History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay QuintéCanniff, William
History
History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay Quinté
Canniff, William
Ontario -- History; Quinte, Bay of (Ont.)
Thus provisioned and clothed, and thus armed with implements of
industry, the old soldiers advanced to the attack of a last enemy, the
wild woods. Unlike any previous warfare, was this lifetime struggle.
With location ticket in hand, they filed into the batteaux to ascend the
rapids. A certain number of batteaux joined together, generally about
twenty or twenty-five, formed a brigade, which was placed under the
command of a suitable officer; if not one who had in previous days, led
them against the foe. It is quite impossible to conceive of the emotions
which found a place in the breasts of the old veterans as they journeyed
along wearily from day to day, each one bringing them nearer to the spot
on which the tent was to be pitched for the last time. Eagerly, no
doubt, they scanned the thickly wooded shores as they passed along.
Curiously they examined the small settlement, clustering around
Cataraqui. And, it cannot be doubted, when they entered the waters of
the lovely Bay Quinté, the beauty of the scene created a feeling of joy
and reconciliation to their lot, in being thus cast upon a spot so rich
in natural beauty. These disbanded soldiers, at least each family, had a
canvass tent capable of accommodating, in a certain way, from eight to
ten persons. These were pitched upon the shore, at first in groups,
until each person had learned the situation of his lot, when he
immediately removed thereto. But there were by no means enough tents to
give cover to all, and many had only the friendly trees for protection.
The first steps taken were to clear a small space of trees, and erect a
place of habitation. We have seen what were the implements he had to
work with—the materials he must use to subdue the forest tree standing
before him.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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