Never since he had been a papoose, sixty or more years before, had Pete been similarly treated. His had been a life of self-protection and of service given to others. Now, when it was necessary for someone else to look after him the change was very marked, but it was none the less appreciated for this reason, and here again Robert’s early training came into play. His patient was given every attention he knew how to give. When he was forced to lay his burden down at night, prairie hay was gathered and worked up to provide a soft pillow as well as a restful support for the broken leg. Again Robert got a chance to put into play some of the knowledge of camp cookery he had learned on the voyage over. While their rations were not varied, these were added to one evening by a dish of prairie chicken which Robert was able to get after a good deal of difficulty with the muzzle-loader he carried.
As can be imagined, the difficulties Robert faced were by no means small ones. Time after time as he packed the injured Indian on his back over the prairie trails he was wearied almost beyond endurance. Time after time he was tempted to set his burden down and to give up the struggle. An ordinary lad would have given up the job before he started, but determination had been built into Robert’s heart and soul in his early days at home, and this found its way out on this long-to-be-remembered journey. Pete, too, had his troubles. While he was conscious that the leg was healing, it was a terrible thing for him to be so dependent on the efforts of the one whom he had been sent to help. However, day after day the two persisted, continuing on their way by means of great determination, courage, and the finest of physical strength, and toward the evening of the tenth day Pete, who had been eagerly watching the landmarks, joyfully cried out that Fort Garry was in sight. It was with considerable satisfaction and relief that Robert was able to walk up to the Company’s quarters and to lay his human burden safely down.
CHAPTER IV.
AN APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES.
The arrival of a party in such an unusual fashion created considerable interest at Fort Garry. Donald, the Factor, had been expecting the young man and his guide for some time. Robert was somewhat disappointed when, in a gruff, grating, unsympathetic voice, the man he had come so far to assist inquired the cause of the trouble. However, he told the story of the accident in a straightforward, confident way, and suggested that the Company’s doctor should be sent for.
When Pete’s leg was given adequate examination it was found that while the setting was by no means perfect it was good enough to assure that the Indian guide would have the use of his leg again. Robert was not displeased when he was given a bunk close by his Indian friend, who by this time could scarcely satisfactorily evidence his thankfulness and regard.
It will be remembered that Factor MacTavish at Fort Churchill had given Pete a note for Factor Donald. Perhaps it was fortunate that this had come, since Donald in his first impression was rather disappointed that one who was so apparently a lad had been sent him to fill the important place he anticipated using the new employee for. It is true that Robert tipped the scales at one hundred and fifty pounds, but his face more or less betrayed his youthfulness. Donald knew how necessary firmness and experience were in dealing with the trappers, and he judged at first that this lad would be of too mild a type to force respect with those with whom he was to come in contact.
More than at first appears lay behind the situation at Fort Garry. Instead of the Company’s business with the trappers increasing, it had decreased the past season. Donald knew that something was wrong, but as yet had not been able to place the responsibility. The real reason was that he was a cold, domineering man, with little thought for the feelings of others, who believed that he was taking the best course when he treated the Indians like dogs. The matter was one which troubled him continually and naturally kept him in an unpleasant frame of mind.
It was into an atmosphere of this kind that Robert entered when he was called for his first interview with the Factor. He felt the situation was none too propitious but, as had been his custom, he advanced quickly to Donald with a pleasant smile and grasped the Factor’s hand with a grip which, in spite of his coldness, went to the older man’s heart. Then as the interview proceeded and question after question was put to him, he followed his superior carefully, gazing steadfastly into the other’s eyes. This latter point in itself was much in the lad’s favor. These soul windows of Robert’s were piercing deeper into the Factor’s heart than any glance had ever done before. After a little time Robert realized this and became quite at his ease, while the Factor began to show plainly that he was scarcely a match for the lad before him. It is only fair, too, to say that when the interview was over Donald sent the lad away with a good deal more respect and confidence in his new assistant than he had had previously.
There were more reasons for this than lay on the surface. As we have learned, Robert was a lad whose body and mind and soul were clean. He had read Donald’s mind and soul through his eyes and knew at once that he could not have much in common with the older man, so long at least as the Factor maintained that domineering spirit which usually belongs to a lower class nature. Robert was only a youth, it is true, but instinct and his training had taught him the principles of right and wrong, the equality and brotherhood of man, and the supremacy of God. The Factor was all for number one, which, put in other words, means that he was exceedingly selfish. Robert, while he believed in standing up for his own rights, thought continually, as we have already learned, of others’ privileges and was ready to respect them. He had realized during his comparatively brief connection with the Company that if he were to progress it could only come through using a spirit of goodwill, a spirit which would treat the Indians justly and would love them.
The following morning, as directed, Robert called again on the Factor for further instructions. Evidently the older man had recovered some of his assurance during the night, for he began again in the same domineering tones, directing the lad as to his relations to the Company and the Indians. Robert let him do most of the talking and listened respectfully. When he thought Donald had finished, however, he addressed the Factor pleasantly but firmly, something as follows: