Montreal was the metropolis for furs. Bowne went to
Montreal himself because he did not know of any one he
could trust to carry the message to Garcia. Those who knew
furs and had judgment were not honest, and those who were
honest did not know furs. Honest fools are really no better
than rogues, as far as practical purposes are concerned.
Bowne once found a man who was honest and also knew
furs, but alas! he had a passion for drink, and no prophet
could foretell his ``periodic,'' until after it occurred.

Young Astor had been with Bowne only a year. He spoke
imperfect English, but he did not drink nor gamble, and he
knew furs and was honest.

Bowne started him off for Canada with a belt full of gold;
his only weapon was a German flute that he carried in his
hand. Bowne being a Quaker did not believe in guns. Flutes
were a little out of his line, too, but he preferred them to
flintlocks.

John Jacob Astor ascended the Hudson River to Albany, and
then with pack on his back, struck north, alone, through the
forest for Lake Champlain. As he approached an Indian
settlement he played his flute. The aborigines showed no
disposition to give him the hook. He hired Indians to paddle
him up to the Canadian border. He reached Montreal.

The fur traders there knew Bowne as a very sharp buyer, and
so had their quills out on his approach. But young Astor was
seemingly indifferent. His manner was courteous and easy.