For hours, Selkirk listened to Arran and his men give their testimonies. He was patient and thorough and had everything written down and recorded by a scribe. The room had grown overly warm and stuffy. They opened the windows, but black flies invaded their space. They buzzed around everyone’s heads, and there was an occasional slap of a hand against a tabletop in an attempt to kill one of the annoying creatures.
McGillivray and the partners sat stoically, their grave faces giving away nothing.
“Do you deny these charges?” Selkirk finally asked McGillivray after Arran and his men had exhausted their stories.
“I do.”
“Was it not you who authorized McLeod’s departure from Fort William with a hundred voyageurs to aid the Bois-Brûlés in their attempt to exterminate the colony?”
“I authorized his departure.” McGillivray nodded. “To ensure our holdings in the Red River Valley. McLeod remains there now.”
“What holdings?” Selkirk asked. “Rupert’s Land is owned by the Hudson’s Bay Company and I was granted the entire basin of the Red River Valley for settlement. It is your company that invadesourholdings.”
“That is not the way of the west,” McGillivray said, his face red and his jowls shaking. “The land is owned by whoever has the power to control it. That has been the way of it since the beginning of time.”
Arran watched both parties closely. Tension was high and anger boiled at the surface. Selkirk had gone through years of hard work and spent a vast part of his fortune to legally claim the land of the Red River Valley. But the North West Company hadspent years of hard work and a vast amount of money to control it, as well. Neither would give in to the other unless forced.
“Are we not gentlemen? Do we not live by a chivalric code that honors law and order? Selkirk shook his head in disgust. “Lawlessness and selfish gain have led to the untimely death of good people. We must agree to live by the law or bloodshed will continue.”
McGillivray did not respond.
With a sigh, Selkird said, “It has come to my attention that you have attempted to destroy evidence in advance of our arrival.”
“I dinna ken what ye mean.” McGillivray looked down his nose at Selkirk.
The earl held up half-burnt papers. “These were found in the mess-room kitchen. From what I can see, they are letters with directions to exterminate the settlers at Red River, using whatever means necessary. This is enough evidence to bring you to trial for the deaths of twenty-three Red River men, including the governor of the Hudson’s Bay Company.”
McGillivray did not speak.
“And my men have told me that large quantities of firearms and ammunition have been removed from the fort. I can only assume they are being held in reserve to make an attack on me and my men.”
McGillivray only stared.
“I have issued a search-for-arms warrant,” Selkirk added. “Already, my men have located eight barrels of gunpowder lying in a swampy place near the fort. It was evident where it was hidden from the newly trampled grass.”
Still, McGillivray did not speak.
“I have made a decision.” Selkirk stood and addressed the entire assembly, his voice resolute, if weary. “Because of the obstruction of justice and the attempt to destroy evidence, as well as the stockpiling of weaponry, I am ordering the removalof all voyageurs, half-bloods, and Indians from this fort. I am also ordering the nine partners present to be taken, under guard, to York Factory for trial. Lieutenant Fauche will be tasked with your removal.”
“Ye canna do that!” Mr. McDonald rose from his seat and lifted his fist in the air. “Ye have no right.”
“I am working under the authority of the office of the Justice of the Peace.” Selkirk motioned for his soldiers to remove the partners. “You will be confined to your rooms until Lieutenant Fauche is ready to leave.”
Mr. McDonald yelled all the way out of the main hall. Several of the other partners also voiced their displeasure, but left without incident.
When they were finally gone, Selkirk dismissed the rest of the North West Company clerks, with orders to keep them under guard, as well. Captain D’Orsonnens was tasked with the removal of the voyageurs, half-bloods, and Indians from the fort while Lieutenant Fauche made plans to leave with the partners.
“What will you do now that you have Fort William in your grasp?” Arran asked Selkirk when it was just him, his scribe, and the Red River men remaining.
Selkirk sank into his chair with a heavy sigh. “I wish I did not have to do these things. But I have no other choice.” He met Arran’s gaze. “I will remain here until all my business is concluded. I have dozens and dozens of letters to write and reports to send to Montreal and England. I might have weeks of work ahead of me.”
“And what of the settlers at Jack River House?” Arran was ready to leave at this very moment.
“I will retain fifty de Meuron soldiers,” Selkirk said. “And send the rest on with you to retrieve the settlers and overtake Fort Douglas. When I am done here, I will continue to the colony and we will rendezvous at Assiniboia. If you agree.”
“Aye.” Arran nodded. Though he had not slept for over a day, he was revived and energized to begin the journey immediately. “I will be ready to depart as soon as you can spare the soldiers.”
“There will be work for them in the next day or two—possibly longer. We must locate the weapons and remove the inhabitants. But when I believe all threat has passed, you may leave.”
