Lac des Allumettes. This gentleman's
engagement had been cancelled at the earnest solicitation of his
father, whom death had lately deprived of another son; and who now, to
requite the favour granted to him by the Company, sent this son in
opposition! We had barely a sufficient number of men to perform the
necessary duties of the two posts already established; we were,
therefore, completely at a loss to meet this emergency. Mr. S. could
spare one man only from his own post, whom he brought up to me.

I embarked early next morning with one of my own men, in search of the
"settler." On reaching Lac des Allumettes on the same evening, our
attention was arrested by the voices of Indians, singing on an island.
We immediately pulled in for the spot, and found a large camp of
Algonquins, men, women and children, all in a state of intoxication;
from whom I learned, though with much difficulty, the whereabouts of
Macdonell's retreat. Quitting this disgusting scene as speedily as
possible, we resumed our paddles, and soon afterwards discovered the
opposition post. When we landed, my quondam mess-mate advanced to
receive me, and, after a cordial shake of the hand, kindly invited me
to pass the night with him. I gladly accepted the offer; and was not a
little concerned to perceive that his preparations for winter were
already complete; a circumstance which gave him a decided advantage.
Happening in the course of conversation to express my surprise at
seeing him in the character of an opponent, he told me that nothing
could be farther from his intention than to oppose the Company. He
came to this quarter for the purpose of preparing timber for the
Quebec market; in provincial phrase, "to make a shanty." But I knew
well enough his designs.

I started early next morning on my return, and immediately thereafter
prepared a small outfit; and re-embarked next evening with five men in
two canoes, leaving the interpreter in charge of the post, with one
man to assist him.

Having experienced very bad weather on our way, and consequently some
delay, we did not reach our new station until late in the evening of
the fourth day. I immediately sent back two of the men to the
interpreter, and retained three with myself, which placed me on a par
with my opponent in point of numbers. But he was now ready for active
operations, while I had every thing to prepare. I resolved, however,
to forego every personal comfort and convenience rather than all