“Yes! That’s my uncle, and our home is in Longford! I wasn’t supposed to listen in on the meetings. I was supposed to be asleep. But my bedroom was right next to where the meetings took place and sometimes I would hear the word “Brotherhood” being used. Then I noticed that the men at the meetings all wore the same rings. I notice things like that. My mother always said that I’m very observant.”
“Yes, you already said that,” sighed Jamie. “So what did your keen hearing and observations tell you about the Brotherhood?”
“I don’t know, really. They mentioned ways of helping the poor a lot and many funny words I didn’t recognize. It was almost like they made up the words. Or maybe the words were some sort of secret code. Maybe they had made up their own language! Wouldn’t that be amazing, being able to speak a language that no one else could understand? Just think of …”
“Should I let you off right now?” Jamie groaned.
“Sorry.”
“Where are your parents?”
“They died on the crossing.”
Jamie paused, his exasperation suddenly fading. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m an orphan.”
“So am I. And so is Colin, the boy on the other horse.”
“And who is she? She’s so pretty. I wish I could have long, straight black hair like her. I really hate my hair. It’s so curly, it’s like a bird’s nest. At least that’s what my mother always said. If I had a choice, I’d …”
“That’s Tutuyak,” interrupted Jamie. “She saved Colin and me from drowning and now she’s helping us get to Quebec.”
“Quebec? That’s where I’m going!”
“I know! You’ve already told me. Why are you going there?”
She hesitated, looking at Jamie, deciding whether she could trust him. She leaned forward and whispered in his ear.
“I’m running away.”
“Why?”
“Two months ago I was taken from an orphanage in Montreal by Monsieur and Madame Viette. They wanted me to help them with their farm. We took a ship back to here, and I was expected to work all day long in and around the farm without any sleep! The farmer’s wife, Madame Viette, was really mean to me. She would make me rest on the manure pile at night to keep warm and beat me with a willow stick if I didn’t work my fingers to the bone! Here, look at my side.”
She hoisted up the side of her blouse. Nasty red welts crisscrossed her side and ribs.
Jamie winced. “That looks painful.”
“That willow stick sure hurts. I think they beat me because they lost two sons in the rebellion against the British lords a few years ago. I’m not British, I’m Irish, but I don’t think they understand the difference.”
Jamie looked over his shoulder, shocked by what he had just heard. “What did you say? The people of Canada tried to rebel against British rule?”
She shrugged. “From what I heard, both Canada East and West tried to rebel. I don’t think it went very well. After all, the British are still in charge here, aren’t they?”
“I didn’t hear about any rebellions in my readings,” Jamie muttered.
“I think my adopted parents hated me because I speak English. They also wanted a boy. I know they did, but Father McGivney gave them me. Boys are harder to get, you know. Everyone thinks that they are better workers, although I tend to disagree. They may be stronger, but I’ve noticed they often lack the dedication.”
“Did anyone know you were being beaten?”
“No. We lived in the woods by ourselves. I’m sure Father McGivney didn’t know that they were going to be so mean to me when he gave me to them. I know lots of other orphans that were taken in by caring families. I wish I could have been one of them.…”
“Wait … do you know Montreal?”
She nodded. “Of course. I stayed in Montreal for almost a year before being sent off to the Viette farm.”
“And do you know the city streets? Buildings? Everything?”
“Oh yes. I’m very good with directions, at least that’s what Father McGivney said. He sent me out on lots of errands around the city before I was adopted. Did you know that Montreal was built on an island? There is