BOURGEOIS - Toronto Public Library

REMINISCENCES 13
whole of my portion. A friend close by me, observing my embarrassment,
asked the rest saying "I shall manage it for you ".
The {estin ,yas a restin " iltout manger ".
This spring, the first arrinb after the opening of the navigation 178
were Mr. Robert Grant and Mr. -William l\lcGillivray, who had
wintered in the Red River department. These gentlemen were
of the opposition and strangers to me, but I called UpOIl them
and was well pleased with my receptioll.
My occupations this summer at Grand Portage were the
same as the preceding summer. In due season, I \\"as directed
to embark -with "1'.11'. A. Mac Kenzie, one of the proprietors, for
his department, the English River. At the entrance of English
River, he went ahead and occasionnally left me a line along the
route. These' lines, I find, are now missing, but his first letter to
me is as follo,vs :
" Dear Roderic,
« Last Portage, 22 Se11t. 'l7tl6.
" I perused the first of yours, per Constantineau, \\"ith some
uneasiness, but was happy to find that the Indians became calm
and hope they will remain so. Should opponen ts come along
side of you, you must do as they do. It is impossible for me to
give you any directions; therefore I leave it entirely to yourself.
I met the bearer and his three companions here last night,
and gave them some rredits and presents, and made them
promise to find yon and remain with you till the Spring. lOU
will require to give them many presen ts, as they will often tell
you that they will get more at Small's forts. They are much
afraid of the Crees, as they think they killed some of their
relations this summer, which will be a good pretence to l,eep
them with you.
" If I can spare Lacerte, you may depend upon it, I shall send
him to you on the first ice. You may perhaps see Petit BonlI