The golden lilies in danger--"To arrest Radisson"--The land called "Unknown"--A chain of claim--Imaginary pretensions--Chevalier de Troyes--The brave Lemoynes--Hudson Bay forts captured--A litigious governor--Laugh at treaties--The glory of France--Enormous claims--Consequential damages 47 CHAPTER VII. RYSWICK AND UTRECHT. The "Grand Monarque" humbled--Caught napping--The Company in peril--Glorious Utrecht--Forts restored--Damages to be considered--Commission useless 56 CHAPTER VIII. DREAMS OF A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. Stock rises--Jealousy aroused--Arthur Dobbs, Esq.--An ingenious attack--Appeal to the "Old Worthies"--Captain Christopher Middleton--Was the Company in earnest? The sloop _Furnace_--Dobbs' fierce attack--The great subscription--Independent expedition--"Henry Ellis, gentleman"--"Without success"--Dobbs' real purpose 61 CHAPTER IX. THE INTERESTING BLUE-BOOK OF 1749. "Le roi est mort"--Royalty unfavourable--Earl of Halifax--"Company asleep"--Petition to Parliament--Neglected discovery--Timidity or caution--Strong "Prince of Wales"--Increase of stock--A timid witness--Claims of discovery--To make Indians Christians--Charge of disloyalty--New Company promises largely--Result nil 70 CHAPTER X. FRENCH CANADIANS EXPLORE THE INTERIOR. The "Western Sea"--Ardent Duluth--"Kaministiquia"--Indian boasting--Père Charlevoix--Father Gonor--The man of the hour:--Verendrye--Indian map-maker--The North Shore--A line of forts--The Assiniboine country--A notable manuscript--A marvellous journey--Glory, but not wealth--Post of the Western Sea 78 CHAPTER XI. THE SCOTTISH MERCHANTS OF MONTREAL. Unyielding old Cadot--Competition--The enterprising Henry--Leads the way--Thomas Curry--The elder Finlay--Plundering Indians--Grand Portage--A famous mart--The plucky Frobishers--The Sleeping Giant aroused--Fort Cumberland--Churchill River--Indian rising--The deadly smallpox--The whites saved 92 CHAPTER XII. DISCOVERY OF THE COPPERMINE. Samuel Hearne--"The Mungo Park of Canada"--Perouse complains--The North-West Passage--Indian guides--Two failures--Third journey successful--Smokes the calumet--Discovers Arctic Ocean--Cruelty to the Eskimos--Error in latitude--Remarkable Indian woman--Capture of Prince of Wales Fort--Criticism by Umfreville 100 CHAPTER XIII. FORTS ON HUDSON BAY LEFT BEHIND. Andrew Graham's "Memo."--Prince of Wales Fort--The garrison--Trade--York Factory--Furs--Albany--Subordinate forts--Moose--Moses Norton--Cumberland House--Upper Assiniboine--Rainy Lake--Brandon House--Red River--Conflict of the Companies 109