The Canadian Highland Read online

Chapter 8

  Off in the distance, I see the ship that is to be our new home for the next two months. Papa and Willie are both excited, but Mama looks worried. She keeps Calum close to her. She holds on to him for dear life. Liam is excited too, but he is also a little nervous. It’s my responsibility to look after him now that Mama is so focused on the baby.

  We’ve made our way to the port town Stornoway. We travelled over land and water for the last week to get here in time to depart for Hudson’s Bay. The last week has been very difficult, and I don’t think it’s going to get any easier once we start our journey over the Atlantic Ocean.

  The decision to finally leave New Lanark was not easy. Mama pleaded with Papa to stay, at least until Calum was old enough for him to travel safely. She made a good point, but Papa and Willie could not be convinced otherwise. As far as the Fraser men were concerned, this was the one chance we had to make something better of our lives.

  At least we’re not alone. The Docherty’s decided to travel too. Mama has Arwen to talk to, and Liam has his friend Angus to play with. Mr. Docherty, Papa, and Uncle Willie are always talking together about the future. They want to recreate the Highland life in Red River.

  Calum slows our pace. Mama cannot walk for too long, and the baby needs to feed and sleep. I worry about how the baby will fare over the ocean. The emigration agent had some serious doubts about bringing a baby on board. Mr. Robertson did not want to fill in the papers allowing us to go. Papa had almost given up hope until another man, Mr. Miles MacDonell, decided we would make an excellent family for settlement.

  Mr. MacDonell is the settlement’s Governor. He wants families to come to Red River, not just individual settlers. He and Lord Selkirk believe men and women from Scotland and Ireland should come to Red River only for a few years. Once a community has taken root, there will be no need to send more people. He said babies are most welcome.

  Once we arrived in Stornoway, we were led to a small room to wait. According to the Governor, three ships will set sail for Hudson’s Bay on July 26th, in just two days.

  While we waited that first night, Papa told us to stay in our room and to take some rest. He and Willie wanted to see how things were moving along.

  “But Papa,” I pleaded, “I want to see how things are getting along too.”

  “I know Molly,” Papa replied. “You must stay here to look after your mother and Liam. Willie and I will not be gone too long. If Mrs. Docherty were here, I might have said yes, but they are tired from the travel this week and need some rest for the long trip ahead. Besides, we are new here, and it’s getting late. Down by the water is no place for a young girl after dark.”

  “Yes Papa,” I said sullenly.

  “We won’t be long.” Papa and Willie left us to go see how preparations were being made. Off in the corner, Liam was asleep on a stool with his head resting against the wall. Mama also seemed to be resting a little, with the baby nestled tightly to her chest.

  “Molly,” Mama surprised me that she was actually awake, “Could you please take Calum for a little while? Sometimes my arms just feel so heavy when I hold on to him for too long.”

  “Yes Mama.” I took Calum in my arms. He seemed so peaceful, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. Mama has gotten very little sleep ever since his birth. It’s bad enough a baby keeps you up all hours, but there has been so much more to worry about these days.

  “Molly,” Mama asked, “Are you scared about the travel across the water?”

  “A little. I hear sometimes storms can rock the ship so much it makes a person awfully sick. The sickness does not go away but stays with you until you make it back on solid ground.”

  “Where have you been hearing that?”

  “I’ve asked Uncle Willie about it. He seems to know a lot about travel and adventure.”

  “I don’t want your uncle scaring you,” Mama said angrily. “The trip is going to be fine for all of us. Remember what we have been through already. Think about when we left our home. This family has been through so much already. Nothing is going to happen to you or your brothers.”

  That was the first time in a while I heard Mama angry. Usually, she only has the energy to take care of Calum. It’s good to hear some of the fight she has inside. But still, how could I help but not be a little afraid? “It sounds like a very long time to get across the ocean. I hope it’s not too cold.”

  “It might be cold Molly, but I don’t want you to worry about it. Frasers have a way of making it. Look at your little brother in your arms. Yes, he is too young for such a journey, but I also know he will make it along with the rest of us. You know Molly, some people say a person needs to go to hell to know exactly how strong they are. Well, this family has been to hell and back more times than I can count. Remember what you have been through, and what you can take.”

  “I don’t understand what you mean?”

  “It’s simple sweetheart. You have strength in you, just like the rest of us. We are all sons and daughters of Scotland, from a clan with a proud and strong history. We have been through many tough times in our history, and we have always fought back. Your great Uncle Donnan did it, your father is doing it, and you have done it too. There will be challenges ahead, but we’ve already seen the worst of it: we’ve lost our home. And here we are just as strong as ever.”

  “And always remember Molly,” Mama continued, “strength does not come from men alone. Women are much stronger. We handle the difficulties of the outside world and keep a family together.”

  “I wish I could be as strong as you are Mama, but sometimes I get scared.”

  “You are as strong as me. One day, you will know exactly how strong you are. Now let’s stop talking for a while. Give Calum back to me and get some rest. Hopefully, your father and uncle have the good sense to be a little quiet when they get back.”

  Mama took Calum back and closed her eyes. I stared at both of them for a little while. I thought about what she said. Would I show strength when the time came? I thought about it as I drifted off to sleep.

  I awoke with a start as Papa and Willie opened the door. It was dark, with only a little candle giving off light in the corner. I heard a low moan from my uncle. He could not stand properly on his two feet. I could faintly see blood running down the side of his cheek from his forehead.

  “Oh my God,” I exclaimed, “What happened to you?” My voice was so loud it woke up everyone in our little room. Even Calum started to cry.

  “Now, now,” Papa started, “It looks worse than it actually is. Molly, be a dear and soak a cloth with water for your poor uncle.”

  Over the cries of Calum, Mama started to yell. “I thought the two of you were just going down to the water for a look? You told me you were not going to be very long: you just wanted to see the ship. And here Willie comes back from a fight. Can this family have a moment’s peace?”

  “Fiona, everything is alright. Don’t worry about Willie. He can take care of himself, and tonight he needed to do it.”

  With the cloth wet, I went over to Willie and calmly pressed it against a bad cut along the side of his head. He pulled back for a moment because of the pain, but he soon settled down again. “Are you alright Uncle?” I quietly asked.

  “I have a wee bit of a headache Molly, but I’ll be alright.”

  “There’s something strange going on by the shore,” Papa started. “When we left, all we wanted to do was have a look. The voyage is being made with three ships, and we wanted to see the condition of ours. As we got down to the shore, there was a large group of men present. They were passing a bottle around, and they were looking for trouble.”

  “Of course, we should have turned around, but one of them spotted us and started to swear. Willie went up to the group to tell them to mind their own, that we were not out looking for trouble. When we told them why we were there he got jumped from behind. He pulled the ruffian off,
but another got to him with a club to the head that sent him crashing to the ground. Poor bugger! Some sensed they were going far and stopped before he got clubbed again.”

  “What are they doing down by the docks with clubs?” Mama pleaded.

  “They are North West Company men. They are friends of the fur traders and they do not want us to leave on these ships.”

  “Is it going to be safe for us to board the ship Papa?” I asked.

  “I think this business will finish quickly once Selkirk catches wind of it. Willie, how are you feeling?”

  “A little like the time I got attacked by them town guard. Damn it I can’t take too much more of this punishment.”

  “I know Will, I know,” Papa said soothingly. “You get the worst of it every time. At least you can take it. You know, I’ve been saving a small bottle of scotch for the ship, but I don’t see any harm in having a drink right now.”

  “Bless you brother,” Willie said.

  Papa and Willie quietly shared the bottle as the rest of us settled back down to sleep. Calum was still fussy, but Mama fed him and he stopped crying. I fell asleep, with my head resting on the small table. I felt Papa’s arms lift me and carry me to where Mama and Calum were lying in bed. Before I finally fell back asleep, I could feel little Liam beside me too. We were close and cramped, but I didn’t mind.