operations extended from Alaska to Rupert's Land, from Oregon to the
Sandwich Islands, from Vancouver to Labrador, an empire embracing an
area of 4,500,000 square miles.

At Montreal Brock lived with these merchant princes on terms of close
intimacy. He was sensible enough, as a man of the world, to enjoy the
creature comforts of life. The blazing log-fire, with its glow and
crackle, in contrast to the blizzard that raged outside; the dim-lighted
splendour of spacious dining-hall, with hewn rafters and savage trophies
of the explorers; the polished oak floor and carved ceiling, hung with
rare fur and gaudy feathers, appealed to him.

The rubber of whist over, came the fragrant _perfecto_--these traders
ransacked the world for their tobacco--and Brock, under the influence of
the soothing weed, would charm these wild vagrants into unlocking some
of the strange secrets of the wilderness. From these usually silent but
sometimes garrulous merchants he acquired during the long winter nights
a fund of facts that greatly influenced his future actions.

Being superseded at Montreal by General Drummond, he did not relish a
return to Quebec. Separation from the 49th meant actual pain, but, as he
said, "Soldiers must accustom themselves to frequent movements, and as
they have no choice, it often happens they are placed in situations
little agreeing with their wishes." His regrets were lessened by his
promotion to the rank of brigadier-general. But he prayed for active
service, still trying to secure a staff appointment in Portugal, and
awaited the result of his brother Savery's efforts, hoping he might yet
be ordered to join "the best disciplined army that ever left England."

"Your Excellency," he said to the Governor-General, "I _must_ see active