superseded by the
bearer,--commanding me to obey him as my bourgeois, and to conduct
myself in such a manner as to give Mr. S. every satisfaction. The
latter injunction I felt very little inclination to comply with at the
time; in fact, the slight put upon me caused my northern blood to rise
to fever heat; and in this excited frame of mind I sat down to reply
to the "great man's" communication, in which I gave vent to my injured
feelings in very plain language. What he may have thought of the
epistle, I know not, as he never deigned to reply. It was
inconsiderate in me, however, to have so acted; but prudence had not
yet assumed her due influence over me.

Mr. S. had been at that time twenty-four years in the service, I only
three; he had therefore a superior claim to any I could advance: but
why not inform me at once that my appointment to the charge was merely
temporary? This double dealing manifested a distrust of me, for which
no cause could possibly be assigned: that excited my resentment, and
not the circumstance of being superseded.

Towards the latter end of the month of September, our opponents made
their appearance in three small canoes, while I embarked in pursuit
with the same number. One of my north canoes was in charge of three
men, the others contained two, counting myself as a man. Having become
rather expert as an amateur voyageur, I considered myself capable of
undertaking the real duty now, and accordingly volunteered my services
as steersman, as no additional hand could be spared, without great
inconvenience to my bourgeois. A little experience convinced me,
however, that my zeal exceeded my ability. My opponent was in a light
canoe, and moved, about with a celerity that my utmost exertions could
not cope with; for as soon as an Indian canoe appeared, he paddled off
for it; I of course attempted to compete, but generally arrived just
in time to find that he had already concluded his transaction with the
hunters.

We reached Black River on the third day from Fort Coulonge, where it
appeared my opponent's intention to remain for some time, to await the
arrival of certain Indians who were expected down by that river. I
determined therefore to despatch a canoe to Fort Coulonge, to acquaint
Mr. S with the particulars above related; and sent back therewith such
of the property as I thought could be dispensed with at the time, as
it was quite evident we could not keep up with our opponent in the
portag