York Factory, Rupert’s Land. June, 1750.
“I am going to the river,” White Paddler said, rising from the noon meal. He looked at Spotted Fawn. “Do you want to come with me?”
Little Bird watched Spotted Fawn shake her head as she had done each time he asked her during the past week. White Paddler went to check the level and swiftness of the water every day. It had dropped since the spring melt and when it was at its normal size he would leave to go inland.
After he had gone, Little Bird listened to her grandmother’s story about how her own grandmother had folded a piece of birch bark and then bit it many times. When she unfolded it there was a design of a bird, or a beaver, or a tree.
“That sounds so beautiful,” Little Bird said. “Can you teach me?”
“I have not done it since I was a little girl inland and there are not the birch trees here to get the bark from.”
“Can we get White Paddler to bring us back birch bark, like he brought back some for the canoes?”
Patient Woman shook her head. “You have to search for the right tree and when you find it strip off the bark. Then you have to remove the inner sections until you find the right one. White Paddler would not know what to do.”
Spotted Fawn and Moon Face were making a stew of meat and dried peas over the fire for the evening meal. Suddenly the flap of the teepee was pulled back and White Paddler leaned in.
“We are leaving in two days,” he announced, with a happy grin.
Little Bird looked quickly at Spotted Fawn and saw the smile on her face fade. If White Paddler noticed he did not say anything.
“I have to go tell the others,” he said and left just as abruptly as he had come.
It was quiet in the teepee. Little Bird saw a tear run down Spotted Fawn’s cheek. The words she had been dreading had finally been spoken.
“Well, I better get his buckskin pants finished,” Moon Face said. “How are you coming on his moccasins, Mother?”
“Just a few more stitches left.”
“Good. He should have enough clothes to last until he returns.” She turned to Spotted Fawn. “Do you want to help me with the pants?”
“No,” Spotted Fawn said, her voice breaking. “I do not want to do anything for him.”
“He is still your husband,” Patient Woman said.
“But he is leaving.”
“He will return.”
“Not for months.” She pushed the flap aside and left the teepee.
Little Bird spent the rest of the afternoon helping her mother finish the pants. They, plus a shirt and four pairs of moccasins, were packed for White Paddler to take with him.
When Spotted Fawn returned, her eyes were red from crying. She went over to the mat she shared with White Paddler and lay down with her back to the fire. No one disturbed her. They saw nothing of White Paddler for the rest of the day, and it was after they had gone to bed when he entered the teepee and made his way over to the mat.
Little Bird heard him speak softly to Spotted Fawn and her murmured reply then all was silent.
The next morning Little Bird was awakened by White Paddler leaving the teepee. It was just barely dawn but she knew he had a lot to do if he were leaving tomorrow as he planned. She rose and stirred the embers of the fire, added some wood, then returned to her warm bed. The nights were still cool and that coolness crept into the teepee. She would get up when the teepee warmed a little.
The morning passed slowly. Little Bird went to gather some wood and found the village almost empty. Most of the families had at least one member leaving to go inland with White Paddler, and they were at the river watching the loading of the canoes. She wanted to go, but because Spotted Fawn refused to she was not sure if she should. Her loyalty lay with her sister.
Little Bird ate the noon meal with her mother and grandmother. Spotted Fawn refused to eat, as she had done at breakfast.
“Are you going to starve yourself while he is gone?” Moon Face asked.
Spotted Fawn shook her head.
“Then eat something. It is not going to do you any good to sulk around here for the next few months.”
“You do not know what it is like. Your husband did not willingly leave you.”
There was a silence. Little Bird knew they were remembering the man who had died and left all of them.
“What do you think would have happened if your grandmother had decided not to eat when your grandfather left?” Moon Face asked, in a quiet voice. “Where do you think we would be now?”
Spotted Fawn looked at Patient Woman. “I am sorry, Grandmother.”
Patient Woman smiled. “I understand. But you must remember that it was your choice not to accompany him because you want to see your grandfather.”
“I know.”
When the meal was finished, both Patient Woman and Moon Face lay on their mats. Little Bird knew she should go and get some water. Their buckets were almost empty.
Spotted Fawn turned to Little Bird. “Let us go to the river,” she said.
Little Bird stared at her. “You want to go and watch them load the canoes?”
“Yes.”
“But I thought you ....”
“I have changed my mind. Are you coming with me or not?”
“I will come.”
Little Bird quickly followed Spotted Fawn through the village to the river bank which was lined with spectators. They found a place to sit and watch the activity below. Men from the post made a steady line as they carried bundles of trade goods from the fort, across the new sprigs of grass between the post and the bank, and down the ramp to the river. At the river they set the bundles beside the waiting canoes where White Paddler counted each item and compared it to his list. Then he nodded and his crew of Indians loaded it into one of the canoes. Twice they had to take everything out of a canoe and repack it to give more room for the paddlers.
“Why did you decide to come?” Little Bird asked.
“I thought about Grandmother, and how she has waited for Grandfather all these years. White Paddler is my husband, and I will wait for him.”
White Paddler looked over at them and Spotted Fawn waved. Little Bird could see the relief on his face as he waved back.
By the time the canoes were loaded, it was almost dusk. They were pushed out into the water and the men from the post held them against the current while the Indian crews climbed into each one with their paddles.
Little Bird saw White Paddler take his position at the rear of one of the canoes. He paddled as expertly as his Indian companions guiding it up and down the river. Little Bird remembered when he had first started coming to the village wanting to be taught their ways and how the Indians had scoffed at him. Few white men asked to learn the ways of the land. Most just wanted the Indians to do everything from hunting, to fishing, to even learning English so they could communicate.
But he had persisted and soon knew how to build a canoe and how to start a fire their way. He learned their language, and best of all, learned how to paddle a canoe. He was so adept at it, the men of the village named him White Paddler.
They spent an hour paddling up and down the river getting the feel for the canoes and watching for leaks. When each was deemed stable, it was brought to shore where it was covered in canvas in case of rain.
Back in the village, a huge fire was lit in the center of the circle formed by the teepees. Spotted Fawn sat beside White Paddler while Little Bird sat off to one side. This was the last night the men from the village would see their wives for many months. Their voices were hushed as they talked about what lay ahead and how they would miss their families.
* * *
The next morning the women of the teepee were up before dawn making breakfast for White Paddler. He wanted to leave as soon as it was light enough to see. They accompanied him to the river where his crew waited at the canoes. Little Bird, Moon Face, and Patient Woman said goodbye to him and he gave Spotted Fawn one last hug.
He went over and shook hands with the factor of the post who had come for the occasion then motioned for his men to push the canoes out into the river.
Little Bird watched as each man climbed into position in the canoe while it was held by the men from the post. When all were seated and had their paddles, White Paddler pointed upstream.
“Inland,” he yelled and thrust his paddle into the water.
There was a cheer from the crowd on the banks as the men propelled the canoes forward. Wives and children waved until the canoes had rounded a curve and disappeared from view.
Then there was an odd quiet as everyone stood uncertain about what to do next. They took one more look up the river then slowly dispersed. Spotted Fawn buried her face in her hands. Little Bird put her arm around her sister’s shaking shoulders.