundred miles to the south
there had sprung up another settlement. It was English,
and named Virginia after the Virgin Queen Elizabeth.
Some of the people, no doubt, were good and brave, but
others were quite different, lluined gentlemen, gamblers
and pickpockets in England, had heard of the riches of
the New World, and determined there to retrieve their
fortunes ; 3om.e had already made their way in that direc-
tion across tae ocean.
5. Among the colonists was a man called Argall, who
had managed to get the command of an armed sloop.
With a crew as daring and unscrupulous as himself,
he was ready to be pirate, fisherman, or smuggler as the
case required.
6. Hearing of the French settlement at Mount Desert,
and bitterly hurting En^Tiai^-l's ancient foes, the Virginian
privateer lost no time in ma'lng towards the spot. The
English colony lay hundreds of miles away, and most
likely their northern neighbours did not even know
of its existence. One would think that on the great
new continent there was room enough for both.
7. As Argall's ship approached there was no mis-
taking her evil intentions. The poor missionaries were
in despair. They were few in number, and not pre-
pared to fight. With all speed some of them hid among
the rocks, though a brave handful hastened on board
their vessel to be ready for the attack. At a glance
the enemy saw that they could not hold out long, and
was the more determined to seize the prize.
8. The unoffending little French vessel was soon
taken by its warlike assailant, but not before several
men had been killed. Hastening on shore, the suc-
cessful raider set about rifling the tents. In a strong
box, to his delight, he found a royal deed of gift
entitling the missionaries to settle on this land.
AllGALL'S RAID
35
9. Concealing the paper, Argall ordered the captain,
now a prisoner, into his presence, and sternly asked
him by what right his company had settled on English
ground. The puzzled Frenchman asserted that it was
not English but French, and being asked to show his
papers, rushed to his chest. To his dismay the precious
parchment had disappeared.
ARGALL'S RAID— II
1. At once Argall's manner changed. Harshly de-
nouncing his victims as robbers who deserved death,
he seized the disabled ship and all its contents. A
few of those that had resisted him were flogged, while
fifteen men were turned adrift in an open boat to sink
or swim. With his prize and fourteen prisoners the
pirate set off for Virginia, where he gave a glowing
account of his brave deeds.
2. Vastly pleased with his success, the Governor of
the colony at once fitted out three ships, and ordered
Argall to go back and sweep the foreign invaders out
of America.
3. Father Biard, one of the prisoners, had been living
for some time at Port Royf.i. The brave young Bien-
court, disliking some of his ways, had once told him,
with more truth than politeness, to mind his own duties.
Here was a chance for revenge, and unfortunately the
priest took it. Guiding the fleet to Port Pioyal, he
basely betrayed it into the hands of the enemy.
4. By this time the rich lands round the settlement
had begun to repay the toil they had cost. The gardens
were glowing in the midsummer sun, and cattle fed
placidly in the adjoining fields. The buildings, however,
seemed silent and deserted, but that was only because,
! »
36 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
six miles up tlie bay, the settlers were busy reaping
their treasured fields.
5. At a word from their leader, Argall's men killed
the animals, stripped the houses, and, applying the torch
stood by to see them burn. This done, they noisily
crowded into their boats, and pulled up the bay to com-
plete their wicked work.
6. The unlooked-for advance filled the harvesters with
terror. They were too few tc resist, and, fleeing to the
hillsides, looked on in despair while their precious grain
was trampled into the ground. Not until everything
was destroyed did the heartless raiders turn away.
7. Unable as they were to repay it at the time, these
savage attacks aroused anger and indignation among the
colonists that never went to sleep again. It was the
beginning of the wars that raged in America between the
French and English for a hundred and fifty years. The
last great battle took place on the Plains of Abraham
in 1759.
i 'I !
CHAMPLAIN— I
1. Look at the map of France along the wild and
stormy Bay of Biscay, and near the old seaport La
Rochelle you will find the town of Brouage. Here
Champlain was born in 1567. One of a hardy race and
living on the seashore, the boy must have spent much of
his time in boats. In after life he was strong and
courageous, and had high principles of honour.
2. In and about France at that time there was a great
deal of fighting, and at an early age our hero entered the
navy, where he won fame as a soldier. When the war
was ov3r the King granted him a pension, and would
have given him a place at Court, but he would not accept
it. The life was too tame for his taste.
CHAMPLAIN
37
3. The settlements founded by Columbus in the West
Indies and on the near by mainland had once been -open
to all comers, but the Spaniards now became so over-
hearing that no foreigners were allowed to enter them on
pain of death. Thinking that he would like to see things
for himself, young Champlain set out for Cadiz, where
he found a fleet of ships sailing for Spanish America.
Through influence he was made captain of one of the
vessels.
K An old and very precious manuscript, still to be
seen at Dieppe, is the journal kept when on this voyage
by the young captain. The pages are full of coloured
sketches of Southern birds, beasts, and fishes. There are
Indian dances and feasts to be seen, and long processions
of the slave workers in the mines. Dreadful to relate,
some of the pictures show the poor natives being cruelly
flogged for not attending mass, while others have six
together being burned alive for not becoming Christians !
5. When he returned to France in 1603, Champlain
found an expedition just preparing to sail for the St.
Lawrence. The stout little vessel was a merchantman
loaded with goods which it was intended to exchange for
furs. On the Grand Banks near Newfoundland they
passed a large number of French, English, and Spanish
fishing-smacks busily at work.
6. Several busy years passed, during which the settle-
ment at Port Koyal was springing up. Part of the time
Champlain spent in his native country, but he could not
forget the great lonely river in America. The call of the
wild woods, the swish of the paddle, and the foam of the
rapids boiling round his canoe filled his thoughts. He
longed to be once more among the sights and sounds of
the northern forest.
7. All this time Monsieur de Monts and Champlain
had remained great friends. There was nothing they
i
38 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
wished so much as to see towns and villages taking root
in Canada, and sunny farms stretching in place of the
dense forest. They thought there was no end to the
future of the country, and now wo know that they were
right.
8. Always talking about the great new land, a number
of friends at length determined to open trade in furs and
other things with the Indians of the St. Lawrence. While
business occupied some of these, Champlain on the Don
de Dieu was to explore and plant settlements farther up
the river.
CHAMPLAIN— II
v\ i;
1. That was in 1608. Trading headquarters were soon
established at Tadousac, but our hero pressed on up the
river. He found that since the time of Cartier a very
great change had taken place there. Scarcely a vestige of
kStadacona or of Hochelaga was to be seen. The pros-
perous tribes who had welcomed the French explorers
were all gone. What had happened ?
2. Champlain has been blamed for beginning the cruel
hatred that existed between the native races, but he was
too just and good a man to do such an unchristian thing.
War was already raging when he arrived. A small but
warlike tribe called the Iroquois had come from the west,
and settled in the mountains south of the St. Lawrence,
They were determined to be masters of the entire country,
and already roamed over it as they chose. The Hurons
and Algonquins, once powerful tribes, had retreated before
the cunning and ferocity of their foes.
3. There was no chance of friendship between the
French and the Iroquois, for both wished to be conqueror.
The other tribes, however, flocking about the newcomers,
CHAMPLAIN
39
seemed good-natured and trustworthy. Imploring Champ-
Iain's help in their wars, he promised to stand by them
whenever his assistance should be required.
4. In the meantime it was decided to build a town
where Donnacona and his tribe had lived sixty years
before. The place, grown wild again, was cleared of its
big trees, and at the foot of the great rock they began a
settlement, which they called Quebec. As soon as a few
necessary buildings were finished, Champlain laid out his
garden and planted rose-bushes just as he had done at
Port Royal.
5. Seeing that the White Chief was greatly pleased
with the beauty of the country, some of the Hurons took
him, the following summer, on a tour of exploration.
Together they paddled up the St. Lawrence and into the
Kichelieu River. Champlain was the only white man,
but he seems to have had no fear of entering the strong-
hold of the Iroquois with his new friends.
6. The canoes went on until they arrived at one of
the most beautiful places on the continent. The lines
describing ai more famous but scarcely more lovely scene
might have been written of Lake Champlain : —
*' Girt round with rugged mountains
The fair Lake Constance lies ;
In her blue heart reflected
Shine back the starry skies ;
And watching each white cloudlet
Float silently and slow,
You think a piece of heaven
Lies on our earth below ! " ^
7. The trip, however, was to show the explorer his
first specimen of Indian warfare. Gathering in great
nut^bers, the Iroquois attacked their ancient enemies
* The Legend of Bregem, by Adelaide Procter.
•■f
p '
40 riCTUHES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
with great fury, and but for Champlain's "magic gun," it
would have gone hard with iheni. After two or three of
their number had been killed, the hostile natives lied in
great terror, leaving the llurous victorious.
THE EXPLORER IN THE WILDS— I
1. Early in the summer of 1615 a number of canoes
were leaving Quebec to attend the great annual market
between red men and white at some distance up the
river. Out of curiosity Champlain and the priest Le
Caron joined the party. At the foot of the (J rand Sault,
since called the Lachine llapids. they paused. Where
Montreal now stands was the rendezvous, and the meet-
ing of Western braves and French traders was already
one of bustling activity.
2. Try to imagine the scene. Scores of long birch-
bark canoes, steered as none but Indians can do, had
raced each other down the wild rapids. They were
loaded with valuable skins that it had taken a whole
year to collect. The tall well-formed savages, each with
his loin-cloth, charms, and feathered top-knot, knelt up-
right, with his paddle striving to push his boat into the
best place. Shouts and arguments in French and Huron
lilled the air, for both sides were keen at a bargain.
3. Already the Indians had boundless faith in the
great White Chief, but the rough and dishonest ways of
the traders only angered them. Once they moved back
into the woods, and came to Champlain in the night-time,
saying, '' Come to our country, buy our beaver, build a
fort, teach us the true faith — do what you will, but do
not bring these men with you."
4. The sight of so many savages fresh from the wilds
made Le Caron, who had come from France for the
r ?
Oj 2
^!i ■'"'
Vt,;
'■•v,»j,',.
iHi
''m.
42 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
^
'!)
purpose, more eager than ever to begin his missionary
work. Already knowing something of the Indian dialects,
he determined to go West at once with the tribesmen.
5. Champlain, however, was not ready to be whirled
off in this way. Iroquois raids were already greatly
feared at Quebec, and the little fort must be made
stronger. After a hurried trip down the river, he arrived
again at Montreal only to find that the wild dusky com-
pany had vanished. The solitude was unbroken save for
the ripple of the great river, and the wind i. weeping
through the forest trees.
6. With Champlain was Etienne Brule, the interpreter,
and ten Indians. Paddling to the foot of the rapids the
party landed. They lifted the two big canoes, loaded for
the trip, to their shoulders, and made their way along
the well-worn portage to the head of the island. Taking
to the water again, they sped across the Lake of Two
Mountains, and were soon breasting the swift tide of
the Ottawa Iliver. They advanced until the leaping
current forced them to land.
7. It was now growing dark, and the voyagers were
glad to camp for the night. Ashes of former fires showed
that the spot had been used in the same way before.
Wood being cut, a cheery blaze soon sent aloft volumes
of smoke and sparks. The dark trunks of the trees stood
in shadow, but the over-hanging boughs glowed in the
red light of the leaping flames.
8. Happy in the warmth, red men and white gathered
round the fire. Each cooked his own supper, holding
freshly caught fish on forked sticks over the blaze. This
done, pine and cedar branches were stripped from the
trees, and the weary travellers, throwing themselves upon
these spicy beds, were soon fast asleep.
9. Though the Indians were sometimes attacked at
night, it was not their custom to set guards. The hoot
1^(1*
m
't .«*.'■
W
! ■■■♦'■[
* s
I t,(
!<; mi
:
' 'i-
44 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
of the owl iiiid the cry of the night-hawk seemed to add
to their rest. Even the far liowl of a wolf, or a bear
forcing liis way through a thicket, did not disturb the
sleepers.
10. Once in a while, one of the number, roused by the
chilly air, started from his balmy couch. Sleepily raking
together the dying embers, he threw on more fuel, and
after peering into the forest depths for a lurking foe,
once more rolled himself in his blanket. With the
soothing rush of the rapids in his ears, he was speedily
lost again in the land of dreams.
THE EXPLORER IN THE WILDS— II
1. The rising sun cast his beams abroad, touching the
dark tree-tops with rosy life. The camp was early astir,
and, breakfast over, the portage began. Should the
canoes be too heavv, some of the contents were removed,
and slung from a band passing across the foreheads of
the men, who with easy strides set out in single file at a
rapid trot along the shore.
2. As the stream became more placid, paddling was
resumed, though shallow water sometimes forced the
party to wade. The sharp stones cut the feet of the
white men, and at times the mosquitoes were almost
unbearable, but the voyagers took their trials as a matter
of course. Sometimes the swift, black current, racing
between its narrow banks, seemed almost too strong even
for the sinewy arms of the paddlers.
3. Day after day the party proceeded, with scarcely
any rest, speeding their canoes from dawn to dusk. The
course shifted from the Ottawa to the Mattawa. Chain
after chain of lovely forest lakes followed, and westward
a stream, which they called the French River, carried
them to the (Jeorgian Bay.
THE LOST MISSIONARY
45
^en
4. All this time Champlain was in his element. Never
before had he been so happy. To see a doe with her
fawn swimming the current, or a lordly moose standing
knee-deep in a shady pool, roused his never-failing
interest. A fish jumping at an insect, or a gorgeous
humming-bird flitting from flower to flower, filled him
with delight. When food ran short, the party feasted
on the wild raspberries and blueberries growing in
quantities along the banks.
5. Now and then in their course the Frenchmen came
across native villages, where they were received with
eloquent addresses by the chiefs. Feasts of game, fish,
and pounded maize were held in honour of the guests,
and their parting was always that of old friends.
6. Once, fuddenly rounding a point, the newcomers
had a mome.it of exciting suspense. There, before them,
stood a large party of unknown Indians, whose bodies
were tattooed with colours from head to foot, while
their hair was dressed over a frame to appear like the
rising sun. Savage as they looked, however, the Indians
turned out to be very friendly, and among other things
told the voyagers that they would soon reach the Great
Lake of the Western tribes.
7. With increased interest the rowers pushed on,
eagerly looking along the horizon for the bl -.■ line of
Lake Huron. As the vast expanse of water broke on his
sight, Champlain stood still in reverence and woLder.
He was the first white man to view the grand and
beautiful sight.
liiii
led
THE LOST MISSIONARY
L The one cloud on the White Chief's pleasure, so far,
had been the disappearance of Father le Caron. For
a while after their sudden parting at Montreal, a slight
11*
1'
46 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
trace of his presence seems to have existed here and
there, but this had soon failed. Though at every point
inquiry was kept up, he and his party seemed to have
utterly vanished from the earth.
2. Determined to continue the search, the two canoes
now turned south, skirting for a hundred miles the noble
sweep of the Georgian Bay. On the one hand lay the
sloping shores, on the other the countless wave-washed
islands that seem to shut out the greater sea beyond.
3. Landing at length where an old Indian trail led
inland, the party pushed on into the heart of the Huron
country. It was a rich and fertile land, with here and
there palisaded villages nestling among their patches of
waving corn and glowing pumpkins. As they passed, the
people gazed in wonder on the first white men they had
ever seen.
4. When on the point of giving up hope, however, the
searchers were at last rewarded. By what route P6re
Joseph and hia comrades travelled has never been
clearly explained. Deep in the forest, however, they
were eventually found, a little group of white men, safe
and sound among their tawny brethren. The divided
companions were overjoyed to meet again, and, strong
men as they were, knelt in tears round the altar in the
priest's little hut to thank God from full hearts for their
unexpected meeting.
i ^i
THE HURON CAMPAIGN
1. Wherever he went, the happy industrious life of the
natives delighted Champlain, and he would gladly have
returned as he came — in peace. But the. Hurons saw
their chance, and were determined to make use of his
visit. They reminded him of his promised aid against
the Iroquois, and insisted on his keeping his word.
THE HURON CAMPAIGN
47
2. From far and near the smaller tribes began to
gather, prepared for the war-path. All had reason to
fear the common foe, and the help of French guns
promised well for their success.
o. Feasting and speeches were followed by wild war
songs and dances. Picturing the chase and capture of
the enemy, the warriors worked themselves up to the
highest pitch of bloodthirsty fury.
4. A party of Fries having failed to appear, Etienne
Brule offered to go in search of them. ^J'he offer was
accepted, and, promising to meet the war party before
the Seneca town, the scout and his ten skilful paddlerd
disappeared in the forest.
5. Crossing Lake Ontario, the tribes cautiously ad-
vanced in the direction of the enemy's stronghold. They
were now in the dangerous country of the Five Nations,
where the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagos, Cayugas, and
Senecas had banded themselves under the name of
Iroquois.
6. As they approached the Seneca town, the warriors
could be seen peacefully at work over their harvest. The
sight roused afresh the fury of the raiders. Rushing
upon the foe after their manner, a short but bloody con-
flict raged, from which the Hurons retreated as suddenly
as they had come.
7. In vain Champlain urged caution. At the next
attack all his wise advice was forgotten. From both sides
arrows flew in showers, and from the top of the palisade
big stones were hurled at the foe. The din was terrible,
but though the tribes fought with fierce courage, the skill
of the Senecas proved too much for their enemies.
8. Looking in vain for Brule and his promised aid, the
white men's allies lurked for a time in the forest. Dis-
heartened at length, the headstrong young warriors began
to retreat. The wounded were huddled into large
T
48 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
baskets, and each carried on the back of an athletic
savage.
9. Arrived in their own country, the warriors found
it too late to guide their white champion back to Quebec,
as they had promised to do. Breaking up, the war party
took to their hunting grounds, while Champlain and
Pere Joseph journeyed from town to town, making
friends of the people, and telling them about God and
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
BRULIil'S ADVENTURE— I
1. No one could have been a better leader than Brul^.
Strong and active, he was a born scout, whose name
even after death was long remembered among the tribes.
A native of France, since coming to Canada he had
lived much among the Indians, and learned their ways in
war and peace.
2. The crew sped swiftly on its way, until they reached
Lake Ontario. Without thought of danger, the frail
craft pushed out on the " big water," and landed safely
on the other side. Hiding their canoe, the party took
to the forest.
3. Like shadows the braves and their leader stole
through the undergrowth, making scarce more sound
than the falling leaves. By noting the direction of the
sun, the moss on the tree-trunks, and a hundred other
signs, they traced tlieir way onwards in the right direction.
4. As they neared their destination, the party became
even more cautious than before. Suddenly coming upon
a small party of the enemy, with fierce war-"'hoops they
sprang upon them. There was a sharp skirmish, in
which four of the Iroquois were killed and two taken
prisoner.
BRULE'S ADVENTURE
49
5. The sounds of conflict brought out warriors from a
palisaded town in the neighbourhood, which proved to be
the one Brule sought. The visitors were welcomed with
dances and feasts, during which the Iroquois prisoners
were tortured in order to prolong the rejoicings of their
captors. The Erie braves were ready to assist in the
war, but, reaching the place of battle, they found that all
was over. The Hurons and their white allies had already
retreated.
BRUL^^S ADVENTURE— II
1. Early the following spring, Brule and his com-
panions set out on their way north, but this time they
were not so fortunate as before. Encountering a band
of Iroquois, they were forced to scatter and flee for their
lives. The country was unknown to the scout, and
wandering day after day through the forest he searched
in vain for signs of life. Neither bird nor beast was
to be found, and, weary and starving, the Frenchman
was on the point of despair. Suddenly a narrow trail
appeared among the trees.
2. Whether facing the enemy or the wilderness,
death seemed the only thing to expect. Prepared for
the worst, Brule stumbled along the path, until he fell
in with some Iroquois. Calling to them in the Huron
tongue, the unfortunate man threw himself on their mercy,
but it was not until he had flung away all his weapons,
that the savages would come near him. Convinced that
he was not to be feared, they at last offered their pipes
as a sign of peace, and led him to a near by village.
3. Food and water were given the famished man, and
when he was satisfied his hosts crowded round, touchintr
his face, his hair, his arms. Never having seen a white
man before, their astonishment knew no bounds.
I
11 il'
50 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
4. " Whence do you come ? " they demanded. " Are
you not one of the Frenchmen, the men of iron, who
make war upon us ? "
Knowing that the truth would prove his death-war-
rant, Brulu replied: "No, I ani of a nation better than
the French, who are good friends of the Iroquois."
5. The Indians listened in silence, and a grave council
followed, but the white man's heart sank, as he saw
that his words had failed to convince them. Without
losing time his tormentors tied their victim to a tree,
and proceeded with knives and burning sticks to tor-
ture him. Summoning all his courage, the unhappy
scout endured his sufferings without flinching, for such
weakness, he knew, would have made him contemptible
in the eyes of his captors. Help seemed impossible, and,
giving himself up for lost, he prepared for death.
6. In spite of his roving life, Brule was a good
Catholic. Years before in France his mother had tied
a silver image of the Agnus Dei about his neck, and
in all his wanderings nothing could have induced him
to part with it. Noticing the bright little ornament,
one of the savages put out his hand to take it, but
quick as thought the doomed man arrested him. " If
you take it off," he exclaimed passionately, " you and
all your tribe will die ! "
7. The day was one of great heat, and, unnoticed by
the group, a heavy shower had been gathering overhead.
The faces surrounding him could scarcely be seen in the
gloom, when, in his agony, Brul^ lifted his eyes heaven-
ward, and faintly called upon the Almighty for aid.
8. At this moment a blinding flash of lightning
illumined the forest, instantly followed by a terrific
crash of thunder. The superstitious savages, utterly
taken by surprise, scattered and fled with cries of
terror, leaving their victim bound to the tree alone.
AFFAIRS IN ACADIA
51
9. The storm quickly spent itself, and by degrees
the tribesmen returned from their hiding-places. Ad-
vancing to the spot, the now friendly chief himself
released the prisoner, and, deeming him more than
human, from that time ail united in showing him every
honour.
10. Brule's wounds were soon dressed, and when
able to travel, a party of the Iroquois guided him on
liis way to the Huron villages. It was one of his
narrowest escapes, but though he carried the marks of
his terrible ordeal through life, the scout never ceased
to believe that his prayer had been heard and answered.
AFFAIRS IN ACADIA
1. Among the refugees who escaped about this time
from France, were two Huguenot gentlemen, Claude
ind Charles de la Tour by name. They were father
and son, and belonged to the old noblesse, who had
lost their estates in the religious wars.
2. Charles easily took to the Acadian life, and when
driven out of Port lloyal by Argall, wandered about
hunting and fishing with the Indians rather than re-
turn to France. There he and Biencourt, the son of
de J^outrincourt, became such great friends that nothing
could separate them. When there seemed no danger of
Argall returning, they ventured back to the settlement,
and began to rebuild it.
3. Fish, fur, and oil are things that are greatly needed
in every country, and the French traders had already
found that fortunes might be made at the business.
Two big companies were therefore formed, and the
North Atlantic became a regular highway for their small
but fast vessels. James I of England, hearing of their
mf
;H
1 'I
52 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
success, began to wish that his country had a share
in Acadian trade.
4. Casting about for the means to employ, the King
hit upon a clever scheme. One of the courtiers in
London just then was a Scotch gentleman named Alex-
ander, whose wit and good-humour made him a great
favourite. To him James offered a great gift — nothing
less than the whole of Acadia, if he would undertake
to colonise it.
5. It is true it did not cost his Majesty much ; in-
deed he cleverly made money out of it, which he sadly
needed. For £1000 he offered to bestow the title
Jvnight-Baronet on any one who would take it with
some land in America. Regardless of the fact that
France had discovered it, the name of the country was
changed to Nova Scotia.
6. Sir William Alexander lost no time in settling
some families from Scotland on his new property, where,
fortunately, they became quite friendly with their French
neighbours. Still, it was not to be expected that this
seizure would please the owners of the territory, and,
as neither would give in, war soon broke out between
England and France.
7. Foreseeing trouble, the elder de la Tour hastened
home to secure aid, leaving his son in a strong little
fort they had built at Cape Sable. Really concerned
for her colony, France equipped some ships, and, as
a number of trading vessels were sailing for Quebec,
de la Tour was glad to join them. Eighteen altogether,
they were protected by a sloop of war.
8. As they neared America, however, bad luck over-
took them. The sturdy English captain. Sir David
Kirke, was cruising about in search of adventure, and,
unhappily for them, sighted the convoy and pounced
upon it. Prisoners and all were sent off to England,
AFFAIRS IN ACADIA
53
and the squadronj elated with success, continued its
victorious way and seized Port Royal.
9. Unfortunately for the colony at Quebec, the cap-
tured fleet was carrying all their winter stores, and
us they had nothing to fall back upon, months of the
most dreadful privation followed, llations were dealt
out in smaller and smaller quantities, and when there
was nothing left the townsfolk were obliged to dig up
wild roots in the woods to keep themselves alive.
10. The ambitious Captain Kirke, suspecting the
real state of affairs, determined not to lose his chance.
When spring came, with two or three ships he sailed
up to the fortress, and boldly demanded its surrender.
By this time the unhappy residents were almost at
the point of starvation, and Champlain saw that there
was nothing for it but to submit.
11. At this time the young K**-;;^ of France was neither
courageous nor clever. Had it depended upon him, both
Acadia and Quebec would have become English possessions.
The two nations had patched up a peace, and Charles I of
England and the Princess Henrietta Maria of France were
lately married. Eejoicings, of course, took place over the.
Koyal wedding, but there was one who had no mind to see
his country lose anything by it. , \
12. This was the wily Cardinal Richelieu. With one
excuse after another, he kept back the young Queen's
dowry, until everything was in his power, and then with
much deference informed the English monarch that until
the territory of New France was restored, the payment
of her Majesty's fortune could not be thought of.
13. It was a master stroke, and deserved success.
Charles, always in want of money, did not relish the
thought of losing 400,000 crowns, but the pressure obliged
him; his necessity was too great, and he unwillingly gave
up his newly-acquired provinces.
if
64 PICTURKS FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
CHARNISAY^S PLOT
1. Bktween such fiery rivals as England and Prance,
however, it was hard to say how long peace would last
and de la Tour set about making his position more secure.
The fort at Cape Sable was picturesque, but a more useful
site was chosen at the mouth of the St. John Iliver, and
a bigger and stronger defence raised. While friendly
relations held, it was an ideal place for a great trade with
the Indians.
2. The natural wealth of New France was thrusting
itself forward to sucli purpose that the all-powerful
Richelieu decided to take a hand in it himself. Trade,
it is true, was much despised by the nobles, but the
magnificence of the great churchman demanded immense
sums of money. Plans were therefore laid for a new
colony in Acadia, and placed in charge of a sturdy old
sea captain named de Razilly. ^
3. So far Charles de la Tour hud been the only one
capable of keeping order, though, as a Huguenot, his rule
had met with no notice from France. Suddenly, to his
surprise, he was appointed Lieutenant-General to the King
and with his new honours set up a military state hitherto
unknown in the colony at the new fort on the St. John.
4. This, however, was not long to be enjoyed, for the
deserved position and fortune excited the jealous envy of
d'Aulnay Charnisay, next in command to de Razilly. In
the lawless state of the country a clever plot was laid by
this official to acquire wealth at the expense of his r '
5. Unfortunately for the Lieutenant-General, de Ra ly
died soon afterwards, and Charnisay was appointed to liis
place on the coast colony. Familiar with the endless in-
trigues of Parisian life, the new Governor found that his
position gave him an unexpected opportunity.
HERO AND HEROINE
55
0. The affairs of the colony took him frequently to
I'rance, and here he deliberately began to blacken the
fame of his colleague. Charges against de la Tour, set
about by himself, reached tlie King's ear, and Charnisay,
((uestioned concerning them, would say nothing. The
plot worked almost better than he expected, and before
ill' was aware of it the faithful Huguenot was on the
brink of ruin.
HERO AND HEROINE— I
1. One summer morning soon afterwards, several armed
French vessels drew out of the fog, and ranged themselves
in threatening attitude across the water front of the fort
on the St. John. In due form the Lieutenant-( General
was summoned to appear before his Majesty the King on
a charge of treason. The startled de la Tour, demanding
the authority of the envoy, was met with various signed
and sealed papers confirming the summons. Further
notice appeared to the effect that, should the commands
be disobeyed, Monsieur Charnisay was ordered to seize
and carry the traitor to Paris without delay.
2. To de la Tour the malice and cunning of his enemy
was easily seen. For him, Huguenot as he was, to appear
in France meant instant imprisonment, if not death. On
the other hand, he knew that his refusal to submit must
'iP'v^ o siege. That his rival had him in a tight place was
when Charnisay, landing, surrounded the fort with
ti umdred men.
6. The attack that followed, however, showed the
assailant that he was not strong enough, and, with-
drawing hi? forces, he tried another tactic. A blockade
thrown roii by land and water made it impossible for
aid to rea' he castle, and, this done, the invader settled
h
m PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
•down to starve out his victims. As night fell the camp
fires outside the palisade showed the alertness of the
•enemy.
4. Within the walls the anxiety was intense. No help
-could be had in the colony, and Charnisay they knew to
be doggedly determined. The expected arrival of a ship
from Rochelle seemed their only hope, though, to add to
the fears of the garrison, the vessel, already sighted during
the day, had withdrawn — where they knew not. While it
was likely that she was still in the neighbourhood, she
might have disappeared for good.
5. Communication with the vessel, if she were still
Avithin reach, seemed their only chance. A moonless
night favoured the attempt, and de la Tour and his heroic
wiib prepared to take the risk. As they waited at the
postern gate for a favourable moment, they could hear
the voices and careless laughter of the men at the camp
fires, but the danger did not deter them.
G. Once outside the stockade, they stole like shadows
through the bushes, keeping a sharp look-but on every
side. There was one breathless moment as the fugitives
neared and passed a sentry, but fortunately they were
unobserved, and the danger was soon over.
7. In a near by cove a boat was cautiously manned,
iind feeling their way along the dark shore, the courage-
ous couple were soon out of range. At dawn, happily,
the French vessel proved to be just outside the harbour,
And they were picked up without further difficulty.
8. A consultation on board resulted in all sail being
set for Boston, and before his absence had been dis-
covered the energetic de la Tour was back again with five
well-paid vessels at his heels. The surprised enemy, with
little time to spare, made good his escape, and was
smartly chased to Tort Royal, where the episode, for the
lime, ended.
RY
HERO AND HEROINE
5T
e camp
of the
HERO AND HEROINE— H
^0 help
:new to
a ship
add to
during
V^hile it
od, she
ire still
loonless
3 heroic
at the
Id hear
le camp
hadows
1 every
ngitives
jy were
naiined,
ourage-
lappily,
larbour,
il being
ien dis-
dth five
ly, with
nd was
for the
1. C'JARNISAY, however, had no mind to be put oft' his-
plot. Defeat made him the moro determined, and only
tin e, he flattered himself, was needed to win the game.
Dj la Tour had friends in France whose aid might be
secu.'cd were he able to seek it, but the Acadian knew
that he would be safer in a den of lions. At this point
]\IaJame his wife with great courage offered to go and
obtain help to free them from their tormentor.
2. La Kochelle, still bearing grim traces of RichelieuV
power, was reached in safety, and, among her Huguenot
kin, the lady felt sure of success. Scarcely, however, had
she arrived when chance revealed that even here spies-
were upon her track. Charnisay, hearing of her secret
departure, had had her followed. If she were thrown into-
prison, he hoped that she would never regain her liberty.
3. Quick to scent danger, however, Madame de la Tour's-
friends managed to save her. Secreted in the hold of a
trading vessel, in the nick of time, she escaped to England^
wliere, disheartened by her failure, nearly a year passed be-
fore she was able to set out for home on the ship Gillijtower,
4. Befora the end of her voyage our heroine bad one-
more trial to face. Off the coast of Acadia, her vessel
fell in wi:h that of Charnisay, and once more the hold
provided a safe hiding-place. Had her higli-lianded
enemy been aware of her presence, nothing would have
prevented her removal even from an English ship.
5. The Governor was now growing anxious over the
vig(3rous resistance he had met with. For his own pur-
l)oses he had borrowed large sums of money, which he
was now pressed to repay, and the thought of the rich
trade ready to his hand urged him to fresh efforts in
putting down his rival-.
'I
! i.
i
Li?
58 PICTUKES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
M ■ 1\!
t
J
if
R
I''
6. For some time de la Tour had managed to keep ofY
his assailant, but there were signs that the struggle could
not continue, Called away from home at this crisis, he
left secretly, hoping to be back before his absence was
known. ]kit Charnisay's spies kept him informed, and a
hasty siege was once more laid against the ramparts.
Courageous as ever, Madame de la Tour refused to listen
to terms of surrender, and with splendid spirit cheered
on the garrison. .
7. But treachery, unhappily, now opened the gates to
the enemy. With stubborn energy the loyal handful
within fought from room to room, but their valour only
excited the fury of their antagonist. In civilised war,
the lives of the prisoners, at least, are safe. Here, how-
ever, there was no such certainty. When at last a meet-
ing was agreed upon, tlie brave chatelaine, regardless of
her own danger, pleaded even with tears, for the pardon
of her supporters.
8. With some show of chivalry Charnisay complied,
but scarcely was the place in his own hands when his
savage spite became visible. With a halter round her
neck, their unfortunate mistress was held to witness,
one by one, the execution of her men, and this done, the
poor lady was hurried, a pri oner, to Port Royal. It is
unlikely that tyranny could have done much more harm,
but the noble spirit was beyond human power. In three
weeks Charnispy's victim was in her grave.
9. De la Tour, a ruined fugitive, fled to Canada.
Falsehood and treachery had once more done their worst.
It was the old story :
" He shall take who has the power,
And he may keep who can."
t'l
.THE TOY OF FORTUNE
59
THE TOY OF FORTUNE— I
1. Years passed, and business between Acadia and
New England increased. Charles de la Tour, on the
death of Charnisay, had been restored to his position.
He was a courtly gentleman, whose polish was not rubbed
off by living in the wilds. Whenever he went to Boston,
the people united in showing him great attention, and
he had reason to believe they were his very good
friends.
2. The country where New York stands had been
settled by Dutch people, who called their province New
Amsterdam. The colonists were sturdy, easy-going
farmers, but for all that they did not get on very well
with their neighbours of Massachusetts Bay. For some
time England and Holland had been quarrelling, and
perhaps this was the reason.
3. In 1652, when war broke out between the two
mother countries, the New England colonists did not
conceal their joy. Their chance had come, and they did
not let the grass grow under their feet. Begging Oliver
Cromwell, the Lord Protector, to send some warships,
they determined to punish New Amsterdam for its
naughty independence.
4. It was two years, however, beforo four smart
frigates, prepared for the event, sailed into Boston
harbour. The ships wanted nothing but men, and the
delighted people set to work with a will to enlist them.
With Major Sedgwick in command, the expedition in
great spirits was about to set sail, when, to their dismay,
news came that peace was proclaimed between England
and Holland.
5. What was to be done ? Let all those fine ships turn
about and go home again ? It was not to be thought of !
"V,
I
h
60 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORV
" Why," they said, " let us go and take Fort La Tour."
It did not matter to these good people that the French
had been in America before themselves, or even that
they were on friendly terms. To one who thinks it over
it looks as if the Boston folk were only waiting an excuse
for the raid !
6. Off they went, and soon reached the St. John,
surprising Monsieu:: de la Tour quite as much as they
had intended. Seeing that these big 'English guns could
knock down any stronghold in America, no efitbrt was
made to hold out, and the fort surrendered. "With his
easy success, Sedgwick turned to the other French settle-
ments with their great and valuable trade. Why not
take them all while he was about it ?
7. In the disturbance, Port Eoyal and the other places
had no chance at all. The colonists were told that they
might stay if they chose, or sell their property and
return to France. A Governor was appointed, and with-
out loss of time the raiders sailed for Massachusetts
carrying all the plunder they could lay hands on.
Acadia had once more been seized in the name of Old
England.
Note. — The dramatic quarrels of d'Aulnay Charnisay and de la
Tour form one of the most popular old tales of the province of
Nova Scotia, but they have nothing to do with the patriotism or
loyally of British Canada. Both men have their advocates, but
the only one who could solve the problem as to which was the
finest character of the two is Madame Charnisav, and she seems
to have left no records on the subject. After the death of her first
husband Madame Charnisay married Charles de la Tour, and when
the latter was restored to his posit, i by the French king, the
couple lived for years in greater state than ever. A number of
their descendants still reside in Nova Scotia.
1:8
:
THE TOY OF FORTUNE
61
THE TOY OF FORTUNE- H
1. The statesmen of France were naturally full of wrath
wlien they heard what had happened. The loss to the
trading companies alone was immense, and they de-
manded their posts back again. De la Tour, too, had
no mind to be turned out of his property in such a high-
handed way. He went over to England to tell his story
to the Lord Protector himself.
2. His winning manner, his wrongs, and, perhaps more
than all, his Huguenot origin, won the heart of the great
"Noll." De la Tour had his wish, and got back an
immense tract of country to do with as he pleased.
3. But there was no end of trouble in Acadia. At the
trading posts the old and new owners attacked each other
savagely. The English and French Governments wrangled
long and fiercely, but to no purpose. Cromwell would
not give up the new territory.
4. But the strong hand that held England and its
affairs in its grasp had to let go at last. In 1658 the great
Protector died, and in two years Charles II, the " Merry
Monarch," was back again on his father's throne. Soon
afterwards, Louis XIV, with his great fr.me as a fighter,
began to insist on getting back his provinces.
5. In England the King found no time to think of any-
thing but his fine clothes and the lively ladies of his
Court. He did not care whether he was beaten in war
or not. When there is a sovereign like that it is a sad
thing for any country.
6. Charles cared nothing for poor Acadia, whose name
had been changed again to Nova Scotia. When it was
lightly handed over to the French king once more, he
received in return part of a little West Indian island
that nobody wanted. It will soon be difficult to
remember who really owned Acadia!
E
■■!«'-r5i
"4 .
62 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
ON THE ST. LAWRENCE— I
t tf
■1:
'A
1. In the early days or Quebec, Champlain had tried
his best to teach the settlers the worth of farming.
Countries raising good crops are the richest and happiest,
he told them, because they give food and work to the
people. The colonists, however, found trade easier, and
would not listen. What they needed to eat and wear
came from France, which, in return, took all the fish and
fur they had.
2. Seeing the vast profits of trade, a hundred French
gentlemen, some of them princes, had formed a company
to buy and sell on the St. Lawrence. Greedy for more
than their share, however, they drove all the other
trading ships from the river, and, while forcing the poor
colonists to pay too much for French goods, gave them
too little for Canadian produce.
3. One of the promises the Company of the Hundred
Associates made was to colonise the country. With all
its resources, settlers were more needed than anything
else to make the young provinces prosperous. But they
did not do as they had said, and the few people they
brought out were left to their fate. With such a grasping
company, Canada began to go back instead of forward.
4. The Jesuits, then very powerful in France, now
began to arrive at Quebec in numbers, and soon had
everything in their own hands, Champlain's friends, the
Huguenots, were all driven out of the country, as well
as the good Eecollect fathers, who had won the hearts
of the natives. Seeing the lawless state into which the
colony was sinking, the Jesuits were very severe with the
people, who had been doing too much as they pleased.
5. One good thing that Monsieur de Champlain had
found out, they followed. Liquor is evon worse for
ON THE ST. LAWRENCE
63
now
m had
is, the
well
hearts
h the
th the
id.
1 had
e for
Indians than for white men, and by this time, the French
traders were flooding the land with spirits. Already a
savage would give the best skin he had for a little " fire-
water." Very strict laws were now made, by which
anyone selling brandy to a native might be punished
even with death.
6. Tlouestly trying to reform matters, the new priests
had their hands full. Adventurers were crowding into
the colony, and the growing lads could not be kept
from follgwing their ways. These men were both
brave and reckless, and liked nothing better than a
brush with the Iroquois. Trading among the friendly
tribes, they became known as the " Ooureurs des bois."
They lived like the savages, in summer wearing hardly
any clothes, and painted themselves until they could
scarcely be known as white men.
7. The priests did not know what to do with such
reckless men. In the hope of terrifying them to behave
better, they began to circulate the Loup garou and other
gruesome stories. About the camp fires the frightened
folk whispered that if a man did not go to church for
seven years his soul would be lost for ever. Preserving
his human shape during the day, at night he would turn
into a savage wolf, which rejoiced in hunting other men.
Persons lost in the woods, it was said, were thus run
down and devoured, with the most fearful orgies.
8. Still Canada did not thrive as she should have
done. A few farms were cleared here and there in the
woods, but it took brave men to live on them. For com-
pany and mutual protection, the houses had to be built
close together, while the cultivated fields weie sometimes
at quite a distance. In spite of all their precautions, how-
ever, the Iroquois often stole down upon the lonely little
hamlets, and always left death and ruin in their track.
9. By and by, happily, things began to look more
m 1
■:.'i , J
m
.y '
■ 1
i^ I:
It' t 4
64 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
hopeful. It was a bright day for the colony when the
Marquis de Tracy and Monsieur Talon arrived. The
people had long been begging the Mother Country for
a few soldiers, and now the new Governor brought with
him the famous regiment of Carignan-Salieres. Quebec
was gay with uniforms and inspired with a new sense
of protection.
10. " Now," said the residents joyfully, " we shall be
safe!" And they were right. De Tracy lost no time
in preparing to break the power of the Five Nations.
On the Itichelieu River, a chain of forts was built, and
with all their dash and display the troops marched
through the lurking-places of the foe. The savages,
amazed at the strength and brilliance of the French
army, were very soon glad to sue for terms of peace.
11. In the meantime, the wise Intendant Talon was
doing a great deal to improve the condition of the people.
No longer in terror of Indian raids, the hahitants became
more prosperous. Because there were too few women,
numbers of French girls were brought out to marry the
settlers, and whenever a ship arrived, there were merry
weddings, at which every bride had a useful present
from the King.
12. To their new abodes the blooming Breton girls
brought homely arts that added much to their comfort.
With the wool from their own sheep, and the tiax from
their own land, every farmhouse had its spinning-wheel
and handloom. Through the long winter days the
women spun and wove the cloth required by their
families, and the pleasure of the lighL-hearted people
consisted in telling stories, singing and dancing. These
were the ancestors of our French Canadian hahitants,
who are scarcely changed at all, and have such a deep
love for their country.
1.1
PIONEERS
65
PIONEERS
1, The French gentlemen who first came to Canada
were educated men who sometimes left even mansions
and estates in their own country. Adventure, however,
and the wild life of the woods had a great charm for
them. They were never tired of being with the Indians,
with whom they paddled along the streaims, and plunged
down the rushing rivers in their canoes. When there
was a portage they carried their share, and camped
happily at night under the starry skies.
2. In coming to Canada, Monsieur de Champlain
meant to search for the great river that he believed
would lead to China. Soon, however, he grew to love
the vast solitudes for their own sake. He and Brule
were the first white men to descend the Lachine llapids
in a Huron canoe. " It made my hair stand on end even
to see the place," he said afterwards when viewing the
spot from the shore.
3. Following the daring lead of Champlain, explorers
and missionaries were soon reachi' g out towards Hudson
Bay, and pushing far westward through the great lakes to
the prairies. Without fear, the little band of white men
trusted themselves among the hordes of savages without
coming to harm. Of all the tribes the Iroquois alone
remained their deadly enemies.
4. Duluth, Marquette, Cadieux, and a score of others
were already busy pushing the territories of France north
and west. Everywhere their happy disposition gained
the fri mdship of the red man, and aged chiefs and young
warriors alike saw nothing to fear in contact with the
great Christian nation.
5. There is no other story quite like that of the French
in America. Always in danger of what a false step would
■J
ill
%
,U
'W
tl
n
1 . 1
66 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
bring upon them, they bore themselves with a cool
courage and tact that lias m.ide the early days of the
Colonies one Ion" romance.
G. Travel soon led to commerce, and at many a well-
chosen point of lake and river sprang up the trading-post
or block-house, later to develop into forts and towns.
In every part of North America old French names still
point to this marvellous age of exploration.
VILLE-MARIK
1. 1G42 is a date we should try to remember, because
it is the year in which the city of Montreal was founded.
More than a hundred years had passed since Jacques
Cartii^r's visit to the chiefs. Time had long since swept
away the Indian town, and every trace of the hospitable
tribe had vanished.
2. In France there were always people who took a
special interest in Canada. They knew all about the
river St. Lawrence, and considered the Island of the
Mountain the head of navigation. There the site for a
new town had alreadv been chosen, and the time was
come to build it.
3. Facing the venture with courage, a handful of
devoted men and women laid the plans of Yille-]\Iarie de
Montreal. In 1641 Jeanne Mance, Pere Laplace and
forty settlers sailed from La Eochelle under the gallant
de Maisonneuve. Their destination in the vast lonely
land held no terrors for them, so long as God's hand led
and protected them.
4. At Quebec they found the state of affairs depressing.
The country was held in terror by the frequency and
boldness of the Indian raids. The Governor urged the
party to go no farther. A hundred and eighty miles
\k iB
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(After a group bij J'hillijie lUbert, C.M.G.)
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68 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
away in the wilderness, ho thought, was too far to
venture alone. lUit de Maisonneuvc hnd his answer
ready : " If every tree on the island were an Iroquois," he
cried, ' I would go on."
5. The summer of 1G42 saw the new town well
advanced. The site was all that could be wished, and
not a prowling brave had appeared to molest them.
The builders began to think that all their fears had been
groundless.
6. For some reason two years passed before the
Iroquois discovered the colony. By that time, fortunately,
the settlers were somewhat prepared for them. The
liospital and the mill, with solid stone walls loop-holed
for musketry, were fortifications in themselves, and the
settlers' houses were all enclosed within a strong palisade.
7. From that time, however, Ville-Marie knew peace
no more. Gardening was already carried on outside the
palisade, so far with perfect safety. Now, however, who
could tell what savage form lay at the edge of the clear-
ing, tomahawk in hand ? Even the wood-cutters only
ventured into the forest in armed bands. The early days
of the town are full of thrilling adventures, and ghastly
scenes of Indian warfare grew familiar even to the
children. '
8. At night the terror of the unfortunate town folk
was made worse by its awful uncertainty. Often they
were roused from sleep by savage yells outside the
palisade, and the hearts of the bravest quailed as they
huddled together not knowing what to do. As the years
passed, the once bright prospects of the colony faded.
Hope died out, and the piteous cry of the heart rose to
God for the protection He alone could give.
THE FATE OF DOLLARD
69
THE FATE OF DOLLARD- 1
1. Eatily in 16*)0 it seemed as if human endurance
could endure no more. A Huron brave, escaping across
tlie snow from liis captors, took refuge in Ville-Marie.
To the wretched inhabitants he told what he had heard
at the lodge-fires of the Mohawks. Once more, in the
coming spring, the fury of their tormentors would fall
upon them, this time blotting them out for ever.
2. The threat seemed likely enough. A large number
of Iroquois warriors were at their winter hunt on the
Upper Ottawa, and they would soon pass the little town
on their way home. Numbers of the tribe were known
to be gathering at the mouth of the Ilichelieu. It might
be that the pitiless savage was already stealing upon his
victims.
3. Like a cutting blast the tidings swept over the
settlement, rousing it to action. Dollard des Ormeaux
was a young Frenchman of good family, who, since his
arrival, had been Commandant at Ville-Marie. With a
soldier's eye he saw the approaching doom of the town,
and sprang to meet it.
4. About his standard flocked the flower of the colony,
determined at whatever cost to save their country.
Sixteen youths and men volunteered for action. In the
Church of Notre Dame to-day a treasured record contains
the names, ages, and occupations of the devoted band.
Settlers, soldiers, lime-burners, armourers, — it is a picture
of the time and place, which shines with deathless lustre
from the past.
5. Without haste their preparations were made. Wills
were drawn up, and farewells whispered to those they
would never see again. Before the altar of the little church
each manly heart laid the sacrifice of its young life.
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70 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
6. The priest, with his hand in turn on each bowed
head, strove in vain to control his shaking voice. Between
hope and fear the tears streamed down the faces of the
congregation. It was with uplifted hearts the gallant
associates rose from their knees, feeling that their sacri-
fice was accepted.
m 4
THE FATE OF BOLLARD— II
1. The season was early spring. The air was chill, and
ice still floated down the St. Lawrence. During Dollard's
preparations several war-canoes, containing Hurons and
Algonquins, unexpectedly arrived from Quebec. The
taunts of their enemies under the very guns of the Citadel
had revived their old spirit, and forty braves were hasten-
ing to offer help to the forlorn hope.
2. Together they paddled up the current, and at the
loct of the rapids took the old portage along the river's
edge. Progress was slow. The spring tide wa? at its
height, but nothing daunted courage or good-humour.
Where snow and icy water lay knee-deep across the
path, thsy cheerfully plunged through it, dragging their
heavy boats. Night and morning in different tongues
their prayers rose to God for help in time of need.
3. At the head of the island the course changed, and
they toiled against the swift brown current of the
Ottawa, until they could plainly hear the dull roar of the
Long Sault. A ruined stocku,de stood two hundred paces
from the shore; and to it they thankfully hastened for
shelter, ocircely had they arrived when the enemies'
scouts wtsre reported in the vicinity, and with willing
hands all hurriedly set to work to repair the palisade.
4. Do^lard had hoped to make the place stronger, but
there was no time. Early morning saw the leaping
B__
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THE FATE OF BOLLARD
71
current alive with hostile canoes. One after another the
athletic paddlers, each grasping his loaded musket, sprang
ashore. There were at least two hundred of them.
5. Seeing their approach expected, the wary savages
rapidly advanced, dodging from tree to tree for shelter.
As the circle closed in they were met with a withering
tire from the stockade, which took them at a disadvan-
tage. Incensed at their hot reception the tribesmen
took to flight, at the same time, however, hurling insult-
ing jeers and taunts at the enemy.
6. Days passed, and the tierce but fitful attacks from
without gave the unfortunate garrison no rest. Divided
into parties, each mounted guard in turn, and day and
night the sharp crack of musketry echoed through the
forest. With mingled threats and flatteries the Iroquois
strove to win their " red brothers " from the French-
men's side, and, little reason as they had to trust them,
the Hurons listened.
7. Enraged at length by the resistance of the white
men, the besiegers changed their tactics, and, approach-
ing the palisades with an air of frankness, asked for
a parley. The Frenchmen, feeling that it was the old
device to gain time, unwillingly consented to listen, but
had they known it, the tribe was already summoned
trom the liichelieu.
8. Outside, the braves in war-paint and floating scalp-
lock, thronged round their leader, while wilhin, pale-
faces and Indians stood on anything that would enable
them to see over the barrier. Jn silence they listened
to the fiery eloquence of the speakers.
9. In the midst of the parley a slight sound behind him
attracted one of the gari ison. He turned, and there was
a wild cry of warning, followed by confusion, war-whoops,
and musket-shots. Under cover of the discussion, a crowd
of savages were almost over the palisade.
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THE FATE OF DOLLARD— III
1. Attack followed attack with torturing uncertainty,
and night and day the strain continued. No onu
dared to snatch more than a few minutes' rest, and
sleep was impossible. The supply of water was finished,
and the weak appeals of the dying added to the misery
of their comrades.
2. With the fifth day the besieged Hurons could stand
no more. Wild war-songs without chanted the doom of
the captives, and the hideous threats of torture proved
too much for their failing allegiance. Suddenly thirty of
ihem bounded over the palisade and disappeared.
3. At this point the turmoil of conflict ceased, and
for hours silence hung over the forest. With dull
anxiety the garrison waited to see what it might mean.
They were not long kept in doubt. With unearthly
din of rejoicing their assailants returned, heralding in
a new throng of warriors. The Iroquois had been joined
by five hundred comrades from the Richelieu.
4 For three days des Ormeaux and his men still
held out against the combined host, but the end was
near. Seeing their waning strength, the enemy made
a sudden rush against the enclosure, and with fury
began to hew down and set fire to the log barricade.
5. The situation was desperate. Hastily attaching
a fuse to a keg of gunpowder, a last united effort of
the garrison was needed to hurl it outwards. Every
eye followed the missile as it rose, but hope changed
to despair as the keg rebounded, and fell back into
the fort. There was a loud explosion, outcries, and
a blinding smoke, and when the white men recovered
themselves, it was to find the loopholes all seized from
the outside.
I.A SALLE'S QUEST
73
6. Fighting to the last, the gallant band stood together,,
but though overcome and massacred the deed met its
reward. Henceforth for years Ville-Marie wasfreed from
her terrors, and will forever hold in deathless memory the
names of Dollard des Ormeaux and his Noble Sixteen.
■: f
LA SALLE'S QUEST— I
1. Some years after the affair of Dollard, a young man
named Cavelier de la Salle arrived in New France to seek
his fortune. He was good-looking and patriotic, but had
nothing to begin with but an iron frame, a good con-
science, and a spirit that laughed at misfortune.
2. Settling near Montreal, his place received the name
of Lachine, which it still holds. La Salle, so the story
goes, arrived at his estate one day towards evening, and
with delight beheld the beautiful lake vista in the glow of
sunset. Here, surely, was the long-looked-for waterway
to the East ! Stretching out his arm, he dramatically
exclaimed "A la Chine!" a title the settlement has
never lost.
3. Later, at Fort Frontenac, on the site of Kingston,
the newcomer rebuilt the old walls, and settled French
and Indian villages. Trade soon followed with the
natives, but the young man was an explorer at hearty
and cared little for mere wealth. Seeking the great
Mississippi and adding to the domains of France were
his only thoughts.
4. Returning to Paris, he aroused the enihusiasm of
the King, who graciously gave him what he wished, per-
mission to endure toil and danger, hunger and hardship,
at his own expense. He was accompanied to Canada by
Henri de Tonty, an Italian otlicer, whose hand, lost in
battle, had been supplied by a mechanical member,
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74 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
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vvliich afterwards gained him great reverence among the
Indians.
5. In the autumn of 1G78, the friends left Frontenac
in a sail-boat with sixteen men, and crossing Lake Ontario,
ascended the Niagara River. They were among the first
white men to behold the mighty cataract as it plunges
over the rock with its sullen and endless roar.
6. Above the Falls the party camped, and there built
the (rn'Jin, a boat in which they sailed round Lakes Erie,
Huron, and Michigan during the following summer.
"When they could go no farther by water, the vessel
was sent back to Niagara with a cargo of skins, and
the explorers set off across country. It was a vast and
savage wilderness, never yet crossed by white men, and
the tribes were so unfriendiy that the little party grew
to dread the print of a human foot on the soil.
7. Coming upon a shallow stream, they built canoes,
and made their way through the wild rice with its
myriads of birds, until they reached the Illinois liiver.
Here they had their first view of the prairies.
8. Many weary miles the travellers followed the stream,
until they arrived at the chief town of the grea!: Illinois
tribe. Here they were well received, and La Salle
decided to leave his party and return to look up . his
boat, of which, in the meantime, he had never heard.
This he did with two men, who painfully traversed the
entire distance to Montreal, without, however, ever find-
ing a trace of the lost vessel or her valuable contents.
9. A year and a half had passed since his first de-
parture when the explorer set out from Montreal again.
With him was a large party of artisans and labourers,
carrying settlers' supplies. It was the height of summer;
no storm marked the great lakes, and the woods were
lovely in their dress of shaded green. Everything pointed
to success, and in the highest spirits the travellers pushed
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Loui.s XIV AM) La Salle, lt;77
(From " France ntnf Knglnnd in Xorth America," b)i F. Parkman Bij
peniiiSKion of Little, Brown ^l■ Co., Boston, i'.S.A.)
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76 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
on. Fifteen hundred miles, and the prairies lay before
them, bright with flowers and covered with countless
herds of buffalo.
10. At the Illinois village, however, a never-to-be-
forgotten sight awaited them. The wigwams stood
battered and burned, skulls and bones strewed the
ground, and even the sacred graveyard was rifled and
desecrated. At their approach wolves and birds of prey
fled from their dreadful feast, and the Frenchmen wept
to see before them the traces of Iroquois rage. The old
story of the Hnrons and their devoted Jesuit teachers had
been repeated.
11. It was months before de Tonty and his remaining
men were found. But La Salle's spirit was not yet
crushed. Four years of disappointment and hardship
were passed when he prepared to make his great attempt
once more.
12. This time he was successful. With some French-
men and Indians he passed his old camp on the Illinois,
and sped on to the Mississippi. Down the winding
current of the great river they paddled for three thou-
sand miles, noting the features and habits of the
natives, the drowsy heat, and the southern trees and
flowers.
13. Near the end of their journey the river divided
into three branches, low, swampy and thick with reeds.
The cool sea breezes blew into their faces, and- the vast
lonely Mexican Gulf burst upon their sight. From the
great lakes to Mexico, and from the Alleghanies to the
Rocky Mountains, the vast interior received the name
:of Louisiana, in honour of the King.
LA SALLE^S QUEST
77
LA SALLE'S QUEST— II
1. Honours were heaped upon the successful explorer
when he returned to Paris. He had won much for his
beloved country, but he was not yet to rest on his laurels,
for the King had greater things for him to do. Spain
had long refused French vessels entrance into the Gulf
of Mexico, but with settlement on the Mississippi her
high-handed methods must change. To La Salle was en-
trusted a great task. With well-stocked colonists' ships,
guarded by a cruiser, he set out, accompanied by his two
nephew«i; young Moranget and Colin Cavelier, a boy of
fourteen.
2. The voyage, however, proved one of storm and
misfortune, and, to crown all, the aSV. Fran^xm, with its
priceless stores, was captured in West Indian waters by
a Spanisli pirate. The squadron entered the Gulf with-
out opposition, but it was only to pass the Mississippi
and steer too far westward. Along the low coast there
was nothing to mark the delta of the river from the
endless lagoons and swampy islands, and the explorer
bitterly regretted that he had trusted to memory instead
of taking the bearings of the great stream.
3. Back aiid forth cruised the ships until, convinced
that he had reached his destination, La Salle at length
landed the colonists. Not until their escort had set out
for France did he discover his mistake. The long inlets
running into the land had deceived him, and the sluggish
waters, laden with disease, were quick to carry dismay
and death into the frightened ranks.
4. It was a heavy blow to the dauntless leader.
Hastily choosing a more healthy situation, he built a
stockade to protect the people. The new camp lay in
sight of the green tiowtr-strewn prairies of Texas.
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Buffalo, deer, hares, and wild fowl on land, and turtles
and oysters from the shore would provide ample food !
It was without misgiving that the little party set off to
find the lost river.
5. Months, dragging past, brought the spring of 168G,
and with it the searchers, still baflled. They had
wandered far, and were worn out and in rags, but no
welcome sight of the Mississippi had rewarded their
longing gaze. In their absence they found that death
had been busy on tlie seashore, and many of their
comrades had disappeared.
6. For La Salle hope had indeed departed. The bright
dream of conquest and settlement had fled, leaving him
a stern, disappointed man. But one thing remained, to
find his way to Canada, and there obtain relief for those
who had trusted him. A party of seventeen was made
up, including Liotot the doctor, Moranget and Colin,
now grown a tail sunburnt youth.
7. The clothes of the travellers, made of old sail cloth
patched with buffalo hide, was a sorry sight, while the
pack-saddles of a few horses held their worldly goods.
At parting all that were left of the once light-hearted
colonists knelt in the little chapel, and never, perhaps,
were more heartfelt prayers for success offered to heaven
before. Then the forlorn hope filed in silence through
the gates followed by the anxious gaze of those they
were never to see again.
8. Week followed week, and, as they struggled north,
the party painfully realised the weariness and want of
their long journey. To make matters worse, Duhant,
a Parisian, and the doctor, began to sow discontent and
mutiny in the ranks. Black looks followed their leader,
upon whom they laid the blame of their many misfortunes,
until the hot-tempered Moranget, devoted to his uncle,
drew upon himself the ill-will of the revengeful pair.
THE INDIAN WARS
79
0. Chance favoured them. Liotot and his confederate
liappened to be shooting on the prairie, where they
camped for the night. Here they were joined next day
by Moranget and Nika, the faithful Indian hunter. The
opportunity had arrived, and with one accord they de-
cided not to let it slip.
10. Xight came, and the newcomers, rolled in their
blankets, lay asleep beside the fire, when the plotters,
creeping near, attacked them with tomahawks. In a
few minutes, when it was too late, the murderers realised
what they had done, and that for them there was no
hope as long as the explorer lived.
11. In the other camp the second morning broke
with no word of their missing comrades, and La Salle
always anxious for his charge, set out in search of them.
Suddenly the report of a signal gun warned the guilty
pair that he was near. Like madmen they crouched in
the long dry grass, while, unconscious of his danger,
their leader continued to advance. A moment, and two
shots, at close range, rang out in the morning air, and
the man of many parts fell dead, pierced through the
brain.
12. So, after twenty years' wandering in the New
AVorld, perished the Sieur de la Salle, a victim of
treachery. " One of the greatest men," wrote de Tonty,
" of the age," and one who will forever hold a first place
on the roll of Canadian history.
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THE INDIAN WARS
1. Encouraged by the traders of the Hudson, the
Iroquois with fire-arms became doubly terrible on the
St. Lawrence. The vivid language of the Bible tells
the terror of Canada in the seventeenth century : " They
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80 PICTUUES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
are more fierce than the evening wolves . . . they fiy
as the eagle that hasteth to eat."
2. It is impossible for us to understand the state of
the lonely settlers at that time. Burned and deserted
homesteads told their own story to the passing traveller
perhaps months after such a tragedy had happened.
Women and children carried away were scarcely ever
heard of again.
3. The French authorities, grieved for their people,
urged their English neighbours to cease trading with the
savages, until such attacks were put down, but to no
purpose. "We have no quarrel with the Indians," was
the cynical answer, and the cruelties continued.
4. Then began one of the most terrible of wars — that of
revenge. Planned by the King, Louis XIV, it was car-
ried out by Frontenac, Governor of Canada. War parties,
raised at Quebec, Three Rivers, and Montreal, were made
up of French gentlemen, Indians, and emreurs des hois.
In the dead of winter they set out on snow-slioes through
the trackless border forests, determined to wipe out their
wrongs in blood.
5. On their way one of the partits came upon the
quiet little village of Schenectady. It was bitterly cold,
and the snowdrifts stood high against the palisade.
When the residents went to bed no danger was threaten-
ing, and the heavy gates had been left open.
6. In the middle of the night the Canadian Indians
stole in, and with sudden and fearful yells burst into the
houses. Most of the terrified people awakened from
sleep were savagely butchered, while some, escaping in
their night-clothes, tried to reach the nearest town only
to perish from the cold.
7. Along the border in different places the same thing
occurred. In Acadia the unfortunate colonists had
suffered from their New England neighbours even more
^
MADELAINE DE VEllCHtUES
81
than others. Many times their shores had been invaded,
their houses burned, and goods carried away.
8. Roused at last the Nova Scotian Indians and the
settlers banded together, and sailed down the coast or
followed the trails through the woods. Keaching English
territory, they attacked alike forts and farms. Every-
where the New Englanders were as cruel as the French,
and every fresh outrage on either side made the enemies
more furious with each other thap before.
9. Terrible as the story is, the French have not been
accused of treating their Iroquois foes with deceit. All
nations look upon a Hag of truce as sacred, but unfortu-
nately the English colonists did not always do so. The
Indians were willing to meet the whites without arms
in council, until they found themselves shot down or
taken prisoner.
10. Besides being dishonourable and cowardly, it was
great folly to do this. Savages never forget a breach of
faith, and in the red light of every camp fire from Cape
Breton to Lake Superior, such stories were told with
disdainful rage. The Canadian Indians grew to think
that every one who spoke English was treacherous.
■:' ■
MADELAINE DE VERCHi:RES— I
1. About two hundred years ago, when the Canadians
and the Iroquois were great enemies, there lived at Ver-
cheres, near Montreal, a brave little French maiden
called Madelaine. Her father was formerly an ofhcer in
the famous Carignan-Salieres regiment, but for some
years had been residing in Canada.
2. The people were then so afraid of the Indians that
every big house was fortified. The stone towers of the
buildings had few windows, but were pierced with loop-
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holes from which guns could be fired at the enemy, and
powder and shot t^ere kept inside for use at any time.
The mansion and courtyard were surrounded by a high
fence of sharp-pointed logs, with a heavy gate that could
be securely fastened.
3. The labourers who tilled the fields lived close by in
small houses of their own, or sometimes even in the
lower flat of the mansion. If attacked they could run
there for shelter, and at the same time help to defend
the Seigneur and his family.
4. The Canadians, according to feudal law, were
obliged to do homage to the King of France. Dressed in
the rich clothes of the period, the Seigneurs assembled
once a year in the Courtroom of the Governor's chateau
at Quebec. One by one each gentleman came forward,
and, bending on one knee before the King's ambassador,
handed him his sword. As he did so he swore to be true
to his Sovereign, and fight for him when his help was
needed. This ceremony over, the sword was returned
to its owner.
5. Monsieur and Madame de Vercheres were always
pleased to go to Quebec, where they took part in the
gaieties and met many of their friends. As soon as their
master's back was turned, however, most of the men took
their guns and went off duck-shooting. Not an Indian
had been seen in the neighbourhood for months, and they
never dreamed that the savages would choose this time
for one of their cruel raids.
6. In the house, besides some women and children,
there were left only one soldier, an old man too feeble to
work, two boys of ten and twelve, sons of the Seigneur,
and Madelaine, a girl of fourteen. Away off in the fields
of the Manor, the autumn sun shone down on the har-
vesters, busy cutting the grain for winter use.
7. The Vercheres chateau stood near the St. Lawrence,
MADKLAINE DE VKRCIlkRES
{^After a brome niatttette by Phillij>e liibert, C.M.G.)
84 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
and no doabt the young girl loved to watch the great
river in its endless flow to the ocean. One afternoon she
had gone down to the water side and stood looking at the
rippling waves as they canght and threw back the glow
of the sunny air. All was still except for the lazy caw of
the crows in the tree-tops.
8. Suddenly through the silence came an awful sound !
The loud report of a musket was followed by the whiz of
a bullet close to her ear, and all at once the air seemed
full of ear-splitting whoops and yells.
9. For a moment Madelaine felt as if she were turned
to stone. She knew that the Indians were upon them,
and that all tlie people of the little settlement would be
cruelly put to death, with no one to help them. More
shots were fired, and as she turned to run she saw a
number of dark forms smeared with horrible colours
bounding towards her from the edge of the wood.
10. Madelaine was a very brave girl. As she fled
towards the house calling, ** To arms — to arms ! " at the
top of her voice, she did not think of her own danger, but
of the dreadful fate in store for the others. To the end of
her life she could hear the awful rush of the Iroquois'
feet behind, but fortunately the gate was open and she
hoped to get there first
11. The girl's long hair was loose, and flying in the
wind. One of the savages had outrun the rest, and in
another moment would have had her in his gnisp, but as
he «agerly leaned forward to clutch the brown locks bis
hand missed its hold, and he caught instead a kerchief
wound round her shoulders. With a wrench Madelaine
tore it apart in front As it gave way her fierce pursuer
fell back, astonished, and before he could recover himself,
she had rushed into the courtyard, and shut and barred
the gate.
MADELAINE D£ VERCHERES
85
MADELAINE DE VERCHfeRES— II
1. Inside there was a great commotion. White with
terror, the women and children were huddled together in
a comer, while the men seemed too dazed to know what
to do. With her two little brothers, Madelaine ran round
inside the palisade, and in places where the logs had fallen,
set them up again. This done, she hurried to other parts
of the house to see if it were as strong as it should be.
2. In the magazine she found the. solitary soldier. His
face showed traces of great fear, and in his trembling
hands he held a flint and steel, with which he was trying
to strike a spark. The open powder keg at his side showed
that the cowardly fellow meant to blow up the building.
3. Such conduct roused all the indignation of the
courageous girl. With flashing eyes she ordered him to
attend to his duty, which was to defend the fort and
those in it. Without a word the man slunk away to the
courtyard, where fortunately he soon recovered his
manliness.
4. Seeing the heroism of their little mistress, the spirit
of the women came back, and they crowded round with
oilers of help. Wishing to make it appear to the savages
that there were plenty of defenders inside, they all pnt
on men's hats and jumped about from one high thing to
another, to let the tops of their heads be seen above the
palisade.
5. The silence outside now convinced the little garrison
that the Indians had disappeared, and their first thought
was that the danger was over. But the relief of the
women was soon destroyed when they remembered that
the unfortunate harvesters in the fields were facing their
fate alone.
6. It was now growing dark, but everything had been
w
I j ,. I).
:
86 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
done to make the place as strong as possible, and the
heroic handful determined to stand or fall together. All
looked to their young mistress for help and comfort, and
were anxious to obey her orders. In a stirring little
speech Madelaine told them that even if the savages
killed and cut her in pieces they were not to give in.
7. For the night the soldier was detailed to the block-
house to care for the women and children. The old man,
the two boys, and Madelaine herself each took the top of
one of the corner towers, where they were to keep awake
and call " All's well,." now and then, to encourage each
other until daylight. If anyone thought he heard the
savages trying to break in, he was to fire off his gun.
8. As the long hours passed, the warmth of day died
out, and a cold wind sprang up, bringing with it rain and
cutting sleet. Hour after hour through the stormy night
the watchers paced round their narrow foothold, listening
for the stealthy tread of their enemy.
9. There was no attack, however, and with the morning
light hope came back to the anxious household. If one
night were passed thus safely, it seemed to them that
they might hold out until help came. And so they did.
Seven days and nights filled with ceaseless watching
followed, through which everyone did his duty fearlessly.
10. Then the long-looked-for help came. Worn out
with her endless precautions, poor Madelaine had fallen
fast asleep. Her head was on the table, and her long
loaded musket lay across her outstretched arms, to be
ready at the slightest need.
11. As she lay, however, loud and confused sounds
reached the ear of the sleeper, bringing her back from the
land of dreams. It seemed like the tread of men's feet
and the cheerful sound of human voices. Springing up
Madelaine ran to the look-out. In the gathering dusk
she could see a throng of forms moving about outside.
THE CAUSE OF ACADIA
87
"Who are you ? " she cried anxiously.
*' We are Frenchmen," was the welcome answer. " It
is La Monnerie bringing you help. Open the gate and let
us in."
12. In spite of their grief over the fate of their com-
rades, never, perhaps, was there greater joy in any
garrison. Gladly did the brave young girl give up her
command, and well might La Monnerie say that it had
been in very good hands.
THE CAUSE OF ACADIA— I
1. While these things were going on in Canada, the
woes of Acadia were becoming deeper and deeper. The
population was still small and scattered. Dense forests
covered the country, with only here and there a little
settlement beside the sea. The people were all either
fishermen or merchants, who did a great business with
France in mackerel, cod, lobsters, and other things that
come from the teeming waters of the coast.
2. At the same time a great deal of underhand trade
was going on with New England, whose boats came in
at all hours of the night, and paid well for the loads
they carried away. This was against the law, and some-
times exciting encounters took place between these
boats and the French officials. Oftener, however, the
smugglers got away safely.
3. The worst of it was that the settlers of Massachu-
setts Bay did not always play fair. Sometimes, when
the Acadians were all away fishing, these men came
down on their neighbours' storehouses and helped them-
selves, without stopping to pay for what they took.
On other occasions, private vessels sailed into the bays
and plundered right and left, carrying away every-
thing the poor people had.
'I
88 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
4. The New England and New York coasts of that
time were swept by lawless pirates, like Captain Kidd
and Paul Jones. With daring cruelty these crews at-
tacked ships and villages, English and French alike.
Armed privateers were always coming and going in
Acadian waters, and desperate fights took place fre-
quently.
5. Most to be feared of all, perhaps, were the Govern-
ment vessels of the near by colonies. Early seeing the
great wealth of the Nova Scotian forests and fisheries,
the English in America were determined, as soon as
they could, to sweep out the French and make that
country their own.
6. It will be remembered that several attempts,
some of them successful, had already been made to
seize Acadia, though the French always managed to
regain their own. Most of these invasions were planned
in New England, which kept alive the hatred of the
Mother Country for their northern enemy.
7. Which of the two border countries was the more
to blame is not always clear. For a long time the
French were satisfied with their fur trade and with
making the virgin wilds their own. They did not
trespass upon what belonged to others, though, when
interfered with, their revenge was swift and terrible,
and the innocent were often made to suffer with the
guilty.
THE CAUSE OF ACADIA— II
1. The cruel border wars which have been described
in another chapter made the New Englanders more
eager than ever to subdue their enemies. In 1690 a
frigate of forty guns and several other vessels were
sent from Boston to attack Port Boyal. Sir William
THE CAUSE OF ACADIA
89
the
ibed
■more
90 a
were
liaui
Phipps, the commander, had been knighted by the
King for raising a Spanish ship full of treasure, which
had been wrecked long before.
2. Unfortunately for the fort, the walls had fallen
out of repair, and the garrison was not strong enough
to resist, so without much ado they gave in. The
Admiral, as usual, offered good terms if the people would
take the oath of allegiance to England. When they
did so, he broke all his promises, and sailed home
carrying much plunder and a number of prisoners.
3. With his ships, considered big at the time, the
victory seemed so easy, that the brave Phipps next set
out for Quebec. His squadron was powerful, and, had
he only known it, the defences on the St. Lawrence
could not have held out against him.
4. Arrived at the Citadel, an officer was sent on
shore demanding surrender. Count Frontenac, however,
told him with scorn that the only answer he should
get would be " from the mouth of his guns." This
spirited answer was too much for Sir William, who
turned and sailed back to Boston, while the Canadians
joyfully built a church in honour of the event, and
called it Our Lady of Victory.
5. For a long while this unhappy war went on in
the province by the sea, causing great suffering and loss
to the people. The oath of allegiance, as usual, had
come to nothing, and the English and French colonists
were greater foes than ever.
6. Battered and destroyed so often, the old fort had
defied its foes for more than a hundred years. It was
ill the reign of Queen Anne that the Lilies of France
were hauled down for the last time, and the Union Jack
floated in its place. The name of the country was
changed for good to Nova Scotia, and the fortress named
Annapolis Koyal after the Queen.
i
i
90 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
THE FALL OF LOUISBURG
1. On the wild, rocky coast of Cape Iketon, next to
Nova Scotia, stood Louisburg, the strongest fortress in
America. The building had taken a long time to raise,
and cost a vast amount of money. The four great
towers were called King's, Queen's, J)au])hin's, and
Princess's, and the thick walls were mounted with big
guns, whose black muzzles grinned at the enemy. On
islands close by other batteries were ready to help in
time of need.
2. Louisburg, of course, guarded the French coast aiid
the tisheries, and a great many armed vessels were
always coming and going about the harbour. The New
Knglanders had a grudge against the place, because,
among other things, it forced them to cease poaching
in Canadian waters.
3. It was in 1745 that Governor Shirley of Massa-
chusetts and a few other daring spirits determined to
take the castle ! To us the scheme seems wild and im-
possible, for they had no soldiers, and only the smallest
of ships and guns. Knowing that England would not
approve, they carefully concealed their project.
4. Attacking Canada was always popular, so farmers
and fishermen ran to enlist in the ranks, which soon
swelled to four thousand. The commander was a mer-
chant called Pepperel, who knew little or nothing about
fighting. There was no time for training, as every-
one's time was taken up with finding vessels and other
necessaries.
5. Much depends upon a successful landing in in-
vasion, and every schoolboy has heard of the gallant
warriors in ancient Britain, how they rushed into the
sea to beat off the advancing boats of the Romans.
'
THE FALL OF LOUISBUHG
91
G. The New England troops had great difticulty in
landing at Cape Breton, and were almost caught by
the enemy. The boats could not get near the shore,
and the men had to wade through deep ice-cold water
carrying cannon-balls and other heavy burdens on their
heads.
1). Hundreds of men were then attached to the
cannons and drew them for miles over rocks and
swamps until they reached the great fortified walls.
Tndaunted at the sight, they set to work at once mount-
ing their guns. When firing began, the soldiers inside
laughed at the little balls, as if they had come from
pea-shooters.
8. Week after week the guns on either side flashed
and roared, sending shells and other missiles back and
forth at each other. The French forces were eager and
courageous, but they had wretched officers. More than
once the men would have rushed out to blow up the
batteries of the enemy, but they were not allowed to
do so.
9. The besiegers were beginning to see that their guns
were of no use, when they found a number of French
cannon buried close by in a sandbank. These guns
they found much larger and better than the ones brought
from Boston. Turned against their owners, they did
great damage, and soon the battered walls were totter-
ing to their fall. Sickness and famine raged within the
fort, and the unfortunate garrison tried in vain to keep
up the contest.
10. All this time a number of English and colonial
men-of-war patrolled the coast, driving off or capturing
the French vessels that came to the rescue. When at
last the troops on sea and land turned against the fortress
together, there was nothing for Louisburg to do but to
surrender.
•f
'■--*
![
92 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTOKY
I
'■' )|
THE ACADIANS— I
1. Far from these exciting scenes of plunder and blood-
shed, there dwelt at this time in Nova Scotia thousands
of people who were neither soldiers nor sailors. Though
the simple and happy country people cared nothing for
war, they too were to be drawn into the struggle of
nations for mastery.
2. Many years before their forefathers had come from
Brittany to Acadia, and settled round Port Hoyal to clear
and cultivate the land. As their numbers increased,
many of them moved to the upper end of the Bay of
Fundy, where they built the villages of Grand I're, Minas,
Beaubassin, and others.
3. The peasantry could not read or write but they
were shrewd and very industrious. They chopped
down the trees, and, like clever engineers, built strong
dikes of logs and clay to keep out the tides. The
reclaimed land made splendid pasture for cattle, and
cows, horses, sheep, and pigs fed on the rich grass in
great numbers.
4. Everything that was needed for use grew on the
farms — grain, vegetables, and fruit. Wool from the
flocks made warm clothes for winter, flax spun and
woven by the women provided linen, and the forests gave
plenty of wood for fuel and building. The people were
merry, contented, and hospitable, and dearly loved the land
where they were so prosperoub.
5. When, in the course of time, the country was made
over to England, Queen Anne told tlie inhabitants that if
they went away they might take with them all their
belongings, or if they chose to stay as her subjects, farms,
religion, and language were theirs as before. Under her
rule, however, they must make up their minds once for
alood-
isands
bough
ig for
gle of
; from
D clear
•eased,
5ay of
Minas,
t they
lopped
strong
. The
, and
rass in
on the
m the
and
s gave
e were
le land
made
that if
their
I farms,
ler her
ice for
f
;5
.5
'A ^
u
s
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x.
a:
n
G
X ■
hi '
94 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
ii'' I
I
I'
all to keep the o«i th of allegip.nce to the Empire, and fight
for her whenever they should be needed.
6. Now the Acadiana were quiet country folk who
hated warfare. They wished only to be left in peac^,
and to see their crops and cattle flourishing. They had
never fought either in France or their adopted country,
and it was terrible to them to think that they must fight
for England against their own people.
7. Though at first the peasantry had found Acadia
cold and lonely, they had become deeply attached to
the country. Here their fathers had lived and died for
generations, and here they thought to die and be buried
themselves. With sore hearts they decided to leave all
this to make new homes in Canada, where they should
not be forced to fight for anyone.
8. In spite of their resistance, however, the English
Governor knew how useful were these hard-working folk
whose farms produced everything needed by the colony.
The land would soon run wild if the settlers went away, for
there were no others to cultivate it in their place. So he
raised every objection he could think of, and had so many
excuses to prevent their departure, that at last the farmers
settled down again, and began to sow and reap as before.
9. The people were naturally much attached to their
religion, and it is said that the wiser priests advised
submission to British authority. Had a more decided
demand upon their allegiance been made at the first, it
would have been better policy, and they would, no doubt,
have quietly accepted the new government, as did their
countrymen later in the province of Quebec.
10. Governor after Governor came and went, some good
and wise, some careless and unkind. Fifty years passed,
and the Acadians knew little more of Great Britain than
at first, while from the borders of Canada they were
never allowed to forget that they were of French origin.
fight
who
y had
untry,
t fight
A-cadia
led to
ied for
buried
ave all
should
English
mg folk
I colony,
^ay, for
So he
0 many
farmers
before,
io their
advised
[decided
first, it
doubt,
id their
le good
passed,
liiii than
jy were
)rigin.
THE ACADIANS 95
THE ACADIANS~II
1. For years after this England and France kept up an
outward peace, but when war broke out between them
again, France thought it a good time to win back Acadia.
Secret agents were therefore sent out, and highly paid
to rouse the unfortunate country folk to rebellion.
False stories of England's cruelty were circulated among
the settlers, whose greatest fault was that they believed
them too easily.
2. One of these agents was the Abbe La Loutre, a
stern and determined man, who did his utmost to force
the unwilling Acadians to obey him. Gaining control
of the savages as well, he more than once set them with
great ferocity to murder and pillage the new Halifax
colonists. His own people feared him almost as much
as they did the English. Threatened with the horrors
of Indian attack, the Acadians were made to appear
rebels against Great Britain. One of their own proverbs
is "As stubborn as an Acadian." They never took to
arms or destroyed property in open revolt, so that the
evasion of tbe oath of allegiance is their principal crime.
It is easy for us, however, living under a just and mild
government, to blame those influenced by threats of
torture and death.
3. On one occasion, hearing that an English officer,
Major Lawrence by name, was coming with his troops, the
Abbe induced every man, woman, and child in a certain
village to llee for refuge to Beausejour, a French fort
just over the border of Canada. Having led them into
this breach of loyalty, lie sent Indians to burn their
settlement to the ground, to prevent their going back.
4. In 1755, when the war was over, most of the people
who had fled crept back to their ruined homes, and
I
r:'i
96 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
prepared to settle down again. All the trouble, no doubt,
would soon have blown over, but unfortunately the good
Governor had been recalled and Major Lawrence appointed
in his place. Always harsh and overbearing, the new
Governor had already made up his mind to send away
the Acadians to other countries, and be rid of them
forever.
5. Lawrence did not seek advice from England, because
he knew that she could not be induced to treat the
colonists so unjustly. With Colonel Shirley of Massa-
chusetts he arranged this strange and cruel plot. His
friend sent a large number of vessels from New England
to Nova Scotia with troops to take the affair in hand,
and great secrecy was observed for fear it would be
found out and they would be forced to stop.
6. In one place all the men and boys were ordered to
meet in their church, to hear the contents of a letter
from the King. As His Majesty George I wrote no
letter ordering the removal, there is no doubt that this
document was locally made for the occasion. From this
paper the thunderstruck people heard without prepara-
tion that they were to be sent away from their homes
without delay. This messsage delivered, the church doors
were locked and they were made prisoners.
7. Too dazed and heartbroken to make resistance, the
poor villagers prepared to leave the homes in which they
had been so happy. A very few disputed the King's
command, but they were easily put down. In tears and
confusion, young and old men, women and children, were
forced on board the vessels waiting in the bay. As
they sailed away one homestead after another was set on
fire, and the last thing they saw was the leaping flames,
from which the terrified cattle fled for safety.
8. But even this was not the worst of the sad story.
On the ocean the boats soon began to lose sight of each
i
oubt,
good
(inted
! new
away
them
ecause
at the
Massa-
. His
n gland
hand,
uld be
ered to
i letter
•ote no
lat this
im this
irepara-
homes
h doors
ice, the
|ch they
King's
irs and
^n, were
Ly. As
Is set on
flames,
|d story,
of each
THE ACADIANS
97
other, and the frantic people found that husbands and
wives, parents and children, were all separated. In
Pennsylvania, they had been told, they would all meet
and form a new colony. Now, in helpless terror, they
realised that they had been duped. The promises had
been made only to be broken.
9. To liide his guilt, Lawrence had ordered the ships
to land their prisoners as far apart as possible. This was
done, and for a thousand miles the coast of America and
the West Indies received their scattered victims. Leaky
vessels sank at sea with all on board, and others were
wrecked. In far-off countries, as time went on, the
despairing people searched for their relatives, and in
poverty and grief died without finding them.
10. Sometimes, indeed, they did meet long afterwards,
and were very happy. Our beloved Canadian sculptor,
Mr. Hebert, is descended from a young couple who were
separated as children, and being reunited by chance years
afterwards when they had both made their way back to
C'anada, were married.
11. After years of wandering, some of the refugees
got back to their old homes on the Bay of Fundy, but
it was only to find that their land had been given to
strangers. Fearing to be punished, the poor outlaws
hid in the woods among friendly Indians, and eked out a
living as best they could.
12. For three-quarters of a century the strange trials
of this people, which have no equal in British history,
continued. Then Judge Haliburton, the great jurist,
and various statesmen took up their cause, and little by
little the rights of the Acadians were restored. To-day,
in Nova Scotia, from which they were once so cruelly
driven, their loyal descendants now live in peace as
happy and thrifty as of yore.
I I
= I (
.:
,, .
98 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
TICONDEROGA
h
■ipi
1. In the eighteenth century Canada's frontiers were
guarded by surh fortresses as Niagara, Frontenac, Quebec,
Louisburg, and Ticonderoga. The latter stood on a
jutting point at the head of Lake Champlain. It was
in the very heart of the Iroquois country, and was the
old war-path between the two countries.
2. Things had been going from bad to worse for so long
that it was felt a life and death struggle between the
two great nations must soon take place in America.
In 1758 troops came from England to New York, pre-
pared for the coming war. The armed New England
colonists added to the forces under General Abercrombie
numbered 15,000 men. With drums beating and flags
flying, they marched through the country to Lake George.
3. The Marquis de Montcalm, a great French general,
had already won a number of victories in Canada. He
was much beloved by the troops, who were always proud
to follow him. In July 1758, Montcalm marched from
Quebec to Lake Champlain, with between three and four
thousand men. It was a small army with which to meet
the much greater force of the enemy, and the General
feared that he could not win this time.
4. Near by stood the strong French fort Carillon,
called in the Indian dialect Ticonderoga. While Mont-
calm was considering what to do, a thought struck him.
At some distance off lay a rising ground, on the top of
which the troops were hastily ordered to build a strong
barricade of logs, loop-holed for musketry. This done,
♦^he dense woods in front were hewn down, the tree-
anks falling over each other in every direction.
5. When the French found that the enemy was coming,
they took shelter behind the breastwork and waited.
r
were
aebec,
on a
.t was
as the
0 long
en the
uerica.
k, pre-
ngland
rombie
d flags
jeorge.
reneral,
a. He
proud
d from
d four
0 meet
eneral
jarillon,
Mont-
Ik him.
top of
strong
done,
le tree-
TICONDEROGA
99
Miles away the English army was trying to force a way
through the forest. Fallen trunks slippery with moss,
swamp, and brushwood made it almost impossible to
move forward. The cannon brought from camp had to
be left behind, for without a road no power on earth
could take them over such country.
G. Even without the guns that march was one never
to be forgotten. Weary and discouraged the troops at
length emerged near Carillon, only to be met by showers
of French bullets from behind the barricade. Without
shelter the British rushed forward, finding themselves
caught in the wild confusion of logs and branches that
covered the ground.
7. It was a terrible scene. Falling, climbing, fighting,
the attacking forces pressed on again and again, only to
be driven back. Some indeed, in blind fury, reached the
breastwork, and, climbing on their comrades' shoulders,
strove to reach the foe. When it was over, amidst the
fnrious rush of bullets, two thousand British lay dead on
the field of Ticonderoga.
8. Many a bright uniform gained honour for its
country on that day, and foremost among them could
always be seen the bonnet and tartan plaid of the Black
Watch. With desperate courage on both sides, the
battle raged until sunset, when Abercrombie's forces
retreated, without any success to mark the dreadful
hours that had passed.
9. Overjoyed at the result, and proud of his men,
General Montcalm thanked God for the victory, and
began to hope that Canada might still be held for his
Majesty of France.
i
I '
I
t .1
[oming,
waited.
w
'"
100 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
CAMPBELL OF INVERAWE— I
1. The Black Watch at Ticonderoga was commanded
by Major Campbell, a Highland officer, whose story has
often been told. By some it is looked upon as true, by
others deemed only a legend.
2. The estate of this gentleman lay in Argyllshire,
Scotland, and the old stone mansion in which he lived
stood on the beautiful banks of Loch Awe.
3. One day some years before this the laird had been
out on the hills shooting, and late in the evening, after
the servants had gone to bed, he went to the wide hall
to have a look over his game bag. Suddenly the heavy
knocker on the door was. raised, and a startling rap
echoed through the house.
4. In haste he ran to the door and opened it, when
before him stood a terror-stricken figure, whose panting
tongue asked for refuge. A man had been killed in self-
defence, he explained, and friends of the dead were
already on his track. He implored to be hidden until
the danger was over. .
5. The time was shortly after the rising in Scotland
for Prince Charles Edward, and the whole country was
sore and unsettled. Scarcely a Highland house but had
taken in and aided some despairing clansman fleeing
from justice.
6. " Swear on your dirk that you will not betray me,"
pleaded the stranger. To soothe him the kindly host
took the ancient oath, and, leading the way to a distant
room, told him to fasten the heavy door, and open only to
one whose knock proved him in the secret.
7. As Inverawe returned to the hall, the pursuers
entered and excitedly told their tale. His own cousin
had been wickedly murdered, they said, and alreadv they
I 4 ^Ij!
CAMPBELL OF INVERAWE
101
were hot on the track of the criminal. In dismay Camp-
bell listened, but, with the fatal oath n^iging in his ears,
feigned ignorance, and haF/teneJ the searchers on their
way.
CAMPBELL OF INVERAWE— II
1. For hours that night the laird paced his chamber
thinking. Wearied at length, he threw himself on the
bed and fell asleep. The moonbeams were streaming
across the room when he v/akened, and beside him stood
the lifelike form of his cousin, wounded and bleeding.
In the familiar voice came the solemn words : " Inver-
awe ! Inverawe ! Blood has been shed. Shield not the
murderer ! "
2. The next day the laird made his way to the locked
room, and, in great agitation, told the culprit that he
could shelter him no longer. Leading the way to a
wild glen in the neighbourhood, he showed him a
deep cave where he might hide, and turned away. By
morning the murderer had escaped, and was never seen
again.
3. The third night Campbell tossed sleeplessly on his
couch till midnight, when the spectre once more stood
beside him. Again the unearthly tones floated through
the room, this time like a sentence of doom : " Farewell,
Inverawe ! Farewell, till we meet at Ticonderoga ! "
4. Years passed, and the state of Scotland needed the
care of all her loyal sons. Uncertain whether the scenes
had been real or but dreams, Campbell could never
forget the strange word Ticonderoga. It was one he had
never heard before. He did not even know to what
language it might belong.
5. In the meantime, news from America was becoming
more and more disturbing. It was felt that there peace
fm
! I
!'•*■■,
t!':'
102 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
would never be possible until either French or English
were master. Among the troops sent to the scene of war
under Abercrombie was the Black Watch.
6. In the Highland Brigade their commander's story
was known and believed. It was therefore with mixed
feelings that his friends heard of the neighbouring fort
under its Indian name Ticonderoga. Until then it had
been known to them as Carillon.
7. In high spirits the English forces prepared to move
forward, taking with them the guns they were afterwards
to leave behind. On the last evening at Lake George,
Major Campbell strolled by himself in a wood on the
beautiful shores, and there, once more, met face to face
the spirit of his unavenged relative.
8. No longer doubting his coming fate, Campbell led
his men through the next day's battle with a reckless
courage that won lasting fame for his regiment. In the
height of the engagement, with many other gallant com-
rades, he and his son. Lieutenant Alexander Campbell,
received their death wounds.
?
THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC— I
1. At the very time of Montcalm's success at Ticon-
deroga, Louisburg in Cape Breton had fallen for the
second time. Given back to France after its first
capture, the great fortress had continued to hold the
New England colonies in wholesome terror until invested
by British troops under Amherst and Wolfe, when its
doom came quickly.
2. Following rapidly came news of other French losses
— Forts Frontenac and Duquesne, the old frontier guard,
which had long menaced the English colonies, had been
forced to surrender. With these evil tidings crowding
lY
iglish
f war
story
nixed
g fort
t had
THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC
103
move
-wards
reorge,
on the
io face
lell led
eckless
In the
it com-
oapbell,
Ticon-
for the
IS first
^Id the
ivested
len its
losses
guard,
Id been
)wding
upon her thick and fast, France determined to make her
last stand at Quebec.
3. The old grey fortress was deemed invincible, but
through the long winter months of 1758, everything that
could be thought of was doD« to add to its safety
Ticonderoga and other frontier points must be defended
as well, but most of the troops were liurried to the
Citadel. Patriotism ran high. From every direction
even aged men and young boys crowded the narrow
streets, eagerly ollering life and limb for Canada.
4. It was early the following summer when the fisher-
men in the lonely coves down the St. Lawrence with
astonishment saw the English fleet sweeping forward up
the river. Never had they imagined such a splendid
sight as these great ships, crowded with armed men and
bristling with guns. Hope, however, reigned in every
Canadian heart. It could not be that their loved land
was to be taken from them !
5. At the head of the British forces stood the young
hero James Wolfe, whose career from childhood had been
watched by his friends with great hope. Daring and full
of life, the lad had grown up, by study and sheer hard
work bringing himself to notice in the service. At thirty-
three, beloved by his men and honoured by his King, he
was leading England's army to victory.
6. His first glance at the Citadel, however, showed a
solid strength that he was not prepared for. Guarded
round, above and below, by thick walls bristling with
cannon, stood the massive rock, while along the bank of
the river for miles stretched the French camp, under the
watchful eye of Montcalm.
ll
f
I:
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104 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
f
1 I
1 '^
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i i
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THE SIEGE OF QUEBEC~II
1. In the following weeks the fears of the young com-
mander proved real enough. At one point and another
his men, fighting desperately, were driven back. Day
after day the batteries at Pointe Levi pounded holes in
the walls of the town until ruin filled the streets, but to
no purpose. ^lonths passed, and in sick despair General
"Wolfe began to fear that success was not for him.
2. With ceaseless thinking, however, a viigue idea that
he could not get rid of began to haunt his brain. He
could see that, with all its strength, one part of the walls
had very little protection. If he might only reach the
Heights above ! Choosing a night of storm und darkness,
he sent several of the fleet past the town and up the river
to a place of safety. It was the first step to victory.
3. For the hundredth time scanning the rock with his
glass from the south shore, the General at length found
the place he sought. It was the narrow gorge of a dried-
up stream, barely to be seen through the thick trees.
The height was an almost sheer rock of nearly two
hundred feet, but to win success it must be climbed.
Thoughtfully he laid his plans, and made them very
complete.
4. The 13th of September was chosen for the attempt,
every detail of which was laid with the greatest care.
For hours the troops were ready in the boats, and at the
right moment, in perfect silence, a large flotilla dropped
down the river with the tide. They reached a little cove
on the north shore before daybreak, and at a given signal
the wild climb began.
5. Clinging for life to rocks and roots, struggling and
breathless, each man mounted the ladder-like path, at
last reaching the top. There was a short tussle with the
tempt,
care.
it the
[opped
cove
Isigual
ig and
|th, at
ththe
'J
0
<
1
PP
1 a
t
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106 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
utterly surprised guard, who gave in at once, and the
newcomers set off rapidly across the fields towards the
Citadel.
C. In the meantime, the half-dazed townspeople had
heard the firing, and were preparing to defend themselves,
while streams of men from the French camp poured for-
ward to meet the enemy. With frantic haste a few
cannon were planted on each side, horses dashed hither
and thither across the field, and officers sped back and
forth with orders. With scarcely time to think, the
troops faced each other, and the memorable Battle of
the Plains began.
7. Volleys of musket balls thinned the ranks on both
sides, and over their comrades, wounded and dying, the
troops drew together to fill the vacant spaces. Short and
fierce was the strife on which the fate of Canada rested.
With glittering bayonets the British troops swept across
the field carrying all before them.
8. It was a famous victory for Wolfe, but the hero
of the day had no time to think of his success. Eunning
at the head of a detachment, he was wounded three
times, and, falling, died on the field of honour. At the
same time his noble foe Montcalm won a soldier's
grave.
9. In the present critical age, when belief in many of
the heroic stories of the past is becoming very dim, it
has been proved that the poetical letter dictated by
Montcalm on his deathbed is false. However that may be,
no one denies that the great French General, grievously
wounded, and striving to make his peace with Heaven,
forgot his sufferings for the time in the thought of his
heart-broken countrymen.
10. With great nobility he caused a practical message
in their behalf to be despatched to the victorious enemy.
General Wolfe having already passed away, and Brigadier
CONFIRMING THE VICTORY
107
Townshend being reported at the point of death through
wounds, the dying man knew not to whom to address his
formal note, which ran thus : —
11. "Monsieur, — Being compelled to yield Quebec to
your arms, I have the honour to ask your Excellency's
good oflices on behalf of our sick and wounded, and
request the execution of the treaty of exchange arranged
between His Most Christian Majesty and His Britannic
Majesty.
" I beg your Excellency to accept my assurance of the
high esteem and the respectful consideration with which
I have the honour to be, sir, your most humble and
most obedient servant, Montcalm."
12. So, without intention, Montcalm placed his name
yet more securely upon the deathless roll of fame, and to
the two Generals, loved and honoured in life^ death has
given a lasting renown together.
^ny of
^m, it
jd by
lybe,
[ously
laven,
)f bis
^ssage
lemy.
kdier
CONFIRMING THE VICTORY
1. With tottering walls, dismounted guns, and unroofed
and. battered buildings, Quebec was a sorry sight as
soldiers and sailors from the British ships swarmed
through the narrow streets.
2. In every direction the ragged, starving towns-
people fled, hiding in holes and corners, from which
they could scarcely be induced to come out. The
French forces had scattered, leaving the unfortunate
citizens to their fate, and over the country thousands
of refugees fled seeking shelter.
3. On the British side the victory was far from joyful.
Their beloved young leader was no more, and the price
was too great even for such a success. In his place
I
108 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
'!!
m [r
General Murray took charge of affairs, and, with kind
words and thoughtful deeds, showed the frightened folk
that they could trust British honour.
4. When the fleet sailed for home it carried in funeral
pomp the body of the dead hero, and only the Racehorse
and another frigate were left on guard in the harbour.
Winter came swiftly, bringing heaps of snow, and cold
unknown to the victors. Scarcely a house in the town
was fit to live in, and high officers occupied cellars and
stables, glad only to crowd round the huge log fires.
5. All discipline was made as easy as possible. The
soldiers bundled in anything they could find to keep
out the cold, tramping through the snowdrifts to the
surrounding forests. While some chopped down endless
trees for fuel, others stood on guard with loaded muskets.
In every direction French and Indian sharpshooters
fired from cover, and no one outside the walls could be
sure of safety for a moment. ^
6. Early in 1760, while wintry storms still howled
over the land, whispers began to reach Quebec of a
force which was preparing to seize the town. Large
numbers of men were said to be gathering at Montreal.
The gallant de L4vis and Vaudreuil the Governor were
at the head of the movement. A last great effort was to
be made to oust the conquering Britons,
THE BATTLE OF SAINTE FOYE
1. On the St. Lawrence the ice had broken up, and
spring-tides were tossing the fragments back and forth
on the surface. In the early morning of April 27, 1760,
the sentry pacing the deck of the Racehorse could hear
no sound but the slap of the tide against the black hull.
Suddenly, what seemed like a cry for help caught his
to
, and
forth
11760,
hear
hull.
it his
s>
iJ S"
c .>-
•—, a>
•«
E I
110 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
ear. Listening intently, it came again, and the report
of his musket brought up the guard.
2. Boats were lowered, and the eager tars pushed out
into the stream. Their search was soon rewarded. On
a large block of ice a man almost frozen to death was
found, and quickly taken on board ship. Care and
kindness brought back the ebbing life, and in gratitude
the man told his story.
3. He was, he said, a sergeant of artillery with the
army of de L^vis, at that moment on the march to the
Citadel. The forces, twelve thousand in number, had
sailed down from Montreal and landed some miles above,
where, in the darkness, the gunner*'s boat had been over-
turned and his companions lost. With difficulty climb-
ing on the ice, he had been drifting back and forth for
hours, while across country de Levis silently advanced
to take the town by surprise.
4. The enemy was almost upon them ! The sergeant
was hurried in a hammock to headquarters, where he
repeated his story to General Murray, and with all
possible speed the troops were called together to meet
the crisis. At break of day they marched out upon the
Plains, prepared as well as the short notice would allow.
5. The British forces had suffered terribly from cold
and illness through the winter, and many of those
answering the call to arms rose from sickbeds. Al-
together they numbered only about a third of the
enemy. During the Battle of Sainte Foye, which took
place next day, they managed to hold their own for a
time, but that was all. With furious charges that
showed how much was at stake, each side in turn drove
the other off the ground. Later in the day, however,
pressed beyond their strength, Murray's troops slowly
retreated into the town.
6. But the men who had behaved so gallantly were
UNDER BRITISH RULE
111
to have one more chance for a lasting victory! The
walls were repaired, sick and wounded assisting, and
guns dug from the ruins were hoisted with vast labour
and turned to the Plains. With pick and shovel, officers
and men worked manfully side by side, while all looked
forward anxiously for help from home.
7. On the 9th of May, 1760, a man-of-war was sighted
in the river, making her way against wind and tide
towards the harbour. The news spread like wildfire,
and soon the ramparts were crowded with eager throngs
of soldiers. Was she French or English ?
8. Faces gaunt with sickness looked on in silence as
the Union Jack slowly mounted the Citadel flagstaff.
The answering signal rose to the mast-head, and in a
moment every hat was waving wildly and every voice
joyfully shouting itself hoarse. It was our own loved
and honoured British colours.
9. A few days, and the end had come. Other ships,
following each other up the current, met and defeated
the last gallant French vessel, and de Levis, seeing that
further fighting was useless, raised the siege and retired
from the contest. Later at Montreal, Amherst and
Murray received the capitulation of Canada for the
British Crown.
I
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. 'i
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UNDER BRITISH RULE
1. For some time before the downfall of Canada, affairs
there had reached a very unhappy state. In France
reckless splendour and wickedness marked the Court
of Louis XV, and the misery of the peasantry was in-
tense. It mattered nothing to the selfish King that
his people ate grass, and ground bitter acorns to make
bread in order to keep themselves alive.
2. In the same way New France had been made to
i:
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Iff-
r
i.ii.Hi
ii|
!
112 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
feel the heavy hand of her rulers. They, also, were
a harpy crew, put in power by the beauties and rogues
of Versailles. The Intendant Bigot boasted — and it was
nothing to be proud of — that he would do as he pleased
because he was a favourite of Madame Pompadour.
3. Under the guise of lively goodwill, this wicked
man's palace at Quebec was the scene of gaiety so far
unknown in America. Eich dress, feasting, and wild
gambling threw their spell over the higher classes,
while in town and country the working people suffered.
4. The Canadians, with their good crops and big
herds, were really well-to-do, though in Bigot's time
they were sadly ground under heel. The dishonest
tricks of the Intendant were cleverly planned, and the
distance of his victims from each other hid his guilt.
Of his helpers the most barefaced was Cadet, the son
of a butcher. By their evil practices these men made
fortunes that seem vast even in our own day.
5. To this lawless Government the habitants, under
cost, were forced to sell their farm produce, which was
re-sold in the colony at the highest prices. Failures
in crops were constantly reported to the King, who,
in answer, was compelled to send supplies for the use
of the colonists. Nearing port these vessels were fre-
quently allowed to run aground in some safe place,
and, while accounts of total loss reached France, Bigot
and his friends seized the booty for their own purposes.
6. In town and country the peasants were obliged
to do all public works without pay, while they were
called out so often to fight for the King, that none
were left to care for the farms except old men, women,
and boys. In every way the country was on the swift
road to ruin,
7. The habitants were quick to see the difference be-
tween their rulers new and old. The English took
were
)gues
; was
eased
icked
10 far
wild
asses,
ired.
d big
time
honest
id the
guilt,
tie son
L made
under
;h was
allures
who,
|he use
re fre-
place,
Bigot
joses.
)bliged
were
none
romen,
swift
ice be-
took
THE OLD REGIME
113
their produce, indeed, but at good prices, while justice
and honesty were the order of the day. With amaze-
ment the French Canadians saw their former enemies
the soldiers ordered out in squads to help them with
their scanty harvest.
8. Amidst all their trials it is pleasant to hear how
the citizens of Quebec took life at this time. A British
officer writing from the town says : " It is surprising
with what ease the gaiety of their tempers (the Cana-
dian ladies) enables them to bear their misfortunes.
Families reduced from the height of luxury to want,
laugh, dance, and sing, comforting themselves with the
thought that it is the fortune of war ! "
9. Look at the map, and think what a great part of
Xorth America was now ruled by Great Britain. From
the extreme north to Mexico, and from the Atlantic
Ocean to the Pacific. It was indeed a mighty heri-
tage.
THE OLD REGIME
1. During the old regime, the houses of the country
people, large and small, were built with thick stone
walls to keep out the cold. The roofs were very steep
so that the snow might slide off, and sometimes there
were two rows of garret windows one above the other.
2. Inside, the wide chimney held the fireplace, over
which stretched the black arms of a crane, hung with
pots and kettles. The spit was used for roasting, while
on one side the deep baking oven extended into the
wall. The ovens of the gentry were often built of
stone outside the house.
3. In the corner of the farm kitchen stood the spinning-
wheel and handloom, still to be found in use in couutry
places. Beside the fire the home-made cradle and the
Ill: '
!i, :
II
114 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
seats for the aged always had the warmest place. Round
the walls stood the heavy wooden benches and rush-
bottomed chairs for all comers.
4. The Frenc^ Canadians of all classes were a social
and gay people, as they are to-day. However far apart
they lived, the Seigneurs' mansions were not lonely.
Driving parties, especially in winter, when the roads
were good, were an endless source of pleasure to old
and young alike.
5. Baptisms and weddings were celebrated by many a
feast, and on May Day and other holidays the Seigneur
and his family took part in the old-time merriment of
the tenants. St, Catherine's Day was looked upon as
the beginning of winter, when pulling candy and dancing
were kept up with great spirit. Among the habitants
the fiddle was much used for dance music, and, lacking it,
" lilting " and hand-clapping did very well instead.
6. Great preparations were made for the entertain-
ment of guests, when meats, fish, and many kinds of
cakes and pies were made ready. Among the upper
classes a large dish called the Easter pasty was a great
favourite. A turkey, chickens, partridges, and other
game formed the contents, enclosed in rich pastry. On
very festive occasions the company all sang in turn
round the table.
7. The dresses of ceremony among the ladies were
the rich and beautiful ck thes of the period, with pow-
dered hair and high-heeled shoes. The wide-frocked
coats of the gentlemen were of gay brocade, with long
embroidered waistcoats. Wide lace was used at neck
and wrist, and knee-breeches with silk stockings, while
swords were always worn in public.
8. The habitants' coats and dresses were made of
coarse woollen home-spun, coloured with dyes made
from bark and mosses. The women wore short, full
lY
ound
rush-
social
apart
anely.
roads
io old
lany a
igneur
ent of
pon as
ancing
•hit ants
dng it,
:ertain-
mds of
upper
a great
other
y. On
In turn
|s were
h pow-
Ifrocked
ih long
it neck
while
lade of
made
Irt, full
THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC
115
skirts, with bright kerchiefs round their shoulders. In
addition to their heavy coats, the men used grey woollen
leggings and caps. In winter a many-coloured woollen
sash of beautiful pattern went twice round the waist, and
hung in long fringe almost to the feet. With moccasins,
mittens, and pointed hood drawn over the head, they
were ready to brave the coldest weather.
9. Early life in Canada was full of hard work and
danger, but it was happy and interesting for all that.
The habitants soon became used to their hardships, and
grew to love dearly their adopted land. In winter they
traversed the forests on snowshoes, hunting or lumbering,
while in summer they became experts in guiding their
canoes over the rapid streams. At such times songs,
merry or sad, echoed from every lip, and their paddles
kept time with the measure. No people could or did
come through so much without gaining a character and
a literature worth having.
THE CONSPIRACY OF PONTIAC
1. PoNTiAC, Chief of the Ottawas, was one of the wisest
and most far-seeing of his race. His influence reached
far beyond his own country, and many of the Western
tribes were guided by him in matters of policy. To the
haughty savage the fall of France in America came as a
rude and unexpected shock.
2. Exerting all his pow^r, Pontiac roused the fiery
spirit of the red men, who like himself had suffered from
the contempt and the broken treaties of the English
colonists. Among them a widespread plot was laid to
drive their new masters out of America. The enraged
tribes bound themselves to stop at nothing.
3. After peace was proclaimed in Canada, the French
. ^^' 1
116 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
I'l ;
of the "Western forts were replaced by English garrisons.
Detroit, the strongest, it was decided, should be the
first attacked. One day in May, 1763, I'ontiac, with
his followers, approached the stockade, and desired to
be admitted. Under their blankets the savages carried
muskets whose barrels had been cut short.
4. At the risk of torture and death, however, the plot
had been revealed to the commanding officer by a young
Indian girl, and the garrison was prepared. To their
surprise the plotters saw the entire armed force drawn
up inside the gates. Making some excuse for his visit,
the chief turned away, only, however, to come back the
next day. This time he was refused in such a way that
he could not doubt his design was known.
5. This was the signal for a furious outburst which
spread over the west, and as far south as Maryland and
Virginia. Bloodshed ran riot, and whole white settle-
o
ments
were almost wiped out. Detroit was besieged
by a throng of warriors, and the troops sent to assist
the garrison were met and cut to pieces.
6. One of the distant posts, that had not heard of
the rising, fell into the hands of the savages by a trick.
A large number of Indians had gathered outside the
stockade, professing to be loyal to the new Sovereign.
On the King's birthday, in honour of the event, they,
arranged a lacrosse match, to which the officers were
invited. In great good humour they all went in a body.
7. For hours the game was kept up with great spirit
and by degrees the whole garrison was drawn from its
post to see the play. Suspecting nothing the gates had
been left open, and while the onlookers cheered each
fresh game, one by one Indian women stole unnoticed
into the fort, carrying weapons under their shawls.
8. Suddenly the ball was tossed over the palisade, and
amidst a wild tumult the lacrosses were flung aside, and
Pli : 1 1
ons.
the
with
d to
rried
1 plot
oung
their
irawn
visit,
:k the
f that
which
id and
settle-
ssieged
assist
ird of
trick,
le the
jreign.
they,
were
)ody.
spirit
loin its
js had
each
noticed
[e, and
ie, and
CANADA INVADED (lllj
the savages sprang to follow it. The trick was only
understood when, without arms, the unhappy garrison
turned to meet its awful fate.
9. With terrible slaughter most of the Western forts
went down before Pontiac's allies. Detroit was saved
just in time, and strong forces marching west once for
all taught the savages the strength of their foes. If
the worst, it was the last great effort of the red-men to
drive Britain from America.
CANADA INVADED— I
1. Among other things, the new Government determined
to make the walls of Quebec stronger than ever. It took
time, however, and so much money that the young King
George III wondered if they were built of silver dollars
instead of stone and mortar. Partly repaired as it was,
the old fortress was certainly in a position far from secure.
2. Great Britain's continued wars in Europe had
caused her vast losses in men and money, which her
people were terribly taxed to supply. Her colonists in
America, now well-to-do and strong, might have come
to her aid, but they did not. Instead, they took the
opportunity of seizing the big, new country for themselves,
and, forgetting their boasted loyalty, flew to arms.
England, still fiercely engaged across the ocean, sent all
the troops she could spare to America, but her armies
were defeated again and again.
3. Not satisfied with what they had already won, the
ambitious rebels began urging Canada to join them in
revolt. To her great credit Canada refused, and, enraged
at the repulse, her old enemy determined to take her by
force. Hostilities began at Ticonderoga.
4. One autumn night in 1775, a band of rebel soldiers
■ J
'.r^.
■^
i
M.
118 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
■^ '.i i
I-; : :
marched through the border forests and bravely took the
old fort, now more or less in ruins, and without a garrison.
Having thus thrown down the gauntlet, they moved
down the Richelieu River and seized a British vessel.
5. The rebel authorities had been waiting for this
event, and without loss of time two thousand troops were
hurriedly ordered forward to take Montreal. On their way,
wherever the army found French Canadians, they did
their best to set them against ]]ritish rule. Promised vast
rewards if they would rise, the habitants wisely refused
to listen to them. Too well they remembered the days
when these flattering friends were bitter enemies.
6. By this time Montreal was a growing place, though
not at all prepared for war. Most of the regulars were
at Quebec, and little in the way of arms was to be had.
Sir Guy Carleton, the Governor, called out the volunteers
and counted them. There were less than two hundred.
What could such a handful do against two thousand or
more?
7. General Montgomery was at the head of the rebel
forces, whose floating batteries were already advancing
up the St. Lawrence. The next day the town would be
forced to capitulate. Affairs were desperate.
8. The citizens, fiercely loyal, shut themselves up in
their houses and waited. As darkness fell, loud ex-
plosions told them that the Governor was blowing up the
magazines. Then came silence, and the fitful glare of
fires against the sky.
9. Late that night a big boat with muffled oars stole
out from the riverside, and turned down stream. In the
stern sat Sir Guy Carleton wrapped in his military cloak.
Fortunately there was no moon, and not a word was
spoken as, with noiseless strokes, the rowers slipped
through the enemy's flotilla. The Governor was on his
way to Quebec to prepare for the foe.
CANADA INVADED
119
CANADA INVADED— II
rs stole
[n the
cloak,
td was
slipped
Ion his
1. In the meantime the crafty Arnold was marching
through the State of Maine with another army. Early in
November they reached Pointe Levi, opposite Quebec.
It was bitterly cold, and they were without shelter, but
the French Canadians in the neighbourhood could not be
induced to ferry them across the river. Towards the
middle of the month, however, Indians landed the forces
on the north shore.
2. The winter set in early, and was a season of wild
snowstorms and intense cold. The town garrison
numbered only eighteen hundred men, and the un-
finished walls were little able to hold out against a
determined foe. But in Carleton British spirit was
strong, and the courage of the defenders made up for
everything else.
3. Leaving Montreal in charge, Montgomery joined
Arnold in December on the Plains of Abraham, where
they camped together. The rebel general knew Quebec
well, having served there under Wolfe in 1759. He was
not the mild and humane man many believe. Especially
in punishing the habitants at that time, he had been
guilty of cruel acts for which he could have been court-
martialled.
4. The siege from the Plains was carried on with
great energy. Batteries poured shot into the town, and
scaling ladders were set up against the walls. Often
showers of arrows from Indians in American pay fell
over the walls, with notes tied to the shafts inciting the
citizens to refvolt against the King. Night after night the
Governor slept in his clothes, while the garrison stood to
arms. Every movement of the enemy was watched with
unceasing anxiety.
I
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II I
ill-
li
:i; .^
i !i!l
i r! I
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1i
120 riCTtUES FllOM CANADIAN IIISTOIIV
5, A general attack had been planned for the early
hours of 177G. It was bitterly cold, and tlirough tlie
driving snow Montgomery forced his way at the head of
his men along the bank of the river. Above him towered
tliedark Capo fronting the storm, and in their path stood
a barricade without light or any sign of life. Tlie leader
pressed on with liis sword in hand. " Push on, brave
lads ! " he exclaimed, " Quebec is ours ! "
G. It was the last word he uttered. Through the
darkness came the quick word of command, " Fire," and
amidst a shower of b diets the General fell dead with
several fellow otlicers tt his side. At the same moment
Arnold's men were desperately fighting their way round
the lower town from the other direction. In the furious
struggle that followed, the commanding officer fell
severely injured, and the force fell back, leaving many
killed and wounded.
7. IkCpulsed and wounded as he was, Arnold kept up
the siege for months afterwards. Dut all his plans fell
through. Carleton was more than a match for American
craft, and loyally shoulder to shoulder behind the walls
stood the once mortal foes, French and English,
THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS
1. Trouble between the United States and Canada,
however, was not yet over. For some, indeed, it was
only beginning. For years before the War of Independ-
ence the colonists had been bitterly divided in their
opinions as to their rightful allegiance. One party
threatened to throw off the yoke of England, while the
other only became more determined to stand by the
King.
2. When the war decided the question, and the de-
inada,
it was
»pend-
their
party
le the
the
de-
.?.
: r.
?>
It.
mtm
niM
I ; !
K 5
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122 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
feated army returned to England, the opponents found it
harder to get on with each other than ever. Far from
becoming peaceful, the wordy war daily grew more bitter,
until the Royalists were openly branded as outlaws and
traitors.
3. Did the successful rebels just then remember the
poor Acadians whom they had helped to punish so
savagely for disloyalty only a few years before ?
Whether or not, they decided to repeat the cruel in-
justice, now, however, going a step further. This time
their own brothers and friends were to be the victims.
4. A sudden and terrible order was sent out that all
Kingsmen were to be arrested and put to death. With
no mercy to be expected from such a high-handed
Government, the men of British leanings were forced to
flee at once, while the frantic women and children were
left to follow as best they could.
5. Where should they go? It did not take long
to decide, for the provinces of Quebec and Nova Scotia
were still loyal to the King. Some of the fugitives took
ship for Great Britain, but by far the greater number
streamed through the northern States to Quebec, or by
sea to the Maritime Provinces.
6. In great trouble, but hoping soon to come back and
claim their own, the women prepared to follow their hus-
bands. With a few household goods packed in carts or on
horseback, whole families set out from every town and
village. Th y walked along the country roads carrying
their little ones, and at night camped in all weathers on the
commons like gypsies. Black looks and insults followed
them everywhere. Those who showed the wayfarers any
kindness or even sold them food were treated as disloyal
to the young Republic.
7. For a hundred miles on each side of the border the
hills and dales were covered with dense forest and brush.
lY
md it
from
bitter,
7S and
er the
ish so
lefore ?
lel in-
.3 time
ims.
hat all
With
handed
reed to
sn were
:e long
Scotia
68 took
number
;, or by
ick and
)ir hus-
Jts or on
m and
jarrying
on the
)llowed
|ers any
lisloyal
Ider the
brush.
THE UNITED EMPIRE LOYALISTS 123
Dangerous swamps lay in the hollows, and deep streams
that they could not pass. In winter the terrible cold
and snowdrifts added to their misery, and wild beasts
always prowled about on the look-out for prey.
8. As years passed, more and more joined the stream
pouring north, until the Canadians were at their wits' end
to provide food and shelter for such a multitude. At
last large tracts of wild land through Quebec, Nova
Scotia, and in the new provinces of Ontario and New
Brunswick, were divided by the Government, and the
newcomers moved into the woods, and began to make
homes for themselves as best they could.
9. It was a pitiful downcome to the educated, well-
bred colonists. To clear forest land is the hardest of
work, and it takes time to prepare even a small patch on
which to grow oats or barley. The settlers had to do
without tea, s "-ar, and all the comforts they had been
used to. It was not safe to go into the woods without a
gun at any time, on account of wild beasts, and the howl
of wolves often kept them awake at night.
10. All this time the refugees were hoping to regain
their valuable lands and goods across the border. The
Government of the Republic had solemnly promised to
give up every man's property when he came to claim it.
But of the belongings of many thousands of persons, not
a thing was ever refunded. Those who ventured back
were treated as harshly as before, and warned that the
lives of " traitors " were not safe in the country.
11. Traitors — that was the false and cruel name they
gave their fellow citizens. With us in Canada it is
ditlerent. Here we remember with pride those who gave
up all for a great cause, and pray that our nation may
always be true to the principles of truth and honour ou
which it is founded.
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124 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORV
THE INDIAN TRAIL
1. Before the Revolution Sir William Johnson was
agent for Indian affairs in the colonies. Brave in battle
and just in all his dealings with them, no other white
man ever gained such power over the savages as he. At
his fine colonial mansion in Maine is still shown the
place where the Mohawks used to come and sit on the
lawn for hours, waiting patiently to speak to him.
2. In 1742, while the English and French were still at
daggers drawn, a little Indian baby was born to the Chief
of the Mohawks. The child had a pretty native name of
his own, but the colonists called him, like his father, Brant.
Later, Joseph Brant was to be elected Chief of the Five
Nations, and do great things for his people.
3. Sir William Johnson, seeing how clever the boy
was, sent him to a Christian Indian school. With what
he learned there, Brant became very anxious to teach the
heathen races about our Lord Jesus. He translated the
Gospel of St. Mark and other books into the Mohawk
tongue, and did much to help the work of the mission-
aries. He meant to have written an account of his
people, and it is a great pity he did not do so, for very
little is known of the early history of the Indian tribes.
4. As time went on the Iroquois began to feel that
they were not well treated under the laws of the new
Republic. Indians and other natives have a strong sense
of justice. Because they are honest themselves, they
believe that the promises made by others will be kept.
When the Five Nations found that solemn treaties were
broken, and that the whites were turning them off their
ancient lands, they were very indignant.
5. When the English colonies rebelled against the
Mother Country, the Iroquois, led by Chief Brant and
THE INDIAN TRAIL
125
3 new
sense
they
kept.
were
their
the
It and
Sir William Johnson, fought for their British rights.
They could not believe that anyone had been unfairly
treated. " The Great King," they said, " has never taken
away an acre of our land as you are doing."
6. Both before and after the war the Five Nations had
to suffer the same wicked and unjust treatment as the
white Eoyalists. Like their fellow-sufferers, they at
length left their old hunting grounds and sorrowfully
took the trail to Canada. Christian and loyalist as they
had now become, the once savage races were glad to take
refuge on British soil.
7. Soon afterwards Chief Brant paid a visit to England,
where he went by the name of the " Noble Savage." He
was greatly made of in Court circles because he had been
faithful to the King, and one of his friends, a nobleman,
had his portrait painted by the artist Roniney.
8. Since leaving their old lands, the chiefs were at a
loss where to found a new settlement for their people.
Great councils were held, in which all agreed that they
would rather " go away to Japan or beyond Hudson Bay,
than return to their former homes," where true justice
was not to be found.
9. When Brant reached Canada in 1784, he found that
the King had offered a rich and fertile part of Ontario to
the homeless braves. It is very interesting to know that
the first loyalist chapel in Canada was built by the Mohawks
on the Grand River, and that a fine silver communion ser-
vice, given them by Queen Anne, is still in their possession
and greatly prized. Among the busy towns that have long
since sprung up in this district, is Brantford, where an
imposing monument stands in memory of the great chief.
10. Under Tecumseh, the Tuscaroras later joined their
Ontario friends, and in 1812 the united tribes, now called
the Six Nations, won undying fame for their splendid
loyalty to the British Crown.
n
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1
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186 PICTUKES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
THE FINDER OF THE ERASER RIVER— I
1. Among those attached to the British forces in
America during the Revolutionary War, was a Highland
officer named Fraser. His wife lived, for the time being,
at Bermington on the Hudson, with her infant child,
who was called Simon, after the chief of their clan.
2. As we all know, one reverse after another befell the
British until at last the unhappy affair ended in their
defeat. Captain Fraser was present with his detachment
at the surrender of General Burgoyne. There, unfortu-
nately, he was captured by the Americans and thrown
into prison, where he soon afterwards died.
3. So great was the hostility of the victors to their
so-called enemies, that Mrs. Fraser, overcome with
terror, seized her child and fled. After many hardships,
she reached Cornwall, Upper Canada, in company with
other fugitives.
4. It was a terrible blow to the young wife. Besides
her grief, she had to face dire poverty. Everything she
possessed had been left in Bermington, and it was un-
likely that she would ever regain her property. Like
most of the other United Empire Loyalists, she had to
set about providing for the little family without delay.
It was a difficult task, but one that she bravely met
and conquered.
5. Simon Fraser grew up a stirring and conscientious
boy, and at the age of sixteen entered the service of the
North- West Fur-Trading Company of Montreal. There,
among men whose chief thought was activity in business
and fearlessness in the face of danger, the lad soon
proved his merit.
6. No doubt young Fraser sometimes went about this
time to Lachine, to see the yearly departure of the
I 111
lY
THE FINDER OF THE FRASER RIVER 127
—I
BS in
;hland
being,
child,
ell the
their
;hment
ifortu-
bhrown
0 their
e with
rdships,
ly with
Besides
ing she
^as un-
Like
had to
delay.
kly met
lentious
of the
There,
business
(,d soon
iut this
of the
voyageurs for the North-West. There anchored off shore
lie would see a number of large canoes packed with
provisions and other necessaries for the far distant
trading posts. The day was kept as a holiday, and the
streets of the old village were lively with the French
Canadian servants of the Company, as well as numerous
Caughnawaga Indians and their families.
7. Most of the Indian women carried their papooses
strapped to boards and slung from their backs, while
here and there, along the side of the road, a mother had
relieved herself of her burden. The board, propped
against a tree or stone, held its wide-awake, black- eyed
little occupant, who looked about silently, and accepted
its lonely situation with true Indian stoicism.
8. All day games of various sorts were in order, and
good-humour prevailed. The greatest interest, how-
ever, centred about the Canadian and Indian wrestlers,
in which the patience of the latter usually proved him
victor. The levelling beams of the sun at length gave
the signal of departure, and the farewells were quickly
said. The canoes paddled over to one of the adjacent
islands, where camp was pitched for the night, and at
sunrise the flotilla set off on its long journey to the
west.
9. The route of the voyageurs was that traced by Champ-
lain three hundred years ago, — up the Ottawa and the
Mattawa rivers, across the lakes on " the height of land,"
and down the French River to Lake Huron. It had long
been the Indian short cut from the upper lakes to the
St. Lawrence, and accounts for the swift movements of
the tribesmen over great distances in former times.
Modern engineers know no better way to follow for the
great Georgian Bay Canal.
10. Threading their way in and out among the islands
of the Mer Douce (Lake Huron), the canoes at length
I
i
'lil'il
128 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
reached Sault Ste. Marie. At this point the short river
of twenty-two miles discharged the immense flood of
Lake Superior into Lake Huron. Here they found
the little canal built some years before, which saved the
labour of a portage for goods going up and fur-laden
boats coining down from the trading posts. Primitive
as it wf.3, this canal serves to prove the vast energy and
ability of the North-West Company.
11. Simon Fraser had entered the service in 1792, but
a few years after Mackenzie's great feat in following the
course of t'lfc river, now named after him, to the Arctic
Ocean. T'l.^ jxplorer, too, was just about to set out on
hm still more v/onderful journey on foot across the Rocky
Mountar-^'.
12. ISiaturally, the youth's adventurous spirit was
aroused over such exploits as these. It is not unlikely
that he soon proved his mettle in one or more minor ex-
cursions with the voyageurs, and the first important posts
he managed were Grand Portage and Lake Athabasca.
He was indeed a rising man, and it was with great satis-
faction that he accepted charge of a party leaving in 1805
to establish forts for the Company, and open trade with
the Indians west of the Rockies.
THE FINDER OF THE FRASER RIVER— II
1. The adventures of Eraser's voyageurs in their long
journey across the continent has never been told. Heroes,
it is true, seldom have time to record " the dangers they
have passed." For all time, however, the names of certain
rapids and rocky chasms on that route will recall the
weary portages, the moments of terrible danger, and the
loss of countless lives yet to be in the discharge of duty.
2. Far off on the prairies the travellers had their first
THE FINDER OF THE FRASER RIVER 129
sight of the Rocky Mountains like a cloudbank on the
horizon. As they approached they found themselves
among the rolling hills, and, following their Indian guide,
entered a pass that led into the heart of the mighty ridge.
It was a grand and striking scene. A narrow, rocky
gorge whose sides were clothed with dark pines, while
below a boiling, impetuous torrent dashed along. On
every side the snow-capped heads of mighty hills crowded
one behind the other, while in the near distance rose a
giant among giants, whose sharp, round peak seemed to
reach the very skies.
3. This place was to become famous as the Tete Jaune
Cache for a curious reason. An Indian of the district,
whose yellow hair was the wonder of his race, was known
by this nickname. On the foundation of the trading
posts, Tete Jaune found the spot a convenient one in
which to cache or hide the skins he was collecting for
barter with the white man. It is worthy of notice that
just a century later this pass should be chosen by the
Grand Trunk Pacific for its rocky entrance to British
Columbia.
4. The first post to be founded west of the "Great
Divide " was Rocky Mountain House, and shortly after-
wards one farther north called Fort McLeod. Journeys
here and there in the interior soon proved to be more
than perilous, but the natives, some of whom greeted
their first white visitors with angry terror, were worse.
As with Mackenzie, however, Eraser's tact and patience
won the day. For years, indeed, these tribes kept up
their savage raids upon each other, but comparatively
few bloodthirsty attacks on the whites can be laid at
their door.
5. The next year or two were employed in tracing the
surrounding territory, which the explorer called New
Caledonia. He found that it was mainly held by the
ill
5,|:
'it I
iS !
130 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
!|
Carriers, tlie Babines, and the Indians of the Skeena
Kiver, with whom he began friendly relations and a great
native traffic. It was not long, however, before he noticed
signs among them which made him very uneasy. Iron
tools, guns and ammunition were common in the villages,
and the questioner was told that they came from white
men along the course of a river which he took to be
the Columbia.
G. In the autumn of 1807 his suspicions concerning
these traders were confirmed. News came from Mon-
treal that American explorers were pressing along the
Columbia Iliver, then in British territory, and busily
annexing it for their Government by right of discovery !
Fraser lost no time in deciding to go down the great
stream on which he was just then building his fourth
post, Fort George, and securing it for his Company.
7. The expedition left the new fort in four canoes
towards the end of May 1808. Nineteen voyageurs and
two Indian guides, besides the chief and his two lieu-
tenants, made up the number. One of the latter, Mr.
John Stuart, a leading man in the service, was some
years later to have a baby nephew, now known to us
as Lord Strathcona.
8. Scarcely was the party afloat, however, when diffi-
culties began to crowd upon it thick and fast. In spite
of all its steersman could do, one of the canoes was caught
in an eddy and whirled against the precipice forming
one side of the canyon. For a brief space it seemed
as if nothing but a miracle could save it from being
dashed in pieces. As they proceeded, equally wild places
met their view, and the iron muscles and stout hearts
of the paddlers had all they could do to hold their own
against the furious current.
9. Other troubles as well as the fight with nature
appeared. After some days' pulling, upon a near stretch
Mount Sik Donald, in thk Selkiuks
This monolith was named after Sir Donald A. Smith,
now Lord Strathcona. It is said that 120
glaciers may be seen from the summit of this
mountain.
Hi
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■ f I
lij
132 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
of sandbank hoof-marks warned the party that they
had reached the country of the Attahs. This was the
*' very malignant race " whose warlike gestures had
forced the intrepid Mackenzie on one occasion to turn
back. A nation of riders, they had then despatched
swift horsemen to warn other tribes of the approach
of the white man. Now they were about to repeat the
unfriendly act, had not the explorer spent a day among
them, which resulted in a change of tactics. Perhaps
the firing off of his musket, which caused the natives
to fall flat on the ground in terror, had something to
do with his ultimate success.
10. From where he stood on the Attah shore, Fraser
could see that the stream was becoming worse instead
of better. Before him stretched two miles of rapids,
which for a moment caused even his brave heart to
quail. Anyone who has been in a canoe shooting a
rapid will never forget the breathless danger, described
by Champlain as " making my hair stand on end." The
sheer, rocky walls on each side were but forty or fifty
yards apart, and through this space the swollen waters
hurled themselves with a roar like a cataract.
11. To add to his dismay, the banks at this point were
too steep to allow of a portage. Even the Indians here
left the water, and ascended by means of rude ladders
fastened to the face of the rock. As an experiment,
one of the canoes, lightly loaded and carrying the five
best men, was launched on the boiling current. Cool,
determined, and in awful silence, they held their paddles
with a grip of steel, only to find ohemselves seized by
a flume and whirled round and round with tremendous
velocity. The horrified onlookers from above saw the
frail craft shoot from one danger to another, until the
very fury of the stream hurled it against the bank, fortu-
nately on their side of the stream.
THE FINDER OF THE FRASER RIVER 133
12. It was a terrible moment. The men, clinging
for life to the rough rocks, held the boat with their
feet, while their comrades above plunged downward to
their aid, striking their dirks into the clefts of the
rocks to prevent pitching head-first into the water.
With vast labour the canoe was rescued and hauled
up the height, and the party proceeded by a path along
which it was scarcely possible to carry even a gun.
13. From the Attahs the travellers had procured some
horses, and once a laden animal, missing its footing, fell
over the edge and was killed. At another time one of
the men, with a heavy pack on his back, found himself on
a narrow ledge where he could not move or even release
his burden. Seeing his danger, Fraser, at great risk to
himself, crawled along the edge of the cliff, and, leaning
over, cut the cords and let the bundle drop into the river.
14. Taking to the water again, the fierce fight with
cascades, rocks, and whirlpools went on for four more
long anxious days. Then the courageous leader was
forced to take the advice of the natives, and for a time
confine himself to land. Even here dangers of a new
kind beset them. In carrying the boats and their
contents along the frightful ups and downs, a pair of
moccasins was worn out in a day, and the footsore and
weary voyageurs were at times almost baffled.
15. Keeping up heart, however, the party persevered,
and at last reached somewhat level country. How
they met and passed the fierce natives of the inlet is
told in the journal of the intrepid leader. Swollen by
the melting snows, the river had been followed at the
most dangerous season, and, to the satisfaction of all,
was found to discharge, by the Gulf of Georgia, into the
Pacific Ocean. With the Columbia it had no identity.
16. The exploit, carried through without the loss of
even one life, is one that will never be forgotten in
':'l>
w.
PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
Canadian annals. Ilis gallant feat had won a name for
8imon Fraser, and he was offered a knighthood, which,
however, he declined. Honoured and admired, however,
be was tendered the highest post in the gift of the
Company, and continued until old age devoting himst
to the best interests of his adopted country.
THE WAR OF 1812
1. While things were going on so busily in Canada,
Great Britain had been drawn into another dreadful
war, this time with Napoleon Bonaparte. The Americans,
for some reason, had never forgiven England for her
too great generosity to them after the devolution.
With few regular troops in Canada, it seemed a suital'
time to pun.'sh the Mother Country and at the sa'
time add to their own domains !
2. In June, 1812, the United States declared war
against Great Britain, and once more the loyal colonies
found themselves a great battlefield and graveyard. A
terrible duty lay before the Canadians, twelve hundred
miles of frontier to guard, and neither men nor arms
for the task.
3. The war was not of England's seeking, and, for a
time, she hoped, for Canada's sake, to secure peace at
any price. The Americans, however, in their trumped-
up indignation, would listen to nothing.
4. Seeing this, the colonists rose to the task with great
spirit. Expecting that most of the fighting would be
about Lake Ontario, troops hurried from all the provinces,
and the Loyalists, both white and Indian, flocked to join
the volunteers. Armed vessels of both nations cruised
up and down the Lakes, and Kingston, Toronto (then
called York), and Niagara were on the alert.
*v
THE WAR OF 1812
l^.")
5.
great
lid be
dnces,
to join
Iruised
(then
Fighting began at Detroit, when the brave, beloved
General Brock captured the town. Among other things,
thirty-three much needed cannon fell into his hands, and
from mouth to mouth flew the news of victory.
6. October had now arrived, and from the Canadian side
of the Niagara river the enemy's camp could easily be seen.
Attack was expected at any time, and a sharp look-out kept
up. Before dawn on the 13th a large force of Aaiericans
could be made out crossing the river at (.^)ueenston. With
great spirit the little British force fired into the darkness,
and succeeded in driving off the foe.
7. About sunrise General Brock galloped up from
Fort George, and sprang from his horse. Here and there
thick clumps of bushes covered the n- ^ghbouring ground,
and h'ilf-way up the incline stood a single cannon, still
warm from its morning's work. Climbing rapidly, the
soldierly figure stood beside the gun, and with keen
eyes looked about him.
8. At this moment a hidden body of the enemy burst
from a near-by thicket, firing as they came. Taken by
surprise, Brock retreated to the foot of the hill, and,
hastily joined by others, charged up the slope to regain
the position. " Push on, brave York volunteers," cried
the young General, waving his sword. A volley of
musket-balls from above was the answer, and with the
words on his lips the gallant commander fell dead at the
head of his men.
9. The struggle that followed was of little avail.
Later in the day General Sheaffe's force marched up from
Fort George, but, warned of his danger, the oflicer made
a wide circuit, and approached from above. The troops,
raging at the loss of their beloved leader, charge^! with
the bayonet, and after a fierce hand-to-hand combat,
drove the enemy over the cliff, leaving a thousand
prisoners behind.
i.i
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136 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
LAURA SECORD— I
1. The fateful 27th of May, 1813, brought ruin to the
little town of Niagara. After a brave defence against
great odds, the place, already in flames, was taken, and
not a family but had friends among the gallant dead.
The district swarmed with Americai troops, now more
sure than ever of taking Canada. The people were really
prisoners, and watched with unceasing vigilance by the
besieging force.
?. In a cottage on the outskirts lived James Secord
anu his young wife Laura, The times were full of
daring deeds, and the Secords belonged to an intensely
patriotic United Empire Loyalist family. It was nearly
two months since the fall of the town, and James was
still only recovering from his wounds.
3. Sunrise was flooding the beautiful countryside on
the 23rd of June, when Mrs. Secord entered her
husband's room and carefully closed the door. Sitting
by the bedside, she excitedly whispered some news she
had happened to overhear from two American soldiers
passing the house. ,
4. About twenty miles off Lieutenant Fitzgibbon, with
fifty men of his Majesty's 49th Eegiment, held a post.
The few careless words had revealed the fact that this
force was to be surprised next day by six hundred of
the enemy. As no help could be sent the little garrison,
it would be cut to pieces. It was a matter of desperate
importance.
5. After a pause, Laura raised her head resolutely.
"James," she said, "I am going to tell them." The
young man looked at her for a moment without speaking.
" You can't go by the road," he answered slowly. " They
will see to that." " I know," was the quiet ans wer.
iY
LAURA SECORD
137
bo the
gainst
n, and
dead.
more
really
by the
Secord
'ull of
,ensely
nearly
es was
lide on
d her
itting
Iws she
loldiers
with
post.
it this
red of
:rison,
)erate
[utely.
The
iking.
They
6. For a few minutes the pat.iotic couple talked
eagerly of ways and means. The country was still but
thinly settled, and the only road leading in that direc-
tion well watched. The forest, extending for miles on
every side, was dense and dangerous. Wild beasts
lurked in its gloomy shades, and swamps made some
part3 almost impassable. At length Laura rose and
kissed her husband. " Good-bye," she said bravely, " till
we meet again."
7. A few minutes later, hatless, and with a pail on
each arm, the young woman was stopped at the meadow
gate. "You can't pass here," said tne sentry, shortly.
Mrs. Secord put on her most engaging smile. " Can't,"
she returned lightly, "and what will Colonel Boerstler
do without milk for his breakfast ? " The man laughed,
and, lowering his piece, made way for her and watched
her upright figure tripping across the pasture. " Don't be
long," he called sharply; "I'll be on the look-out for you!"
8. As he spoke there was a quick step on the road,
and a rattle of arms caught Laura's ear. At the sound
her heart bounded. It was the change of sentries, and
seemed a good omen, for now her absence might not
be noticed. As she proceeded, sounds of military life
rose in the crisp morning air ; soon the little town would
awaken to its burden of sorrow. About the wide field
the cows were cropping the dewy grass, while the sun
touched the forest trees on the far side of the fence.
LAURA SECORD— II
1. Mrs. Secord chose the farthest away animal, and
pushed it still nearer the fence. For a few moments
there was the quick sound of milk frothing into the pail,
then, with a hasty look round, she ceased work, crept
1
i 'lit
l
i ;-!
!h ■*!
138 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
past the cow, and, running a few yards, plunged into
the wood. For a few minutes in terror of a musket
shot to show that she was missed, the panting figure fied
through the trees scarcely caring where she was going.
2. No sound, however, reached her anxious ear. As
she pressed on, the brush became more dense and
thorny, and the long branches of the brambles pulled
at her hair and tore her face and hands. In her haste
she stumbled over mossy logs, and, still trembling with
excitement, had to retrace her steps again and again to
find some easier way.
8. For hours the heroic woman fought her way through
the jungle-like growth. Her shoes and stockings were
long since worn out, and her dress torn to shreds. Her
bare feet sank in the oozy swamp, or, striking against
sharp stones, caused her to cry out in pain.
4. The countless trees rose on every side solemn and
confusing, the dark interlacing branches almost shutting
out the light. From far off now and then came the
long howl of a wolf, and, once stooping to drink at a rocky
spring, the horrid rattle of a snake caused her to bound
back with a shriek and rush on in terror.
5. Weak and dizzy, Laura sometimes threw herself on
the ground wishing to die, and again, with a prayer on
her lips, sprang up, determined to push on. The day
seemed endless, and yet, as the sun waned, she could
have wept despairing tears. In darkness, and with no
guide, she would be lost indeed.
6. Approaching what seemed to be an opening in the
trees, she suddenly sprang backwards in affright. With
no sound of warning, her terrified eyes were staring
straight at an outpost Indian in full war-paint. With
a long moan the wanderer swayed forwards, and fell
fainting on the ground.
7. When she came to she found herself in a tent,
RY
d into
Qusket
ire fled
ing.
r. As
le and
pulled
r haste
g with
gain to
hrough
;s were
. Her
against
nn and
hutting
le the
rocky
bound
lelf on
|yer on
^ day
could
ith no
in the
With
^taring
With
Id fell
tent.
THE WAR CONTINUED
139
surrounded by the kindly faces of white men in uniform.
Half sobbing, she told her story, and was amazed to see
the instant energy it produced in her hearers. Nothing
could have aroused the young heroine so quickly as the
way in which her brave act was received.
8. History tells how the next day Boerstier's force
of Americans, marching along the road, was suddenly
hemmed in by two hundred Indians at Beaver Dams, and,
when Fitzgibbon's force also advanced upon them, they
surrendered with scarcely a shot.
THE WAR CONTINUED— I
1
1.
Through the summer of 1813 the valour and loyalty
of Canada were tried to their utmost. The American
forces, smarting under their losses, were increased to
56,000 men, and their armed fleets on Lakes Erie and
Ontario made stronger than ever.
2. Few in number and in want of everything, the
Canadians kept up their spirit, though the work was
desperate. No post had enough of men. Toronto was
twice seized, and its public buildings t v. ned. Fort Erie
and Fort George, across the lake, went through the
baptism of blood that has made the Niagaia ground for
ever sacred to patriotic Canadians.
3. In June the British forces, obliged to fall back from
Fort George, had reached Stoney Creek, at the head of
Lake Ontario. They were pressed by between three and
four thousand Americans, who wearily threw themselves
down for the night without posting sentries. Canadians
had already proved themselves alert scouts, and the state
of the enemy was soon reported at headquarters. Colonel
Harvey determined to lose no time.
4. With his force of 1400 men, he stole through the
u
iT. t
t »:1
""
1 1
1
\
i
i
i
1
1
': f
1
;
1
1
i 1
1
140 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
darkness, and fell upon the sleeping ranks. The sudden
and gallant attack caused a complete rout. The force
fled in confusion, leaving everything, including two
generals and many prisoners, behind them.
5. Later in the summer, off-shore at the same spot
(now Hamilton), a two days' naval battle took place, in
which the British fleet under Yeo proved victorious. The
scene is described by an officer on the Heights above :
" It was a moment of great anxiety with us when the
two fleets lay in sight of each other, the one wishing to
avoid coming to hard knocks, and the other straining
every nerve to be at it. I rode twenty miles to see the
hostile squadron. ...
6. "At eleven o'clock on the night of the last day that
I was there, Sir James Yeo contrived to bring them (the
Americans) to a partial engagement, and for an hour and
a half the lake opposite appeared to be in a continual
blaze." ,
7. The result was uncertain until daylight, " when,"
the writer continues, " I observed the Yankee fleet bear-
ing away to Fort George with two schooners less than
they had the evening before, and our fleet steering for
York (Toronto) with two additional sail. The Americans
have besides lost two of their largest schooners, which
upset from carrying a press of sail when our fleet was in
chase of them."
THE WAR CONTINUED— II
1. Such good luck, however, did not attend a fierce
battle that took place in September on Lake Erie. The
British ships, under a brave officer named Barclay, were
attacked by a strong American fleet. The fight was long
and stubborn, but in the end the entire English squadron
was taken prisoner.
adden
force
; two
! spot
ice, in
The
ibove :
3n the
ling to
aining
see the
ly that
m (the
lur and
iitinual
when,"
t bear-
s than
ng for
ricana
which
iwas in
THE WAR CONTINUED
141
fierce
The
were
long
ladron
2. With this defeat fell Detroit, then held by Proctor
with a garrison of nine hundred men. With them were
Tecumseh, the noted Indian chief, and his followers. In
desperate straits the force retreated, followed by five
thousand of the enemy. Near where London now stands,
the Indians refused to retire farther, as they considered
it, in disgrace.
3. General Proctor continued his flight, while the
gallant Tuscaroras turned to face the foe. Wit.h fierce
valour, that the race as British allies has never equalled,
Tecumseh and his braves held their position until the
leader and nearly all of the band were killed.
4. So far the war had raged in Upper Canada, but in
October the Americans prepared to attack Montreal.
Hampton, with seven thousand men, marched through
the State of New York and down the Chateauguay lliver.
Their movements were watched from cover by de Sala-
berry's three hundred Voltigeurs.
5. The battleground was well chosen. The French
Canadians had learned the use of rocky glens and dense
woods in Indian warfare, and strong breastworks of logs
added to their security. A reserve force guarded the
ford at some distance, and a few Indians were on the
alert. The difference in numbers, however, between the
rival forces was great.
6. At one time de Salaberry's little company was in
dire straits, when some buglers were ordered to sound
the advance, which they did with great spirit from
different parts of the wood. Indian war-whoops added
to the commotion, and the Americans, breaking up in
consternation, scattered in all directions. To the credit
of the Voltigeurs, the rout that followed was complete.
7. About the same time a brigade under General
Wilkinson was passing through the Thousand Islands on
its way to meet Hampton at Montreal. Watching them
K
IH i
Ml
i!.£u
142 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
closely came Colonel Morrison in the rear, with a British
detachment of eight hundred men. At the head of the
Long Sault Rapids^ the American forces divided, two
thousand five hundred landing near Crysler's farm, and
intending to march forward, while their comrades went
by water.
8. This was Morrison's time. Hurrying forward, he
attacked the enemy, and in the bloody fight that followed
the day was won for Canada. The American troops, in
disorder, fled down the river, hearing on the way of
the defeat of their forces at Chateauguay, two weeks be-
fore. The news quite overthrew their plans, and, while
they hastily retreated southwards, Montreal thanked God
for her miraculous escape.
THE END OF THE WAR
1. The grim winter of 1814 had scarcely begun to merge
into spring, when, undeterred by its reverses, war turned
its pitiless march northward once more by the ancient
route of Lake Champlain and the Richelieu. At the old
mill of LacoUe, however, the invading forces met their
first British reception, and it was a warm one. Nearly a
hundred years have passed, and there has been no need
to repeat it.
2. Other repulses followed, and, driven from the out-
skirts the American troops hastened from all quarters
towards the Niagara. One more great effort was to be
made to humble Canada.
3. In July five thousand Americans under one Brown
crossed the Niagara River, and took Fort Erie. Turning
north, they were met by General Eiall, who, with too
* There are Long Sault Rapids both on the St. Lawrence and
Ottawa rivers.
ni ij
RY
British
of the
d, two
□a, and
; went
ird, he
Uowed
ops, in
!\ray of
2ks be-
, while
edGod
THE END OF THE WAR
143
\ merge
turned
ncient
Ithe old
t their
early a
o need
^e out-
larters
to be
JBrown
lurning
Ith too
ice and
great daring, matched his force against more than double
the enemy. In the memorable action that followed, one-
third of the British were killed or made prisoners. The
rest fell back on Fort George.
4. Hearing of this reverse, Sir Gordon Drummond,
with all the troops he could muster, hurried west from
Kingston. Near the Falls a narrow road called Lundy's
Lane crosses the highway, and here, on a ridge, Riall had
taken up his position. As night drew on he was hastily
joined by Drummond and squads of men running from
the harvest field.
5. They were none too soon. Already the slope towards
the river was held by the enemy, on the point of a violent
onslaught. With the roar of the mighty cataract sound-
ing above their hateful strife, the greatest battle in our
history was fought on July 13, 1814.
6. With well-matched determination on each side, the
action lasted until about nine o'clock in the evening,
when there came a pause So far the British had refused
to give way before the overwhelming attack, but their
strength was almost spent. At this moment, however,
twelve hundred of Scott's Brigade, who had made a forced
march of twenty miles, came up at the double.
7. It was the signal for a fresh onset. Through the
dense darkness, without a word of warning, the enemy's
gunners dashed up the slope, swinging their batteries almost
mouth to mouth with the British guns. For more than
three hours the furious death-grapple lasted, until, with a
cheer, the heroes of Lundy's Lane saw the foe give way
and retreat once more. In the awful struggle a thousand
lives had been lost on each side.
8. While this murderous conflict was raging in Canada,
great events were making history in Europe. After the
untold suffciings he had wrought upon the nations,
Bonaparte was caged at last on the Island of Elba.
1^'!'
^^i-
ir
:i i!^
144 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
9. The vast loss of her men in battle, the grinding
taxes to supply money for war, and the never-ending
threats of conquest, had made Napoleon an inhuman
monster to the people of the British Isles. No wonder
that heralds with waving flags galloped through the
country, shouting the glad tidings, "Peace on earth
again," and the church bells took up the joyful chorus.
10. Among other things. Great Britain was now free to
go to the aid of her people overseas. For the second time
the United States had chosen the hour of England's dis-
tress in which to vent her fury on Canada. Now she
had to suffer for it. The flower of his Majesty's army
hurried to America, and there left some sorely needed
warnings of the danger of meddling with her northern
neighbours.
11. England's fleet easily regained the power which her
self-made enemy deemed lost to her for ever. "Washington,
capital of the republic, was taken, ports blockaded, and
much damage to vessels done at sea. The republic was
thoroughly humbled, however, and the end of the turmoil
came peaceably on Christmas Eve, 1814, when quiet once
more settled down on sea and shore.
I ;! '
I'"
THE MERCHANTS ADVENTURERS
1. Flying from the upset realm of his father, the King of
Bohemia, Prince Rupert betook himself to the court of
his uncle, King Charles the First of England. But he
had only transferred his allegiance from one ill-governed
state to another. Handsome, clever, unscrupulous, and,
above all, daring, he threw himself heart and soul into
the cause of his royal relative.
2. Cast upon his own resources, however, by the execu-
tion of the King, the young Prince lost no time in deciding
RY
inding
ending
buinan
vonder
r\\ the
. earth
Drus.
free to
id time
d's dis-
ow she
's army
needed
Lorthern
hich her
hington,
ied, and
blic was
turmoil
liet once
King of
curt of
But he
overned
us, and,
ul into
execu-
leciding
'A
PS'
i;S ?■■
! !
146 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
' f
what he should do. With f^reat audacity he sei/icd upon
several ships of the Royal Navy, and set out for tlie West
Indies. These waters, already teeming with pirates, were
the world's highway for merchantmen. Arrived there,
the royal freebooter for years chased and plundered the
richly laden Dutch, French, Spanish, and even English
ships, on the high seas.
3. This exciting career over, the Prince returned to
England with the Stuarts in 1660. The gay follies of
Charles's court had now, however, no attractions for liim,
but all his love of adventure still remained, and the found-
ing of the Hudson Bay Company took hold of his fancy.
Through him a number of noblemen and gentlemen ob-
tained a charter, and he became the first Governor of the
Merchants Adventurers. It is strange tliat when most of
the princes of our own royal house are forgotten, the
dashing Rupert, half-foreign as he was, is still bound up
with the history of Canada.
4. Years before the lands round the vast Bay had been
taken by the explorer Henry Hudson in the name of
Phigland, but it was two picturesque French rogues who
led the merchants of London to begin trade in the northern
regions. Des Groseilliers and liadisson were coureurs des
hois in Canada, and knew by heart every way to cajole or
force the Indians to trade with them.
5. Here is a picture of Radisson after years of wild life
in the woods. " He was dressed more like a savage than
a Christian. His black hair, just touched with grey, hung
in wild profusion about his ])are neck ai:d shoulders. He
showed a swart complexion, seamed and pitted by frost
and exposure in a rigorous climate. A liuge scar, wrought
by the tomahawk of an Indian, disfigured his left cheek.
His whole costume was surmounted bv a wide collar of
marten's skin ; his feet were adorned by buckskin moccasins.
In his leather belt was sheathed a long knife."
of
ex
the
pos
iak«
du
you
ove
ild life
than
He
y frost
rought
cheek,
illar of
casins.
THE MERCHANTS ADVENTURERS 147
6. Finding Canada, for the time, too hot to hold them,
this worthy pair hetook themselves to London. Here,
through Prince Rupert, they managed to rouse so much
interest in the frozen North, that in June, 1G08, the ketch
Nonsuch sailed from Wapping Old Stairs, and two months
afterwards entered Hudson Straits.
" And now there came both rain and snow,
And it grew wondrous cold ;
The ice, mast-high, came floating by,
As green as emerald. " ^
Among such strange scenes the sturdy little boat made
her way south through the lonely Bay, and, at the end of
September, the handful of Englishmen she carried landed
at a stream they called Rupert's River. Cheerfully all
hands set to work to build a log fort and other buildings,
enclosing all with a strong stockade.
7. The unusual stir soon drew wandering natives to the
scene. They were greatly surprised and alarmed at the
appearance of the white man, but, won over by presents,
promised to go home and bring what furs they had. This
was a beginning, and Groseilliers did not let the grass
grow under his feet. Knowing several Indian dialects,
he pressed on into the country, everywhere making gifts
and urging the value of trade with the English.
8. At that time the energetic Talon was Intendant
of Canada. With his encouragement an army of traders,
explorers, and Jesuit missionaries were pushing on into
the far West. As yet, however, it had been found im-
possible to force a path across the wild mountains and
lakes which stretched between Quebec and the Mer
du Nord. In 1672 a priest named Albanel and the
young Sieur St. Simon for the first time found a way
overland to James Bay.
* The Ancient Mariner, by S. T. Coleridge.
( H
i; 'I
M
148 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
9. This outpost party was soon followed by traders
from Canada. At Ilupert's River, in the meantime, little
love was lost between the English and French servants
of the Company, and their misunderstandings led to
complete rupture upon the advance of the latter's
countrymen. Going back to Quebec, Radisson and
Groseilliers soon set up a rival company, and their
voyageurs scoured the interior, picking up valuable
packs that should have been brought to the Merchants
Adventurers.
10. As time went on more English posts were opened
round the Bay. The trade proved very paying, and
yearly two or more ships carried rich cargoes of skins
to the great warehouses in Old London. The intense
rivalry between the fur-traders, however, could not
but lead to exciting events, and the first serious brush
took place in the Straits, between a Hudson Bay ship
for York Fort and two vessels of the French Company.
The former, with her cargo, was seized, and her un-
happy crew were sold as slaves in the West Indies.
11. In Canada this bold stroke roused the spirit of
the Chevalier de Troyes. Drawing round him the most
daring men he could find, he placed them under the
three dashing Le Moynes, d'lberville, Marincourt, and^
Sainte Helene. The party left Montreal in winter, and,
ascending the Ottawa, crossed the northern laV^'
Speeding down the Abitibi River, they stole
Moose Fort in the dead of night, and the e
garrison, roused from sleep, was easily overpi red.
12. In light marching order the victorious ^drty
pursued its way along the seashore, finding the t^irit-
less traders at Rupert's River and Fort Albany all
equally ready to submit. The loss of their forts in
time of peace, however, and the vast amount of plunder
falling into the raiders' hands, roused the worthy direc-
lY
THE COMPANY'S TRAITERS
U»
•aders
little
•vants
ed to
itter's
I and
their
luable
3hants
)pened
5, and
skins
ntense
d not
brush
ly ship
jnpany.
Br un-
irit of
most
er the
t, and
, and,
arty
fepirit-
y all
rts in
lunder
direc-
tors in London to a pitch of fury. Petitions were sent
to the Government, with the surprising result that the
enemy was allowed to keep all its unlawful gains.
13. This weakness only served to increase French
boldness. For years the northern bay and straits be-
came the scene of bloody encounters on land and sea,
and the once English possessions were overrun by tho
enemy. So vast became the losses of the (Jonipuny,
that the nation at last awoke to its duty, and the seized
forts were all given back to their owners. Once more
safety was restored, and to this day the great Company
in peace reaps its wide northern harvests, where other
harvest there is none.
THE COMPANY'S TRAPPERS
1. In course of time the great Company began to
realise the vast extent of its charter rights. North
and west by prairie and mountain to the Pacific Ocean,
and east through the dreary solitudes of Labrador,
stretched Rupert's Land. At long intervals, surrounded
by wastes of snow, appeared their stone-walled forts,
from whose flagstaffs floated the Union Jack with its
mysterious initials H.B.C. Far as the tiny footprints
of mink or marten led, followed the patient snowshoe
trail of the Company's trappers.
2. From the first the relations between white man and
savage in the north were honourable and pleasant. Each
trusted the other, and though the Merchants Adventurers
r'ot their rich wares cheap, European goods made the
idians vastly more comfortable than in bygone days.
- nough the tribes had savage conflicts with each other,
he small groups of white traders and their families were
lot attacked. Insult and serious wrong were unknown,
ij
V
150 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
the
,1, J. ij
i¥
I - ■:i i
scenes of
common in the
and the outskirts of Canada were never
ruthless vengeance that later became
United States.
3. The story of the fur hunter is one of thrilling
interest. The thickest and softest fur is naturally the
product of the greatest cold, and active work in taking
it is carried on during the intense winter weather. The
hunting grounds are often solitary and savage reaches,
where food is of the scarcest. If he would be successful,
the trapper must possess great endurance and patience.
He must know the tastes and habits of the wild creatures
he hunts, and be prepared for cunning surpassing that of
human brains. In the constant life and death struggle
he wages, his bodily strength, if not a match for ferocious
attack from great and small, has to yield to superior
force or wisdom.
4. Now it is a hand-to-hand conflict with a bear
deprived of her cubs, now the terrific claws of a trapped
and infuriated lynx capable, with one stroke, of ripping
open a man. Once in a while the Indian or half-
breed, patiently following his quarry, comes across all
that remains of a fearful encounter between man and
beast. On the snow lie the bleached bones of a human
skeleton, and near by, perhaps, are a rifle with shattered
stock, a cartridge belt with few remaining bullets, and
the dead bodies of three or four grey wolves.
5. The methods of the trapper are to-day much the
same as they have always been. The profession descends
from father to son for generations. The primitive de d-
falls are still widely found in the interior, though steel
traps are becoming more common. At the proper season
whole families leave their summer homes, and travel
together to the hunting grounds. The outfit is expensive
and bulky, but by long experience firearms, ammunition,
food, and clothing are packed so as to give the least
!ii
h the
icends
de d-
steel
leason
travel
msive
[ition,
least
M
o
= "J
H
Q
|i? i
tf
If;
m
il '■
152 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISIORY
trouble in portaging. The furled tepees and heavy traps
fall to the care of the strongest.
6. Arrived at their field of operations, sometimes a
couple of hundred miles off, the tents are pitched. For
this seventeen stout poles are used, tied together in pairs
about three feet from the top. The lower ends are spread
out into a circle twenty feet or more in diameter, and
dressed moose or deer skins, neatly sewn together and
cut to fit, form a snug, rainproof covering. A fireplace
formed of stones occupies the middle of the floor, and
just above is an opening to let out the smoke and admit
the light. A loose flap of hide serves for door, and cedar
or spruce boughs make sweet-smelling beds and a warm
carpet for the feet.
7. Among themselves the limits of each family are
well known, and the penalties of poaching understood.
Certain districts, sometimes extending over hundreds of
square miles, are considered the absolute property- of the
squatter, with the creatures there rearing their young.
Roving big game, however, such as deer or bears, may
be killed wherever they are met, and are always joyfully
added to the none too -"ilentiful family provisions.
8. Suitable traps and snares are set at intervals along
a blazed path, perhaps ten or twelve miles in length, and
baited with fish, flesh, or, in the case of the vegetarian
musk-rat, with carrots, apples, or pieces of squash. Every
device, such as powdering new-fallen snow from a gloved
hand, or drawing fir branches or fresh deer hide across
his track, must be looked to by the trapper, or nothing
would be (taught. Every morning the long line is in-
spected, the kills removed, and, where traps are sprung,
new bait set.
9. Running down and taking the skins from their
original owners, however, is but a part of what has to
be done by the expert sons of the hunting-knife. Great
RY
J traps
imes a
. For
a pairs
spread
)r, and
er and
replace
Dr, and
I admit
d cedar
i warm
ily are
jrstood.
Ireds of
• of the
1 young,
may
oyfuUy
along
1, and
etariau
Every
gloved
across
othing
is in-
prung,
their
has to
Great
THE COMPANY'S TRAPPERS
153
care is needful in preparing and stretching the precious
pelts over hoops and frames, and the temperature must
be right, in order to lose nothing of the silky softness
of the fur.
10. In earlier times bringing in the season's catch was
attended with ceremonies that delighted the heart of
the Indian. Members of tribes, attended by wives and
children, assembled at a given place, and, after feasting
and speech-making, proceeded on their way together.
Six hundred canoes decorated with flags made a brave
show, and created no end of commotion on their way.
Nearing the end of their journey, the travellers, perhaps
a thousand in number, put the women ashore to settle
camp. This done, the various parties paddled on until
within two hundred yards of the paHsade, where they
fired off their fowling-pieces, and were saluted in return
by the Governor's cannon.
11. A trader now appeared to meet them, and with
ceremony led the chiefs into the fort. Greeting on both
sides followed, and amidst clouds of tobacco smoke a
dignified silence settled down over the group. At the
proper moment the Governor rose, and informed his
visitors that he had plenty of good merchandise at hand,
and that he loved the Indians, who might be sure of his
kindness to them. Trading now proceeded briskly, and
presently the delighted chiefs retired wearing the
Company's gifts. A red or blue cloth coat with white
military cuffs, waistcoat and knickerbockers of baize, a
checked shirt and woollen stockings, one red and the
other blue, tied below the knee with coloured garters. A
coarse felt hat with feathers, and a silk handkerchief tied
round the neck, completed the costume.
12. With every mark of good-humour on both sides,
the conference ended. The visitors were escorted from
the fort in state. A procession headed by the flag and a
I
n\
ld4 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
drummer beating a march, was followed by highly prized
gifts of fruit and bread from the Company's stores, while
in the place of honour the chief paced with dignified
mien, conversing affably with a factor on each side.
13. So, from mountain and moor, lake and muskeg, the
dusky hand of the savage collected the spoils of the north.
Mink, marten, ermine, and silver fox filled the great ware-
houses in London, and these, in turn, went to supply the
markets of Europe with fabrics suited to the coronation
robes of a queen.
THE SELKIRK SETIXERS
1. There were stirring times in other lands than our own
about the end of the eighteenth century. Even in the far
north of Scotland old ways were giving place to newer if
not happier methods. The people, it is true, loved their
native mountains and glens as fondly as ever, and would
as willingly as of old have shed the lasu drop of their
blood for their country.
2. At that time the Highland valleys were thickly
peopled. From the small farms, however, it was hard to
make a living, much less to pay a reasonable rent — at least
so the landlords thought. In certain districts it became
known that the ancient holdings were to be thrown into
great sheep farms, where a few could do the work of
many, and the tenanti^ were warned to seek work
elsewhere.
3. In the north, however, they refused to leave their
homes, and to the lasting shame of the great Duchess of
Sutherland, men were sent about with blazing torches to
set fire to the thatch of the cottages and drive out the
inmates. In great misery the unfortunate people stood
looking at the destruction of their poor goods, and then
THE SELKIRK SETl'LERS
155
lickly
ird to
least
icaine
into
kk of
Iwork
their
>ss of
^es to
the
stood
I then
turned away with their little ones, more homeless than
the birds of the air.
4 Far from these painful scenes, in the south of Scotland
lived the Earl of Selkirk, a young nobleman whose heart
bled for the evicted folk. Just then the revolted colonies
in America were busily setting up their republic, and at
the same time savagely driving those that remained true
to Britain from the country. Through the northern
forests and across lakes and rivers in peril of their lives,
the outlaws were escaping to Canada.
5. These events naturally brought the north country
into notice, and, seizing his opportunity, Lord Selkirk
came forward with a well-considered scheme. Pointing
out that where the United Empire Loyalists were going
others might follow, he offered to take Highland outcasts
to the British Dominions overseas. The plan was well
received, and, in the course of some years, hundreds of
families were carried to Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton,
and the eastern part of Ontario. Here, to the ringing
stroke of the lumberer's axe, they soon settled down on
their own acres, a state never dreamed of in the old land.
6. The success of his first efforts brought to the kind-
hearted nobleman visions of a great future for the golden
West. Practical means were employed, and he secured an
immense stretch of land from the Hudson Bay Company
on the Red River. It was almost as big as Great Britain
and Ireland put together.
7. How to reach this isolated part of the earth was the
next question— a puzzle that for a time baffled the wisest
heads. The map, however, solved it. Embarking, their
vessel steered her course by the shortest route across the
North Atlantic, and landed her handful of Highland and
Irish settlers on the bleak shores of Hudson Bay in the
autumn of 1811.
8. Here the little colony spent a terrible winter. In
I. !
■ 1
■■ I
w i
1
r
h
. !
m
156 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
the spring they set out on their weary overland march to
their new home, which they reached just as the cruel
war of 1812 had begun to rage along the border of the
United States and Canada. Poor people, they had
little known that the world was so big or so full of
trouble, and their hearts were sore for the old land.
To one of Lord Selkirk's settlers we owe the exquisite
lines : —
CANADIAN BOAT-SONG 1
9. Listen to me, as when ye heard our father
Sing long ago the songs of other shores :
Listen to me, and then in chorus gather
All your deep voices, as you pull your oars :
Fair these broad meads, — these hoary woods are
grand ;
But we are exiles from our Fathers' Land.
10. From the lone shieling of the misty island
Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas ;
Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland,
And we in dreams behold the Hebrides :
Fair these broad meads, — these hoary woods are
grand ;
But we are exiles from our Fathers' Land.
11. We ne'er shall tread the fancy-haunted valley,
Where 'tween the dark hills creeps the small clear
stream.
In arms around the patriarch banner rally,
Nor see the moon on royal tombstones gleam :
Fair these broad meads, — these hoary wo6ds are
grand ;
But we are exiles from our Fatliers' Land.
^ Gaelic poem — author unknown.
THE PRAIRIE PROVINCE
167
12. When the bold kindred, in the time long vanished,
Conquered the soil and fortified the keep.
No seer foretold the children would be banished.
That a degenerate lord might boast his sheep :
Fair these broad meads, — these hoary woods are
grand ;
But we are exiles from our Fathers' Land.
13. Come, foreign rage, let discord burst in slaughter! ^
O then for clansmen true, and stern claymore !
The hearts that would have given their blood like water
Beat heavily, beyond the Atlantic roar :
Fair these broad meadu, — these hoary woods are
grand ;
But we are exiles from our Fathers' Land.
14. After what they had already come through, well
might the wanderers hope to begin their little colony
in peace. But it was not to be. Years were to pass
and they were to know every suffering and hardship,
before their dream should be realised.
THE PRAIRIE PROVINCE
1. Years before this the great North-West Fur-Trading
Company had been formed, principally of Scotchmen, in
Montreal. The members did not at first intend to
invade the great northern territory of the Hudson Bay
Company, but rather chose the Vfist interior, as yet
tenantless, for their hunting ground. In doing this they
soon found that the fine exploring spirit of early times
had not died out. French-Canadian and Indian alike
were as eager as ever to push their way on any quest
across the trackless wilds of the continent.
1 Alluding to the much-dreaded invasion of Great Britain by Napoleon
Bonaparte.
1-
i '
\\'%
,f.i
158 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
2. The old-time voyageur, with his reckless courage
and energy, has passed away for ever, but he will live
in song and story. With gentle humour our beloved
poet, W. H. Drummond, depicts him among the tribes
of the West, welcomed alike by ancient warrior and merry
papoose. Light-hearted and good-humoured, no matter
how heavy his pack or how difficult his path, the grey
wolf had little to fear from him, and the wild deer
followed along the shore to hear his paddle song. Ever
pushing his lonely way, the poet in fancy beholds at last
the red sash of the voyageur floating from the Pole ! f,
3. For years peace reigned between the two com-
panies, and many a time in the distant wilds servants
of both shared their scanty meal round one camp fire,
and parted better comrades than ever. A time came,
however, when a more unruly spirit arose among the
Nor '-Westers, causing them to poach widely on the
neighbour's preserves, sometimes under the very guns
of the forts.
4. All over the country the Scotch and French half-
breed trappers, named Bois-Brules, had become the most
reckless adherents of the new company. Hot words led
to attack, and, with no law but their own will, the half-
savage allies soon took to raiding the outposts of their
rivals.
5. Cuthbert Grant, an educated Scotch half-breed,
was widely known about this ^ime over the North- West.
He was a devoted agent of the Montreal Company, and
in his way a veritable hero of romance. He had little
pity for those serving other masters, and no sense at all
of their rights. Unfortunately for them, it was into the
power of Grant and his faithful Bois-Brules that the much-
tried Selkirk settlers were at that moment patiently
plodding across country from Hudson Bay !
6. They had scarcely arrived at the Bed River, before
>RY
THE PRAIRIE PROVINCE
159
ourage
ill live
)eloved
tribes
merry
matter
le grey
d deer
Ever
at last
3!
0 com-
ervants
np fire,
3 came,
DDg the
on the
y guns
5h half-
le most
)rds led
le half-
►f their
f-breed,
i-West.
ly, and
little
le at all
ito the
much-
|,tiently
before
they were beset by a band of men disguised and painted
like savages, who forced them to halt. With assumed
authority, the poor wayfarers were told that they were
unwelcome, and ordered to proceed farther south, and
never to venture to return on pain of dire vengeance.
Driven nearly frantic by this reception, and the fate
of starvation awaiting them if they refused, there was
nothing for the unhappy settlers but to take up the line
of march again.
7. Across the border at Pembina they spent the winter
getting their first insight into frontier life, and, though at
first scarcely able to handle a musket, learning the ways
of buffalo hunters and semi-savage methods of living.
Their experience restored the courage in which the High-
land and Irish colonists were not wanting, and in spite
of the threats they had heard, the next spring they
gallantly took the northward trail, determined, if neces-
sary, to fight for the land allotted to them.
8. In this way they struggled on for two or three
years, spending their winters at Fort Daer, and turning
north each spring. New arrivals from the old land
had added to their strength, and they were all en-
couraged once in a while by the presence of their good
friend, Lord Selkirk. Already they were different people
from those who had crossed the sea a few years ago. In
addition to agriculture, they were becoming expert with
their guns, good riders and trappers, and many a hot
brush with the Bois-Brules took place in defence of
their prairie possessions.
9. The sturdy and unexpected resistance of the
settlers served to arouse the Nor'- Westers to even greater
action, especially when they saw a stronghold mounted
with guns rising at the Red River. Several savage raids
upon the prairie posts took place, in which provisions,
furs, and cannon were carried off, and Hudson Bay
L
■'^ i 1
\:
■
.1
! '1'
it
160 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
buildings were reduced to ashes. Iieprisals naturally
followed, and the approaching crisis took place in 1810,
on the 18th of June, one year to a day after the
battle of Waterloo. In this savage onslaught, Governor
Semple, five officers, and sixteen settlors met death,
while the rest escaped to the woods.
10. In the meantime the doughty Earl was pre-
paring for some such outbreak. The country was fast
approaching the state of England in the Middle Ages,
when the barons attacked each other in their castles
and strongholds, and he wisely saw that high-handed
tactics alone could put a stop to it. Fortumtely, the
means were at hand. Parts of several regiments re-
cently engaged in the Pevolutionary War were then
in Canada, and from these about eighty men were
equipped, and the expedition left for Fort William.
11. This post on Lake Superior had long been the
western headquarters of the Xorth-West Company.
Palisaded and fortified, the spacious buildings and vast
courtyards were the meeting-place of voyageurs and
half-breeds, red men and white, with the cnfants perdu
of every part of Europe. Little knowing what was in
store for them, this motley, company had flocked to
the fort, to take part in the yearly high carnival, and
celebrate the downfall of the prairie settlement.
12. Upon this scene of revelry Lord Selkirk suddenly
appeared, armed with warrants for the arrest of the
law-breakers. It was at once seen that their assailant
was too strong for them, and the guilty partners gave
in with what grace they could. It was not in their
nature, however, to submit without long and trying
legal proceedings, in the course of which the kind-
hearted nobleman died, worn out with work and anxiety.
A few years later, fortunately, the union of the two
great fur-trading companies took place, and the peace
RY
urally
181G,
\v the
pernor
death,
3 pre-
is fast
Ages,
castles
landed
ly, the
its re-
e then
1 were
1.
sen the
nipany.
id vast
and
jpcrdu
was in
ved to
il, and
ddenly
of the
jsailant
:s gave
L their
trying
I kind-
nxiety.
le two
peace
rs
a;
u: -i
c r
II I
I
162 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
of the interior, so rudely broken, was happily once more
restored.
1'3. In hardship and danger a score of seasons came
and went. Far from the other provinces the gallant
settlers fought their way, tilling their lonely farms and
pasturing their cattle on the lush grasses of the prairie.
In time the tale of rich harvests and richer lands be-
came known, however, and an ever-increasing stream
of homeseekers took up the western trail. With the
inrush of immigrants began the wide wheatfields and
vast cattle ranges that are making Canada famous, and
so it has come about that the dreams of three hundred
years are realised.
iii'i
■.1
STIRRING TIMES IN CANADA
1. SCAKCELY had the echoes of war died away, when
another dark cloud began to spread rapidly over the
Provinces. The Government was already caring too
much for its own power, and too little for the wishes of
the people. In all parts of the country it was the same
story.
2. Upper Canada's ruling class had smoothed its own
path by giving away large tracts of land and many un-
warranted rights. Friends thus rewarded held with them
in the Family Compact, and all behaved like tyrants, as
indeed they were. The favoured few scornfully told the
citizens that they had no right to know what laws were
made, or how the public money was spent.
3. The gage of battle was thrown down by Ptobert
Gourlay, a Scotchman, who spoke of asking the British
Government to interfere and set things right. The
Family Compact was furious, and threw him into prison.
Later, by an unlawful act, they put him out of the
country.
RY
3 more
J came
rjallant
Tis and
prairie,
ids be-
stream
Lth the
ds and
us, and
undred
>
y, when
iver the
ng too
ishes of
le same
its own
any un-
h them
•ants, as
,old the
ws were
Robert
British
It. The
prison,
of the
STIRRING TIMES IN CANADA
163
4. Some years afterwards, William Lyon Mackenzie
left Dundee to make his home in Toronto. By this time
the people knew more of the rights they should have,
and combined to make the patriotic newcomer their
leader. So eager was Mackenzie to rouse the country,
that he brought out a newspaper in which everyone's
wrongs might see the light of day. At every fresh in-
justice the clever editor held up tlie ruling class to the
angry scoffing of the country.
5. For the same reasons the smouldering indignation
in Quebec Province was on the point of breaking out.
There part of the English people had seized the power,
and the French, to their credit, were the reformers.
Those who would have joined the French Canadians'
demand for greater liberty, however, were led to believe
that their fellow-citizens were disloyal to the King — a
very different thing from merely trying to get their civil
rights.
6. The false charges made by the Compact did a vast
amount of harm. The friendly feeling that had grown
up between French and English since the conquest was
swept away. In their wrath they forgot everything, even
how shoulder to shoulder they had already proved their
loyalty to King and country on the field of battle.
7. While the rest of the country looked on in silence^
Upper Canada and Quebec burst into open revolt.
Papineau and Dr. Nelson in the one province, and
Mackenzie with his followers in the other, took up arms
demanding justice from the Mother Country. In answer,
soldiers were hurried from Kew Brunswick and special
volunteers armed.
8. The Bible says "oppression makes wise men mad,"
and in this case it certainly was so. For years the just
appeals of sensible men to Great Britain had been set
aside, and all kinds of misrule allowed to go on. In the
f
I
It
\)
N
'i9 Z
W"
^li
164 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
provinces speeches ,1,'rew more and more violent, and the
whole country v/as in the white heat of wordy strife.
9. Fighting began in the streets of Montreal m
November 1837, and soon spread to the country. The
habitcmf.i, often aimed v^ith nothing but sticks and pitch-
forks, defended themselves with great courage. At St.
Eustache, north of Montreal, they seized the parish
church, and held it against two thousand regular troops,
until the building was burned.
10. Taking to flight, most of the patriots managed to
make their escape, though some were captured. Fourteen
citizens, however, were. tried and put to death together in
Montreal. The revolt in the Upper Province was equally
determined, but not so well managed. Here, too, some
men, passionately loyal to the Empire, died for seeking
justice and honest government for the people.
11. In the first year of her glorious reign, Queen
Victoria was Vjro'.:ght face to face with the trials of the
Canadians. The Queen never believed in the disloyalty
of her people, and it is likely that the injustice she then
helped to relieve made our country dearer to her through
life than it might otherv/ise have been.
Wa
11 i
m
; 1 -i . i.
11 ir
MACKENZIE, THE PATRIOT
1. Even if rebels are ia the right, it is a very serious
thing to rise against the Government. The leader carries
his life in his hand, and there is always loss of property
and suffering. Years afterwards Mackenzie used to tell
ho^v he ma le his escape from Toronto on the ill-starred
yth of December, 1837.
2. It was a cold dark night, nd the insurgents, gather-
ing from all quarters, perhaps felt too sure of success.
Their want of training, however, was fatal. The first
I^kk.ki.
I I
MACKENZIE THE PATRIOT
165
lerious
iarries
)perty
lo tell
;aiTed
ither-
Iccess.
first
volley of musket-balls from a barricade threw them into
hopeless confusion. The leaders frantically tried to rally
their forces, but in vain. All scattered and lied in every
direction.
3. Not venturing to be seen, Mackenzie lay hidden all
next day, but the news brought by friends served ^'^
confirm his worst fears. The Government, with pent-up
feelings of rage, were sending notices for his capture far
and wide. Five thousand dollars were offered for him,
dead or alive.
4. Scarcely knowing how he had obtained his mount,
the evening of the next day found the patriot galloping
for life towards the border. The way was long, but
such was the violent state of feeling, that the tidings
would spread fast. Not sure of whom he could trust,
his night of hard riding was followed by a day's going
through rough country, as far as possible from the
highway.
5. On the second night, the tired horse came to a
standstill at the door of a lonely farmhouse, still well
within the border of Canada. The rider knocked at
the door, which was opened by the owner. As it lurned
out, he was one of those who were utterly opposed to
the reformers' views. The man eved his visitor with
suspicion.
6. " Who are you ? " he inquired. " I am T.y r
Mackenzie," was the leply. ''I am Hying fror ( 'anada.
Will you shelter ma for the night V "I don't believe
you," returned ::he farmer, bluntly. "Mr. Mackenzie is
a gentleman. You have stolen that horse."
7. "I had to admit," said the narrator, "that I did
not know to whom the animal belonged, but, taking a
fine gold watch which had been presented to me from my
pocket, I showed him the inscription. Thig only con-
firmed his suspicions.
■'
II
'I f;
166 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
8. " ' You are a criminal flying from justice,' answered
the man, hotly. 'You have stolen the watch too.'
What was I to do ? In despair I loosened my shirt-collar,
and pointed to my name in marking ink. Fortunately
for me, I was believed at last, and I and my weary steed
taken in for the night. In the early morning my host
aroused me.
9. " ' Mr. Mackenzie,' he said, not unkindly, ' you
know my risk is great in shielding you. But that ia not
all. The reward on your head is five thousand dollars,
and the debt on my farm is exactly for that sum. I
cannot say that I am not sorely tempted to give you up.' "
10. Of course his host did not do so, and the fugitive
galloped off. But his troubles were not over yet. Later
in the day he happened to come across some soldiers,
and, sure that he would be chased, urged on his panting
horse, lieaching a barn near by he leaped to the ground,
and, giving the animal a parting stroke, concealed himself
under some hay.
11. Barely settled in his hiding-place, his pursuers
were upon him, and the bundles of hay all round were
well-drilled with bayonet-thrusts. Fortunately, none
of them touched him. It was an exciting escape for the
patriot, and he did not dare to move for hours, though
nearly choked by the heat and dust. For all he knew,
someone might have been watching the place to seize him !
12. When Mr. Mackenzie reached the United States,
he was glad to be safe, but still more glad some time
afterwards when he was pardoned and allowed to return
to Canada. Settled once more among his old friends,
it made the old patriot very happy to see how much
good he had done to the country.
THE SECRET OF CANADA'S POLAR SEAS 167
THE SECRET OF CANADA'S POLAR SEAS
I
though
knew,
him!
)tates,
time
return
[•iends,
much
1. Towards the end of the eighteenth century the
wonderful successes of Great Britain on the ocean were
being talked of at home and abroad with immense
interest. But lately the discoveries of Captain Cook,
England's greatest navigator, had been cut short by his
terrible death at the hands of the Sandwich Islanders.
2. Following came the splendid victories of Nelson,
Lord Dundonald, end many others, and the spirit of the
people, worn with war and hardship, rose to the pitch of
rejoicing. Every schoolboy knew by heart the victories,
and exulted in tlie names of the heroes who were winning
the freedom of their country from the great Napoleon.
3. It was a sunny, midsummer day more than a
hundred years ago on the coast of Lincolnshire, England.
The fields were bright with scarlet poppies and blue
cornflowers, and the fresh breeze played with the broad
fields of ripening grain. Over the wide dikes and
ditches of the pleasant land, a fine, manly boy of ten or
twelve came rushing to the sandy seashore.
4. There all was sound and motion as the foaming
surf of the North Sea chased itself up the beach. It
was the first time John Franklin — for that was the boy's
name — had seen the ocean, and he greeted it with cap
off and a ringing " Hurrah ! " From that hour he was at
heart a sailor.
5. Like Cook and Nelson he began his chosen career
on a merchantman. Tlie dangers and hardships of tlie
life, however, did not change his mind. At fourteen, the
same age as that of Columbus, his parents allowed him
to join the Royal Navy. In less than a year his ship,
the Polyphemus, was winning laurels for herself in the
terrible battle of Copenhagen. Here it was that Nelson
^1
I
ti
rj
11
\ "
i
l!
II
1 ■ f
t
llli
m§
K
W!
168 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
broke the power of United Northern Europe, and lost
an arm in the service of his country.
G. Peace being restored for a short time, Franklin seized
the opportunity, and went on an exploring trip with his
relative, Captain Flinders. This noted navigator was on
his way to the South Pacific, where for two years he care-
fully examined the shores of the great island-continent,
which he named Australia. There, forestalling Napoleon
Bonaparte, who tried to prove a former right, in every
quarter, Captain Flinders secured for Great Britain this
part of the Empire.
7. Exciting years at sea followed. Once more Franklin
was back in the Navy, and from the deck of the JMIero2Jho)i
on the 21st October, 1805, supported the beloved Admiral
in his last fight at Trafalgar.
8. The time was approaching, however, when the fall
of Napoleon I made an end of the war. Then revived an
old cry in England. From time to time attempts had
been made by navigators to force a vfa.y from either side
into the Polar Seas. Queen Elizabeth's gallant Frobisher,
following an already long record of Norsemen and Scandi-
navians, was the first Englishman to make the venture.
Following him came Baffin, in the time of Cromwell,
Behring the Dane, Davis, and the beloved Captain Parry.
The idea began to gain ground that, could a passage bo
found from ocean to ocean, the sailor would be a vastly
more happy and useful man than before.
9. On the 25th April, 1818, the first Arctic expedition
of the century sailed down the Thames. It consisted of
two Admiralty brigs, the Dorothea and the Trent, com-
manded respectively by Captain Buchan and Lieutenant
Franklin. Their orders were to pass north between Green-
lano and Spitzbergen, and meet Captain Eoss, going by
Baffin's Iky, in the Pacific ! It was all so easy on paper.
1 0. With stout hearts, plenty of hope, and a vast amount
h :.l
THE SECRET OF CANADA^S POLAR SEAS 169
sdition
ted of
corn-
tenant
reen-
r.g by
paper.
ount
of ignorance, the journey began. Who could imagine that
mere ice and cold could frustrate the designs of the victori-
ous British seamen ! Within six months two battered hulks
crept home with a wondrous tale of their fight with the
terrific forces of nature. Happily all on board were safe.
11. Four weeks from Greenwich they had entered the
Polar seas, dark with fog and covered with huge blocks of
drifting ice. Fierce wind and snowstorms came on, and tons
of snow, ceaselessly lashed with frozen spray, fell upon deck
and yard. With every spar and rope thick with ice, the
ships could scarcely be distinguished from floating icebergs.
12. The light-hearted crews tried to laugh it off, while
labouring with axe and shovel to lighten ship, but it was
a revelation to them. From Spitzbergen they three times
threw themselves out to battle to the death with the ice.
Three times were they driven back, the last time humbly
thanking God for their lives.
13. Caught in a furious storm, the sister ships faced
the floe, with a terrible sea beating upon it. Driven
onward, the gallant little Dorothea resorted to the desperate
step of " taking the pack," and pitched forward into a
frightful scene of surf and broken ice. As she disappeared
many a prayer rose from heart and lip of the onlookers
on the other deck. Well they knew that nothing but a
miracle could save either of them from destruction.
14. The time of the Trent comes ! No longer able to
avoid it, she sees before her an awful line of breakers and
broken iceblocks, rearing and crashing over each other,
wuth a roar that mingles with the howling of the wind.
"Hold on for your lives, and stand to the helm, lads!"
is met with a cheerful " Ay, ay, sir ! " and the stout little
vessel, tossed from block to block, at last joins her com-
rade in calmer waters. The storm lulls, and, with ripped
timbers and broken beams, the brigs return to Spitzbergen,
and thence, in hourly fear of sinking, home.
A
i'
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I • I
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'i
170 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
EXPLORERS
1. A YEAR had scarcely passed when Lieutenant
Franklin was once more in the Arctic regions, this time
to explore, in boat and on foot, the northernmost coasts
of America. With a party of scientists and others,
his researches began with a long and difficult journey
through the Hudson Bay Territory. Month followed
month, and turned to years, and tidings came back only
at long and anxious intervals.
2. In 1822 all but the murdered midshipman, Robert
Hood, returned. The wanderers' tale was listened to
with blanched faces and eyes of pity. It was one long
record of terrible but fascinating danger. So great had
been the strain that several native Esquimaux attached
to the party had given way to despair, and died of want
and cold. With one exception, however, the Englishmen,
borne up by faith in God and their own brave spirit,
reached home in safety. They had explored the mouths
of the Mackenzie, t^e Great Fish, and the Coppermine
rivers, and mapped out vast regions of America thus far
unknown.
3. Knighthood awaited some, and promotion all of the
party, and every honour was heaped upon them. From
that time for two generations, a hundred eager heroes
set forth to trace the passage which was so unwilling to
reveal itself. The Frigid Zone bristles with names that
cause England, no less than Norway, Sweden, and
Denmark, to lift high their heads with national pride.
4. Years passed, and Franklin, now Sir John, returned
from Tasmania, where he had been Governor. One more
Government efibrt, on a large scale, was preparing for
the North. Her Majesty's ships Erebus and Terror,
safely returned from the Antarctic, were in commission,
lY
EXPLORERS
171
enant
, time
coasts
)ther8,
lurney
Llowed
k only
Robert
led to
le long
?at had
:tached
f want
shmen,
spirit,
ouths
lermine
.us far
of the
From
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js that
and
ide.
turned
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ig for
lission,
and the rolls of both ships included some of the most
well-known names on the Navy list. Franklin was
offered charge of the expedition, and accepted it with
delight. Provisioned for three years, and stored with
instruments for taking observations, they left Greenhithe
for Behring Straits in May, 1845, with an " Hurrah " on
every lip.
5. For a month eager eyes traced their course north-
ward, until they met and dived into the wild icepack
heading south. Skilful hands, however, carried them
through to larger water, where the scene became one
of desolate grandeur. Immense icebergs towered on
every side, whose peaks and spires resembled cathedrals
sparkling in the opal tints of the blazing sun overhead.
The ice, yards thick, was seamed with channels of water
blue as the skies above. The splitting and grinding of
the floes, and the fall, night and day, of huge blocks
from the bergs, seemed like the discharge of some
unearthly artillery.
G. Whichever way the wind blew, the ice broke up,
and packed again, while the ships, taking advantage of
ev.^ry opening, pressed westward. They have long since
passed the last of the Dundee whalers, busy with the
huge mammals of the deep. On they go. Are not
letters tc "leet them at Petropaulovski and the Sand-
wich Islands !
7. Winter, long delayed in temperate regions, settles
down at home, and is followed by spring and lovely
summer. Winter returns. The whalers are all in again
from their perilous cruise, and not a line, not a me-
mento, do they bring from the absent vessels. Time
creeps on and L pe goes and comes. The papers are
full of [.ales of explorers, Sir John among them, who
have been lost for months and years, and have at last
come back none the worse of their experiences.
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172 PICTURES FROIM CANADIAN HISTORY
8. In 1848, the first relief expedition left England.
One was sent by the Government under the veteran Sir
John Itoss, the other by Lady Franklin. These were
followed at intervals by others. In 1850, four Admiralty
ships set out to do or die in the attempt. Of these the
Intrepid and Pioneer were screw-steamers, for the first
time steam being employed in the Arctic Zone. There
the vessels met with the Lady Franldin and the Soj^hia,
and the Enterprise and Investigation of Sir John Ross,
as well as two American brigs officered by the United
States Navy. No less than ten ships anchored in one
bay, all engaged in the same disheartening search.
9. Here for the first time they came upon traces of
the ill-fated Erebus and Terror. At Beachy Island
appeared plain proof that here the expedition had spent
some time. Half-ruined huts covered an armourer's
anvil and a carpenter's bench, surrounded with heaps
of shavings. In a sheltered nook tiny poppies still
bloomed on the graves of three seamen, and neatly
arranged pebbles showed that kind hands had taken care
of them. Above, on the cliff, stood a tall cairn of stones,
which, however, on examination gave no line in writing or
clue to be followed. Parties from all the ships scoured
the land for miles in every direction, but without result.
10. That year and the next some of the ships made
their way far to the west, and wintered in the ice.
Discipline was splendidly kept up, and among men and
officers alike hard work was mingled with play. The
light-hearted tars entered into the various sports and
games with more than the delight of schoolboys. " Not
fair, not fair — run again," and *' Well done, Jack," with
many a hearty cheer, echoed strangely from the icepcaks
above them. Then the sun, bright but without heat,
sank below the horizon, and for three months left them
to the wonders of the Arctic night.
I
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Tland.
m Sir
were
liralty
se the
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le ice.
m and
The
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with
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heat,
them
EXPLORERS
173
11. With the vessels still firmly beset, spring found
the crews far afield in sledges drawn by men. Villages
of Esquimaux were invaded, and quantities of presents
given, in order to learn, if possible, whether they could
unravel the mystery. These efforts, however, proved
useless, and the ships, one and all, sadly spread their
sails to the breeze, and hastened back to England,
baffled.
12. It was in 1854 that Dr. Rae returned, and public
sympathy became wide and heartfelt over his tale. Far
to the south, on the extreme edge of what was to be
Canada, he had found in the snow-huts of the Esquimaux
a few personal belongings of the lost expedition. There
also he had learned of a large party of Englishmen
years before, who fell and died as they struggled on
foot towards the mouth of the Great Fish River.
13. Once more the cry was taken up, and the Govern-
ment pressed from every side to continue the search.
Without success, however, for her Majesty's ministers felt
that they had already done their utmost, and were un-
able and unwilling to further adventure the lives of
their heroic sailors in the quest.
14. When all hope from this quarter had failed, Lady
Franklin, the noblest of women, came forward again.
With the help of devoted private friends, she decided
to make one more effort. Not that she believed any
of the unfortunate party were still alive, but that for
the mourners their sad fate should be settled once for
all. The yacht Fox was purchased and refitted. She
was filled to the hatches with provisions and other
necessaries, and, under the gallant Captain McClintock,
R.N., sailed from Aberdeen, July 1, 1857.
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174 nCTUIlES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
THE SEARCH— AND ITS RESULT
1. The Fox was an ocean-going pleasure yacht of 177 tons.
Her engine was of 20 horse-power, but she was also fitted
with sails. Officers and men all told numbered twenty-
five, and some of the former, as well as the captain,
had offered their services free. Surely the Golden Age
of Great Elizabeth had returned to earth once more !
2. As they sailed, Britain's heart was touched to the
core. But lately the people had been sending their
best in thousands to perish in the Crimea, and already
loomed another fierce struggle on the sandy plains of
India. Now they realised that an heroic handful of
their own had led the way to the same bourne from the
desolate lands of the North.
3. A cry of pain still echoes from the closing lines
of Mrs Mulock-Craik's ^ "Arctic Expedition — from the
Women's Side."
" Sail on, sail on, through the frozen seas,
Not endless labour and little ease.
Come back triumphant, if Heaven so please,
Or with unwon goal, inglorious ;
Only come back ! No. Should God say
That He has crowned thee another way,
Love ! see beyond our night, His day ! —
And we are yet victorious."
4. The date was late in the season, but all felt that too
much time had already been lost. Every day the traces
must become fainter and the mystery deeper than before.
Arrived in the Polar seas, the little Fox found summer
far advanced, but cheerfully plunged on to the west.
Everything, however, seemed determined to thwart her
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176 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
progress. At a time when the north wind usually clears
the channels of broken ice, south-east breezes prevailed,
blocking up every opening. In vain the gallant-hearted
crew worked like beavers, blowing up and chopping out
passages, through which they tugged the ship like a canal
boat.
5. Everything about them was of the most intense
interest. The wild fowl from southern regions, which
nest and bring up their young in the far north, swarmed
about in myriads. Nest-building, chattering and flying
about, were wild duck, geese, loons, and willow-grouse.
The great white gull, called "Burgomaster" from his
habit of swooping down and carrying off the food of the
other birdfolk, earned many a missile from the wrathful
Jackies. Seals, hares, bears, and foxes were numerous,
while the affectionate gambols of mother and child among
the white whales caused endless diversion.
6. Winter set in, and the vessel, thickly banked with
snow -^nd anchored to an iceberg, comforted herself with
the thought that at least she was so far advanced on her
quest. But she had reckoned without her host. At
that time the movement of the solid ice was not under-
stood. During the winter it was believed to be immov-
able. Spring, however, had a different tale to unfold.
Then, to the dismay of all, it was found that while fancy-
ing themselves motionless, they had never ceased drifting
with the ice, and now found themselves in the Greenland
seas, nearly fourteen hundred miles away to the south-
east!
7. It was a bitter disappointment, but during the
short summer time was made up with a will. Winter,
however, caught them once more, this time not far from
Boothia Felix and North Somerset. Away to the south,
they knew, stretched King William's Land. Small parties
of friendly natives had been met at intervals and ques-
ORY
y clears
evailed,
■hearted
)ing out
a canal
intense
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Ir from
south,
)arties
ques-
THE SEARCH— AND ITS RESULT 177
tioned, and with great difficulty important facts dis-
covered. According to our ideas, Esquimaux knowledge
of time and distance is but vague. Years before, they
told how two white men's ships had been caught in the
ice, and after a long time deserted. One of the vessels
had been crushed and sunk, the other driven far inland
by the moving ice.
8. From this one the joyful natives had carried vast
quantities of wood and other things. To confirm their
words, they showed silver spoons and forks engraved with
well-known initials, uniform buttons, and knives made
of cutlasses, plainly belonging to the ships. All these
things were gladly secured by the searchers. These
Esquimaux, it seemed, had never seen living white men
before, but they vaguely traced from hearsay the route
c! Hif. lost crews on their southward march.
1' In March, 1859, the Fox being still fast, two sledges
left the ship to follow the clues. Lieutenant Hobson
was to trace the western and southern shores of King
William's Land, while Captain McClintock's route lay
along the eastern side of the same great island. In time
the latter reached Montreal, a little place strangely
resembling our own island home in shape, and lying near
the mouth of the Great Fish River.
10. To this place, where, according to the Esquimaux,
human remains had been found, all eyes had turned.
Every foot of its surface was eagerly searched, but nothing
found except a few pieces of iron hoop. Owing to the
heavy sea beating upon this lee-shore in summer, it
seems likely that much had been carried away. No trace
of a cairn which, in such places, are built over written
records, appeared. Disheartened, the voyagers turned
aw , along the south-western side of King William's
Land, to meet and return with the other party.
11. This shore was farther west than any of the other
/
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i: .i
178 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
search expeditions had penetrated. It had not even been
visited for many years by native seal-hunters. The first
proof of this was a melancholy one. Lying on his face,
as he had fallen, they came upon the bleached remains of
a man, clad in a braided blue jacket. Several little
articles lay near by, but nothing to show who he might
have been. A number of miles further on was found a
boat placed upon a large sledge.
12. The scene filled the searchers with awe, for within
the boat lay portions of two human skeletons. Quantities
of clothing, a much-used Bible, a little food, and five
watches were among the contents, while the shore was
littered with things that might have been blown out by
the wind. These, with the graves on Beechy Island,
were all the mortal remains that were ever found. What
became of the other ninety-nine men will never be
known until that great day when " the sea gives up her
dead."
13. With hearts grieved by these grim relics, the party
hastened on, finding at intervals many things which had
been discarded on that terrible march. To Lieutenant
Hobson, however, fell the sad and only record that
lifted the veil. On the northern point of the island he
found a cairn, which contained the paper he sought. In
the writing of Graham Gore, commander, and that of
Captains Crozier and FitzJames, the posiiion of the near
by ships was shown. Sir John Franklin had died in his
ship in June, 1847, almost within sight of the channel
whose opening would bear him on to Behring Strait.
The last writing, dated ten months later, told how the
crews were starting on the morrow for the Great Fish
lUver.
14. Never was there a shorter or more pathetic
chronicle of suffering and despair. They were on the
point of starvation, and half-maddened by disease and
THE SMALLEST PROVINCE
179
loneliness. When hope was dead, and not till then, the
crews hoisted the colours on the maintops, and, following
their captains, Hed southward.
15. Like many others, these men had perished for
Queen and country. By such noble sacrifice the unknown
regions of the world are sought out for young colonies
and new peoples, and never, as long as the Empire exists
or our language is spoken, will their heroic fate be
forgotten or their tale be left untold.
THE SMALLEST PROVINCE— I
" Where the long waves of Canada's proud gulf
Beat on her roseate shores, Prince Edward Isle
Looks forth across the blue, a picture fair
Of glowing colour framed in sun and sea I "
1. Half-held in the embrace of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick lies fair Prince Edward Island, once known
as Isle St. Jean. It is the smallest, but not now the
youngest, of Canada's provinces.
2. Centuries ago, coasting round the great Gulf in
search of the St. Lawrence Iliver, Jacques Cartier came
upon this land, as he called it, " the most beautiful it is
possible to see." Then, as now, its green fields sloped
towards the sun, and all were enclosed with bright red
rocks, worn into strange shapes by the restless tide.
3. "We went ashore," says the navigator, "in four
places to see the trees — cedars, pines, white elms, ashes,
willows, and many others to us unknown. . . . The
lands, too, where there are no woods are very beautiful,
full of peas, white and red gooseberries, strawberries,
blackberries, and wild grain like rye."
4. For one hundred and forty years the Isle St. Jean
kept up its romantic character under French rule.
i1
180 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
Along these shores the spirited boatmen gave and took
many a hard knock in their endless quarrels with their
English neighbours. "Waiting to pounce upon each other,
the dark caves and Jutting rocks often hid the weather-
beaten crews of either nation, while on shore a number
of ruined forts cover the grim records of long ago.
5. To their sister colony, many of the Acadians fled
after the great exile, and until lately the countrywomen
often wore the high-crowned Norman cap and full skirts
of their ancestors. The United Empire Loyalists, too,
fleeing for safety, here settled down to a freer life than
that of the great republic.
6. It was in 1763 that England became mistress of the
lovely shores, at the same time that Newfoundland came
back to her from stranger hands. Louisburg and Quebec
had already fallen. With British Columbia and Australia
soon to be made hers, it was a great age of extension for
the Mother Country.
;if
THE SMALLEST PROVINCE-II
1. Since joining the Dominion, Prince Edward Island
has grown used to her fame for beauty in Canada.
Her charm is clear air and glowing colour rather than
grand scenery. From nowhere else does the delighted
visitor carry away such a picture of fertile flelds, country
avenues, and rosy rock against a sail-flecked sea.
2. Looking north the half-moon shore is a fringe of
blue inlets that nearly cut the island in two. Here long
red ridges of wind-swept sand defy the wild Atlantic
surf, and the lagoons in the hollows are alive with
fluttering, quacking water fowl.
3. In winter the scene changes, bringing in the strange
needs of the little province. From the north sweeps
1
THE CROWN COLONY
181
[sland
inada.
than
bghted
Juntry
ige of
long
llantic
with
|)range
reeps
down the blast that banks her in a frozen sea. The
nearest point across the Straits to New Brunswick
is nine miles, while in another direction forty miles
stretch to the mainland. In both spaces the ice blocks
or floats away according to the state of the weather.
4. These conditions have led to the use of a winter
ferry seen nowhere else in the Dominion. The powerful
steamboats Stanley and Minto ram their way through the
ice until overcome by its strength and solidity. When
this happens, the Islanders fall back upon the older
service and shorter route across Northumberland Straits.
5. The ice-boats employed here are of great interest.
They carry compasses, provisions, fur-robes, and every-
thing required for a safe and speedy passage. Built with
a double keel that serves for runners, the boat glides
over the frozen surface or plunges into the icy pools at
need. Travelling three together, each vessel is manned
by a crew of powerful and courageous men, who generally
make the trip in about three hours and a half.
6. Such precaution?, it is true, were not always taken.
From the past come grim tales of blizzard-beaten boats,
lost reckoning, and days of suffering " even unto death."
Wherever men are found, there also exist devotion to
duty and endurance that can never be forgotten.
7. But after the worst of trials summer comes again,
with all its old charm of colour and sunshine. The birds
sing in the hedges and the fish play in the waters.
Since Confederation, the little out-lying province has
won her place in the heart of the Dominion.
THE CROWN COLONY— I
1. Long before the discovery of America, the mariners of
England were full of the spirit of their Viking ancestors.
For the men of Dorset, Cornwall, and Devon the ocean
I
I
182 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
h.
had no terrors, and on their own coasts as well as those of
Iceland, they faced the wild northern seas in their ancient
trade of fishing. Winds might shriek through the rigging
and billows sweep the decks, but year in and year out
the stout little craft manned by " hearts of oak," came
home safely, laden with the scaly products of the deep.
2. After all, it seems strange that it was exiled sons
of sunny Italy who first took the risk of cros&ing the
Atlantic. Next to Columbus comes John Cabot. Living
for years in the west of England, his cry for means of
discovery was taken up by the merchants of Bristol, and
petitions presented to King Henry VII resulted in one
small barque grudgingly given for a voyage to the New
World.
3. The good ship Matthew, for so she was called, with
Master Cabot and his crew of sixteen, sailed from Bristol
on May 2, 1497. Down the Irish Channel they headed
nearly due west, and four hundred leagues, according
to the reckoning, brought them to a coast which the
navigator supposed to be Asia. Just where the jubilant
company first sighted land is not known, but all New-
foundland traditions point to Cape Bonavista. In three
months the gallant little vessel, none the worse, arrived
home again in the Avon, where she was met with open
arms.
4. The navigator, feasted and praised, was dubbed
Admiral by his laughing townsmen, and in great good-
humour presented his friends with territories across the
sea. An amusing letter written to Italy about the time,
says: "The Admiral, as Master John is already styled,
has given his companion of Burgundy an island, and
another to his barber, and they regard themselves as
Counts, and my lord the Admiral as a Prince. I believe
that some poor Italian friars will go on the voyage, who
have the promise of being Bishops. And I, being a
THE CROWN COLONY
183
friend of the Admiral, if I wished to go, could have an
Archbishopric."
5. One more voyage of the Cabots, father and son,
and all traces of the famous mariners fade from history.
Already, however, other English ships were following
their lead, and, all unknown, our first colony was looming
on the horizon.
6. When we next see the islands of Terra Nova,
years have come and gone, and monarchs with them.
Henry VIII, little Edward, and Queen Mary have
vanished, and "the spacious days of great Elizabeth"
are at hand. In the interval the fishing trade has
shifted from the frozen seas of Iceland to the New
World, and, shared in by the nations of Western Europe,
has risen to a great industry. French, Dutch, Spanish,
and Portuguese claim their own, but England alone finds
herself Mistress of the Seas.
7. These were the days when fish, salt and fresh,
formed the staple food of Europe, and, as years passed,
more and more foreign vessels found their way to the
Banks "where sailors gang to fish for cod." Amidst
fog and drifting ice, the ill-clad fishermen of Southern
Europe brought their wine, oil, and tempting fruits to
barter for the cloth caps, woollen hose, and knives for
which the " tight little island " was already famous^
8. St. John's, with its land-locked harbour, was, of
course, their headquarters, but in many a sheltered cove
along shore, the bronzed fishermen made merry on high
day and holiday. Every week the rollicking ''Admiral"
of the port retired in favour of one of his fellows, who
in turn played host and feasted the crews ; and the grey
rocks rang with the bagpipe and guitar of many lands.
Amongst all comers, however, " ye mariners of England "
continued to hold sway, though not without occasional
breaking of heads.
1
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184 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
0. The glory of Elizabeth's reign was not solely her
brilliant statesmen, the loyal and deep love of Sovereign
and people to each other played its own part. Small and
weak as kingdoms go, England was in the shadow of a
trial that might easily have proved her ruin. Spain,
overbearing and cruel in America, had roused her to
action, and her sea power, gaining experience in New-
foundland, was rising to meet the crisis. While the
Queen's councillors guided afl'airs at home, her captains
scoured the seas in search of her arch enemies, the Dons.
10. " Regions Ccesar never knew
Thy posterity sliall sway,
Where his eagles never flew
None invincible as they " * —
it was the Druid's prophecy to Boadicea — and amongst
all the brilliant courtiers, Sir Walter lialeigh and his
half-brother. Sir Humphrey Gilbert, were most keen in
their patriotism. Under the Queen's charter, the Golden
Hind,^ the Delif/ht, and the ten-ton pinnace Squirrel de-
parted under Admiral Gilbert in search of the kingdom
that was to be.
11. In August, 1583, the little fleet arrived at St.
John's, and Gilbert took possession of the island "for
the Queen's most excellent Majesty." The rich ores and
minerals cropping from the rocks at once roused, the
explorer's enthusiasm, and he hastily set out on his
return home, leaving discovery for others. As ill-luck
would have it, however, the Delight was lost on the coast,
and the furious gales continued to threaten the other
ships. Sir Humphrey, anxious to proceed, yet unwilling
* From *• Boadicea," an Ode by William Cowper.
' In the beautiful hall of the Middle Temple. London, is a table
made from the wood of the Oolden Hind, the 120-ton ship in which
Drake sailed round the world.
■n
THE CROWN COLONY
185
to risk others where he would not go himself, took up
his position on the Squirrd.
12. In great peril the two vessels were proceeding,
keeping together as best they could, when the guns of the
pinnace broke loose, and swung about the deck. Heeling
from side to side, she righted more than once, and the
Hind, making incredible exertions to stand by her com-
rade, signalled her relief. The turmoil of wind and wave
was terrible, yet through it all the gallant Admiral sat on
the deck with a book in his hand. As the sorely driven
flagship came within hearing, he lifted his face, and fear-
lessly exclaimed, " We are as near Heaven by sea as by
land."
13. Night fell, and, through the lashing foam, the Hind
strove to keep her comrade's light in view. Suddenly the
red gleam went out, and, fancying that a wave had come
between, the watch anxiously endeavoured to pierce the
gloom. A moment, and his startled cry brought up the
crew. The gallant little vessel was indeed gone, and they
themselves, in almost as bad a case, were alone upon the
raging seas.
PRAYER FOR THOSE AT SEA^
" Lord, hearken to me !
Help all poor men at sea !
Thy breath is on their cheeks,-^
Their cheeks are wan wi' fear :
Nae man speaks,
For wha could hear ?
The lang-haired sea-wives scream,
The wind cries loud ;
Ghaistly the fireflaughts gleam
On tattered sail and shroud ;
I
^ North Coast Poems, by Robert Boohanan.
186 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
Under the red mastlight
The hissing waters slip ;
Thick reeks the storm o' night
Round him that steers the ship,
And his een are blind,
And he kens not where they run,
Lord, be kind !
Whistle back Thy wind
For the sake of Uhrist Thy Son I "
n*'
THE CROWN COLONY— II
1. The reign of James I was really the beginning of New
World settlement, and Britain, roused by her splendid
beginning, looked forward to a new version of the colonies
of Greece and Rome. English noblemen and gentlemen
besieged the King for charters, and, taking what emigrants
they could find, sailed to make a beginning overseas.
2. Following Raleigh's Virginian colony, John Guy, an
alderman of Bristol, set out in great spirits at the head
of a party for Newfoundland. In three ships he carried
twelve months' supply of food and various kinds of
domestic animals. Among the thirty-nine passengers
were workmen skilled in the most useful trades.
3. In a little land-locked bay the emigrants landed, and
cheerfully set about building their new homes. It was a
fertile and beautiful spot, whose sunny fields gave promise
of golden harvests to come. Houses began to rise as if
by magic, and these were followed by wharves, stores,
and a fishing establishment. There were visions of flower
gardens and orchards, and the merry clack of mill
wheels filled the air with its homely sound. Beech,
pine, and oak stood leady for the axe, and the Mother
Country waited to take all they had of timber and fish.
THE CROWN COLONY
187
4. Tx)ng before this the Devon shipowners had found
the Bank fisheries famous for making fortunes. Having
won their trade with their own riglit arm, they had no
mind to share it with anyone. By petition and audience
the jealous proprietors did their best to induce th(3 King
to recall Guy's colony. Failing in this, they set in motion
a plan to crush out the seashore settlement, whicli was
only too successful, tlangs of fishermen, led on by their
ruthless masters, attacked the place with fire and terrorism,
and easily accomplished the savage design.
5. Scattered and homeless, the disheartened people
returned to England, or fled along shore to safer
quarters. Years passed, and colony after colony took
up sections, only to find that the fisherman and his
trade reaped all the benefits, leaving none for the poor
settler. In turn each bright pros]iecfc faded, leaving
the shore to the sea birds and the great interior covered
with forest to the bark of the fox and the challenge of
the wild stag to his rival.
6. In spite, however, of turbulent fishermen and oc-
casional pirates, the business of the Crown Colony in-
creased. The endless riches of the deep in cod, herring,
seals, and whales drew other merchants into her ranks,
and the island bid fair to become a centre of trade
between the Mother Country and the colonies of
Virginia and New England.
7. Over this happy outlook, however, a fate heavy
with dismay and ruin was already brooding. Without
warning, and for what reason is not known, Charles II
suddenly presented the greater ])art of England's fair
possession to his ambitious cousin, Louis of France.
8. The French monarch lost no time in making use
of his new territory. Settlers arrived in numbers, and
without more ado set about fortifying the shores of
Placentia Bay. In vain the unhappy residents pro-
I
188 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
tested, urging their attachment to their native land.
The Merry Monarch only shrugged his shoulders, and
said the thing was done.
9. As if, too, his own injustice served only to rouse
greater resentment against them, the King coldly in-
formed the indignant Islanders that they must forth-
with return to England or betake themselves without
delay to the West Indies. This was too much to
be borne ! The Newfoundlanders, never a spiritless
people, refused to obey the edict. Instead, they sent
si)ecial pleaders to the London law-courts to support
their cause against the King. It is safe to say that
few colonists have gone so far and won in the end !
10. For a time the newcomers proved friendly enough
and both nationalities fished side by side in the lovely
bays. Border hostilities from the Massachusetts colonies,
however, led to French reprisals on Terra Nova. Armed
privateers swooped down on the quiet shores, and robbed
the terrified villagers. When a British fleet came to
their relief, it was beaten off and disabled by the Fort
of Placentia. Thoroughly roused, the English residents
turned to their sailors.
11. Forts were rapidly raised near Ferry land, and
when five frigates bore down upon them, the fishermen
under Holman flew to arms, and, as the old record
says, ' so battered the Frenchmen that after five hours'
fight, they ran off, leaving their anchors and cables
behind." • .
12. It was two years before the enemy ventured to
renew their attack on the sturdy fishermen. In 1696,
however, siege was twice laid to St. John's. In addi-
tion to the shore batteries, a strong steel chain, part of
which still hangs from its rocky stanchions, had been
strung across the mouth of the harbour. With all
sail set, the iron-rammed vessels drove down against
PUCICS GIRDLE
189
the barrier only to rebound and, after some spirited
fighting, to the joy of the besieged the foe was driven oft'.
13. Incensed by these repulses, the enemy prepared
for a final effort. November had set in, and the fishing
fleets were well on their way to England. Owing to
the wild state of the country, no raid by land had ever
been dreamed of, when the French and Indians made
their swift, stealthy approach under Le Moyne d' Iber-
ville. On a winter night, and utterly taken by surprise,
the unhappy residents made what defence they could,
but the horrors of that night are better imagined than
described. St. John's fell, and, with the unfortunate
colonists huddled into a single vessel, Britain's first
colony appeared to be at an end.
I
^
PUCK'S GIRDLE— I
1. " I'll put a girdle round about the earth in forty
minutes," so spoke Shakespeare's fairy Puck three
hundred years ago. It was a merry jest that the great
wizard of the pen little knew was a prophecy. Will
Shakespeare, the schoolboy, must have often flung down
his books, and rushed into the street to gaze at passing
sailors who had been in America across the Atlantic !
2. The rocks of Newfoundland, pounded by the giant
breakers, and the strange medley of ships drawn to the
Banks in search of fish, were, no doubt, a familiar
thought to the young genius. Queen and courtiers were
talking of the "gold mine of the fisheries," while heroic
adventurers sailed into the western jaws of death. Amid
iceberg and floe England's sailors were learning the way
of greatness. Who among them all could have dreamed
that to these very rocks Puck's girdle would one day be
attached in sober earnest.
3. Centuries passed, and the tide of adventure and
190 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
trade had settled the New World. Over the very ground
where heroes once toiled facing danger and death at every
step, spread fair cities, teeming with population, and
busy as beehives. The wonders of modern science grew
apace in Europe and America, and foremost of all stood
the electric telegraph.
4. Vessels, always becoming bigger and faster, ploughed
the oceans in every direction, yet with all their speed the
distance of the continents from each other grew only
more trying. Ideas wild and strange as the tales of the
Arabian Nights were thought of to shorten the journey
from land to land.
5. In Manchester, England, about this time, the keen
mind of a young man called Frederick Newton Gisborne
was full of theories about the wonderful new power.
The problem of quicker communication between the Old
and New Worlds took hold of his imagination, and New-
foundland, jutting far out into the Atlantic, seemed the
first stepping-stone.
6. The first thought of the young engineer was that
news brought from Europe might be telegraphed from
St. John's to the south-west corner of the island. Carrier
pigeons could then be employed to cross the seventy
miles of stormy sea to the mainland, from whence
messages by wire would reach every part of America.
7. In following up his theories, however, one careful
experiment led to another, and Mr. Gisborne found that
the powers of electricity were not injured by water. The
idea of telegraphing by cable along the bottom of the
sea took the world by storm, but the inventor, for a time,
had to face the fate of every genius. His discovery, in
many quarters, was not credited, and he was voted a
madman. At this point, however, Mr. Cyrus Field, a
wealthy American, took up the theory with enthusiasm,
and offered to find the money required for the project.
PUCK'S GIRDLE
191
8. Mr. Gisborne's own energy and ability had led to
this result. Like Carlyle he thought that "genius is just
a vast capacity for taking pains." In organising his
business he was several times round the world, and twice
across the continent of America on horseback. On one
occasion being in New Brunswick he found it necessary
to reach Montreal with all possible speed. There was no
railway, and recent heavy snowstorms had made the
roads impassable.
9. Leaving Campbelltown, New Brunswick, on snow-
shoes with an Indian guide, he covered fifty miles in the
first day. So hard was the going that towards nightfall
his Indian gave out, and had to be partly supported.
Reaching Metis, the travellers had some hours' rest, and,
though weary, set oft' again in the morning at the same-
pace.
10. The whole journey to the ancient capital was per-
formed on snowshoes in three days, through intense cold,
deep snowdrifts, and wild and lonely surroundings. After
a day in Quebec, the energetic traveller left by sleigh for
Montreal, which by frequent change of horses he reached
in the shortest possible time.
11. At another time the inventor in his sailboat wished
to land at a place in Newfoundland where there was no
beach. The sea was very rough, and the rocks showed
their jagged heads above the angry breakers. The boat
approached as close to land as she dared, and as she rose
on the waves, Mr. Gisborne first, and each of his assist-
ants in turn, with his eye measured the distance, and
jumped. It was a dangerous experiment, but fortu-
nately everyone reached land in safety.
192 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
V !
PUCK'S GIRDLE— II
1. The successful laying of the short submarine cable
between Cape Breton and Newfoundland, in 1856, gave
rise to even more surprising hopes. Could not the plan
be carried out in great as in little ? Instruments of
extraordinary power for gauging the ocean currents at
every depth were used, and the rugged abysses of the
Atlantic floor carefully examined from land to land.
2. The material best fitted to bear the enormous weight
of water, the likelihood of attack from marine animals,
and lastly, the vast length of line required, had all to be
provided for. Human ingenuity, however, attacked the
problem from every standpoint, and solved it.
3. In the summer of 1866 everything was ready for the
great work of laying the cable. With one end secured at
Valentia, Ireland, the huge merchant vessel Great Eastern
left port, carrying on her decks over sixteen hundred
miles of coiled wire rope.
4. Paying out as she proceeded, the line sank into the
bubbling abyss, where ever since it has lain uninjured at
varying depths of thousands of fathoms. In safety the
giant vessel reached Heart's Content, Newfoundland, on
the 27th July, 1866.
5. Thousands of visitors were there to meet her from
far and near, and the harbour was alive with gaily
decorated vessels thronged with excited people. For
weeks the whole civilised world had been looking for-
ward to the event with breathless interest. It was
indeed a red-letter day for Terra Nova.
6. About mid-day the living end of the cable was
attached on shore, and a favoured few gathered in the
*:ielegraph operator's office. At a given hour the current
was turned on at Valentia, and, amidst intense silence,
every eye was fixed upon the frail instrument.
BRITISH COLUMBIA
193
7. Presently a strained whisper crept about the room :
" It moves ! " and, with unconscious tears on their faces,
men heard the first ocean message. It was from Queen
Victoria to the President of the United States, the old,
beautiful greeting from Heaven to mankind, "Peace on
earth, goodwill to man."
8. More and more, as time goes on, the marvels of
science are unrolling themselves. Across other oceans
Puck's Girdle has long since been carried, and the circuit
of the globe has become a daily necessity.
9. Once in a while, however, a visitor sits beside the
cable instruments in that little Newfoundland harbour
on the rim of ocean. In the stillness of night the con-
tinents are at rest. Presently the wire awakes, and a
busy click heralds the working day in Europe. With
scarcely a pause it is followed by the eager rush of
America.
10. For a moment time and space are swept away, and
the brain hears the tramp of multitudes in two hemi-
spheres. Among the scientific wonders of the age, the
laying of the ocean cable bears out the old words of
prophecy: "Thou hast made him (man) a little lower
than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and
honour: Thou hast put all things under his feet . . .
and whatever passeth through the paths of the seas."
I I
BRrriSH COLUMBIA— I
1. It was when Captain Cook, sailing up the western
shores of America on his last voyage, saw the snow-laden
peaks of the Kocky Mountains, that he took possession of
the unexplored land in the King's name. Keturniug, he
touched at the Sandwich Islands, and there, after a
desperate struggle on the seashore, met death at the
hands of the cannibal savages. *
PI
194 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
2. The tragic fate of England's greatest navigator drew
London merchants to seek the trade of the new-found
land. By way of Cape Horn a highway was found, and a
steady stream of bluff captains established friendly re-
lations with the west coast natives. In 1792 Captain
Vancouver, R.N., carefully led the way north, examining
the coast-line. To-day, among the inlets of that noble
shore, a score of names dear to Sailor England keep alive
the heroic energy and paticT'ce of the Pacific explorers.
3. With the advent of the English sea-rovers, the cen-
turies' old rivalry with Spain blazed out afresh. Spanish
rights had long been planted north and south of California,
and her enemy's presence in Vancouver Island was dis-
puted with all that nation's old time vigour. When,
however, European councils settled the vast territory
from the Flowery Land to Kussian America on Great
Britain, proud Spain retired from the unequal contest.
4. The interior of the mountainous land is not without
its devoted searchers any more than the coast. The dis-
covery of the Mackenzie River had roused Britain, but
this wonderful feat was to be outdone by the same ex-
plorer. In the spring of 1793, Mackenzie and his party
pushed their way, on foot, through the wild gorges and
frightful passes of the Rocky Mountains. They were the
first white men to reach the Pacific Ocean overland.
5. The worker leaves others to recount his deeds.
Here, it is said, with a stick dipped in a mixture of
vermilion and liquid fat, the leader smeared his record
on the face of a rod' in short and pithy words :
ALEXANDER MACKENZIE, FROM MONTREAL BY LAND
July 22nd, 1793
6. Time passed, and the middle of the nineteenth
century had arrived. The treasures of the new land in
gold and minerals may indeed have been guessed at, but
BRITISH COLUMBIA
195
the wjr^d still swept through the mighty trees in solitude,
and the myriads of silvery salmon, unnoticed by the
world, made their yearly leap up the plunging streams.
7. But a startling change was at hand. With the
gold-seekers' rush to California in 1849, many eyes turned
north to Canada. A few short years saw streams of
miners on the trail of the precious metal, and the sands
of the Fraser and Thompson Kivers proved to be fabulously
rich in nuggets and shining grains of gold. Soon the
rocky canyons were alive with the echoes of the workers'
pick and cradle.
BRITISH COLUMBIA— II
1. Swiftly on the heels of labour came British justice
and order, though, for a time, the reckless delver laughed
r,t both. With the better class, however, law aroused a
sense of safety among the knights of the shovel, and they
grew to look upon the fair land as home. The forest
kings fell to the lumberer's axe, and the rich coastlands
yielded '-everything pleasant to the sight and good for
food."
2. At this, over the border, the people, ever eager for
new lands to seize, began to prick up their ears. To them
the north country had gained a new and enviable import-
ance. Their old tactics were worth trying once more.
An unreasonable demand to (Jreat Britain for the riglits
of the territory, fortunately, met with a dignified refusal.
The Mother Country would stand by her, but the fears of
the young Province, once aroused, were not likely to go to
sleep again. What might not their grasping neighbour
do next !
3. With the birth of the Dominion in 1866 came
longings for closer ties and stronger protection. But
N 2
o
n
BRITISH COLUMBIA
197
c 4
how could such vast distances be brought together with-
out a railway ? To the staid East the request came like
a thunderbolt out of a clear sky. Never before had such
a great work been demanded of so small or poor a
people !
i. For years excitement over the needs of the Pacific
Province was never allowed to die out from one end of
Canada to the other. At length three or four daring
and capable citizens, of whom our Lord Strathcona was
one, undertook the huge scheme. Work began from
both ends of the line at once, and in five years the last
spike of its three thousand miles was driven in.
5. Since 1885 the opening up of British Columbia has
been like a fairy tale. Her snow-capped peaks guard
untold wealth of coal and other minerals, while rock
and ledge hold in store riches yet undreamed of. The
slopes of the mountains are clothed with the noble growth
of centuries, and the sheltered valleys are fair with
blooming fruit trees.
6. Where a score of years ago stood dense forests of
Douglas fir, cities hav3 sprung up like mushrooms. Fast
steamships plough the Pacific to far China and Japan,
and men of every race and colour rub shoulders under
our nation's flag. The dream of the explorer for the
shortest route to the East has been found across Canada !
7.
From halls of Asgard come,
To find its rightful home
The race has sought ;
AVestward and ever west
Its toilsome path has pressed
With terrors fraught.
Here, on earth's utmost rim,
Found is the spot, I deem,
Bv ages brought.
198 PICTUHES FilOM CANADIAN HISTORY
(fuarded by mount and seas,
Lapped by the wave of peace,
Kissed by the sun
Sinking on ocean's crest,
This our last home, and best, —
Goal we have won !
THE ROMANCE OF THE MOUNTED
POLICE— I
1. The old story of the North-West is simple. Beyond
the scattered stations of the great Company, stretched
the country whose end no man knew. In every direction
the roving children of the wild trapped and hunted as
they pleased. When enough had been gathered, the rich
store was brought by dog-team across the snow to the
nearest Hudson Bay post. Red men and white trusted
each other, and there was no trouble.
2. Far from the other provinces the little colony of
the Red River lived its own life. In time the lean form
of the prairie wolf lost its terrors, and the driving winter
blizzard left no trace in the summer flowers. Locks
were unknown, and the wayfarer everywhere found a
welcome.
3. Prosperity has its own drawbacks, however. With
the wider sweep of prairie cultivation came the trader
and adventurer, and the old God-fearing order began to
be lightly held, or not held at all. Riot and trickery
took the country by storm, and the honest settlers
indignantly saw British law defied and broken. It was
plain that there must be more protection.
4. Appeals to Ottawa were not in vain. A livelier
interest in the plains sprang up^ and from that time the
lonely ranchman and his scattered herds have never been
ROMANCE OF THE MOUNTED POLICE 199
lost sight of. In the West a new order of military police
soon showed its mettle, and the troopers set to work
with a will that has never flagged.
5. To prevent the sale of liquor among the Indians,
and to break up the lawless gangs of cattle thieves on
the prairies, were at first the main objects of the band.
Since then their duty has grown in fifty directions.
To-day the far-reaching respect for law and order through
the country is due to the courage and zeal of the North-
West Mounted Police.
6. The ordinary duties of the day are many. From
settler's shack to Indian reserve rides the soldierly con-
stable, with quick eye noting the crops, the roads and
bridges, the cattle-mark of the last foreign emigrant.
One day he may be helping to 6ght a prairie fire, the
next miles away following the trail of a lost child.
7. Early in their history the Indian tribes learned
that red men and white are alike in the eye of the
law. "Three years ago," said wise Chief Crowfoot on
one occasion, " I met and shook hands with the Colonel
at Pelly River; since that time he has made many
promises, not one of which has been broken. His men
have protected us as the feathers of the bird protect
it from the frosts of winter."
THE ROMANCE OF THE MOUNTED
POLICE— II
lier
the
?en
1. If the trooper's name in that wide land brings with
it a sense of safety to the upright, it no less carries
terror to the guilty. A story will illustrate. The
wife of an Indian trapper in the far north died, leaving
him with a little girl, who proved a burden. The old
instincts of the savage awoke.
Never dreaming that
9M) riCTUUES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
his crime would be found out, he carried his child to
a lonely island, and left her there to die.
"J. lUit the murderer had reckoned without his host.
Hearing of the affair, a Mounted Policeman followed up
his clue, and arrested the culprit. Six hundred miles
away, however, stood the jail at Hegina, and until he
hud taken in his prisoner, the olUcer's duty was not
done.
3. In a canoe stocked with provisions tJje strange
l)air set out on the trip that for one was to end in life
imprisonment. The scene is one that may never be
repeated. In the bow sat the handcufled savage, ever
looking for a chance of escape, while, with his paddle
in hand, and a cocked revolver near, the stern held
its one lonely constable !
4. Another incident, which shows that no criminal
may feel safe so long as a Mounted Policeman is on
his track, is told. A certain fugitive was followed all
over North America for six months, and at last run
down in Mexico.
5. Taken to the nearest seaport, he was put on board
a British vessel, and after a long journey landed with
his captor at Halifax. Arrived once more on Canadian
soil, the murderer paid the full penalty of his crime
with his life.
0. After this it is not needful to tell how the most
desperate gamblers, train-robbers, and cattle-thieves have
been taught respect for the laws of the country. What-
ever may be its course, the trooper does his duty, and
the cool courage which is covered by a trim uniform
and jaunty forage cap has won for itself a fame worth
having.
^ost
lave
(lat-
iiid
)nn
Irth
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o
o
a
H
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u
202 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
i
i
THE PASSING OF THE BUFFALO
1. A FEATURE of prairie life, now gone forever, used
to be the immense herds of buffalo that ranged the
western plains. Every autumn, from the iir north to
Mexico, these animals followed their time-worn paths
south, and every spring found them on the return trail.
They cropped the rich grasses at their ease, and drank
at a hundred well-known watering-places.
2. For ages the huge bovines had been the stand-by
of the Western tribes. The Indians looked to the
passing herds for food, and stores of pemmican were
always packed away to last until their return. The
gieat provision of Nature for her children continued
from year to year. There was plenty for man, and the
herds did not become less.
3. As the buffalo season drew near, parties of Indians
and French Canadians along the line of march eagerly
scanned the horizon for signs of the shaggy heads. They
were all expert hunters, and absolutely at home on the
backs of their half-tamed bronchos. And indeed they
needed all their skill, for the animals were very savage
when attacked. Soon the prairies were black with the
on-coming herds.
4. The first railway that crossed the prairies of the
United States brought with it the doom of the buffalo.
With the early trains great numbers of armed men went
west, and waited for the proud herds whose coming
literally shook the earth.
5. The slaughter that followed among the noble brutes
has never been equalled nor explained. There was no
sign of sport in it. The countless thousands of bison
were deliberately wiped out. The earth drank in blood
INDIAN UNREST
203
like water, and for years the blanched bones of the victims
lay in heaps on the ground.
6. In the first onset, the poor creatures that managed
to escape, fled out of range, and became cunning in their
fear. Though suffering terribly from thirst, none came
near the water-holes for days. But the hunters were
prepared for this. Aware that at last even the deadly
rifle would be faced for the sake of water, they kept big
fires blazing by night along the banks of the streams,
and lay in wait for their prey.
7. The end came swiftly. Drawn by the bright lights
or their frantic need, the poor remnants of the herds
stole back by night to meet their doom. Standing knee-
deep in the water, and drinking with feverish haste, they
were shot down almost to the last animal.
hey
age
the
ent
ing
tes
no
teon
od
INDIAN UNREST
1. Meanwhile the spring of 1878 came and went in the
Canadian North-West. The Indians waited as usual for
the return of the buffalo, but they did not come. For
some years, it is true, scattered herds were sometimes
seen among the mountains, but these timidly fled from
man, and were seen no more.
2. As winter approached, reports of the state of the
tribes began to spread, and to excite pity. Thousands
were said to be on the point of starvation. The red men
at that time knew very little of agriculture, and what
grain they had was used up. Long custom had made
buffalo meat their sole food supply, and deprived of this
they had nothing to fall back upon.
3. The seat of Government for the Territories had
been placed at Battleford, and here bands of Indians
204 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
if
M
r !
■|
began to congregate, mutely seeking aid for their perish-
ing families. Three or four thousand Sioux, Blackfoots,
Crees, and others were already on the ground, and anxiety
as to their attitude in the settlement became intense.
The supply of provisions was barely enough for the white
residents, and weeks must pass before the arrival of the
teamsters from Winnipeg.
4. The fears of the citizens were worked up to the
highest pitch. Every day at sunrise, gangs of Indians
began to move round the houses with measured pace.
Guns were fired rapidly into space, and long-drawn,
mournful songs chanted to the sound of the native drum.
The little town hastened to offer what help it could, but
none might tell how this strange outbreak would end.
5. On the night of June 26, 1878, affairs seemed to
be nearing a crisis. Death songs chanted through the
long night were followed next morning by sudden volleys
of ritie shots. The residents rushed to door and window
to see what this might mean. The sight caused many a
cheek to pale. Mounted on ponies, five or six hundred
painted savages were seen approaching at full gallop,
keeping up, as they came, a fusilade of random shots.
6. The strange performance was soon explained. The
Governor had already been notified that the Hungry
Dance meant no harm, and would be followed by a
Council, to which he was invited. With fantastic exhibi-
tions of riding, the tribes drew up in an orderly manner
round Government House, while numbers of their women
and children stood patiently looking on. With a few
officers and Mounted Policemen, Governor Laird came
out to meet them.
7. The speeches were few and to the point. That the
red men were starving was the burden of words made
more painful by their want of hope. Unless relieved at
once, they said, they must die ! As the voice of the last
The
liner
bien
I few
Line
I the
ide
at
last
I :l^
206 PICTURKS FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
speaker ceased, a stalwart Indian, standing on the out-
skirts of the throng, suddenly dropped on one knee, and,
taking careful aim with his rifle, fired. In the in-
tense silence, the bullet whistled dangerously near the
Governor's head.
8. Without a sign that anything unusual had occurred,
His Honour made reply to the assembled chiefs. Relief
on the arrival of the supplies was quietly promised, as
well as Government aid for the future. A few days
later the promise was carried out, but Battleford resi-
dents have never ceased to wonder what would have
happened had the tribesman's shot proved fatal to
the courageous Governor.
THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION— I
1. BiilTlSH justice looks on the native races of every land
with a kind eye. Under the Old Flag their rights are
upheld, and religion and education unite to charm away
the darkness of savagery.
2. The early policy of the United States was to get
rid of her Indians. Lands made over to them under
the most solemn oaths were rudely snatched away, and
others of less value given instead. From these, in turn,
the red man was again driven far afield. This treatment,
of course, aroused revengeful feelings that led to great
atrocity on both sides.
3. Knowing the fate of others, colonisation in British
territory was looked upon by the savages with dismay.
The fear had good grounds. For the time, the Canadian
Government seemed to have forgotten its duty as guardian
of the tribes.
4. At the setting up of the Prairie province, the half-
THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION
207
breeds and Indians protested against injustice, and a
short but tiery upheaval led to the wise settlement of
claims. But the improvement stopped with Manitoba.
5. Years passed, and ever farther over the prairies
crept the immigrant waggons with their white tilts.
The Indians of the territories gloomily watched their
progress. The now well-settled Metis of Manitoba had
title-deeds for their lands — they had none. Were the
scenes of injustice and cruelty in the United States to
be repeated under the Union Jack ?
6. More than once, Indians and half-breeds from Sas-
katchewan had pleaded their cause with fiery eloquence
at Ottawa, but without result. Each time the claimants
were sent away with fair promises of redress, and that
was the end of it. With grim humour, Sir John Mac-
donald began to be known among the tribes as " Old
To-morrow."
7. Since the disappearance of the buffalo, the state of
the Western Indians had become more and more painful.
The Government stores, carelessly dealt out by agents,
were not plentiful, and, especially in winter time, famine
sat in every lodge.
" All the earth was sick and famished,
Hungry was the air around them,
Hungry was the sky above them,
And the hungry stars in heaven
Like the eyes of wolves glared at them ! " ^
THE NORTH-WEST REBELLION— II
1. With the opening of 1875, affairs reached a climax.
The cause of the former rebellion had prospered, and
Louis Kiel, living in exile across the border, was still in
* The Song of Hiawatha, by H. W. Longfellow.
208 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
heart the champion of his fellow-countrymen. In danger-
ous mood, the French half-breeds decided to send for him.
2. The rising began quietly, but became so popular
that prudence was soon flung to the winds. The M^tis
flocked to Kiel's standard, while their Scotch brothers
and the frien^..y Indians as boldly held to their British
allegiance. Throughout the West- and North the full-
blooded warrior nations, Blackfoot and Cree, were rest-
less. Which side would they take in the struggle ?
3. As spring drew on, the scattered settlers grew more
and more alarmed. They saw that Riel's wild eloquence
could have but one result with the excitable rebels. In
the older provinces the horror of the crisis was not
understood. Eastern Canadians merely shrugged their
shoulders, and smiled over this storm in a teacup.
4. On the prairies every hour grew more threatening.
The half-breeds gathered round their leader's head-
quarters at Batoche. With no prospect of aid from any
direction, the men of Prince Albert flung themselves into
the breach, and began to barricade the town. They were
still at it when the clash came at Duck Lake. Over
Canada like lightning flew the news that the loyal
volunteers were attacked and routed by rebels.
5. With the tidings Canadian apathy fled. Aid from
Winnipeg rushed to as'^ist the Mounted Police, and with
one accord Quebec, Montreal, Kingston, and Toronto
sprang to arms. Fortunately the great railway was ready
to carry them to their destination.
6. In the meantime the settlers bravely faced the
worst. At last the dreaded Indian war was a reality, and
for a time the awful terror of rifle and scalping knife
hung over every lonely farmhouse. The massacre at Frog
Lake and the desperate defence of Fort Pitt will live in
history. Batoche, Fish Creek, Battleford — the familiar
names send a thrill through every Canadian heart.
FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN
209
7. Through the following weeks the land was full of
fiery excitement. Fortunately, few of the full-blooded
tribes took the war-path, but the half-breeda showed their
mettle, and fought with cool daring and skill from start
to finish. Our citizen-soldiers, it is needless to say,
showed courage and energy beyond all praise.
8. The rebellion, fortunately, was short-lived, and the
breach soon healed. But it had not failed. With a
promptness that did it credit, the Government hastened
to fulfil its trust. The rights of the half-breeds as
citizens of the Dominion were settled once for all, and
to-day no more contented people may be found than the
native population of the Canadian North- West.
the
[nd
ife
log
I in
tar
FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN
1. Many, many years have passed since the days of the
first settlers in Canada. What a change three hundred
years have brought with the;n !
2. Past the once lonely shores of Newfoundland throng
an endless stream of steamships, and the wide way of the
St. Lawrence is never free from the stir of her traffic.
Over the shining rails speeds the traveller from ocean to
oceau.
3. The widespread gloom of forest has given way to
ever-growing areas of cultivated land. In the solitudes
have sprung up prosperous towns, each the centre of
a thousand useful industries. Steamboats plough the
inland seas, and beside great Huron and Superior stand
the towering cliffs whose rocky depths hold untold store
of silver, copper, and other metals and minerals for the
use of man.
4. Who that has seen them can describe the prairies ?
r-fc
il
,'
210 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
North, south, east, and west they lie, like a vast peaceful
sea, whose billows have been cast in earth and green
verdure.
5. " Would you learn the charm of the prairie land ?
Then stand at the break of dawn,
Where the long low sunlight Hoods with light
The plains of Saskatchewan.
Or stand again, at the set of sun,
As the light in the west grows dim ;
While the blue grey clouds, with crimson lined.
Lie low on the prairie's rim.
6. Would you learn the spell of the prairie land ?
Then follow the winds at play,
. . As the long grass waves and the flowers toss
' In their scattered colours gay.
Those prairie flowers ! what else may grow
Such hosts of anemones rare ?
Broad mounds of roses interspersed
With the blue-eyed flax so fair ? " ^
7. And if the prairies in their own way are wonderful,
what of the mountains, with their snow-capped tops, by
turns bathed in floating clouds and the rosy glow of sun-
set ? Guarded by the triple domes of The Sisters or the
mighty peaks Sir Donald and Robson, the panting engines
lead the way into the heart of the Rockies.
8. The wild waters of the Kicking Horse, the Crow's
Nest, and the Tete Jaune Passes ceaselessly toss them-
* The Prairie Land, by Laura E. Marshall.
I
s f>;
t-i £
'^1 i
O
212 rirruHEs from Canadian history
selves under the trestle bridges, and in winter the
loosened masses of snow thunder down the gorges. Far
below, the eagle darts from his eyrie to scream defiance
at the passing trains.
9. The spruce-covered sides of the mountains, black in
the shadows, will forever be the home of the big-horn
sheep and the grizzly bear. At the foot of the western
slopes nestle the famous orchards of the Okanagan.
Across the purple distance the shining peaks look out
upon the Sea of Peace.
10. From Ocean to Ocean stand the sister provinces
hand in hand awaiting their destiny. But the young
Dominion has much to learn. The world has a long
record, and the star of many nations has risen and set.
" They that would build well the Empire.*} of the future,
must read well the histories of the Empires of the past."
I
THE RHYME OF VICTORIA DAY
(May 24)
Once on a time, so runneth the rhyme,
In an Island whose name you know
There reigned a Queen, the best ever seen
'Mongst rulers on earth below ;
O'er whose Empire wide upon every side
Of the globe as through space it swung,
The sun never set, for he could not get
Beyond where her praises rung !
Her ships sailed fast on the winter wind
And rocked in the summer breeze,
Wherever a spar or a sail you'd find
Afloat on the storm-swept seas ;
the
Far
nee
I in
orn
ern
jan.
out
ices
ung
ong
set.
ure,
5t."
ROUTE OF THE GREAT RAILWAYS 213
And her men went forth, o'er the blue, blue wave,
Scholars and soldiers too,
To win renown, or to find a grave.
And many found both, 'tis true !
The laws were good and the people free,
But that they would never own,
'Till their rights were threatened by foreign decree,
And then they did nobly atone.
For they loved their Queen and their country dear.
Though seldom if ever, you see.
Would they clioose to acknowledge, no matter how
clear,
Such failings to you or to me !
So time went on till the days were come
When a lady might weary be.
Of the troubles and cares, and the State affairs
From which she never seemed free,
And when King Death removed the crown
From that dear and noble head.
For ever and aye we call her own
Victoria Day instead !
THE ROUTE OF THE GREAT RAILWAYS
1. Those who have sought out and laid the course of
our three transcontinental railways in Canada have done
so in the face of nearly as great bodily hardships and
danger as that experienced by Alexander Mackenzie a
hundred and twenty years ago, in his wonderful journey
on foot through the Rocky Mountains.
2. They have had to ride thousands of miles on horse-
O 2
214 riCTUUKS rUOM CANADIAN IIISTOllV
back, to ford or swim unknown streams whose current
sucked them down or carried them away to ahuost certain
deatli. They have climbed or been slung by ropes down
precipices, and have crept by a single slippery log across
the dizzy depths of gorges and canyons. Often have they
been lost in the wilds and known what it is to suffer
terribly from hunger and thirst, and they liave had to
run the risk of attack from every kind of tierce wild
animal whose haunts they were invading. In one thing
only have they known less than the terrors of primitive
travellers, and that is from the cunning rage of the Indian
savage, himself in moital terror of what the white man
could do to him.
3. Boys and girls sitting round the cheery fire on a
winter night, or lounging under the garden trees in
summer, with a fascinating book of travel in hand, know
little of the overwhelming trials of reality, or the kind of
men it takes to penetrate the wilderness.
4. To begin with, the first great difficulties in building
an ocean-to-ocean road were met with in the northern
wilds of the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Here, it
is true, there are occasional Hudson Bay trading-posts,
between which and Montreal a fine system of communi-
cation has been established, but these are few and far
between, and nature reigns supreme. The rushing water-
ways, whose perils of rock and rapid may be avoided by
the trapper's canoe, generally flow from north to south, or
vice versa, and are at right angles to the route of the
surveyor being carved through the forest from east to
west.
5. The Canadian Pacific Railway, being the first to
push its way across the continent, naturally encountered
all sorts of savage perils without experience. Coming
after such an effort, it may be supposed that the Grand
Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern would be able to
ROUTE OF TIIK GUKAT KAILVVAYS 215
to
Ired
ling
iiid
to
avoid some, at least, of the difficulties of their forerunner.
While this is true to a certain extent, the route of each
of these lines is far from the others, and must face con-
ditions and dangers to the others unknown.
6. Try, for instance, to picture to yourself the scene
that met the view of the first land survevor of the Grand
Trunk Pacific in Northern Ontario. Far as the eye can
reach, the vast stretch of country is made up of rocky
ridges and yawning valleys covered with endless trees.
For the most part it is a sea, hundreds of miles in extent,
of sombre green verdure, with, at intervals, long reaches
of brown or black pointing the trail of the forest fire. In
the distance a patch of grey-blue indicates the mist rising
from water.
7. The dark, interlacing branches of the trees hide well
their secret dangers. Here it is a swamp, or, in the
Indian dialect, mnshcg, whose soft mossy clumps and
waving grasses cover unknown depths of black ooze, ready
to suck in man or animal. There, wide ranges of boulder
and broken rock, tossed hither and thither, seem like the
playthings of giants. Again the trunks of trees, felled by
age or storm in the course of many years, lie across each
other in every direction, covered with slippery vegetation
which makes every etep over them a danger to life and
limb.
8. The only paths through the wilds are those of the
Indians, trodden deep, but so narrow as to be almost
unnoticed. These prove little or no guide. To the white
man they seem aimless, and, if followed, will very likely
lead him to the edge of a cliff overhanging a stream,
whose wild waters must be crossed. At such a time
there is nothing for the traveller but to put together, as
best he may, some flimsy craft, upon which to battle for
his life through the boiling rapids.
9. If not following the already blazed paths, new ways
"iTm f m ..
216 PICTURES FROxM CANADIAN HISTORY
must be cut through the tangled bush foot by foot with
the axe. At all times every sense has to be on the alert.
If on horseback, the rider must be prepared to jump clear
in case of a false step on the part of his animal.
10. All this, of course, applies to the summer. In
winter, when the weather is good, travelling is much
easier and quicker ; but winter has its own dangers, and
they are terrible. Overtaken by blizzards, or caught in
deep drift, as so often happens, forward progress is slow,
and always remains the dread of the cruel cold, against
which no clothing, however thick, is proof.
11. Over and above all is the intense loneliness, with
no sound but the sweep of the wind through the trees,
the crack of the leafless branches in time of frost, or the
long-drawn howl of a wolf. Not a living soul is to be
met with, except at long distances a stray Indian or
trapper, and if illness or accident should occur, months
might elapse before the sad end of the tale would be
known.
12. Such is the life, and such the sacrifice, faced by
those who penetrate the wilds of Canada, and open up
the country for the foot of the emigrant, and the easy,
swift carriage of tourist and business man. No wonder
we think much of our railways and those who build them.
->:>
ROUGHING IT
1. The next stage of the Grand Trunk Pacific was the
division, for convenience, of the country into sections
about 300 miles in length. Each district was assigned
to a party of two or three under a well-trained engineer,
who was always in touch with the chief at Ottawa.
2. These men, besides possessing technical ability, had
to be strong and fearless, with a quick eye for the best
■■!■■
ROUGHING IT
217
^'■K :'.
. in'y
''■ 'J
kind of country to select. They must be able to find
their way anywhere, and be prepared for every kind of
danger. Every one was in light inarching order, and
was given authority to range his section far to the north
and south of the possible line.
3. In this way the engineer and his party moved
rapidly, making maps as they proceeded, and noting
whether the country was forest or plain, and in what
position or direction were to be found lake, river, or
swamp.
4. Next came the making of road-beds and the laying
of rails, but anyone supposing that a railway is so quickly
constructed knows little of the real business in hand.
These first lines were prepared only for trial, and to them
other parallel lines were added at various distances. The
object in doing this was, of course, to discover the best
possible . 'ation for the permanent work. In this way,
for one division of about 290 miles, over 1500 miles of
rail were laid, and before the way was finished between
Moncton and Winnipeg, a distance of 10,000 miles had
been explored and built.
5. In addition to the character of the ground for
building, other things had to be considered. As he went
along, the surveyor must notice of what use the land
might be for commerce, and whether agriculture, mining,
or lumbering would make it worth the while of the
settler.
6. In this way, winter and summer alternating, each
party toiled over its lonely circuit. They seldom met each
other except by chance au their eastern or western limits,
and every camp was supplied with its own necessaries.
Food was plentifully furnished from headquarters, and
a cook, who knew his work, gave the needed comfort to
the busy and lonely group.
7. Ranging over such long distances, however, it was
218 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
necessary that stores of food should not be too far apart,
and caches were therefore formed in many a spot to
supply their daily wants. These places had no caretaker.
Known by certain marks, they were covered with heavy
stones to protect them from wild animals, and were quite
safe.
8. The means of carrying the surveyors' instruments,
clothing, and provisions were various. In summer pack-
horses were employed, or canoes, if there were much
water, and in winter dog-trains sped over the snowy
trail, doing their twenty or even forty miles a day in fair
weather.
9. But every means had its own drawbacks, and often
the suffering to man and beast was heart-breaking.
Portaging sounds romantic, but it is, of all others, the
most wearing-out of work. The northern parts of Canada
have more waterways than perhaps any other country in
the world, but most of them are very treacherous. They
are full of eddies and rapids, with hidden rocks and the
frequent blundering tree-trunk being swept down-stream,
which often force the voyageur to run his canoe ashore
and unload.
10. The boats were of different materials — birch-bark,
dug-outs, and folding canvas. They were up to 22 feet
in length, and capable of holding as much as a ton apiece.
A portage being reached, the boatman and his assistant
rapidly removed the goods, slung the packs by a head-
band upon their backs, and set out at a trot across
country. Lastly, the boat itself was turned over the
heads of the two carriers, and conveyed to the next
water. The trained Indians, half-breeds, .'^nd voyageurs
of the Hudson Bay Company were invaluable, as they
have always been, at this work, and little could have
been accomplished without their aid.
11. In summer the streams were lively in this way
HEROES OF THE WILDS
219
with much traffic. When, however, Jack Frost had
bound things in his icy grasp, the packers transferred
themselves to the woods, whose arches echoed with the
yelps of the dog-teams and the shouts of their drivers.
Toboggans, being light and strong, are much used by the
trappers and other carriers for this purpose, and speed
over the shining surface, with the dogs straining and
pulling at their burden.
12. The animals in use are strong, active creatures
known as "huskies." They are raised on the Indian
reserves and in the fur-trading posts, and are very in-
telligent, but of a fierce and sometimes treacherous char-
acter. If the going is easy and the snow fairly well
beaten, two dogs may form a team, but generally six are
employed, the latter being able to draw about 500 lbs.
Each team is generally guided by one man, but much
depends upon the driver's ability and his method of
treating his charges. The dogs often prove terribly
annoying, but while fiercely resenting harsh treatment,
they soon learn to know a kind master and respect him.
HEROES OF THE WILDS
1. It is hard to induce those who have met and over-
come many perils in the open, to tell their experiences.
Sometimes, however, the warmth of the camp fire thaws
out a man's reserve, and sympathy and the soft mantle
of darkness unfold strange stories. But in the awful
fight with nature the tales are not always of escape. A
lowered voice and gaps in the conversation sometimes
mean more than many words.
2. Here and there, near the trail, one pauses reverently
to gaze at a dark mound enclosed within a low fence
220 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
where a cross of rough timber marks the place of a lonely
grave. There he who sleeps so soundly will lie till the
last trump shall awake him, and then many a one un-
known to wealth or fame will arise to hear the words
of the Great Judge, "Well done, good and faithful
servant."
3. But the heroes who are so unwilling to recount
their own exploits, will always, when they have time,
tell of the self-sacrifice of others. Here, it is tlie man
going forward alone in winter-time to secure aid* for a
little party iu difficulties. He does not return, and search
follows his footsteps to the edge of a forest lake, sur-
rounded by sombre trees. The ice may be of that strange
quality known as frazil, which never becomes solid even
in the greatest cold. Here footprints strike out for a
certain distance and then suddenly stop. The valiant son
of the trail is engulfed by the treacherous mass, and is,
perhaps, never found.
4. Again, it is one of the most expert and careful of
the men, half-breed or French Canadian, who are almost
more at home on water than on land. Sunk snags and
movable roots of trees are the most common enemies,
and an overturned canoe in the whirling rapids has little
chance of e«!cape.
5. The terrors of the winter trail, too, have demanded
many a victim, alike among settlers, mounted policemen,
and railway employees. Buffeted by the pitiless wind,
and blinded with cutting sleet, the mind becomes dazed
and weary, and the unfortunate traveller stumbles along
the path until he falls into a snowdrift. Earely, if ever,
is he revived from his fatal sleep.
6. But the greatest destruction and danger of all, per-
haps, comes from the bush fires which devastate the
country in summer-time. Occasionally it is the bolt of
swift lightning which sets afire the thick brush, dried by
'
HEROES OF THE WILDS
221
the hot sun ; again, the camp fire none too carefully
raked out and extinguished. Into the foot-deep, tinder -
like moss an unnoticed spark finds its way, creeping for
hours after the traveller has gone on, until a i)ufr of wind
rouses it into flame. Then the fire springs with terrible
rapidity up the trunks of the j.jck-pine, spruce, and other
native timber, and the fierce red light, with its volumes
of smoke, rages along the crowding tree-tops.
7. Where the axe of the settler has not yet forced a
way, the sweeping flame is not so much a menace to
huniiin life as it is to the hidden stores which have been
carried across country in many directions, and placed
in readiness for the survey parties. In the northern
wilderness there is not much game, and what there is
flees frantically before the approaching fire. Small and
weak animals are often overcome by the smoke, and
though fireweed and young poplars spring up again about
the bleached standing trunks, it is some time before
animal life returns to the haunts it has formerly known.
8. The loss of provisions in this way, where none else
could be readily obtained, was often very serious. In
one place, near Lake Abitibi, fire approaching from
several directions at once hemmed in the cache-keeper
and his assistant. For two days, in their heroic efforts
to save the stores, they neglected their own safety until
it was almost too late. A transport party in the vicinity,
however, happened to hear of the dreadful conditions,
and hurrying to the spot, gave the most valuable iiid.
Had it not been for this timely help, the gallant fire-
fijjhters would never more have been seen alive.
9. This tire, of great extent and terribly destructive,
was one of the worst on record. Another party, also
within the same zone, was suddenly reduced to the
greatest straits. Quietly pursuing their work, the men
found themselves in extreme danger of being entirely
I
fa
i'
HEROES OF THE WILDS
223
5
I
enclosed, and leaving everything, even their instruments,
fled in terror through the only opening.
10. As a rule, however, the workers have time to save
their belongings, and placing them in safety, stand aside
until rain or want of material puts an end to the flames.
Then they return to the blackened and defaced country,
and patiently resume their labours.
11. Farther to the west, among the mountains, forest
fires do an immense amount of damage, and are even more
to be dreaded than those of the wilds, because of the
presence of farm and settled village. Here the traveller,
pushing past the end-of-steel in company with his pack-
horses, met many a grand and terrible sight of flame and
smoke which forced him to delay his march. Proceeding
he would find that the fall of the great trunks had com-
pletely wiped out the trail. The trees remained but dull,
red embers, while the ground still smoked vigorously.
12. Forced to dismount and walk, on account of the
nervous state of the horses, he would often find the soles
of his boots ruined with the hot ashes, and be obliged to
advance with great caution. Here and there, a few yards
from the road, the trees might still present a roaring,
crackling mass of flame. On such occasions, though the
fire was driving away from the path, the led horses
generally came to a stop, either unable to move, or
plunging and snorting in an excess of terror. Thus held
back, hours elapsed before the blackened and half-
smothered party could emerge into open country, where
they might speed forward and thankfully lose sight of
the dangerous and uncomfortable spectacle.
I '
224 PICTURES FllOM CANADIAN HISTORY
BRIDGE mriLDERS
1. Approaching the foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains,
the end of the new railway became a scene of greater
activity than ever. In advance for many miles engineers'
camps made preparation, and countless yokes of oxen and
horses struggled knee-deep through the mire, dragging
immense timbers for the trestle-work. Near the junction
of Wolf Creek and the McLeod River a bridge was in
course of construction.
2. Here the McLeod is but 200 feet wide, and its deep
channel is formed of solid rock from which all the soil
has long been washed away. Nothing at this point would
serve, therefore, but the erection of a massive steel bridge
600 feet long, with a central height of 180 feet.
3. Anyone suddenly appearing on the scene found his
ears assailed by a terrific din, thundering through the
once quiet valley. On the structure overhead the " bridge
flies" were to be seen working with vast energy and
great speed. They were placing in position and bolting
together the enormous ribs of metal, and at the moment
some of their number had just thrown out a span from
the top of the concrete pier in the middle of the stream.
4. A yard engine cautiously approached, bearing the
great shaped bands of steel. Like a human creature a
crane dipped over and seized the right piece. Slinging it
upward, and securely holding it in its mouth, it ran out
to the end of the span. There the busy workers, standing
upon the narrowest footways, took hold, and, pushing the
weighty bars into position, slipped in the temporary bolts.
5. Upon other flimsy levels appeared small but terribly
energetic furnaces, wherein the bolts to be used might be
heated. Becoming more than red-hot, a man grasped a
rivet with his tongs, and, uttering a warning cry, sent it
THE LAND OF PLENTY
225
flying through the air. From one to another sped the
bolt, and was caught with amazing dexterity. None the
worse for its journey, it was seized by another pair of
tongs and slipped into place. In a few moments, with
some resounding raps from a compressed-air riveter it
was immovable.
\
THE LAND OF PLENTY
1. Once through the huge barrier of the Ilocky Moun-
tains, the interior becomes strangely familiar to us. The
Fraser River, Lake Stuart, Fort George, the Nechaco
Valley ! We have heard all these names before, and turn
to the story of the indefatigable explorer and fur-trader,
Simon Fraser. Truly Canada owes much to the force
that drove the United Empire Loyalists over her
border !
2. The interior of northern British Columbia is far
from being all level, though it is called a plateau. The
Bulkley Valley has long been thought the Paradise of
the north, and the most casual summer visitor cannot
but confirm its name. It is a wide plain almost as level
as a table, stretching on either side to a ridge covered
with trees.
3. Over the surface, in leisurely fashion, little streams
meander through the meadows, overhung with willows
and young poplars. To the mind's eye fancy pictures
herds of red and white cows feeding or standing knee-
deep in the placid waters, while dappled horses stray
here and there through the lush lowland grasses.
4. On the ridges grow vast quantities of wild fruits,
raspberries, gooseberries, and currants, both black and
red. Of a size larger than most cultivated specimens,
226 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
they bear profusely, and are sweet and juicy. The
raspberry canes bend under their dehcious burden, and
all seem to be awaiting the pleasure and convenience of
man. Already, indeed, there are signs of human occupa-
tion. Far in advance of the railway, the settler has
already reached this heart of nature, and is hard at work
beginning to make a home.
5. A British Columbia ranchman's shack does not
appear at first sight either beautiful or spacious. A
typical one is oblong in shape, its one room measuring,
perhaps, 14 feet by 20 feet inside. It is built of logs
without the bark, neatly fitted together at the corners,
and the roof, extending in deep eaves, is shingled. Out-
side, among British emigrants, a little kitchen-garden
supplies delicacies for the table, and a variety of sweet-
smelling flowers give the appearance of home.
6. The plain log walls of a house like this, however,
may shelter a husband and wife, who, in other lands have
had the best education that money and application can
give. Yet it is safe to say that neither regret their
training, however much they may desire more time to
exercise and enjoy it. In one instance, at least, the lady
of the ranch was able to extend help to those who would
otherwise have been obliged to do without it.
7. A ranchman, living four or five miles away in the
bush, had three children, and, with no school nearer than
a hundred miles, it seemed likely that they must exist
without much instruction. His nearest neighbour, an
educated Englishwoman, offered to supply the want if the
children would come to her three times a week. Here,
however, arose a difficulty. Anyone walking through
the dense woods was liable to stray, and there was no
one to guide the steps of the children.
8. But "Necessity is the mother of invention" is a
proverb which has comforted many. On the farm was
THE SHORE FISHERIES
227
an old horse, intelligent and kind, and to him was com-
municated the state of affairs. He appeared willing, and
no doubt had more than a dim idea of the circumstances.
9. The very next day the eldest girl clambered upon
his back, with the youngest behind holding her tightly
round the waist. At the rear the third child mounted
and held on as best she could. Satisfied that all was in
order, the horse set off sedately along the trail.
10. No rein was needed to guide him, and nothing
could tempt him from the path of duty. Back and forth
on the appointed days he went, carrying his charges safe
and sound.
THE SHORE FISHERIES
1. If the great interior plateau of British Columbia con-
jures up a vision of wealthy farmlands, orchards, and
prize vegetables, not so appear the farthest western
shores. Here again the character of the country has
changed, and the wild, forbidding coast-line of the
Cascades stands with its massive declivities fronting the
rim of ocean.
2. Through this route, far more trying and expensive
to build than that of the Yellowhead Pass, the Grand
Trunk Pacific has forced a way, until it arrives at Prince
Rupert, on the Skeena River. And here again we
remember that soon after his entrance into the new
country, Simon Fraser fell in with the Skeena Indians,
and before long induced them to enter into a large and
profitable trade with him.
3. Not for pleasure only has the great enterprise made
its way in this direction, but because of the rich returns
to be made in many ways. Here the great product in
228 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTOIIY
agriculture, cattle, and lumber will be brought down
to the coast for shipment, and, in addition to this, the
mineral wealth "^ the province bids fair to last for ever.
Though much has been taken from them, the mountains
still abound in silver, copper, lead, gold, and coal, and the
scientific knowledge of the prospectors is likely to reap
a rich reward.
4. But there is yet another principal industry which
has brought fame to the Skeena, the Fraser, and other
rivers of the north. This is the salmon fisheries.
Through the precipitous rifts of the coast-line rush many
wild torrents, whose falls in the upper reaches preclude
all idea of navigation. The immense drop of the Skeena
River is a good guide to the general surroundings.
Among majestic scenery the stream flings itself down-
ward 1000 feeV in the course of 120 miles, and the
velocity of the water is, of course, tremendous.
5. For a long time the Fraser River had the greatest
salmon run on the Pacific coast, but the Skeena has now
proved an even richer field. In the season the fish swarm
up the stream in myriads, those in the rear pushing
so hard that it is impossible to avoid being caught.
Hundreds of boats are pressed into service, but British
law is on the side of the lordly creatures whether they
will or not. For forty-eight hours each week every boat
must cease to work, to allow the fish to have free way up
the river.
6. So multitudes make the run in spite of all opposi-
tion, and surge forward against the furious current, only
to meet their fate at the hands of the expert Siwash
fishermen.
7. At Moricetown the salmon encounter a barrier
that only the strongest can face. Here the water hurls
itself over a ledge fifteen feet high, and then whirls on
through a precipitous gorge. Undaunted, the noble
A NOTABLE EVENT
229
game take the leap, the floating mass of scales below
showing at what a cost.
8. Over the water at this place the Indians have built
a spidery wooden trestle, and upon this a man stands
with a spiked pole. The air seems full of flying fish,
and, as quick as thought, out flashes the muscular brown
arm, never missing its quarry. In this way one par-
ticularly quick fisherman took twelve scaly beauties a
minute. The next an able assistant had opened and
prepared them, either for drying or the soldered tin.
9. Far and wide over the whole world goes the canned
salmon of British Columbia, and of all the gifts lavished
upon her by the gracious hand of Nature, this is, perhaps,
the most interesting. It is an historic occupation that
has helped to make the west coast of Canada famous.
A NOTABLE EVENT
1. On a beautiful autumn day, now a number of years
ago — to be exact, November 7, 1885 — a company of men
were assembled in Eagle Pass, one of the rocky gorges
of the mountains in the new province of British Columbia.
To the east stretched the wild and seemingly impene-
trable regions of the Gold Range, the Selkirks, and the
noble Rocky Mountains, while far to the westward, over
hill and valley, lay the blue rim of the Pacific Ocean.
2. On the ground at their feet from either direction
came the shining steel rails, not yet connected, of the
Canadian Pacific Railway, whose line, built ^"ith in-
credible energy and daring over prairie and nountain
pass, was at length complete. While the workmen cut
two long rails to fit the space required, the officials and
friends of the great enterprise talked together happily of
230 PICTURES FROM CANADIAN HISTORY
the trials and difficulties that had been met and over-
come.
3. When all was ready, a big iron spike was placed in
position, and from the company Sir Donald Smith, now
Lord Strathcona, advanced, and took the heavy spike
hammer in his hand. Without hesitation the stalwart
arm descended in two powerful strokes, and seut home
the spike even with the rail. Once more standing erect,
the deep-set eyes looked about with a shrewd, kindly
glance as the man who has done so much for Canada
exclaimed, " Stand fast, Craig EUachie ! "
4. It is said that the phrase refers to a massive crag
or mountain in Morayshire, Scotland, near the birthplace
of Lord Strathcona, but without doubt the words were
used figuratively to mean strength, power, and continued
usefulness to the first Canadian trans-continental railway.
In these few words the good wishes of the great promoter
of the road were conveyed, and the simple ceremony that
meant so much ended.
THE END
Printed by Bai.lantyne, Hanson <&* Co.
at FauI's Work, Edinburgh
HISTORY
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