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Page: of 436
MORMON PRINTER
The situation no longer seemed humorous to Rolfe, so he moved to a
position less likely to be in the line of possible fire. As he did so, he
noticed a group of older men, bearded and long-haired trappers, who
were on their way to the corral from the trading post. In the lead was
Captain Grant, the Hudson’s Bay Company factor who ran Fort Hall.
“All right, lads, what seems to be the problem?” he called. Grant was
nearly six feet three inches tall and amply proportioned. His round, red
face bore a cheerful expression, and his voice was calm and polite.
Stewart, obviously pleased by Grant’s arrival, confidently explained his
grievance. Grant listened carefully, then said:
“ve already heard Swasey’s version. In fact, it appears that I’m somewhat involved, for I agreed to trade him 600 pounds of flour for the bull,
on the assumption that it was his.”
Stewart was shocked, and he roared his disapproval: ““He’s got no
right to the animal—the bull is mine! I demand that you return my bull at
once, Captain Grant!”
Grant stared coldly at Stewart.
“Let’s get something straight, Stewart: You and your companions are
my guests as a matter of necessity, but I did not invite you to come here.
In fact, I'd rather that none of you would continue your journeys, but
would go back to wherever you came from. You’d be better off and so
would J. But that’s something over which I have little or no control, and
as you have come, as a gentleman and representative of the Hudson’s Bay
Company, . intend to treat you in as friendly and civil a fashion as I can
muster. . would appreciate a similar effort on your part.”
Grant paused to let the remarks take effect. Then he continued,
“Before you interrupted, I was about to say that I had assumed Mr.
Swasey was the bull’s owner, but as this assumption has been disputed by
yourself, it will be necessary to settle the question in a proper manner.”
One of the trappers limped over to Stewart. Tallman guessed he was
Peg-Leg Smith, the hardy mountaineer who was famous for having amputated his own limb.
“Look here, stranger,” Peg-Leg drawled, “never you worry. We’ll get
to the right of the thing.”
Before Stewart could reply, Captain Grant said, “Thank you, Mr.
Smith. Now let’s proceed with the case. I suppose each of you has witnesses who will testify to the facts?”
F Stewart and Swasey indicated that their companions were ready to
0 so.
“Fine. Let’s hear the facts then, and later we’ll see how the facts fit the
law. We have certain laws of our own out here.”
As the witnesses presented their statements for or against various al26