me. However, that afternoon I left for Fort Consolation.


BACK TO FORT CONSOLATION

On my way across the lake I noticed that the wind was veering round
toward the east and that the temperature was rising. When I arrived in
good time for supper Factor Mackenzie seemed relieved, and remarked
that the barometer indicated a big storm from the northeast. That
night, in front of the big open fire, we talked of the fur trade.
Among other books and papers he showed me was a copy of the Company's
Deed Poll; not published a century ago, but printed at the time of
which I am writing, and thus it read:

"To all whom these presents shall come, The Governor and Company of
Adventurers of England Trading into Hudson's Bay send greeting.
Whereas His Majesty King Charles the Second did, by His Royal Charter,
constitute the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading
into Hudson's Bay in a Body Corporate, with perpetual succession and
with power to elect a Governor and Deputy Governor and Committee for
the management of their trade and affairs----."

From it I learned that the commissioned officers appointed by the
Company to carry on their trade in Canada were: a Commissioner, three
Inspecting Chief Factors, eight Chief Factors, fifteen Factors, ten
Chief Traders, and twenty-one Junior Chief Traders, all of whom on
appointment became shareholders in the Company. While the Governor and
Committee had their offices in London, the Commissioner was the
Canadian head with his offices in Winnipeg, and to assist him an
advisory council, composed of Chief Factors and Chief Traders, was