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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10399 ***
+
+This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Story of Louis Riel
+The Rebel Chief
+
+
+by Joseph Edmond Collins
+
+Toronto, 1885
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Along the banks of the Red River, over those fruitful
+plains brightened with wild flowers in summer, and swept
+with fierce storms in the winter-time, is written the
+life story of Louis Riel. Chance was not blind when she
+gave as a field to this man's ambition the plains whereon
+vengeful Chippewas and ferocious Sioux had waged their
+battles for so many centuries; a country dyed so often
+with blood that at last Red River came to be its name.
+But while our task is to present the career of this
+apostle of insurrection and unrest; stirred as we may be
+to feelings of horror for the misery, the tumult, the
+terror and the blood of which he has been the author, we
+must not neglect to do him, even him, the justice which
+is his right.
+
+He is not, as so many suppose, a half-breed, moved by
+the vengeful, irresponsible, savage blood in his veins.
+Mr. Edward Jack, [Footnote: I cannot make out what Mr.
+Jack's views are respecting Riel. When I asked him, he
+simply turned his face toward the sky and made some remark
+about the weather, I know that he has strong French
+proclivities, though the blood of a Scottish bailie is
+in his veins.] of New Brunswick, who is well informed on
+all Canadian matters, hands me some passages which he
+has translated from M. Tasse's book on Canadians in the
+North West; and from these I learn that Riel's father,
+whose name also was Louis, was born at the island of
+La Crosse, in the North-West Territories. This parent was
+the son of Jean Baptiste Riel, who was a French Canadian
+and a native of Berthier (_en haut_). His mother, that
+is the rebel's grandmother, was a Franco-Montagnaise
+Metis. From this it will be seen that instead of being
+a "half breed," Louis Riel is only one-eighth Indian, or
+is, if we might use the phrase employed in describing a
+mixture of Ethiopian and Caucasian blood, an Octoroon.
+
+Nay, more than this, we have it shown that our rebel can
+lay claim to no small share of respectability, as that
+word goes. During the summer of 1822, Riel's father, then
+in his fifth year, was brought to Canada by his parents,
+who caused the ceremony of baptism to be performed with
+much show at Berthier. In 1838 M. Riel _pere_ entered
+the service of the Hudson Bay Company, and left Lower
+Canada, where he had been attending school, for the
+North-West. He was stationed at Rainy Lake, but did not
+care for his occupation. He returned, therefore, to
+civilization and entered as a novice in the community of
+the Oblat Fathers, where he remained for two years. There
+was a strong yearning for the free, wild life of the
+boundless prairies in this man, and Red River, with its
+herds of roaming buffalo, its myriads of duck, and geese
+and prairie hens, began to beckon him home again. He
+followed his impulse and departed; joining the Metis
+hunters in their great biennial campaigns against the
+herds, over the rolling prairie. Many a buffalo fell upon
+the plain with Louis Riel's arrow quivering in his flank;
+many a feast was held around the giant pot at which no
+hunter received honours so marked as stolid male, and
+olive-skinned, bright-eyed, supple female, accorded him.
+Surfeited for the time of the luxury of the limitless
+plain, Riel took rest; and then a girl with the lustrous
+eyes of Normandy began to smile upon him, and to besiege
+his heart with all her mysterious force of coquetry. He
+was not proof; and the hunter soon lay entangled in the
+meshes of the brown girl of the plains. In the autumn of
+1843 he married her. Her name was Julie de Lagimodiere,
+a daughter of Jean Baptiste de Lagimodiere.
+
+Louis _pere_ was now engaged as a carder of wool; and
+having much ability in contrivance he constructed a little
+model of a carding mill which, with much enthusiasm, he
+exhibited to some officers of the Hudson Bay Company.
+But the Company, though having a great body, possessed
+no soul, and the disappointed inventor returned to his
+waiting wife with sorrow in his eyes. He next betook
+himself to the cultivation of a farm upon the banks of
+the little Seine; and his good, patient wife, when the
+autumn came, toiled with him all day, with her sickle
+among the sheaves.
+
+Tilling the soil proved too laborious, and he determined
+to erect a grist mill; but the stream that ran through
+the clayey channel of the _Seine petite_ was too feeble
+to turn the ponderous wheels. So he was obliged to move
+twelve miles to the east, where flowed another small
+stream bearing the aesthetic name "Grease River." This
+was not large enough either for his purposes, so with
+stupendous enterprise he cut a canal nine miles long,
+and through it decoyed the waters of the little Seine
+into the arms of the "Greasy" paramour. At this mill was
+ground the grain that grew for many a mile around; and
+in a little while Louis Riel became known as the most
+enterprising and important settler in Red River. But he
+was not through all his career a man of peace. The most
+deadly feud had grown up through many long years between
+the Hudson Bay Company and the Metis settled upon their
+territory; and it is only bald justice to say that the,
+reprisals of the half-breeds, the revolts, the hatred of
+everything in official shape, were not altogether
+undeserved. Louis Riel was at the head of many a jarring
+discord. How such an unfortunate condition grew we shall
+see later on, and we may also be able to determine if
+there are any shoulders upon which we can lay blame for
+the murder and misery that since have blighted one of
+the fairest portions of Canada.
+
+Louis Riel the elder was in due time blessed with a son,
+the same about whom it is our painful duty to write this
+little book. Estimating at its fullest the value of
+education, the father was keenly anxious for an opportunity
+to send _Louis fils_ to a school; but fortune had not
+been liberal with him in later years, though the sweat
+was constantly upon his brow, and his good wife's fingers
+were never still. This son had unusual precocity, and
+strangers who looked upon him used to say that a great
+fire slumbered in his eye. He was bright, quick and
+piquant; and it is said that it was impossible to know
+the lad and not be pleased with his person and manners.
+One important eye had observed him many a time; and this
+was the great ecclesiastical dignitary of Red River,
+Monseigneur Tache. He conceived a strong affection for
+the lad and resolved to secure for him a sound education.
+His own purse was limited, but there was a lady whom he
+knew upon whose bounty he could count. I give the following
+extract, which I translate from M. Tasse's book, and I
+write it in italics that it may be the more clearly
+impressed upon the reader's mind when he comes to peruse
+the first story of blood which shall be related: _The
+father's resources did not permit him to undertake the
+expense of this education, but His Grace Archbishop Tache
+having been struck with the intellectual precocity of
+Louis, found a generous protector of proverbial munificence
+for him in the person of Madame Masson, of Terrebonne._
+In later years it was reserved to the same bishop to go
+out as a mediator between Government and a band of rebels
+which had at its head a man whose hands were reddened
+with the blood of a settler. This rebel and murderer was
+the same lad upon whom the bishop had lavished his
+affection and his interest.
+
+Louis, the elder, was travelling upon the plain, when he
+met his son, bound for the civilized East, to enter upon
+his studies. He had pride in the lad, and said to his
+companions that one day he knew he would have occasion
+to glory in him. They said good-bye, the father seasoning
+the parting with wholesome words of advice, the son with
+filial submission receiving them, and storing them away
+in his heart. This was their last parting, and their last
+speaking. Before the son had been long at his studies he
+learned that his father was dead. His nature was deeply
+affectionate, and the painful intelligence overwhelmed
+him for many days. At school he was not distinguished
+for brilliancy, but his tutors observed that he had solid
+parts, and much intellectual subtlety. He was not a great
+favourite among his class-mates generally, because his
+manners were shy and reserved, and he shrank from, rather
+than courted, the popularity and leadership which are
+the darling aims of so many lads in their school-days.
+Yet he had many friends who were warmly attached to him;
+and to these he returned an equal affection. One of his
+comrades was stricken down with a loathsome and fatal
+malady, and all his comrades fled in fear away from his
+presence. But Louis Riel, the "half-breed," as the boys
+knew him, bravely went to the couch of his stricken
+friend, nursing, and bestowing all his attention and
+affection upon him, and offering consoling words. It is
+related that when the last moments came, the sufferer
+arose, and flinging his arms around Louis' neck, poured
+out his thanks and besought heaven to reward him. Then
+he fell backwards and died.
+
+Frequently young Riel's school-mates would ask him, "What
+do you intend doing when you leave school? Will you stay
+here, or do you go out again into the wilderness among
+the savages?"
+
+His eye would lighten with indignation at hearing the
+word "savages" applied to his people. "I will go out to
+the Red River," he would reply, to follow in the footsteps
+of my father. He has been a benefactor of our people,
+and I shall seek to be their benefactor too. When I tire
+of work, I can take my gun and go out for herds upon the
+plains with our people, whom you call "savages." I know
+not what you mean when you say "savages." We speak French
+as you do; our hearts are as kind, as noble, and as true
+as yours. When one of our people is in affliction the
+others give him sympathy and help. We are bound together
+by strong ties of fraternity; there is no jealousy among
+us, no tyranny of caste, but we all live in peace and
+love as the sisters and brothers in one great household.
+My eye deceives me if like this live you. You are divided
+into envious, brawling factions, each one of which tries
+to injure, and blight the reputation of the other. If
+one of you fall upon evil times he is left without the
+sympathy and succour of the others. In politics and in
+social grades you are divided, and in every respect you
+are such that I should mourn the day when our peaceable,
+simple, contented people on the banks of the Red River
+should in any respect choose your civilization for their
+model.
+
+He often spoke of a burning desire which he had to be a
+political as well as a social leader in the Colony of
+Red River. He frequently, likewise, muttered dark threats
+against the overbearing policy and dark injustice of "The
+Great Monopoly," as he used to characterize the Hudson
+Bay Company. Occasionally he would burst out into passionate
+words like these:
+
+"They treat us as they would blood thirsty savages upon
+the plains. They spurn us with their feet as dogs, and
+then they spit upon us. They mock at our customs, they
+regard with contempt that which to us is sacred and above
+price. They are not even deterred by the virtue of our
+women. Now witness, you God who made all men, the white
+man and the savage, I will, if the propitious day ever
+come, strike in vengeance, and my blow will be with an
+iron hand, whose one smiting shall wipe out all the
+injustice and the dishonour."
+
+Filled with these sentiments, when his school days came
+to an end, he packed his portmanteaus and took his way
+by stage and boat for the region that not many years
+hence was to ring and shudder with his name.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Long before the vision of a confederation of the British
+Provinces entered into the brain of any man, Lord Selkirk,
+coming to the wilds of North America, found a tract of
+country fertile in soil, and fair to look upon. He arrived
+in this unknown wilderness when it was summer, and all
+the prairie extending over illimitable stretches till it
+was lost in the tranquil horizon, was burning with the
+blooms of a hundred varieties of flowers. Here the "tiger
+rose," like some savage queen of beauty, rose to his
+knees and breathed her sultry balm in his face. Aloof
+stood the shy wild rose, shedding its scent with delicate
+reserve; but the wild pea, and the convolvulus, and the
+augur flower, and the insipid daisy, ran riot through
+all the grass land, and surfeited his nostrils with their
+sweets. Here and there upon the mellow level stood a
+clump of poplars or white oaks, prim, like virgins without
+suitors, with their robes drawn close about them; but
+when over the unmeasured plain the wind blew, they bowed
+their heads: as if saluting the stranger who came to
+found a colony in the wilderness of which they were
+sentinels. Here too, in the hush, for the first time,
+the planter's ear heard a far-off, nigh indistinct, sound
+of galloping thunder. He knew not what it meant, and his
+followers surmised that it might be the tumult of some
+distant waterfall, borne hither now because a storm was
+at hand, and the denser air was a better carrier of the
+sound. And while they remained wondering what it could
+be, for the thunder was ever becoming louder, and,
+
+   "Nearer clearer, deadlier than before"
+
+Lo! out of the west came what seemed as a dim shadow
+moving across the plain. With bated breath they watched
+the dark mass moving along like some destroying tempest
+with ten thousand devils at its core. Chained to the
+ground with a terrible awe they stood fast for many
+minutes till at last in the dim light, for the gloaming
+had come upon the plains, they see eye-balls that blaze
+like fire, heads crested with rugged, uncouth horns and
+shaggy manes; and then snouts thrust down, flaring
+nostrils, and rearing tails.
+
+My God, a buffalo herd, and we'll be trampled to death,"
+almost shrieked one of the Earl's followers.
+
+"Peace! keep cool! Up, up instantly into these trees!"
+and the word was obeyed as if each man was an instrument
+of the leader's will. Beyond, in the south-east, a full
+moon, luscious seeming as some ripened, mellow fruit,
+was rising, and the yellow light was all over the plain.
+Then the tremendous mass, headed by maddened bulls, with
+blazing eyes and foaming nostrils, drove onward toward
+the south, like an unchained hurricane. Some of the
+terrified beasts ran against the trees, crushing horns
+and skull, and fell prone upon the plain, to be trampled
+into jelly by the hundreds of thousands in the rear. The
+tree upon which the earl had taken refuge received many
+a shock from a crazed bull; and it seemed to the party
+from the tree-branches as if all the face of the plains
+was being hurled toward the south in a condition of the
+wildest turmoil. Hell itself let loose could present no
+such spectacle as this myriad mass of brute life sweeping
+over the lonely plain under the wan, elfin light of the
+new-risen moon. Clouds of steam, wreathing itself into
+spectral shapes of sullen aspect, rose from the dusky,
+writhing mass, and the flaming of more than ten thousand
+eyeballs in the gloom presented a picture more terrible
+than ever came into the imagination of the writer of the
+Inferno. The spectacle, as observed by those some twenty
+feet from the ground, might be likened somewhat to a
+turbulent sea when a sturdy tide sets against the storm,
+and the mad waves tumble hither and thither, foiled, and
+impelled, yet for all the confusion and obstruction moving
+in one direction with a sweep and a force that no power
+could chain. Circling among and around the strange, dusk
+clouds of steam that went up from the herd were scores
+of turkey buzzards, their obscene heads bent downward,
+their sodden eyes gleaming with expectancy. Well they
+knew that many a gorgeous feast awaited them wherever
+boulder, tree, or swamp lay in the path of the mighty
+herd. At last the face of the prairie had ceased its
+surging; no lurid eyeball-light gleamed out of the dusk;
+and the tempest of cattle had passed the _voyageurs_ and
+went rolling out into the unbounded stretches of the dim,
+yellow plain.
+
+The morrow's sun revealed a strange spectacle. The great
+amplitude of rich, green grasses, warmed and beautified
+by the petals of flowers was as a ploughed field. The
+herbage had been literally crushed into mire, and this
+the innumerable hoofs had churned up with the soft, rich,
+dark soil of the prairie. The leguminous odours from
+decaying clover, and rank, matted masses of wild pease,
+the feverish exhalations of the tiger-lily, and of the
+rich blooded "buffalo lilac," together with the dank,
+earthy smell from the broken sod, were disagreeable and
+oppressive. Lord Selkirk's heart sank within him at seeing
+the ruin.
+
+"I fear me," he said, "to plant a colony here. A herd of
+these beasts coming upon a settlement would be worse than
+ten thousand spears." But some of his guides had before
+seen the impetuous rushing of the herds, and they assured
+him that this might not occur again in this portion of
+the prairie for a quarter of a century to come.
+
+"At any rate," they persisted, "the buffalo keeps away
+from regions that send up chimney-smoke. The chief regret
+by-and-by will be that the herds will not come near enough
+to us." And the Earl was reassured and proceeded with
+the steps preliminary to founding the colony. It need
+not be said that the place we have been describing was
+the prairie on the banks of the Red River.
+
+In a little while ships bearing numbers of sturdy Scotchmen
+began to cross the sea bound for this famous colony,
+where the land was ready for the plough, and mighty herds
+of wild cattle grazed knee-deep among gorgeous flowers
+and sweet grasses. They brought few white women with
+them, the larger number being young men who had bade
+their "Heeland" lassies good-bye with warm kisses,
+promising to come back for them when they had built
+homesteads for themselves in the far away wilds of the
+West.
+
+But when Lord Selkirk planted here his sturdy Scotchmen,
+wild beasts and game were not the only inhabitants of
+the plains. The Crees, a well-built, active, war-loving
+race, had from ages long forgotten roamed over these
+interminable meadows, fishing in the streams, and hunting
+buffalo. Here and there was to be found one of their
+"towns," a straggling congregation of tents made of the
+skins of the buffalo. Beautiful, dark-skinned girls, in
+bare brown, little feet, sat through the cool of evening
+in the summer days sewing beads upon the moccasins of
+their lovers, while the wrinkled dame limped about,
+forever quarrelling with the dogs, performing the household
+duties.
+
+But the Crees liked not the encroachment upon their
+territories by these foreign men with pale faces; and
+they held loud pow-wows, and brandished spears, and swept
+their knives about their heads till their sheen gleamed
+many miles over the prairie. Then preparing their paint
+they set out to learn from the pale-faced chief what was
+his justification for the invasion.
+
+"You cannot take lands without war and conquest," were
+the words of a young chief with a nose like a hawk's
+beak, and an eye like the eagle's, to Lord Selkirk. "You
+did not fight us; therefore you did not conquer us. How
+comes it then that you have our lands?"
+
+"Are you the owners of this territory?" calmly enquired
+the nobleman.
+
+"We are; no one else is the owner."
+
+"But I shall shew you that from two standpoints, first
+from my own, and afterwards from yours, it belongs not
+to you. Firstly, it belongs to our common Sovereign, the
+King of England. You belong to him; so likewise do the
+buffalo that graze upon the plains, and the fishes that
+swim in the rivers. Therefore our great and good Sovereign
+sayeth unto me, his devoted subject, 'Go you forth into
+my territories in the North of America, and select there
+a colony whereon to plant any of my faithful children
+who choose to go thither.' I have done so. Then, since
+you hold possession of these plains only by the bounty
+and sufferance of our good father the King, how can you
+object to your white brethren coming when they were
+permitted so to do?"
+
+Ugh; that was only the oily-tongued talk of the pale-faces.
+While seeming to speak fair, and smooth, and wise, their
+tongues were as crooked as the horn of the mountain-goat.
+Yet no chief could answer the Earl's contention, and they
+looked from one to another with some traces of confusion
+and defeat upon their faces.
+
+"But," continued Lord Selkirk, in the same grave and firm
+voice, "from your own standpoint you are not the proprietors
+of this territory. The Saulteux, with whom you wage your
+constant wars, have been upon these plains as long as
+you. In times of peace you have intermarried with them,
+and I now find in your wigwams many a squaw obtained from
+among the villages of your rivals."
+
+Ugh! They could not deny this. It was evident from their
+silence and the abject way in which they glanced from
+one to another that the case had gone against them.
+
+"But there is no reason for your jealousy or your
+hostility," Lord Selkirk continued; "our people come
+among you, not as conquerors, but as brothers. They shall
+not molest you but quietly till the fields and raise
+their crops. Instead of showing unfriendliness, I think
+you should take them by the hand and welcome them as
+brothers." These words at last prevailed, and the Crees
+put by their war paint, and came among the whites and
+offered them fish and buffalo steak.
+
+Thus was the colony founded. The grain grew well, and
+there was abundance in the new settlement, save that at
+intervals an army of locusts would come out of the west
+and destroy every green leaf. Then the settlers' needs
+were sore, and they were obliged to subsist upon roots
+and what fell to them from the chase.
+
+Many years rolled on, and the sturdy Scotch settlers had
+driven their roots fast into the ground. One alone of
+all the number who had kissed good-bye to his Scottish
+sweetheart returned to redeem his pledge. For the rest
+they soon forgot the rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes
+that they had left behind them, in the pleasures of the
+chase upon the plain, and the interest in their wide
+acres. But these perhaps were not the only reasons why
+they had forgotten their vows to the Scottish girls.
+Among the Crees were many beautiful maidens, with large,
+velvety eyes, black as the night when no moon is over
+the prairie, and shy as a fawn's. When first the white
+man came amongst them the girls were bashful; and when
+he went into the Crees' tent they would shrink away hiding
+their faces. But it soon became apparent that the shyness
+was not indifference; indeed many a time when the Scotch
+hunter passed a red man's tent he saw a pair of eyes
+looking languishingly after him. Little by little the
+timidity began to disappear, and sometimes the brown-skinned
+girls came in numbers to the white man's dwelling, and
+submitted themselves to be taught how to dance the
+cotillion and the eight-hand reel. Then followed the
+wooing among the flowery prairies; and the white men
+began to pledge their troths to the dusky girls. Many a
+brave hunter who had a score of scalps to dangle from
+his belt, sought, but sought in vain, a kind glance from
+some beautiful maiden of his tribe, who before the pale
+faces came would have deemed great indeed the honour of
+becoming the spouse of a warrior so distinguished. Jealousy
+began to fill the hearts of the Crees, but the mothers
+and wives, and the daughters too, were constant mediators,
+and never ceased to exert themselves for peace.
+
+"When," said they, "the white-faces first came among us,
+our chiefs and our young men all cried out, 'O they deem
+themselves to be a better race than we; they think their
+white blood is better than our red blood. They will not
+mingle with us although they will join with us in hunting
+our wild meat, or eating it after it has fallen to our
+arrow or spear. They will not consider one of our daughters
+fit for marriage with one of them; because it would blend
+their blood with our blood.' Now, O you chiefs and young
+men, that which you at the first considered a hardship
+if it did not come to pass, has come to pass, and yet
+you complain. 'The whites are above marrying our daughters,'
+you first cry; now you plan revenge because they want to
+marry, and do marry them." The arguments used by the
+women were too strong, and the brawny, eagle-eyed hunters
+were compelled to mate themselves with the ugly girls of
+the tents. It is asserted by some writers on the North-West
+that the beauty observed in the Metis women in after
+years was in great part to be attributed to the fact that
+the English settlers took to wife only the most beautiful
+of the Indian girls. Now and again too, the canny Scotch
+lad, with his gun on his shoulder and his retriever at
+his heel, would walk through a Saulteux settlement. The
+girls here were still shyer than their Cree cousins, but
+they were not a whit less lovely. They were not dumpy
+like so many Indian girls, but were slight of build, and
+willowy of motion. Their hair was long and black, but it
+was as fine as silk, and shone like the plumage of a
+blackbird. There was not that oily swarthiness in the
+complexion, which makes so many Indian women hideous in
+the eyes of a connoisseur of beauty; but the cheeks of
+these girls were a pale olive, and sometimes, when they
+were excited, a faint tinge of rose came out like the
+delicate pink flush that appears in the olive-grey of
+the morning. And these maidens, too, began to cast
+languishing eyes upon the pale-faced stranger; and sighed
+all the day while they sewed fringe upon their skirts
+and beads upon their moccasins. Their affections now were
+not for him who showed the largest number of wolves'
+tongues or enemies' scalps, but for the gracious stranger
+with his gentle manners and winning ways. They soon began
+to put themselves in his way when he came to shoot chicken
+or quail among the grasses; would point out to him passes
+leading around the swamps, and inform him where he might
+find elk or wild turkey. Then with half shy, yet half
+coquettish airs, and a lurking tenderness in their great
+dusk hazel eyes, they would twist a sprig off a crown of
+golden rod, and with their dainty little brown fingers
+pin it upon the hunter's coat. With shy curiosity they
+would smoothe the cloth woven in Paisley, forming in
+their minds a contrast between its elegance and that of
+the coats of their own red gallants made of the rough
+skin of the wolf or the bison. So it came to pass that
+in due season most of the pretty girls among the Jumping
+Indians had gone with triumph and great love in their
+hearts from the wigwam of their tribe to be the wives of
+the whites in their stately dwellings.
+
+In this way up-grew the settlement of Red River; by such
+intermarriages were the affections of the red men all
+over the plains, from the cold, gloomy regions of the
+North to the mellow plains of the South, won by their
+pale-faced neighbours. The savages had not shut their
+ears to what their women had so eloquently urged, and
+they would say:
+
+"The cause of these pale people is our cause; their
+interests are our interests; they have mingled their
+flesh and blood with ours; we shall be their faithful
+brothers to the death." It was this fact, not the wisdom
+of government Indian agents, nor the heaven-born insight
+of government itself into the management of tribes that
+so long preserved peace and good will throughout our
+North-West Territories. It was for this reason that
+enemies of government in the Republic could say after
+they had revealed the corruption of Red Cloud and Black
+Rock agents:
+
+"Observe the Canadian tribes, mighty in number, and
+warlike in their nature. They fight not, because they
+have been managed with wisdom and humanity. There is no
+corruption among the accredited officials; there is no
+sinister dealing towards them by the government." We do
+not charge our officials with corruption, neither do we
+believe that their administration has been feeble;--on
+the whole our attitude towards the Indian people has been
+fair; our policy has revealed ordinary sense,--and not
+much brilliancy. Probably half a dozen level-headed
+wood-choppers, endowed with authority to deal with the
+tribes, could have acquitted themselves as well; perhaps
+they might not have done so well, and it is probable that
+they might have exhibited a better showing.
+
+It was in this settlement that in after years appeared
+Louis Riel _pere_. For some generations the Hudson Bay
+Company had carried on an extensive trade in peltry, and
+numbers of their _employes_ were French peasants or
+_coureurs de bois_. Thousands of these people were
+scattered here and there over the territories; and they
+began to turn loving eyes toward the rich meadows along
+the banks of the Red River. Some of these had for wives
+squaws whom they had wooed and won during their engagement
+in the peltry trade. These finding that other whites had
+taken Indian girls for brides, felt drawn towards the
+new settlement by sentiments stronger than those of mere
+interest. Numbers of unmarried French took up farms in
+the new colony, and soon fell captive to the charms of
+the Cree girls. Now and again the history of the
+simple-hearted Scots was repeated; and a _coureur_ was
+presently seen to bring a shy, witching Saulteux maiden
+from the tents of the Jumping Indians. But the French,
+it must be said, were not so _dilettante_ in their taste
+for beauty as were their Scottish brethren; yet, as a
+rule, their wives were the prettiest girls in the tribes
+--after, of course, "braw John" had been satisfied--for
+an ugly maiden was content to have an Indian for her lord;
+and she tried no arts, plucked no bouquets from the
+prairie flowers, beaded no moccasins, and performed no
+tender little offices to catch the heart of the white man.
+
+"Pale face gets all the pretty squaws; suppose we must
+take 'em ugly ones. Ugh!" This was the speech, and the
+true speech of many a chief, or lion-hearted young man
+of the tribes under the new order at Red River.
+
+This may seem hard to the poor Indian, but perhaps it
+was just as well. It would have, indeed, been worse had
+the handsome maiden given her hand to the dusky Red, and
+afterwards, wooed by blue eyes, given her heart where
+her hand could never go. And the Indian woman is no better
+and no worse than her kind, no matter what the colour
+be. Happier, then, is the lot of the Indian with his
+homely affectionate wife, than with a bride with roses
+in her cheek, and sunlight in her eye, who cannot resist
+the pleading eye and the outstretched arms of one whose
+wooing is unlawful, and the result of which can be nought
+but wrong and misery.
+
+The population grew and comforts increased till eighteen
+or twenty thousand souls could be reckoned in the colony.
+The original whites had disappeared, and no face was to
+be seen but that of a Metis in any of the cosy dwellings
+in the settlement. These people had not yet learnt that
+amongst the whites, whose blood knew no alloy, they were
+regarded as a debased sort, and unfit socially to mix
+with those who had kept their race free from taint. The
+female fruitage of the mixture lost nothing by acquiring
+some of the Caucasian stock, but the men, in numerous
+cases, seemed to be inferior for the blending. In appearance
+they were inane, in speech laconic; they were shy in
+manners, and reserved, to boorishness, while in intellectual
+alertness they were inferior to the boisterous savage,
+or the shrewd, dignified white. But the woman perpetuated
+the shy, winning coyness of her red mother, and the arts,
+and somewhat of the refinements of her white father. The
+eye was not so dusk; it gleamed more: as if the ray from
+a star had been shot through it. There was the same olive
+cheek; but it was not so tawny, for the dawn of the white
+blood had appeared in it. She gained in symmetry too,
+being taller than her red mother, while she preserved
+the soft, willowy motion of the prairie-elk.
+
+But the women were not good housekeepers; and many a
+traveller has gone into the house of a Metis and seen
+there a bride witchingly beautiful, with her hair unkempt
+and disordered about her shoulders, her boots unlaced, and
+her stocking down revealing her bare, exquisitely-turned
+ankle.
+
+"A Cinderella!" he would exclaim, "but, by heaven, I
+swear, a thousand times more lovely!" If she had a child
+it would likely be found sprawling among the coals, and
+helping itself to handfuls of ashes. The little creature
+would be sure to escape the suspicion of ever having been
+washed. Ask the luminous-eyed mother for anything, for
+a knife to cut your tobacco, for a cup to get a drink of
+water, and the sweet sloven would be obliged to ransack
+two-thirds of the articles of the house to find what you
+sought.
+
+The dresses worn by herself, as well as by her husband
+or her brother, would not be less astonishing to the
+unaccustomed eye. The men wear a common blue capote a
+red belt and corduroy trousers. This, however, soon became
+the costume of every male in Red River, whether Metis or
+new-come Canadian. There, is however, a distinction in
+the manner of wearing. Lest the Canadian should be taken
+for a Metis he wears the red belt over the capote, while
+the half-breed wears it beneath. The women are fond of
+show, and like to attire themselves in dark skirts, and
+crimson bodices. Frequently, if the entire dress be dark,
+they tie a crimson or a magenta sash around their handsomely
+shapen waists; and they put a cap of some denomination
+of red upon their heads. Such colours, it need not be
+said, add to their beauty, and it is by no means uncertain
+that this is the reason why they adopt these colours.
+Some writers say that their love of glaring colours is
+derived from the savage side of their natures; but the
+Metis women have an artistic instinct of their own, and
+being for the greater part coquettes, it may very safely
+be said that according to the fitness of things is it
+that they attire themselves. But they are not able to
+shake off the superstitions of their race. If the young
+woman soon to be a mother, sees a hawk while crossing
+the fields in the morning, she comes home and tells among
+her female friends that her offspring is to be a son;
+and they all know that he is to be fleet and enduring in
+the chase, and that he will have the eyes of a hunter
+chief. But if a shy pigeon circle up from the croft, and
+cross her path, she sighs and returns not back to relate
+the omen; and it is only in undertones that her nearest
+friend learns a week afterwards that the promised addition
+to the household is to be a girl. The appearance of other
+birds and beasts, under similar circumstances, are likewise
+tokens; and though boys would be born, and girls too, if
+all the hawks and pigeons, and foxes and wild geese, and
+every other presaging bird and beast of the plains had
+fallen to the gun of huntsman and "sport," they cling to
+the belief; and the superstition will only die with the
+civilization that begat it. Many of the customs of their
+red mothers they still reverently perpetuate; but they
+are for all this deeply overlaid with Canadianism. Of
+all the women on the face of the earth, they are the
+greatest gossips.
+
+Not in their whole nature is there any impulse so strong
+as the love to talk. Therefore, when the morning's meal
+is ended, the pretty mother laces the boots around her
+shapely little ankles, puts her blanket about her, and
+sallies out to one of her friend's houses for the morning's
+gossip. In speaking of her dress, I neglected to state
+that although the Metis woman had for gown the costliest
+fabric ever woven in Cashmere, she would not be content,
+on the hottest summer day, in walking twenty paces to
+her neighbour's door, unless she had this blanket upon
+her. The hateful looking garment is the chief relic of
+her barbaric origin, and despite the desire which she
+always manifests to exhibit her personal charms at their
+best, she has no qualms in converting herself into a
+hideous, repulsive squaw, with this covering. If she be
+of a shy nature, she will cover her head with this garment
+when a stranger enters her abode; and many a curious
+visitor who has heard of the bright eyes and olive cheeks
+of the half-breed woman is sorely disappointed when
+drawing near to her on the prairie path, or in the village
+street, to see her pull the hideous blanket over her face
+while he passes her by. Not always will she do this, for
+the wild women of the plains, and the half breed beauties,
+find a strong charm in strange faces; and after she has
+received some little attentions, and a few trinkets or
+trifles, she will be ready enough to appoint a tryst upon
+the flowery prairie, under the mellow moon.
+
+We might forgive her for all this, if she could but
+restrain her tongue. From morn to noon, from noon to dewy
+eve, this unruly member goes on prattling about every
+conceivable thing, especially the affairs of her neighbours.
+We have seen that she goes out after she has eaten her
+breakfast; and she returns not till her appetite begins
+to be oppressive. She will then kiss her dusky little
+offspring, who, during her absence, has likely enough
+tried to stuff himself with coals, and then played with
+the pigs. In the evening one is pretty certain to find
+at some house a fiddler and a dancing party, which ends
+with a bountiful supper; though frequently, if the
+refreshments include whiskey, the party terminates with
+a regulation "Irish row." At nearly every such dance
+there is a white lad or two, and they are certain to
+monopolize the attention and the kisses of the prettiest
+girls. As the Indian had to sit by and see the white man
+come and take away the most beautiful of the wild girls,
+so too must the half-breed bear with meekness the preference
+of the Metis belle for the Caucasian stranger.
+
+The morals of the women are not over good, nor can they
+be said to be very bad. Amongst each other their virtue
+reaches a standard as high as that which prevails in our
+Canadian community. It is when the women are brought into
+contact with the white men that this standard lowers.
+Then comes the temptation, the sin, the domestic
+heartburnings, and the hatred towards those who tempted
+to the fall.
+
+The half-breed young men are fatally fond of show. The
+highest aim of their social existence seems to be to
+possess a dashing horse or two, and to drive a cariole.
+It is stated, on excellent authority, that a young man
+who wishes to figure as a _beau_, and to get the smiles
+of the pretty girls, will sometimes sell all his useful
+possessions to purchase a horse and cariole.
+
+But it must not be supposed that this sort of spirit
+pervades the entire community. A large portion of the
+people are thrifty and frugal, and maintain themselves
+by continuous, well-directed toil.
+
+The French half breeds profess the Roman Catholic religion,
+and they have a number of churches. At the head of the
+Roman communion is Archbishop Tache, of St. Boniface.
+This is the gentleman who provided the munificence for
+Louis Riel's education. He is the same bishop whose name
+so many hundreds of thousands of our people cannot recall
+without bitterness and indignation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Such, then, was the condition of Red River before the
+person who is the subject of this book appeared upon the
+scenes. But perhaps it is as well that I should relate
+one occurrence which fanned into bright flame the
+smouldering embers of discord between the half-breeds
+and their white neighbours. An officer of the Hudson Bay
+Company, living at an isolated post, had two daughters.
+As they began to arrive toward young-womanhood he was
+anxious that they should have an education, in order that
+they might, in proper season, be able to take their
+position in society. There were good schools at Red River,
+and thither the officer sent his daughters, placing them
+under the care of a guardian whom he knew would exercise
+an authority as judicious as his own. The two girls were
+remarkably handsome, and whenever they walked through
+the settlement, or drove abroad with their guardian, they
+attracted all the attention. Many a half-dusky heart was
+smitten of their white skin, which he would compare in
+colour to the pure snow that covers the plains. Now had
+the faces of the Red River beauties been Parian white,
+instead of dusky olive, the young _beaux_ of the settlement
+would not have found their hearts beating half so wildly
+about the two pale daughters of the Hudson Bay Company's
+officer. They would indeed have languished for chestnut
+eyes, and complexions of Spain and the southern vineyards
+of France. But here amongst their sturdy "tiger blossoms,"
+and passionate prairie roses blew two fair cold lilies;
+and their hearts bounded beyond measure at the thought
+of winning a look or a kindly smile. But the guardian
+watched the two pale girls closely, and permitted them
+to do little beyond his _surveillance_. There were not
+many whites in the circle of their acquaintance, but of
+this few, nearly every one was a suitor for one or other
+of the girls, yet for all the advances their hearts were
+still whole and they moved,
+
+   "In maiden meditation fancy free."
+
+Now in Red River was a young half-breed, almost effeminate
+in manners, handsome in face and form, and agreeable and
+gentle in his address. He was indeed a sort of Bunthorne
+of the plains, just such a person as a romantic, shallow
+girl is most apt for a rose's period to sigh out her soul
+about. You find his type in fashionable civilised circles,
+in the languid dude who displays his dreams in his eyes
+to captivate the hearts of the silly girls, and--discreetly
+--keeps his mouth shut, to conceal his lack of brains.
+The two white daughters of the Company's officer were
+girls of ordinary understanding, but one of them had
+gotten too much poetry into her sweet head, and stood on
+the verge of a dizzy steep that overlooked a gulf, the
+name of which was Love. At a party given by one of the
+foremost of the half-breed families, this girl met
+Alexander, the Scottish half-breed, whose person and
+manners have been just described. There was something in
+the dreamy, far-away expression of the young Metis' eyes,
+which stirred the blood in the veins of the romantic
+girl. When they rested upon her, the soul of their owner
+seemed to yearn out to her. The voiceless, tender,
+passionate appealing in the look she was unable to forget
+when she walked along the grassy lanes, or trod the
+flower-rimmed path of the prairie.
+
+Coming along in the hush of the summer evening, when only
+the lovemaking of the grasshoppers could be heard among
+the flowers, Alexander met her, He spoke no word, but
+there was the same tender, eloquent appealing in his
+eyes. He thought the young lady would not take it amiss
+of him, if he were to join her on her way over the fields;
+so he had taken the liberty.
+
+There was a flutter at her heart, and a great passion-rose
+bloomed in each cheek.
+
+No, she would not take it amiss. The walk was so pleasant!
+Indeed it was kind of him to join her.
+
+The dusky lover spake few words; but he indolently left
+the path and gathered some sprays of wild flowers, and
+offered them to the girl. His eyes had the same, wistful
+look, and his brown fingers trembled as he offered the
+bouquet. Receiving them, and pinning them under her
+throat, she said in a low tone, while her voice trembled
+a little,
+
+"When these fade, I shall press the petals in my book,
+and keep them always."
+
+"Do you consider the flowers I gave you worth preserving?"
+he asked, his low voice likewise trembling.
+
+"I do."
+
+"I would give more than that," he said, tenderly, "to
+your keeping."
+
+"Why," she enquired, with an unsuccessful attempt at
+displaying wonder, "what is it that you would give to my
+keeping?"
+
+"My heart," the young man answered, his indolent eyes
+lighting up in the gloaming. She said nothing, but hung
+her head. The swarthy lover saw that she took no offence
+at his declaration. Indeed he gathered from the quivering
+of her red, moist lips, and from the tenderness in her
+eye, that the avowal had more than pleased her. She
+continued for a few seconds to look bashfully down at
+the path; and then she raised her eyes and looked at him.
+No more encouragement was needed.
+
+"My beloved," he said, softly, and her head nestled upon
+his shoulder. There in the shadow of a small colony of
+poplars, on the verge of the boundless plain, shining
+under the full, ripe moon, each plighted troth to the
+other, and gave and received burning kisses. During the
+sweet, fast-fleeting hours on the calm plain, in her
+lover's arms, with no witness but the yellow moon, she
+took no heed of the barriers that lay between a union
+with her beloved; nor had he any foreboding of obstacles,
+but heard and declared vows of love, supremely happy.
+
+Woman is a sort of Pandora's Box, the lid whereof is
+being forever raised, revealing the secrets within. The
+plighted maiden was flushed of cheek and unusually bright
+of eye when she returned to her home that evening. She
+could give her guardian no satisfactory account of her
+long absence, and told a very confused story about two
+paths, "you know," that were "very much alike"; but that
+"one led away around a poplar wood and out upon a portion
+of the prairie" which she did "not know." Here the sweet
+pet had got astray, and wandered around, although "it
+was so silly," till the sound of the bells of St. Boniface
+tolling ten had apprised her of the hour and also let
+her know where she was. Her guardian took the explanation,
+and contented himself with observing that he hoped it
+would be her last evening upon the prairie, straying
+around like an elk that had lost her mate.
+
+"Jennie," said her sister, when they were alone, "you
+have not been telling the truth. You did not get astray
+on the prairie. Somebody has been courting you, and you
+are in love with him."
+
+"I am in love; and it is true that some one has been
+courting me. I had intended to tell you all about it, my
+heart is so full. Now can you tell me who may my lover
+be?"
+
+"I hope, Jennie," and the sister's eyes showed a blending
+of severity and sorrow, "that it is not Alexander."
+
+"It is Alexander. Why should it not be? Is he not handsome,
+and gentle, and good? Wherefore then not he?"
+
+"My God, do you know what such an alliance would cost
+you, would cost us all? Marriage with a half-breed would
+be a degradation; and a stain upon the whole family that
+never could be wiped out. O my poor unfortunate sister,
+ruin is what such a marriage would mean. Just that, my
+darling sister, and no less."
+
+"I care not for that. I love him with all my heart and
+soul, and pledged myself to-night a hundred times to be
+his. I never can love another man; and he only shall
+possess me. What care I for the degradation of which you
+speak, as measured against the crowning misery, or the
+supreme happiness of my life? No; when Alexander is ready
+to say to me, Come, I shall go to him, and no threat nor
+persuasion shall dissuade me."
+
+She spoke like all the heroic girls who afterwards meekly
+untie their bonnets just as they were ready to go to the
+church to wed against their keeper's will; and then sit
+down awaiting orders as to whom they must marry. Jennie
+was not the only girl who, in the first flush of passion,
+is prepared to go through fire, or die at the stake for
+the man she loves. Withal,--but that the proprieties
+forbid it--whenever young women make these dramatic
+declarations, the most appropriate course would be to
+give them a sound spanking, and put an end to the tragic
+business.
+
+Nellie thought it her duty, and I suppose it was, to tell
+her bear-like guardian what had befallen to her sister.
+He was less disturbed on hearing the intelligence than
+Nellie supposed, and merely expressed some cold-blooded
+surprise at the presumption of the half-breed. He sat
+at his desk, and taking a sheet of paper, wrote this
+letter:
+
+"To Alexander Saunders:
+
+"DEAR SIR,--Would you be good enough to call at my house
+this evening at eight o'clock?
+
+"Yours truly,
+
+"Thomas Brown."
+
+Having sealed and dispatched this note he resumed his
+work, without showing or feeling any further concern
+about the matter. When it was growing dark over the
+prairie that evening, the love-lorn Jennie saw her
+pleading-eyed lover pass along in the shadow of the
+poplars toward her guardian's house. She heard his ring
+at the door, and his step in the hall. Her heart was in
+a great flutter; but her sister was at her side giving
+her comfort. The doors were wide open, but everything
+was so husht, that the girls could plainly hear the
+following words spoken in the guardian's library:
+
+"I understand, Mr. Saunders, that you have been taking
+the astonishingly presumptuous course of soliciting the
+hand of one of my wards. I am not given to severity, or
+I do not exactly know how I ought to resent an act which
+exhibits such a forgetfulness of what your attitude should
+be towards a person in the station of my ward. You are
+merely a half-breed; you are half-Indian, and for that
+matter might as well be Indian altogether. My ward's
+position is such that the bare idea of such a union is
+revolting. She is a lady by birth and by education, and
+is destined for a social sphere into which you could
+never, and ought never, enter. You may now go, sir, but
+you must remember that your ignorance is the only palliation
+of your presumption. Laurie, show this young man the way
+out."
+
+"O, my God, what will become of me?" sobbed poor Jennie.
+"I cannot live! O, I will go after him! I will fly with
+him! I cannot endure this separation! O, sister, will
+you not intercede for my beloved? Tell uncle how noble
+and manly, and honourable he is! Can you not do anything
+for me? My God, what shall I do?"
+
+In this fashion did poor Jennie's grief find words, and
+we leave her alone with her sore heart, while we follow
+the rejected suitor. He walked swiftly down the lawn,
+turning not his eye, or he might have seen in the window
+his lover, stretching imploring arms toward him. All his
+blood was running madly in his veins, and it burned like
+fire. His heart was hot, and his temples throbbed.
+
+"So I am only a half-breed, and might as well be all
+Indian for that matter! O, God! A despised half-breed!
+They have shown the fangs at last. We now see how they
+regard us." And he went forth among his friends, and told
+the story of the insult and humiliation. A thousand
+half-breed hearts that night in Red River burned with
+vengeance against the white man; French Metis and English
+Metis alike had felt the sting of the indignity; and
+these two bodies, sundered before through petty cause,
+now united in a brotherhood of hate against the white
+population. It needs no further words to shew how ready
+these dusky people would be to rise and follow a crafty
+leader, who cried out:
+
+"We are despised by these white people. We want no social
+or political alliance with them. We shall live apart,
+rather than in ignominy and union with them." Louis Riel
+was not ready the next morning to rise and lead the people
+to revolt, for this occurred some years before his bloody
+star reached the zenith; but the same hatred was there
+years later, when he turned the governor sent to the
+colony by the Dominion out of the territories, and set
+up an authority of his own. Well might the French historian,
+cognisant of the fate of the luckless suitor, and the
+consequences of the rejection, cry out with the poet:
+
+   "_Amour tu perdis Troie._"
+   [Footnote: Love thou hast conquered even Troy.]
+
+As for poor Jennie, heroic Jennie, who would follow her
+lover to death itself, she submitted, after a few sleepless
+nights, and days that for her were without a breakfast,
+to the mandate of the guardian, and to the philosophy of
+her sister. A little later, a tall, ungainly young
+Highlander came, offered himself, and took to his home
+the poetic and tragic daughter of the Company's officer.
+
+Despite the blizards that sometimes come sweeping across
+the prairie, smothering belated travellers, and un-roofing
+dwellings, notwithstanding the frequent incursions from
+regions in the far west of myriad-hosts of locusts and
+grasshoppers, Red River settlement throve in wealth and
+population, till, when the period with which I shall now
+deal arrived, it numbered no fewer than 15,000 souls.
+Upon the completion of the great Act of the Confederation
+of the British North American Provinces in 1867, the
+attention of Canadian statesmen was turned to this distant
+colony, and negotiations were opened for the transfer of
+the Territory to the Dominion. The back of great monopolies
+had now been broken. In 1858, England had resumed its
+great Indian empire and extinguished John Company; and
+this act had paved the way for a similar resumption of
+the vast prairie domain granted by King Charles to "the
+Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading
+into Hudson Bay." The transfer was to be effected, as
+one writer puts it, by a triangular sort of arrangement.
+All territorial rights claimed by the Hudson Bay Company
+--and Red River lay within the Company's dominions--were
+to be annulled on payment of 300,000 pounds by Canada,
+and the country would then be handed over by Royal
+proclamation to the Dominion Government, the Company
+being allowed to retain only certain parcels of land in
+the vicinity of its trading posts. I may as well go upon
+the authority of the same writer. [Footnote: Captain G.
+L. Huyshe.] The transfer was dated for the 1st of December,
+1869; but the Dominion Cabinet, eager to secure the rich
+prize, appointed its Minister of Public Works, the Honourable
+William McDougall, C.B., to be Lieutenant-Governor of
+the North-West Territories, and sent him off in the month
+of September, with instructions to proceed to Fort Garry
+"with all convenient speed" there to assist in the formal
+transfer of the Territories, and to "be ready to assume
+the Government" as soon as the transfer was completed.
+So far so well, but let us pause just here.
+
+There is something to be said even on the side of revolt
+and murder, and let us see what it is. Since the foundation
+of the colony the people had lived under the government
+according to the laws propounded by the Hudson Bay Company.
+The people had established a civilization of their own,
+and had customs and rules which were always observed with
+great reverence. When tidings reached them that they were
+to be transferred to the Dominion of Canada, they began
+to have some misgivings as to how they should fare under
+the new order. Of late years, too, there had come into
+prominence among them a man whom early in these pages we
+saw bid good-bye to his father upon the plains on his
+way to school in the East. The fire seen in young Riel
+at the school, and when he turned his face again for the
+prairies that he loved, had now reached full flame. He
+had never ceased to impress upon the people that the
+Hudson Bay Company was a heartless, soulless corporation,
+and that the treatment accorded to the Metis was no better
+than might have been given to the dogs upon the plains.
+There never was public peace after the tongue of this
+man had begun to make noise in the settlement.
+
+When, therefore, it became known that the Canadian
+Government had determined upon taking the colony to
+itself, an ambitious scheme of the highest daring entered
+into the brain of Louis Riel. He lost no time in beginning
+to sow seeds of discontent.
+
+"Canada," he said, "will absorb your colony, and as a
+people you will virtually be blotted out of existence.
+White officials will come here and lord it over you; the
+tax-gatherer will plunder the land for funds to build
+mighty docks, and canals, and bridges, and costly buildings,
+and numerous railroads in the East. The poor half-breed
+will be looked upon with contempt and curiosity: no
+custom that he regards as sacred will be respected; no
+right which is inherently his, will be acknowledged.
+They will send their own henchmen, who have no sympathy
+in common with the half-breeds, to rule over us; no
+complaint that the people make to the Central Government
+will be regarded; yea, this new rule will fasten itself
+upon us as some inexorable tyrant monster, driving deep
+its fangs into a soil that has been yours so long. Yes;
+you will be of _some_ interest to them. You have some
+handsome wives and pretty daughters, and those virtuous
+pale-faces from the East have a strong admiration for
+lovely women. In this respect, you shall receive their
+attention."
+
+The effect of such arguments among these credulous people,
+who saw not the wily traitor behind the rich, eloquent
+voice, quivering with indignation, was similar to that
+which would follow were you to fling a flaming torch upon
+the prairie in midsummer after a month of drought. Then
+the cunning deceiver went secretly to several of the
+leading half-breeds in Red River, and whispered certain
+proposals in their ear.
+
+Meanwhile, events were transpiring which furnished
+just the very fuel that Riel wanted for his fire. During
+the summer of 1869, a surveying party, under Colonel
+Dennis, had been engaged surveying the country, and
+dividing it into townships, etc., for future allotment by
+government. According to good authority, the proceedings
+of this party had given great offence to the Metis. The
+unsettled state of the half-breeds' land tenure not
+unnaturally excited apprehension in the minds of these
+poor ignorant people that their lands would be taken from
+them, and given to Canadian immigrants. Then they had
+the burning words of Louis Riel ringing in their ears
+saying that the thing _would_ be done. To lend colour to
+the mistrust, some members of the surveying party put up
+claims here and there to tracts of land to which they
+happened to take a fancy. But this was not all. Some of
+these gentlemen had the habit of giving the Indians drink
+till they became intoxicated, and then inducing them to
+make choice lands over to them. One could not pass through
+any superior tract of land without observing the stakes
+of some person or other of Colonel Dennis's party.
+
+"I foretold it," cried Riel. "Go out for yourselves and
+see the marks they have set up bounding their plunder."
+Nor was this the only grievance presented to the
+half-breeds. The very survey then being carried on they
+looked upon as an act of contempt towards themselves;
+for Riel had put it in this light.
+
+"The territory has not yet passed into the hands of the
+Canadian government"--and in saying this the Disturber
+was accurate--; "what right have they, therefore, to come
+here and lay down lines? It is as I have already told
+you: You are of as much importance in the eyes of the
+Canadian authorities, as would be so many dogs."
+
+Nor were these the only grievances either. A "big man,"
+a white, living at the settlement, had made himself
+obnoxious to the whole of Red River. He well knew how
+the people hated him, and he retorted by saying:
+
+"Your scurvy race is almost run. Presently you will get
+into civilized hands, and be put through your facings.
+You disrespect me, but my counsels prevail at Ottawa.
+Only what I recommend, will the Government do; so that
+you see the settlement is very completely in my hands."
+This man was a valuable ally to Riel; for almost literally
+did he, while portending to speak for the Dominion
+authorities, corroborate the allegation of the arch
+agitator. Then two officials, Messrs Snow and Mair, sent
+out by Mr. McDougall, while he was yet Minister of Public
+Works, had established an intimacy with the obnoxious
+white man, received his hospitality, and given acquiescent
+ear to his advice. These two gentlemen looked upon the
+half-breeds as savages. They sent letters to the newspapers,
+describing Red River and its people in terms grossly
+unjust, and inaccurate. M. Riel got the communications
+and read them to the people.
+
+"This," he said, "is the manner in which they describe
+our customs, our social life, and the virtue of our
+women." The women tossed their heads haughtily.
+
+"We do what is right," they said, "and they can slander
+us if they will. We shall not prove, perhaps, so easy a
+prey to those white gallants as they seem to suppose."
+One high-spirited girl, and very beautiful, vowed that
+during the run of her life, she never would speak to a
+white man for this insult, or let him see her face. Yet,
+if the gossip is to be trusted, before the flowers bloomed
+thrice, after that, upon the prairie, she was sighing
+her sweet soul away, through her great gazelle eyes, for
+love of a sturdy young Englishman, who had taken up his
+abode upon the plains. And better than all the young
+fellow married her, and she is now one of the happiest,
+not to say one of the prettiest, women in Manitoba.
+Strong words of determination by a young woman are the
+most conclusive evidence that I know of the weakening of
+her resolve.
+
+But Messrs Snow and Mair went on with their creditable
+work, and to their other good deeds it was alleged they
+added that of grabbing choice plots of land.
+
+These two men were, of course, known to be the accredited
+agents of the Minister of Public Works; and Riel succeeded
+in convincing the credulous people that the Minister,
+indeed the whole government, were cognizant of their acts
+and approved of the same. "While public indignation was
+at its height, it was announced that a Lieutenant-Governor
+had been appointed for Red River, and that the man chosen
+was the very person through whom the chief indignity had
+been put upon the settlement. It was also shown with
+burning force by Riel that in a matter so important as
+the transfer of fifteen thousand people from one particular
+jurisdiction to another, they, the people transferred,
+had not been consulted. They had not, he also pointed
+out, been even formally apprised of the transfer.
+
+"This Canadian Government take Red River and its half-breeds
+over, just as they would take over Red River and fifteen
+thousand sheep." And some of the men swore terrible oaths
+that this change should not be without resistance, and
+resistance to the death.
+
+Riel said that the determination was good.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Having worked the unreasoning settlers to this pitch,
+Riel was satisfied. Public feeling needed but the fuse
+of some bold step of his to burst into instant flame. As
+the Lieutenant-Governor drew near the territory the
+agitator was almost beside himself with excitement. He
+neither ate nor slept but on foot or sleigh, was for ever
+moving from one to another perfecting plans, or inciting
+to tumult. At the house of a prominent half-breed, while
+the women sat about stitching, Riel met a number of the
+leading agitators, and thus addressed them:
+
+"There are two courses open to us now. One is to continue
+as an unorganized band of noisy disturbers; the other,
+to league ourselves into an organized body for the defence
+and government of our country." This proposal thrilled
+the veins of his listeners, and pouting, coral-coloured
+female lips, said softly,
+
+   "Brava!"
+
+A sort of fitful reflection followed the first wild burst
+of enthusiasm, and one _bois brule_ arose and said:
+
+"Far be it from me to utter one word that might dampen
+your ardor, but let us try to take some account of the
+cost. Would not such a step be an act of Rebellion? and
+is not Rebellion a treasonable offence?" At this point
+Riel, foaming with rage, arose and stopped him.
+
+"We want no poltroonery, no alarmist sentiments here,"
+he shouted. "Even though such an act were as you describe
+it, our duty as men, determined to guard their sacred
+rights, is to take the risk. But it would not be treason.
+The transfer of a people from one government to another
+is not constitutional without the people's consent. The
+Hudson's Bay Company have certain rights in the unsold
+lands of these regions; but no man, no corporation, no
+power, can sell, cede, or transfer that which is not his
+or its own property. Therefore the Hudson Bay Company
+has not the right to transfer our lands to the Dominion
+of Canada. And since we, the people of Red River, are
+not the chattels of the Company, they cannot transfer
+us. They have sold us to the Canadian government, but
+upon the ground between the two authorities will we stand,
+and create a province of our own. It may be that the
+Dominion Government will have justice enough to agree to
+this; if they oppose our rights, then I trust that there
+are men on Red River, who are not afraid to stand up for,
+yea to die for, their country." This speech was received
+with deafening acclamation.
+
+At once a Provisional Government was formed, and at the
+instigation of Riel, John Bruce, who was a mere cat's-paw,
+was declared President. Riel himself took the Secretaryship;
+and very promptly the Secretary raised his voice.
+
+"McDougall who sent his scourges here to plunder our
+land, and to ridicule our people, nears our border.
+There is no time to lose. _He must not enter_. I, therefore,
+move that the following letter be dispatched to him by
+a regularly constituted member of our Government:
+
+"St. Nobert, Red River, October 21st, 1869.
+
+"Sir,--The National Parliament of the Metis of Red River,
+hereby forbids you to enter the North-West Territories
+without a special permit from the National Government."
+
+This motion was carried with enthusiasm. The letter was
+signed by the President and Secretary, and dispatched to
+Pembina, which was situate on the border, to await the
+arrival at that point of the Governor Designate. The pomp
+and daring of these proceedings had such an effect upon
+the colonists, that little by little they began to grow
+blind to the fact that their action was in the face of
+Canadian authority, and an invitation to a collision of
+arms. If anyone expressed any fear he was either savagely
+silenced by Riel, or informed that there were men enough
+in Red River to hold the country in the face of any force
+that could be sent against them. And the military enthusiasm
+of the Metis gave some colour to this latter assertion.
+An armed force, sufficient for present necessities, was
+established on Scratching River, a place about fifteen
+miles from Fort Garry. Here a barrier was put across the
+road by which McDougall must travel to reach Fort Garry,
+and beyond this the half-breeds swore the pale face
+Governor should never pass.
+
+On the 30th day of October, Mr. McDougall arrived at
+Pembina. He was already aware that the country was seething
+with tumult; that Colonel Dennis had been turned out of
+the Territory; that Messrs. Snow & Mair had become hateful
+in the eyes of the half-breeds: yet he felt disposed to
+do little more than laugh at the whole affair. He had
+the assurance of his mischievous envoys that the matter
+was a mere temporary ebullition of feeling, and that his
+presence in the country would very soon calm the turbulent
+waters. So he said:
+
+"I shall take no notice of this impertinent letter. In
+fact it is impossible for me to recognise such a piece
+of presumption, and deal with a communication which would
+be the rankest insolence, but that it is so extremely
+ludicrous." So the gallant Lieutenant-Governor, with his
+officials, boldly crossed the line and proceeded towards
+Fort Garry. But they were met on their triumphant march
+by a detachment of fourteen armed half-breeds whose
+spokesman said:
+
+"You received an order from the Provisional Government
+not to enter these territories. When that order was passed
+it was the Government's intention to take care that it
+should be carried out. Yet you have forced yourself in
+here I give you till to-morrow morning to be clear of
+these territories." Mr. McDougall's lip began to hang a
+little low. The calm, even polite, tone of the spokesman
+of the party had impressed him more than bluster or rage.
+With the next morning came the same party. They made no
+noise, but quietly taking the horses of the Governor's
+party by the head, turned them around, and packed the
+whole of them back. In this way, and without so much as
+a loud word, was the Governor Designate turned out of
+the territories.
+
+Every success, however trivial, was fuel to the courage
+and enthusiasm of Riel's party.
+
+"I have begun this matter," the leader said to one of
+his followers, "and I do not mean to deal in half measures.
+Without stores we can do nothing. Fort Garry is worth
+our having just now, but we must move circumspectly in
+getting possession of it." So it was ordered that his
+followers should proceed in twos and threes, as if on no
+special mission, to the desired point. Presently, Governor
+McTavish saw in the shadow of the fort the rebel leader
+and a number of followers.
+
+"We are desirous of entering," Riel said.
+
+"Wherefore?" enquired the Governor.
+
+"We cannot tell you now," was the reply; "it is enough
+for me to say that a great danger threatens the fort."
+Without further explanation, the feeble-willed Hudson
+Bay officer permitted the rebel and his followers to
+enter.
+
+"Huzza!" they all shouted, when they found themselves
+inside the stockades, and glanced at tier upon tier of
+barrels of flour, and pork, and beef, and molasses; and
+upon the sacks of corn, and the warm clothing, and better
+than all, upon the arms and ammunition.
+
+"I am at last master in Red River," Riel said to one of
+his followers. "My men can fight now, for here we have
+at once a fortification and a base of supplies."
+
+Just a few words with reference to Mr. McDougall, and I
+shall dismiss him from these pages. He lived quietly at
+Pembina between the date of his expulsion from Red River
+and the first day of December. The latter date was fixed
+for the transfer of the new territory to the Dominion of
+Canada. So, towards midnight, on the 30th of November,
+the Governor-Designate and his party sallied, forth from
+the "line" and took formal possession of the territory
+in the name of the Government of Canada. There was no
+one stirring about the prairie on the night in question,
+for the glass shewed the thermometer to be 20 degrees
+below zero: so the gallant Governor was enabled to take
+possession without obstruction.
+
+Riel was now fairly intoxicated with success. Some of
+his followers would sometimes ask him if he had no fear
+that the Canadian Government would send out a large force
+of soldiers against him. His invariable reply was:
+
+"They never will do this. The way is too long, and the
+march too difficult. They will eventually make up their
+mind to let us rule this Province ourselves."
+
+"And do you propose to stand aloof as an independent
+colony?"
+
+"Perhaps! And, perhaps, we may, by and by, discuss the
+subject of annexation." For all the man's cunning and
+courage, he was almost as short-sighted as any savage
+upon the plain. And the small measure of Indian blood in
+him would assert itself in many ways. The people began
+to look upon him as another Napoleon triumphant, and to
+give him honour in every way that suggested itself. He
+made a great display of his importance, and would boast
+among his friends that he was as diplomatic and as able
+as any statesman in Canada, and that even his enemies
+admitted this. In his earlier days he sought, persistently,
+the smiles of the fair girls of the plains, but somehow
+or another he was never a very great favourite with the
+olive-skinned beauties. Now, however, the case was
+different with him. The Red River belles saw in him a
+hero and a statesman of the highest order, the ruler of
+a colony, and the defiant and triumphant enemy of the
+whole Dominion of Canada. So the poor, shallow pets began
+to ply their needles, and make for him presents of delicate
+things. One sewed gorgeous beads upon his hunting coat,
+and another set his jacket spangling with quills of the
+porcupine. The good priests of Red River, and their pious
+vicar, _pere_ Lestanc, whom Monseigneur had left in charge
+of the Diocese while he was attending the Ecumenical
+Council in Rome, came forward with their homage. These
+worthy gentlemen had been in the habit of reading from
+the Catechism ever since the time they were first able
+to tell their beads, or to make mud pies, these words:
+"He that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of
+God; and they that (so) resist shall purchase to themselves
+damnation." Here was a madly ambitious adventurer "resisting
+the power," and, therefore, "resisting the ordinances of
+God;" but these precious divines saw no harm whatever in
+the act. Indeed, they were the most persistent abettors
+in the uprising, counselling their flock to be zealous
+and firm, and to follow the advice of their patriotic
+and able leader, M. Riel. The great swaggering, windy
+_pere_ Richot, took his coarse person from house to house
+denouncing the Canadian Government and inciting the
+people.
+
+"No harm can come to you," he would say; "you have in
+the Canadian Government a good friend in Mr. George E.
+Cartier. He will see that no hair of one of your heads
+is touched." And Riel went abroad giving the same assurance.
+Moreover, it was known to every thinking one of the
+fifteen thousand Metis that Riel was a _protege_ of
+Monseigneur Tache; that through this pious bishop it was
+he had received his education, and that His Lordship
+would not alone seek to minimize what his favourite had
+done, but would say that the uprising was a justifiable
+one. This was how the Catholic Church in Red River
+stimulated the diseased vanity and the lawless spirit of
+this thrice-dangerous Guiteau of the plains.
+
+I have already said that Bruce was put up by Riel as a
+mere figure-head. When the end of the pretence had been
+accomplished, this poor scare-crow was thrown down and
+Louis Riel assumed the presidency of the Provisional
+Government. Now he began to draw to himself all those
+men whom he knew would be faithful tools in carrying out
+any scheme of villainy, or even of blood that he proposed
+to them. The coarse and loud-mouthed O'Donoghue was duly
+installed as a confidential attendant with wide powers,
+and Lepine was made head of the military part of the
+insurrectionary body. It certainly was strange if the
+treasonable undertaking should not be successful with
+the acquisition of all the fearless and lawless personages
+that the half-breed community could produce, and the
+vicar-general and the swaggering father Richot offering
+up masses that it should prevail.
+
+It must not be supposed that there were no white people
+in this Red River region. There were very many indeed,
+and some of them held prominent places in the community
+through high character or through affluence. Most of
+these persons were loyal to the heart's core, and were
+of opinion that the rising had nothing justifiable in
+it, and regarded it as a criminal and treasonable rebellion.
+At meetings, held in the town of Winnipeg, some of these
+gentlemen were at no pains to give expression to their
+sentiments. But Riel's murderous eye was upon them; and
+he was revolving over divers plans of vengeance. There
+was no reason why he should hesitate in taking any step
+that promised help to the cause, for Holy Church was
+praying for its success, and working for it, too. The
+shedding of the blood of a few heretics was a matter of
+small consequence: indeed, the act would only hallow a
+cause that had patriotism under, and religion behind it.
+We shall leave Riel glaring with wolfish eyes upon the
+good men who raised their voices against lawlessness,
+and relate a story which will shed a new light upon the
+darkest deed of the dark career of the miscreant Rebel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Some time before the outbreak, Riel, in company with a
+half-breed, had gone in the autumn shooting chicken along
+the prairies. The hunting-ground was many miles distant
+from Riel's home, so that the intention of the sportsmen
+was to trust themselves to the hospitality of some
+farm-house in the neighbourhood. The settlers were all,
+with two or three exceptions, Metis; and the door of the
+half-breed is never shut against traveller or stranger.
+One late afternoon, as the two men were passing along
+the prairie footpath towards a little settlement, they
+heard at some distance over the plain, a girl singing.
+The song was exquisitely worded and touching, and the
+singer's voice was sweet and limpid as the notes of a
+bobolink. M. Riel, like Mohammed, El Mahdi, and other
+great patrons of race and religion, is strong of will;
+but he is weaker than a shorn Samson when a lovely woman
+chooses to essay a conquest. So he marvelled much to his
+companion as to who the singer might be, and proposed
+that both should leave the path and join the unknown fair
+one. A few minutes walk brought the two beyond a small
+poplar grove, and there, upon a fallen tree-bole, in the
+delicious cool of the autumn evening, they saw the
+songstress sitting. She was a maiden of about eighteen
+years, and her soft, silky-fine, dark hair was over her
+shoulders. In girlish fancy she had woven for herself a
+crown of flowers out of marigolds and daisies, and put
+it upon her head. She did not hear the footsteps of the
+men upon the soft prairie, and they did not at once reveal
+themselves, but stood a little way back listening to her.
+She had ceased her song, and was gazing beyond intently.
+On the naked limb of a desolate, thunder-riven tree that
+stood apart from its lush, green-boughed neighbours, sat
+a lonely thrush in seeming melancholy. Every few seconds
+he would utter a note of song. Sometimes it was low and
+sorrowful, then it was louder, with the same sad quality
+in it, as if the lonely bird were calling for some
+responsive voice from far away over the prairie.
+
+"Dear bird, you have lost your mate, and are crying out
+for her," the girl said, stretching out her little brown
+hand compassionately toward the low-crouching songster.
+"Your companions have gone to the South, and you wait
+here trusting that your mate will come back, and not
+journey to summer lands without you. Is not that so, my
+poor bird? Ah, would that I could go with you where there
+are always flowers, and ever can be heard the ripple of
+little brooks. Here the leaves will soon fall, ah, me!
+and the daisies wither, and instead of the delight of
+summer we shall have only the cry of hungry wolves, and
+the bellowing of bitter winds above the ghastly plains.
+But could I go to the South, there is no one who would
+sing over my absence one lamenting note, as you sing, my
+bird, for the mate with whom you had so many hours of
+sweet lovemaking in these prairie thickets. Nobody loves
+me woos me, cares for me, or sings about me. I am not
+even as the wild rose here, though it seems to be alone
+and is forbidden to take its walk: for it holds up its
+bright face and can see its lover; and he breathes back
+upon the kind, willing, breeze-puffs, through all the
+summer, sweet-scented love messages, tidings of a matrimony
+as delicious as that of the angels." She stood up, and
+raised her arms above her head yearningly. The autumn
+wind was cooing in her hair, and softly swaying its silken
+meshes.
+
+"Fare well, my desolate one: may your poor little heart
+be gladder soon. Could I but be a bird, arid you would
+have me for a companion, your lamenting should not be
+for long. We should journey loitering and love-making
+all the long sweet way, from here to the South, and have
+no repining."
+
+Turning around, she perceived two men standing close
+beside her. She became very confused, and clutched for
+the blanket to cover her face, but she had strayed away
+among the flowers without it. Very deeply she blushed
+that the strangers should have heard her; and she spake
+not.
+
+"Bon jour, ma belle fille." It was M. Riel who had
+addressed her. He drew closer, and she, in a very low
+voice, her olive face stained with a faint flush of
+crimson, answered,
+
+"Bon jour, Monsieur."
+
+"Be not abashed. We heard what you were saying to the
+bird, and I think the sentiments were very pretty."
+
+This but confused the little prairie beauty all the more.
+But the gallant stranger took no heed of her embarrassment.
+
+"With part of your declaration I cannot agree. A maiden
+with such charms as yours is not left long to sigh for
+a lover. Believe me, I should like to be that bird to
+whom you said you would, if you could, offer love and
+companionship." M. Riel made no disguise of his admiration
+for the beautiful girl of the plains. He stepped up by
+her side and was about to take her hand after delivering
+himself of this gallant speech, but she quickly drew
+it away. Passing through a covert as they neared the
+little settlement, Riel's sportsman companion walked
+ahead, leaving the other two some distance in the rear.
+The ravishing beauty of the girl was more than the
+amorously-disposed stranger could resist, and suddenly
+throwing his arms around her he sought to kiss her. But
+the soft-eyed fawn of the desert soon showed herself in
+the guise of a petit bete sauvage. With a startling scream
+she bounded away from his grasp.
+
+"How do you dare take this liberty with me, Monsieur,"
+she said, her eyes kindled with anger and wounded pride.
+"You first meanly come and intrude upon my privacy; next
+you must turn what knowledge you gain by acting spy and
+eavesdropper, into a means of offering me insult. You
+have heard me say that I had no lover to sigh for me. I
+spoke the truth: I _have_ no such lover. But you I will
+not accept as one; your very sight is already hateful
+to me." And turning, with flushed cheek and gleaming
+eyes, she entered the cosy, cleanly-kept little cottage
+of her father. But she soon reflected that she had been
+guilty of an unpardonably inhospitable act in not asking
+the strangers to enter. Suddenly turning, she walked
+rapidly back, and overtook the crest-fallen wooer and
+his companion, and said in a voice from which every trace
+of her late anger had disappeared.
+
+"Entrez, Messieurs."
+
+M. Riel's countenance speedily lost its gloom, and,
+respectfully touching his hat, he said:
+
+"Oui, Mademoiselle, avec le plus grand plaisir." Tripping
+lightly ahead she announced the two strangers, and then
+returned, going to the bars where the cows were lowing,
+waiting to be milked. The persistent sportsman had not
+by any means made up his mind to desist in the wooing.
+
+"The colt shies," he murmured, "when she first sees the
+halter. Presently she becomes tractable enough." Then,
+while he sat waiting for the evening meal, blithely
+through the hush of the exquisite evening came the voice
+of the girl. She was singing from _La Claire Fontaine_:
+
+   "A la claire fontaine
+    Je m'allait promener,
+    J'ai trouve l'eau si belle
+    Que je me suis baigne."
+
+Her song ended with her work, and as she passed the
+strangers, with her two flowing pails of yellow milk,
+Riel whispered softly, as he touched her sweet little
+hand:
+
+"Ah, ma petite amie!"
+
+The same flash came in her eyes, the same proud blood
+mantled through the dusk of her cheek, but she restrained
+herself. He was a guest under her father's roof, and she
+would suffer the offence to pass. The persistent gallant
+was more crest-fallen by this last silent rebuke, than
+by the first with its angry words. The first, in his
+vanity, he had deemed an outburst of petulance, instead
+of an expression of personal dislike, especially as the
+girl had so suddenly calmed herself and extended
+hospitalities. He gnashed his teeth that a half-breed
+girl, in an obscure village, should resent his advances;
+he for whom, if his own understanding was to be trusted,
+so many bright eyes were languishing. At the evening meal
+he received courteous, kindly attention from Marie; but
+this was all. He related with much eloquence all that
+he had seen in the big world in the East during his school
+days, and took good care that his hosts should know how
+important a person he was in the colony of Red River. To
+his mortification he frequently observed in the midst of
+one of his most self-glorifying speeches that the girl's
+eyes were abstracted, as if her imagination were wandering.
+He was certain she was not interested in him, or in his
+exploits.
+
+"Can she have a lover?" he asked himself, a keen arrow
+of jealousy entering at his heart, and vibrating through
+all his veins. "No, this cannot be. She said in her
+musings on the prairie that she had nobody who would sing
+a sad song if she were to go to the South. Stop! She
+may love, and not find her passion requited. I shall
+stay about here some days, upon some pretext, and I shall
+see what is in the wind."
+
+The next morning, when breakfast was ended, he perceived
+Marie rush to the window, and then hastily, and with a
+dainty coyness withdraw her head from the pane.
+Simultaneously he heard a sprightly tune whistled, as if
+by some glad, young heart that knew no care. Looking now,
+he saw a tall, well-formed young whiteman, a gun on his
+back, and a dog at his heels, walking along the little
+meadow-path toward the cottage.
+
+"This is the lover," he muttered; "curses upon him." From
+that moment he hated with all the bitterness of his nature
+the man now striding carelessly up toward the cottage
+door.
+
+"Bon jour, mademoiselle et messieurs" the newcomer said
+in cheery tones, as he entered, making a low bow.
+
+"Bon jour, Monsieur Scott," was the reply. Louis Riel,
+intently watching, saw the girl's colour come and go as
+she spoke to the young man. This was the same Scott, the
+Thomas Scott, the tidings of whose fate, at the hands of
+the rebel and murderer, Louis Riel, in later years, sent
+the blood boiling through the veins of Western Canada.
+The young man stayed only for a few moments, and Riel
+observed that everybody in the house treated him as if
+in some way he had been the benefactor of all. When he
+arose to go, young Jean, who knew of every widgeon in
+the mere beyond the cottonwood grove, and where the last
+flock of quail had been seen to alight, followed him out
+the door, and very secretly communicated his knowledge.
+Marie had seen a large flock of turkeys upon the prairie
+a few moments walk south of the poplar grove, and perhaps
+they had not yet gone away.
+
+"When did you see them, ma chere mademoiselle Marie?
+enquired Scott. You know turkeys do not settle down like
+immigrants in one spot, and wait till we inhabitants of
+the plains come out and shoot them. Was it last week, or
+only the day before yesterday that you saw them?" There
+was a very merry twinkle in his eye as he went on with
+this banter. Marie affected to pout, but she answered.
+
+"This morning, while the dew was shining upon the grass,
+and you, I doubt not, were sleeping soundly, I was abroad
+on the plains for the cows. It was then I saw them. I am
+glad, however, that you have pointed out the difference
+between turkeys and immigrants. I did not know it before."
+He handed her a tiger lily which he had plucked on the
+way, saying,
+
+"There, for your valuable information, I give you that.
+Next time I come, if you are able to tell me where I can
+find several flocks, I shall bring you some coppers." With
+a world of mischief in his eyes, he disappeared, and Mary,
+in spite of herself, could not conceal from everybody in
+the house a quick little sigh at his departure.
+
+"It seems to me this Monsieur Scott is a great favourite
+with your folk, Monsieur?" Said M. Riel, when the young
+man had left the cottage. "Now I came with my friend also
+for sport, but no pretty eyes had seen any flocks to
+reserve for me." And he gave a somewhat sneering glance
+at poor Marie, who was pretending to be engaged in
+examining the petals of the tiger-lilly, although she
+was all the while thinking of the mischievous, manly,
+sunny-hearted lad who had given it to her. M. Riel's
+words and the sneer were lost, so far as she was concerned.
+Her ears were where her heart was, out on the plain beyond
+the cottonwood, where she could see the tall, straight,
+lithe figure of young Scott, with his dog at his heels,
+its head now bobbing up from the grass, and now its tail.
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," returned Marie's father, "Monsieur Scott
+is a very great favourite with our family. We are under
+an obligation to him that it will be difficult for us
+ever to repay."
+
+"Whence comes this benefactor," queried M. Riel, with
+an ugly sneer, "and how has he placed you under such
+obligation?" Then, reflecting that he was showing a
+bitterness respecting the young man which he could just
+then neither explain nor justify, he said:
+
+"Mais, pardonnez moi. Think me not rude for asking these
+questions. When pretty eyes are employed to see, and
+pretty lips to tell of, game for one sportsman in preference
+to another, the neglected one may be excused for seeking
+to know in what way fortune has been kind with his rival."
+
+"Shall I tell the whole story, Marie?" enquired the
+_pere_, "or will you do so?"
+
+"O I know that you will not leave anything out that can
+show, the bravery of Mr. Scott, so I shall leave you to
+tell it," replied the girl.
+
+"Well, last spring, Marie was spending some days with
+her aunt, a few miles up Red River. It was the flood
+time, and as you remember the river was swollen to a
+point higher than it had ever reached within the memory
+of any body in the settlement. Marie is venturesome, and
+since a child has shown a keen delight in going upon
+boats, or paddling a canoe; so one day, during the visit
+which I have mentioned, she got into a birch that swung
+in a little pond formed behind her uncle's premises by
+the over-flowing of the stream's channel. Untying the
+canoe, she seized the blade and began to paddle about in
+the lazy water. Presently she reached the eddies, which,
+since a child, she has always called the 'rings of the
+water-witches,' wherever she learned that term. Her
+cousin, Violette, was standing in the doorway, as she
+saw Marie move off, and she cried out to her to beware
+of the eddies; but my daughter, wayward and reckless, as
+it is her habit to be in such matters, merely replied
+with a laugh; and then, as the canoe began to turn round
+and round in the gurgling circles, she cried out, 'I am
+in the rings of the water-witches. C'est bon! bon! C'est
+magnifique! O I wish you were with me, Violette, ma chere.
+It is so delightful to go round and round.' A little way
+beyond, not more than twice the canoe's length, rushed
+by, roaring, the full tide of the river. 'Beware, Marie,
+beware, for the love of heaven, of the river. If you get
+a little further out, and these eddies will drag you out,
+you will be in the mad current, and no arm can paddle
+the canoe to land out of the flood. Then, dear, there is
+the fall below, and the fans of the mill. Come back,
+won't you!' But my daughter heeded not the words. She
+only laughed, and began dipping water up from the eddies
+with the paddle-blade, as if it were a spoon that she
+held in her hand. 'I am dipping water from the witches
+rings,' she cried. 'How the drops sparkle! Every one is
+a glittering jewel of priceless value. I wish you were
+here with me, Violette!' Suddenly, and in an altered
+tone, she cried, 'Mon Dieu! My paddle is gone.' The paddle
+had no sooner glided out into the rushing, turbulent
+waters than the canoe followed it, and Marie saw herself
+drifting on to her doom. Half a mile below was the fall,
+and at the side of the fall, went ever and ever around
+with tremendous violence, the rending fans of the
+water-mill. Marie knew full well that any drift boat, or
+log, or raft, carried down the river at freshet-flow,
+was always swept into the toils of the inexorable wheels.
+Yet, if she were reckless and without heed a few minutes
+before, I am told that now she was calm. As she is present,
+I must refrain from too much eulogy of her behaviour.
+Violette gave the alarm that Marie was adrift in the
+river without a paddle, and in a few seconds, every body
+living near had turned out, and were running down the
+shore. Several brought paddles, but it took hard running
+to keep up with the canoe, for the flood was racing at
+a speed of eight miles an hour. When they did get up in
+line each one flung out a paddle. But one fell too far
+out, and another not far enough. About fifteen men were
+about the banks in violent excitement, and every one of
+them saw nothing but doom for Marie. As the canoe neared
+a point about two hundred yards above the fall, a young
+white man--all the rest were bois-brules--rushed out upon
+the bank, with a paddle in his hand, and, without a word,
+leaped into the mad waters. With a few strokes, he was
+at the side of the canoe, and put the paddle into Marie's
+hand. 'Here,' he said, 'Keep away from the mill; that
+is your only danger, and steer sheer over the fall,
+getting as close as possible to the left bank.' The height
+of the fall, as you are aware, was not more than fifteen
+or eighteen feet, and there was plenty of water below,
+and not very much danger from rocks. 'Go you on shore
+now, and I will meet my doom, or achieve my safety,'
+Marie said; but the young man answered, 'Nay, I will go
+over the fall too: I can then be of some service to you.'
+So he swam along by the canoe's side directing my daughter,
+and shaping the course of the prow on the very brink of
+the fall. Then all shot over together. The canoe and
+Marie, and the young man were buried far under the terrible
+mass of water, but they soon came to the surface again,
+when the heroic stranger saved my daughter, and through
+the fury of the mad churning waters, landed her safe and
+unhurt upon the bank. The young man was Thomas Scott,
+whom you saw here this morning. Is it any wonder, think
+you, that when Marie sees wild turkeys upon the prairie,
+she keeps the knowledge of it to herself till she gets
+the ear of her deliverer? Think you, now, that it is
+strange he should be looked upon by us as a benefactor?"
+
+"A very brave act, indeed, on the part of this young
+man," replied the swarthy M. Riel. "He has excellent
+judgment, I perceive, or he would not so readily have
+calculated that no harm could come to any one who could
+swim well by being carried over the falls."
+
+Marie's eyes flashed indignantly at this cold blooded
+discounting of the generous, uncalculating bravery of
+her young preserver.
+
+"I doubt, Monsieur, she said, whether if you had been on
+the bank where Monsieur Scott jumped in, you would have
+looked upon the going over of the fall as an exploit so
+free of danger as you describe it now. As a matter of
+fact, there _were_ many half-breeds there, many of whom,
+no doubt, were as brave as yourself, but I should have
+perished in the fans of the mill if I had to depend upon
+the succour of any one of them."
+
+"Mademoiselle," he retorted with a fierce light in his
+eye, "I am not a half-breed."
+
+"O, pardonnez mois, I thought from your features and the
+straightness of your coal-black hair, that you were."
+Riel's blood was nigh unto boiling in his veins, but he
+had craft enough to preserve a tolerably unruffled
+exterior.
+
+"And in return for this great bravery, ma petite demoiselle
+has, I suppose, given her heart to her deliverer?"
+
+"I think Monsieur is impertinent; and I shall ask my
+father to forbid him to continue to address me in such
+a manner."
+
+"A thousand pardons; I did not mean to pain, but only to
+chaff, your brave daughter. I think that Monsieur Scott
+is most fortunate in having a friend, a beautiful friend,
+so loyal to him, and so jealous of his fair fame. But
+to pass to other matters. Have you had visits from any
+emissaries of the Canadian government during the autumn?"
+
+"Yes, Monsieur Mair came here one day in company with
+Monsieur Scott. They were both quail shooting. They
+stayed only for a little, and I was quite favourably
+impressed with the agreeableness and politeness of M.
+Mair's manners."
+
+"O, indeed! Monsieur Mair was here and with Mr. Scott!
+I am glad that you conceive an opinion so favourable of
+Monsieur Mair, but I regret that I am unable to share in
+the regard. I think I had better open your eyes somewhat
+to the character of this agreeable gentleman. Since
+coming to Red River, his chief occupation has been writing
+correspondence respecting our colony, and the civilization
+and morals of our people. I have been preserving carefully
+some of the communications for future use, and if you
+will permit me I shall read an extract from a late
+contribution of his to a newspaper printed in Ontario.
+You will, I think, be able to gather from it something
+of his opinion respecting the Metis women. Indeed, I am
+surprised that Mademoiselle's great friend and preserver,"
+he looked sneeringly at Marie, "should have for so close
+a companion a person who entertains these views about
+our people."
+
+"I do not know that Monsieur Scott is so close a companion
+of Monsieur Mair," put in Marie. "I think Monsieur is
+now, as he has been doing all along, assuming quite too
+much."
+
+"I sincerely trust that I am doing so, but I shall read
+the extract," and he took from his pocket-book a newspaper
+slip. Smoothing the creases out of the same, he read,
+with the most malignant glee, the following paragraph,
+dwelling with emphasis upon every disparaging epithet:--
+
+   "Here I am in Red River settlement. What a paradise
+   of a place it is. The mud, which is a beautiful dusky
+   red, like the complexion of the Red River belles, does
+   not rise much beyond my knees; and resembling the
+   brown-skinned beauties in more than complexion, it
+   affectionately clings to me, and do what I will, I
+   cannot get rid of it."
+
+"That is a very flattering description of our Red River
+young women, I am sure, and from the pen of your great
+friend's friend, too. Now is it not? But there is more
+than this," and he proceeded to read further.
+
+   "The other evening they had a pow-wow in the settlement,
+   which they called a dance. I was invited, and being
+   considered such a great man here, of course--I do not
+   speak it boastingly--the hearts of all the
+   tallow-complexioned girls throbbed at a great rate
+   when I entered."
+
+"Tallow complexioned girls!" reiterated the reader.
+"Very complimentary, indeed, on the part of the friend
+of your greatest friend."
+
+"Monsieur will either please finish reading his slip,
+since he wishes to do so, although, for my part, I am
+not at all interested in it, or put it by. In any case,
+I must ask that he will cease addressing me in this
+insolent tone."
+
+"Then, since Mademoiselle wills it so, I shall finish
+the very truthful and complimentary paragraph without
+further comment."
+
+   "Such a bear garden as that dance was; yet I somewhat
+   enjoyed the languishing glances of the bright-eyed
+   damsels. But, ugh! the savages never can be made to
+   wash themselves. When the dance had continued for
+   three or four hours, the dancers began to pair off
+   like pigeons and in each nook you could observe a
+   half-breed and his girl, sometimes the demoiselle
+   nursing her beau with arms about his neck, or _vice
+   versa_. ... The women are all slatterns, and as a rule
+   they exhibit about as much morality as is found among
+   the female elk of the prairies. A white man here who
+   is at all successful in winning female attention,
+   needs but to whistle, or to raise his finger, to have
+   half a dozen of the dusky beauties running after him.
+   While I write this letter I see two maidens passing
+   under my window. I no longer take pride or fun in the
+   matter. To me they have become a nuisance."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"Now, Monsieur," said M. Riel, folding his newspaper slip
+and putting it back again into his greasy pocket-book,
+"you well perceive that this Monsieur Mair is not exactly
+the sort of gentleman who ought to be the recipient of
+your hospitalities. I do not say that Monsieur Scott,
+who went over the little waterfall with your daughter,
+holds the same opinion respecting us, as as does his
+friend Monsieur Mair; I only know that upon matters of
+this kind bosom friends are very apt to be of the same
+mind.
+
+"Who, let me ask again, has informed the gallant and
+generous Monsieur that these two young white men are
+bosom friends? Monsieur Mair was at this house once,
+and Monsieur Scott was with him. I understood that they
+had only met the day before; and it is only a week ago
+since Monsieur told me that he had not since seen his
+new friend. Monsieur has been sarcastic in his reference
+to Monsieur Scott, I think without much excuse."
+
+"Is not this, Monsieur Scott, an employe of the Vampire
+Snow, who is making surveys through our territories in
+our despite, and in the face of law and justice?" Marie's
+father replied:
+
+"Il est, Monsieur."
+
+"So I had been informed. Now Monsieur, I have some serious
+business to talk to you about. As you are no doubt aware,
+the authorities at the Canadian Capital are at this moment
+discussing the project of buying the North-West Territories
+from the Hudson Bay Company, converting Red River into
+a Dominion Colony of the Confederation, and setting to
+rule it a governor and officials chosen from among
+Canadians, who hold opinions respecting us as a people,
+quite similar to those entertained by Monsieur Mair, and
+those who have the honour of being his friend." This with
+a malignant glance toward Marie, who merely retorted with
+a scornful flash in her fine, proud eyes.
+
+"Well, Monsieur, I have decided that Red River shall not
+pass over to the hands of alien officials. I shall call
+upon every true colonist to rise and aid me in asserting
+our rights as free men, and as the proprietors of the
+soil we have tilled for so many years. As for your friend
+Mr. Scott, Mademoiselle"--turning with a hideous look
+toward Marie--"I am very sorry to interfere with his
+good fortune, but before the set of to-morrow's sun, I
+intend packing Mr. Snow and his followers out of our
+territories. Nay more, I shall keep a very sharp look
+out for this young man who went with you over the chute
+petite. Indeed it may be interesting for you to hear that
+I know something of his antecedents already. He delights
+to call himself a 'loyalist,' and has declared that the
+people of Red River have no right to protest against the
+transfer to the Canadian Government."
+
+"I do not know what Monsieur Scott's views are upon this
+question," replied the girl. "Whatever they are I presume
+that he is as much entitled to hold them as you are to
+maintain yours."
+
+"I am not so certain on this point as ma belle Mademoiselle
+seems to be," he retorted with a sneer like the hiss of
+a cobra. "This is our country, and any man who opposes
+its welfare is a traitor and a common enemy. But now,
+Monsieur,"--turning to Marie's father--"you must permit
+me to say that I view with strong disapproval the intimacy
+of any of our people with aliens and enemies. Therefore
+I find it necessary to forbid for the future any further
+visit of this young man Scott to your house. Nay, more,
+I shall not permit any communication between your family
+and him; as I have good reason to believe that he is a
+paid spy of Mr. Snow and the Government of Canada."
+
+"Monsieur," quietly retorted Marie, with a curl of infinite
+contempt upon her soft, red-ripe, moist lips, "You are
+a coward, and a snake."
+
+"Hush, Marie! Monsieur must not take heed of the ready
+tongue of my daughter," the poor terrified and
+over-credulous father put in with much trepidation.
+
+"Mon pere need not apologize to Monsieur Riel for sa
+fille," the girl said, giving her father a glance of mild
+reproach. "I think that I am not unaware of the reason
+why Monsieur Riel's patriotism and vigilance have taken
+their present generous, honourable and manly form. And
+as I have now to go out and attend to my work, I would
+desire to say before leaving, that Monsieur has addressed
+his last words to me. I do not wish to see him ever again
+at our house. Should he insist on coming--and I know he
+has high spirit and honourable feeling enough to even so
+insist and force himself where he is not welcome--it
+shall be to my greatest repugnance. I have been to you,
+mon pere, a faithful and loving child. I do not think
+that I have ever before this day made any important
+request of you. But I make one now: it is that you request
+this Monsieur Riel to never enter our doors again. Pray,
+mon pere," she said going to him and looking into his
+face with the intensest pleading in her great eyes, "do
+not refuse me this request."
+
+"Monsieur has heard my daughter's request? I cannot deny
+it to her."
+
+The only reply from M. Riel was a sneer that sounded like
+an envenomed hiss.
+
+"About the matter of visits, Monsieur, I shall consult
+my own taste and convenience." Marie went out from the
+house as regal in her bearing, and as beautiful as any
+princess that has ever trod the court of Caliph. Riel
+followed the retreating form of the lovely girl with eyes
+that showed the rage and desire of a wild beast. When
+she was out of sight he calmed himself, and assuming a
+changed mood, turned to her father.
+
+"Monsieur, there is no reason why you and I should quarrel;
+is there?"
+
+"No Monsieur; no reason."
+
+"On the contrary, it would be well, if in these troublous
+times, when duties so momentous await every loyal heart
+in the colony, that we should be friends. Is this not so?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur."
+
+"Then we can, if you will, be friends. I am prepared to
+forgive the indignity put upon, me by your daughter. I
+will not hesitate to take your hand, and forgive you for
+the insult which you have just offered me. And now hear
+what I have to say. Coming yonder through the prairie,
+yesterday, I heard your daughter singing. The very sound
+of her voice thrilled me as I had never been delighted
+in all my life before. But when I saw her, sitting alone,
+a d heard her holding converse with a solitary bird which
+had lost its mate, I was ravished by her beauty, and made
+a vow that I would win her heart. I presently perceived
+that the impression I made upon her was not favourable.
+I took her hand in mine, but she snatched it away as if
+an aspek's tongue had touched it. A moment later, in the
+madness of my passion for her, I suddenly strained her
+in my arms. After this I knew that she detested me. This
+knowledge I could have borne, trusting to time, and to
+the aid of fortune, to make her look less indifferently
+upon me. Great achievement lies almost ready at my hand;
+and my end attained, she would have seen in me one who
+stood above all others in Red River in brilliancy of
+attainment and strength of character. And while in this
+way I was endeavouring to cool the fire that was burning
+me, I perceived that her heart was given to another; to
+one who, so far as I can judge, does not return her
+affection."
+
+"And who, pray Monsieur, may this rival be?"
+
+"The young man who rescued your daughter--Thomas Scott."
+
+"Mon Dieu, I hope that it is not as you say, for I do
+not want my daughter, much as I am indebted to this young
+man, to give to him her affection. If he be, as you say,
+a spy of Government and an enemy of our people, a marriage
+with him would be out of the question."
+
+"Bon, bon! Monsieur." And M. Riel, in the exuberance of
+his loyalty, having succeeded in the vital point, grasped
+the hand of Marie's father and shook and wrung it several
+times.
+
+"Now, Monsieur, we agree on the main point. I shall name
+the other conditions upon which we may be friends. I
+have sworn to overcome your daughter's repugnance to me.
+Will you assist me in the direction of accomplishing this
+object?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur, by every _fair_ means."
+
+"C'est bien. By every fair means. Only fair means will
+I ask you to employ. I shall now tell you what I desire
+you to do. You must keep Mademoiselle under your strictest
+surveillance. She must not see Monsieur Scott, or
+communicate with him. When his name is introduced into
+conversation, you must show that the subject is displeasing
+to you. You will be asked why it is so, and you shall
+answer that you have indisputable proof, and such proof
+you may take my _word_ to be, that the young man is not
+in sympathy with the cause of the Metis, and that he is
+actually a secret and paid agent of the Canadian Government.
+That your course may seem more reasonable, and appear to
+be the outcome of your own inclination, you will on such
+occasions be able to say that you are under obligation
+to him for his readiness and gallantry--always use these
+words--when your daughter was in the brimming river; but
+that your gratitude can be only a, memory, since he has
+leagued himself against a cause so near to the heart,
+and so supremely in the interest, of every man and woman
+and child in the colony of Red River. You must at the
+very first convenient moment, and without letting Marie
+perceive that I have prompted you to this step, inform
+her that she must banish from her mind at once any tender
+fancies regarding the young man which she may possess.
+Point out to her that in any case it would be unwise in
+her to cherish feelings which very evidently are not
+reciprocated. Lastly, you will have to teach her cautiously,
+and without the semblance of coercion, but constantly,
+to think of me. You must show her how great is the promise
+which lies before me; how I am the leader of the people
+and ruler-predestined of all the land. Nor must you forget
+to show her that if I have seemed rude in her presence,
+and given way to anger or bitterness, it was because of
+my all-consuming love for her, and that henceforth the
+great aim of my life, through all the turbulent deeds
+that this tumultous time may have in store for me, shall
+be to win her approbation, to hear at the close of the
+din, and when achievement shall have crowned me master,
+a 'Brava, Monsieur' from her sweet lips.'
+
+"Most faithfully, Monsieur, I swear to you," answered
+the old man, taking the Rebel's hand in his, "will your
+wishes be carried out. More than this, I can almost
+promise you that I shall succeed." And then he went to
+fetch a bottle, in which he had some choice old rye.
+While he was away, M. Riel, who was alone--for all were
+absent in the fields, and his comrade had been abroad
+since the grey dawn--began to muse in this wise:
+
+"So he believes that he can triumph--that Marie will
+yield!" Then he ground his teeth like a wild beast and
+swore a terrible oath. "If she yield--ah! but it is a
+feast for me to contemplate my revenge. Raise her to the
+dignity of wife to share my social honours and triumph.
+No; elle sera ma maitresse; and I shall cast her off
+among the worthless and degraded ones of her sex." Then
+Marie's father entered with the liquor, and pledged his
+fealty to Monsieur with many "salutes" and "bonne santes"
+After M. Riel had taken sufficient liquor to make him
+thoroughly daring, he said with a sinister tone:
+
+"Although it may not be your honour ever to call me your
+son-in-law, your duty in persuading your daughter remains
+the same. We have formed a compact of friendship and
+mutual understanding; yet I must say to you that your
+own personal safety depends upon your compliance; depends"
+he repeated, raising his voice till it sounded like the
+bellowing of an infuriated bull, "_upon your success_.
+Your intimacy with this man Scott, together with the
+visit paid to your house by the man Mair, places you
+entirely at my mercy. Before many days I shall call again
+to see how far you have succeeded. I shall expect a report
+of some progress. When I call after that I shall be
+satisfied with nothing short of _triumph_. I now go,
+leaving my warning to ring in your ears till you see me
+again." And with an air of insolent mastery, and a gross
+light in his eye, he seized his fowling-piece, and strode
+out the door, followed by his dog.
+
+"Mon Dieu!" gasped the terrified half-breed, "I thought
+that we had become friends, but he goes from my door like
+an enemy, filling my ears with threats of vengeance. May
+the Virgin protect my Marie and me from his power."
+
+"Has that terrible man gone, mon pere?" enquired Marie,
+who now entered with sorrow and agitation in her face.
+
+"Yes; but you must not speak against him. O, how I fear
+him; that is to say, ma petite fille, he is a very powerful
+man, a great man, and will one day rule all the people,
+and be in eminence like unto one of the Canadian Governors:
+therefore, it is that it was unfortunate the young man
+Scott should ever have been at our house."
+
+"Ah, mon pere! wherefore? Do you regret having extended
+a trifling hospitality, not better than you would accord
+to a wandering savage, to a brave, honest, honourable
+young man, who, at the risk, of his own life, saved the
+life of your child? O, surely you have not received into
+your ears the poison of this man's cunning and malice;"
+and she threw her arms about her father's neck and sobbed,
+and sobbed there as if her heart would burst. Old Jean
+was moved to deep grief at the affliction of his daughter,
+yet he could offer her no word of comfort.
+
+"Monsieur has poured no poison into my ear, ma chere.
+He is a powerful man and a great patriot. The people all
+love him; and, although he spoke rudely and bitterly to
+you, we must forgive him. This we shall not find difficult
+to do, when we remember that his display of ill-feeling
+was because of his all-consuming love for you."
+
+"All-consuming _love!_" and her eyes blazed with
+indignation. "All-consuming, all debasing, low passion;
+not love. No, no; love is a sacred thing, whose divine
+name is polluted when uttered by such lips as his."
+
+"Be reasonable, ma Marie; don't suffer hastily formed
+dislikes to sway your judgment and good sense. There is
+not a girl on all the prairies who would not be proud to
+be wooed by Monsieur Riel. Wherefore should you not be?
+If you have any other affection in your heart banish it.
+It may be that you have cherished a tender regard for
+the young man Scott, who is, let me see what he is, who
+is ready and gallant--no, that is not it--who is quick,
+and brave, yes, I think that is it----."
+
+"Mon Dieu; cease, mon pere. Has this tempter gone so far
+as to actually put in your mouth the words to be employed
+in winning me to his hateful, loathsome arms. Mon Dieu,
+Mon Dieu;" and she pressed her little brown fingers over
+her throbbing temples. Has my own father leagued himself
+against my happiness and, and--my _honour!_" And, with
+a loud, heart-rending cry, she fell to the floor, pale
+and motionless.
+
+"Is she dead! Mon Dieu! Ma chere fille, speak to me."
+And then raising her death-pale head a little, he poured
+some of the spirits into her mouth. This restored her,
+but there was an almost vacant look in her eye for many
+minutes, which wrung his heart. "Sit up my pet and we
+will talk together. I will no longer play the inhuman
+monster by disguises and deceit."
+
+"Then you will be frank?" she said, her eyes brightening.
+
+"I swear it. Now this man has conceived a violent passion
+for you, and I am to press his suit, to alienate your
+affections from Monsieur Scott, if you entertain such
+feelings, and to win you over to Monsieur Riel. He is to
+visit us within a brief period, and when he comes he will
+expect me to be able to report marked progress. He will
+make a second visit, and he has sworn that triumph alone
+will satisfy him then. If things fall not out in this
+wise, I am promised his vengeance. He declares that our
+intimacy with young Scott, and the visit paid us by the
+homme mauvais Mair, who is an unscrupulous agent of the
+Canadian Government, would justify extreme measures
+against us; and if I mistake not the man, his intention
+is to arm hundreds of our people, proclaim a martial law,
+and establish himself as head and judge. I am certain
+that he would not hesitate to take the most lawless steps.
+Indeed, I should not regard as safe either my own life
+or your honour. Such then being the facts, what are we
+to do?"
+
+"God is good; let us first of all put our trust in Him.
+Then let us examine the means which He has given us to
+meet the evil. Now, my plan is that I shall in the first
+instance affect to yield with grief to such proposals as
+you at first make to me. Let there be a surrender of
+Monsieur Scott--" Here she blushed so deeply that all
+her sweet-rounded cheek, and her neck, and her delicious
+little shell-like ears, became a crimson, deep as her
+bodice--"and a consent to entertain as favourably as I
+can the suit of M. Riel. Meanwhile we can see what is
+the next best step. I do not think that we have much to
+dread by leaving Red River. We can go to your brother
+who lives across the border, and I am certain that he
+will be delighted to harbour us till the tempest blows
+over. I believe that this rising will rage for a brief
+season only, when it must yield to the arm of the Canadian
+authorities. M. Riel is a fanatic, and counts not the
+perilousness of his undertaking. He will succeed at the
+first, I doubt not. You will hear of slaughtered whites,
+and others who have incurred his private vengeance. He
+will lord it over all like a tyrant, till he sees the
+bayonets from Canada, when he will take good care to get
+out of the way." Her father saw that her views were sound,
+and consented to take her advice; but who was to acquaint
+his brother with their needs, and to learn if he could
+afford a harbourage?
+
+"Paul can go. He can take the pony and ride the distance
+in twelve hours." So it was agreed, and Marie busied
+herself with the linen of her brother, and sewed missing
+buttons upon his clothes. In the evening, when all were
+seated at supper, a young half-breed who had long been
+an intimate friend at the house of Marie's father, and
+who cast many a languishing eye upon the piquant Violette,
+came in. There was much concern in his face, and it was
+some time before he knew how to begin to break the news
+which he possessed.
+
+"Monsieur Riel was at my father's house to-day, and he
+talked long there. He is not your friend," looking at
+Jean. "He declares that you are in league with the
+enemies of our colony, and has asked my father to keep
+a strict watch on the doings of every member of your
+family. I know that he talked in the same strain at every
+house he visited; and I think there is no threshold in
+our settlement that he hasn't crossed. About twenty-five
+young men have declared their willingness to follow him
+in any exploit. They met upon a field this afternoon and
+drilled for a couple of hours. One of them told me,"--the
+speaker now turned his gaze half toward Marie--"not an
+hour ago that their first business would be to settle
+affairs with Messieurs Mair and Scott, whom they declare
+are enemies of Red River, and spies of the Canadian
+government. I should not wonder if these two men were
+secured to-night; and if this be so, and I am any judge
+of human malevolence, Riel will have them shot." The
+colour had gone out of Marie's cheek, and there was a
+terrified gleam in her eye.
+
+"Can nothing be done," she asked, "to apprise them of
+the miscreant's designs?"
+
+"I regret that I can do nothing; you know how gladly I
+would were it in my power. Every man between twenty-one
+and sixty years in our settlement, has been called out
+to attend a meeting to be held during the evening in the
+school-house, to discuss the situation. One Lepine, a
+bosom friend of Monsieur Riel, is to tell us what we are
+to do. I, therefore, will have to be present."
+
+"I shall go," said young Paul. "I can reach Willow grove
+long before the moon is up, and give warning to Monsieur
+Scott. But Monsieur Mair has to take care of himself. I
+would very gladly assist in his capture, or for that
+matter be well pleased to be one of a firing party to
+dispatch his insolent, insulting life." The young lad's
+cheeks were burning with indignation. "I think Monsieur
+Riel is an impostor, although the cause which he has
+espoused is a holy one. But this Mair, after receiving
+our hospitalities turns and holds us up to the ridicule,
+contempt and pity of the world. Under obligation must we
+ever remain to Monsieur Scott, but beyond this, he is a
+true gentleman, and incapable of the remotest sympathy
+with the mean unmanliness of this Monsieur Mair."
+
+Paul, was a tall, handsome lad, with large, spirited,
+brown eyes. He was in his eighteenth year, but had the
+manly address of twenty-one. His sister's gratitude
+gleamed in her eyes. When he was ready to go out to saddle
+his pony, she put her arms about him and kissed him.
+
+"Que Dieu benisse, mon bon frere. Bon voyage!" and she
+watched him, I doubt not praying, though her ruby lips
+moved not, for him, and for her lover, till the flitting
+figure of himself and his fleet-limbed pony was lost in
+the dusk that had already gathered over the plain... That
+evening when Paul returned he came not alone. Another
+steed and rider were there, and beyond, in the shadow of
+a grove of cottonwood stood a party of a dozen horsemen.
+Marie heard the double tramp, and with some terror drew
+to the window to see who was approaching. But her
+apprehensions suddenly vanished, and a flush came over
+her face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+"Mon pere, it is Paul, and there is with him Monsieur
+Scott; why, I wonder, has he come?" While the question
+yet remained unanswered, Paul entered the room accompanied
+by young Scott.
+
+"Monsieur will explain the cause of his visit," Paul said.
+
+"Monsieur and mademoiselle," young Scott began, inclining
+his head first to the father and then to the daughter,
+"as you may expect, only great urgency brought me here
+under these circumstances. A half-breed to whom I did a
+kindness since coming to the territories, is one of
+Monsieur Riel's agents, and is in the confidence of that
+dangerous person. He tells me that this very night,
+probably before the rise of the moon, a party is to
+surround your house, and make you and your daughter
+captives. The charge against you is, that you are both
+in league with Canadian spies, and enemies of Red River.
+One of the said spies is myself! It appears that you are
+to be taken to the common jail; and mademoiselle Marie
+is to be lodged in the house of a Metis hag, who is a
+depraved instrument of Riel's will. Therefore, I have
+brought hither an escort sufficient to accomplish your
+safe retreat to some refuge beyond the American frontier.
+Paul tells me that you had proposed going to your brother's.
+I do not consider this a safe plan. Your malignant
+persecutor will very speedily learn from your neighbours
+all information respecting the existence of relatives,
+and where they reside. You would be no safer from the
+vengeance of this monster in adjacent, thinly settled
+American territory, than you would be in Red River. Will
+you therefore come with me to my uncle's in a town not
+far beyond the line?--only too happy will he be to serve
+you in your need." The proposal was very gladly accepted.
+Tears stood in old Jean's eyes; and I doubt not that they
+came there when he began to reflect that, but for Marie,
+he should now have been acting in league with his miscreant
+persecutor against this noble, generous-hearted young fellow.
+
+Within an hour, most of the little valuables in the dear
+old homestead, which neither Jean nor Marie ever again
+expected to see, were made up into small packs, each one
+to be carried by one of the escorts. With a deep sigh
+Marie looked at the home of her happy youth, drowsing in
+the deep shadow of the oaks, and then mounted her horse.
+All that night she rode by her lover's side, and stole
+many a glance of admiring pride at his handsome, manly
+figure. When they were a couple of hours out, a dusky
+yellow appeared in the south-east, and then the bright,
+greenish-yellow rim of the Autumn moon appeared, and
+began to flood the illimitable prairie with a thick,
+wizard light.
+
+"So this miscreant has been hunting you, Marie?" said
+the young man, for both had unconsciously dropped in
+rear. "I did not like his glances this morning, and had
+resolved to keep my eyes upon him. I suppose, ma petite,
+if I had the right to keep you from the fans of water-mills,
+that I also hold the right of endeavouring to preserve
+you from a man whose arms would be worse than the rending
+wheel?" She said nothing, but there was gratitude enough
+in her eye to reward for the most daring risk that man
+ever run.
+
+"You do not love this sooty persecutor, do you, ma
+chere?"--and then, seeing that such a question pained
+and confused her, he said, "Hush now, ma petite fille;
+I shall not tease you any more." The confusion passed
+away, and her little olive face brightened, as does the
+moon when the cloud drifts off its disc.
+
+"I am very glad. O, if you only knew how I shudder at
+the sound of his name!"
+
+"There now, let us forget about him, I can protect you
+from him; can I not?" and he reined his horse closer to
+hers, and leaned tenderly over towards the girl. She
+said nothing, for she was very much confused. But the
+confusion was less embarrassment than a bewildered feeling
+of delight. But for the dull thud, thud of the hoofs upon
+the sod, her escort might plainly enough have heard the
+riotous beating of the little maiden's heart.
+
+"And now, about that flower which I gave you this morning.
+What did you do with it?"
+
+"Ah, Monsieur, where were your eyes? I have worn it in
+my hair all day. It is there now; it was there when you
+came to our cottage this evening."
+
+"Ah, I see. I am concerned with your head,--not with your
+heart. Is that it, ma petite bright eye? You know our
+white girls wear the flowers we give them under their
+throats, or upon their bosom. This they do as a sign that
+the donor occupies a place in their heart." He did not
+perceive in the dusky moonlight, that he was covering
+her with confusion. Upon no point was this little maiden
+so sensitive, as when it was revealed to her that a
+particular habit or act of hers differed from that of
+the civilized white girl. Her dear little heart was almost
+bursting with shame, and this thought was running through
+her mind.
+
+"Oh! what a savage I must seem in his eyes." Her own
+unspoken words seemed to burn through her whole body.
+"But how could I know where to wear my rose? I have read
+in English books that gentle ladies wear them there."
+And these lines of Tennyson came running through her
+head.
+
+  "She went by dale, and she went by down,
+   With a single rose in her hair."
+
+And they gave her some relief, for she thought, after
+all, that he might be only joking When the blood had gone
+back from her forehead, she turned towards her lover,
+who had been looking at her since speaking with somewhat
+of a tender expression in his mischievous eyes.
+
+"Do white girls never wear roses in their hair? I thought
+they did. Can it be wrong for me to wear mine in the same
+place?"
+
+"Ah, my little barbarian, you do not understand me. If
+an old bachelor, whose head shone like the moon there in
+the sky, were to give to some blithe young belle a rose
+or a lily, she would, most likely, twist it in her hair;
+but if some other hand had presented the flower, one
+whose eye was brighter, whose step was quicker, whose
+laugh was cheerier, whose years were fewer; in short, ma
+chere Marie, if some one for whom she cared just a little
+bit more than for any other man that walked over the face
+of creation, had presented it to her, she would not put
+it in her hair. No, my little unsophisticated one, she
+would feel about with her unerring fingers, for the spot
+nearest her heart, and there she would fasten the gift.
+Now, ma Marie, suppose you had possessed all this
+information this morning when I gave you the flower,
+where would you have pinned it?"
+
+"Nobody has ever done so much for me as has Monsieur.
+He leaped into the flood, risking his life to save mine.
+I would be an ungrateful girl, then, if I did not think
+more of him than of any other man; therefore, I would
+have pinned your flower on the spot nearest my heart,"
+Then, deftly, and before he could determine what her
+supple arms and nimble little brown fingers were about,
+she had disengaged the lily from her hair, and pinned it
+upon her bosom. "There now, Monsieur, is it in the right
+place?" and she looked at him with a glance exhibiting
+the most curious commingling of innocence and coquetry.
+
+"I cannot answer. I do not think that you understand me
+yet. If the act of saving you from drowning were to
+determine the place you should wear the rose, then the
+head, as you first chose, was the proper spot, Do you
+know what the word love means?"
+
+"O, I could guess, perhaps, if I don't know. I have heard
+a good deal about it, and Violette, who is desperately
+fond of a handsome young Frenchman, has explained it so
+fully to me, that I think I know. Yes, Monsieur, I _do_
+know."
+
+"Well, you little rogue, it takes one a long time to find
+out whether you do or not. In fact I am not yet quite
+satisfied on the point. However, let me suppose that you
+do know what love is; the all-consuming sort, the kind
+that sighs like the very furnace. Well, that part of the
+statement is clear. Then, supposing that a flower is worn
+over the heart only to express love, of the sort I
+mentioned, for the donor, where would you, with full
+knowledge of this fact, have pinned the flower that I
+plucked for you this morning?"
+
+"Since I do not understand the meaning of the word love
+with very great clearness,--I think Monsieur has expressed
+the doubt that I do understand it--I would not have known
+where to pin the flower. I would not have worn it at all.
+I would, Monsieur, have set it in a goblet, and taking
+my stitching, would have gazed upon it all the day, and
+prayed my guardian angel to give me some hint as to where
+I ought to put it on."
+
+"You little savage, you have eluded me again. Do you
+remember me telling you that some day, if you found out
+for me a couple of good flocks of turkeys, I would bring
+you some coppers?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Well, if you discovered a hundred flocks now, I would
+not give you one." And then he leaned towards her again
+as if his lips yearned for hers; but his love of mischief
+was too strong for every other desire. For her part, she
+took him exactly as she should have done. She never
+pouted;--If she had done so, I fancy that there would
+have been soon an end of the wild, boyish, sunny raillery.
+
+"Hallo! Little one, we are away, away in the rear. Set
+your pony going, for we must keep up with our escort."
+Away they went over the level plain, through flowers of
+every name and dye, the fresh, exquisite, autumn breeze
+bearing the scent of the myriad petals upon their faces.
+After a sharp gallop over about three miles of plain,
+they overtook the main body of the escort.
+
+They now reached the border, and the pavements of the
+little town of Pembina rang with the hoofs of their
+horses. Away still to the south, they rode through the
+glorious autumn night, under the calm, bountiful moon.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Riel, I think we are some distance from
+your foul talons," Scott said, as turning in his saddle,
+he saw the steeples of Pembina, gloom-wrapped, almost
+sunk in the horizon. "I fancy I can hear the curses of
+his willing tools in the air, after they swooped down
+upon your cottage, Marie, and found the inmates flown."
+
+"What is your uncle's cottage like, Monsieur Scott?"
+
+"It is not unlike your own. It is in a grove of pines,
+and a happy brook goes chattering by it all the summer.
+Will you come fishing in it with me, ma petite?"
+
+"Oui, avec le plus grand plaisir, Monsieur," and she
+looked so happy, there was so much sun in her eyes, so
+many divine little dimples in her cheek, in contemplation
+of all the promised happiness, that it would not require
+much keenness to discover the secret of the dear little
+maiden.
+
+"Of course, you shall fish with a pin-hook. I am not
+going to see you catch yourself with one of the barbed
+hooks, like those which I shall use."
+
+"O, Monsieur Scott! Why will you always treat me as a
+baby!" and there was the most delicate, yet an utterly
+indescribable sort of reproach in her voice and attitude,
+as she spoke these words.
+
+"Then it is not a baby by any means," and he looked with
+undisguised admiration upon the maiden, with all the
+mystic grace and perfect development of her young womanhood.
+"It is a woman, a perfect little woman, a fairer a sweeter,
+my own mignonette, than any girl ever seen in this part
+of the plains since first appeared here human footprint."
+
+"O, Monsieur is now gone to the other extreme. He is
+talking dangerously; for he will make me vain."
+
+"Does the ceaseless wooing of the sweet wild rose by soft
+winds, make that blossom vain? or is the moon spoilt
+because all the summer night ten thousand streams running
+under it sing to it unnumbered praises? As easy, ma Marie,
+to make vain the rose or the moon as to turn your head
+by telling your perfections."
+
+"Monsieur covers me with confusion!" and the little sweet
+told the truth. But it was a confusion very exquisite to
+her. It sang like entrancing music through her veins;
+and gave her a delightful delirium about the temples,
+flow fair all the glorious great round of the night, and
+the broad earth lit by the moon, seemed to her now, with
+the music of his words coursing through her being.
+Everything was transfigured by a holy beauty, for Love
+had sanctified it, and clothed it with his own mystic,
+wonderful garments. It was with poor Marie, then, as it
+has some time or other been with us all: when every bird
+that sang, every leaf that whispered, had in its tone a
+cadence caught from the one loved voice. I have seen the
+steeple strain, and rock, and heard the bells peal out
+in all their clangourous melody, and I have fancied that
+this delirious ecstasy of sound that bathed the earth
+and went up to heaven was the voice of one slim girl with
+dimples and sea-green eyes.
+
+The mischievous young Scotchman had grown more serious
+than Marie had ever seen him before.
+
+"I hope, my child, that you will be happy here; the
+customs of the people differ from yours, but your nature
+is receptive to everything good and elevated, so that I
+am certain you will soon grow to cherish our civilization."
+
+I must say here for the benefit of the drivelling,
+cantankerous critic, with a squint in his eye, who never
+looks for anything good in a piece of writing, but is
+always on the search for a flaw, that I send passages
+from Tennyson floating through my Marie's brain with good
+justification. She had received a very fair education
+at a convent in Red River. She could speak and write both
+French and English with tolerable accuracy; and she could
+with her supple, tawny little fingers, produce a nice
+sketch of a prairie tree-clump, upon a sheet of cartridge
+paper, or a piece of birch rind.
+
+Young Scott was all the while growing more serious, and
+even becoming pathetic, which is a sign of something very
+delicious, and not uncommon, when you are travelling
+under a bewitching moon, in company with a more bewitching
+maiden.
+
+"I wish I could be with you during the early part of your
+stay here, for I could do much toward reconciling you to
+your new life."
+
+"And are you not going to stay with us?" Her voice sounded
+somewhat like a restrained cry of pain.
+
+"No Marie, my child, I have to return to the territories."
+
+"But that wicked man will work his vengeance upon you."
+
+"It is just to meet that wicked man upon his own ground
+that I go back. It is to thwart him, to cast in my strength
+on the side of peace, in the interest of those fertile
+plains, that I return. You do not suppose that this
+licentious fanatic can ultimately prevail against the
+will of the people of Canada, against the military force
+of the Empire of Great Britain. The sovereign of our
+mighty realm tolerates in no land any dispute of her
+authority, and this mad uprising will be crushed as I
+might stamp put the feeble splutter of a bed-room taper.
+There are without the intervention of outside force at
+all, enough of brave and loyal whitemen to overthrow this
+scurvy miscreant; and my immediate task is to do the
+little that lies in my power to incite them to their
+duty. When my work is done, when the plains are cleared
+of the mutinous, blind, unreasoning hordes whom this
+cunning, vainglorious upstart has called away from their
+peaceful homesteads, I will return, my darling little
+girl, with the tidings; and I shall bring you back to
+the spot where you grew up pure and artless as the lily
+that brightens the pond upon which we have so often
+paddled our birch together. What the days after that may
+have in store for us I know not."
+
+"Ah, I shall be very dreary in your absence, Monsieur
+Scott."
+
+"And I, my dear girl, shall be not less dreary without
+you. I believe you have regarded yourself as a mere
+plaything in my eyes. Why, ma chere, all of my heart you
+have wholly and irrevocably. One of your dear hands is
+more precious, more sacred to me, than any other girl
+whom mine eyes have ever seen. Do you remember the
+definition of love that I tried to give you? Well, I gave
+it from my own experience. With such a love, my prairie
+flower, do I love you. It is fit now, that we are so soon
+to part, that I should tell you this: and you will, know
+that every blow I strike, every noble deed I do shall be
+for the approbation of the dear heart distant from me in
+American territory. I have said that the hours of absence
+will be dreary; but there will be beyond the the darkest
+of them one hope which shall blaze like a star through
+the night, and that is that I shall soon be able to call
+my Marie my sweet, sweet bride. Now, my beloved, if that
+wished for time had come, and I were to say, 'Will you
+be mine, Marie,' what would you answer?"
+
+"I did not think that it would be necessary for Monsieur
+to ask me that question," she answered shyly, her beautiful
+eyes cast down; "I thought he knew."
+
+"My own little hunted pet!" He checked his horse, and
+seized the bridle of Marie's pony, till the two animals
+stood close together. Then he kissed the girl upon her
+sweet virgin lips, murmuring low,
+
+"My love."
+
+The next morning he was away, and Marie sat sad by the
+strange brook that ho had told her about. Old Jean was
+very contented, but now that he had nought to do, ha
+babbled all day about the wars; and thanked the Virgin
+that himself and his child had escaped the clutches of
+the Rebel leader. Paul speedily obtained employment
+harvesting on a large farm near by, and after a little
+old Jean began to be extremely useful to his kind host.
+But tying sheaves was not the occupation, at this tumultuous
+time, that young Paul's heart would have chosen. For how
+he longed to be in the fray! to stand, side by side, with
+his young comrade, Luc, fighting for the honour and
+independence of Riviere Rouge. It was only, after the
+most tedious argument, that he could be prevailed upon
+to stay; and it was Thomas Scott, who had so overcome him.
+
+"You know the designs that this monster harbours," that
+young man had said to Paul. "You are foolish enough to
+count now on his patriotism, and to imagine that he would
+welcome you to his ranks. He would act far differently:
+he would probably spare you, provided that you lent
+yourself to his evil designs. If you refused to do this,
+he would very probably shoot you as a traitor to your
+country."
+
+As for Riel, it may seem that his conduct in deciding in
+one hour, to use Marie's father as a tool, and, during
+the next, projecting a plan which defeated the very end
+which he had in view, was absolutely illogical, and
+unreasonable; and that it is the narrator whose skill is
+at fault. But I have been at pains to give this occurrence
+at length, for the very purpose of revealing the unstaid,
+unreasoning character of Riel, and how far passion and
+impulse will carry him away from sound understanding.
+
+As for the Arch-agitator, the spirits taken at the house
+of old Jean, had raised the savage part of his blood to
+the highest pitch of unreasoning and confident passion.
+All obstacles seemed to disappear, and he saw with the
+same glance the gratification of his passion and of his
+revenge.
+
+"Take the horses," he had said to his confidant, "before
+the moon rises. Approach the house softly, and carefully
+surround it. The girl must be treated with respect. You
+know where to leave her."
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," and the slavish fanatic went to do the
+vile bidding.
+
+For some hours M. Riel went among the Metis, perfecting
+his plans, but towards midnight he ordered his horse,
+and, with a lurid light in his eye, set off for the hut
+of the half-breed hag where he expected his ruffianly
+emissaries would have placed Marie before his arrival.
+But the cabin was desolate, save for the figure of an
+ill-featured old woman, who, when she heard hoof-beats
+approach, came to the door peering out into the night.
+
+"Has the expected yet arrived?" he asked, a half-puzzled
+expression in his face.
+
+"No, Monsieur."
+
+"Curses! What can have happened? They should have been
+here two hours ago. It is now three o'clock." Then he
+alighted and strode about for half an hour over the
+dim-lit sward, thrusting out his head every few seconds,
+in the direction from which the party should come. But
+still no sound, no sight, of any horseman. He now began
+to storm and blaspheme, and would remind anybody who saw
+him of some wild beast foiled of his prey. Presently,
+he observed a long distance off upon the plain, a figure
+which he believed was moving. Was this only a poplar or
+a cotton-wood tree? He got upon his knees, and put his
+ear to the ground; the soft thud of a horse's hoof vibrated
+under his ear, and he was satisfied.
+
+"But there is only one horseman. What can it mean?" He
+could not bear the suspense, and flinging himself upon
+his horse, he galloped out to meet the advancing stranger.
+It was soon told. The inmates had escaped, evidently long
+before the party got to the dwelling. The embers were
+very low on the hearth. Every article of value had been
+removed, and there were the prints of many hoofs near
+the cottage.
+
+"Scott has foiled me!" and the outwitted tyrant-libertine
+swore the most terrible oaths, that he would be revenged.
+
+"Off," he said to his confidant. "You must scour Red
+River over to find these fugitives. Wherever you see the
+girl, seize her, and bring her hither. The people must
+all know that she is a spy, and leagued with our most
+deadly enemies to thwart our cause. As for the father,
+catch him too, though I should not fret, if, in the
+capture, a stray bullet or two went singing through his
+head. Above all, Scott must be captured," and this was
+to himself, "let me lay hands upon him!"
+
+The horseman was riding off.
+
+"Stop! This old Jean has relatives in the territory; and
+with one of these he may be taking refuge."
+
+"I do not think that this is likely, Monsieur. But I
+learnt, and it was the prosecution of these enquiries
+among Jean's nearest neighbours, that kept me late in
+reaching you, that he has a brother in Pembina. Now in
+that direction did the hoof-marks of the party lead."
+
+"I see. He has gone there, counting on safety beyond the
+lines; but he leans upon a hollow reed. Let me see:
+to-morrow at the convention, next day at the grand parade
+of arms. Yes, on Tuesday evening, take with you forty
+men to Pembina. Of course, you go there with all speed,
+and locate the residence. Then on Tuesday night, when
+you enter the city, surround the house by a sortie You
+will have nothing to fear from the citizens, they have
+no force there to oppose yours, and if they had you could
+accomplish your mission so suddenly that you might be on
+the prairie with your prize before they had their arms
+in their hands." The horseman rode off, and the Rebel
+was alone.
+
+We have seen that Mr. McDougall had appointed his Deputy
+Colonel Dennis, as Conservator of the peace, and authorized
+him to organize a force, and put down the Rebellion.
+The English and Scotch settlers, almost to a man,
+sympathized with the interdicted governor; yet they did
+not care to bring themselves into conflict with men, with
+whom, for years past, they had lived in the most friendly
+relationship, unless some great necessity arose. As for
+Riel, they regarded him as an ambitious, short-sighted
+demagogue, who palmed off his low cunning for brilliant
+leadership, upon the credulous half-breeds. Nevertheless,
+a large number of these settlers declared their readiness
+to march under Colonel Dennis, and disperse the nest of
+rebels at Fort Garry. I need hardly say that most of
+the Irish settlers were heart and soul with Riel. It
+was not that they had any particular grievance to resent,
+or any grievance at all for that matter. It was as
+natural to them to rise in revolt, since the rising meant
+resistance to the lawful authority, as it is for the
+little duck first cast into the pond, to swim. A red
+haired, pug-nosed Irishman, coming to New York, leaped
+ashore and asked,
+
+"Is there a guvernment in this counthry?"
+
+"There is."
+
+"Thin I'm opposed to it."
+
+Much the same was it in the North-West, and the violent,
+blustering ruffian O'Donoghue was the mouthpiece, the
+leader, the type of that class of the people.
+
+A number of loyal Scotch and English, therefore, did
+arise, and they were known as the Portage party. This
+was some months after the night that we last saw Riel
+thwarted upon the prairies. In that connection it only
+remains to be said that the mission of the confidant to
+Pembina was fruitless; and the Rebel gnashed his teeth
+that his desires and his revenge had all been baulked.
+He had heard, however, that Thomas Scott was abroad
+through his territories; and that he had enlisted under
+the banner of Colonel Dennis,--which was the truth. What
+galled him most was, that in case he should succeed in
+getting Scott into his hands, he had no proofs that would
+be regarded as sufficient evidence upon which to proceed
+with the extreme of vengeance toward him. Yet his orders
+stood unchanged:
+
+"Wherever you find Thomas Scott seize him; and convey
+him to Fort Garry." On the sixth of December the confidant
+came into the tyrant's presence and said:
+
+"We have caught Scott." [Footnote: I take the following
+from Begg's "History of the North-West Rebellion," p.
+161: "About this time (6th December), the French arrested
+and imprisoned Mr. Thomas Scott, Mr. A. McArthur, and
+Mr. Wm. Hallet. Mr. Scott, it appears, had been one of
+the party assembled in Schultz's house, but had afterwards
+left; and no other reason for his arrest is known, except
+his having enrolled under Colonel Dennis. Mr. McArthur,
+was, it is said, confined on suspicion of acting secretly
+on behalf of Mr. McDougall; and Mr. Hallet, for his
+activity in assisting and advising Colonel Dennis." ]
+The Rebel leader's eye gleamed with a wolfish light.
+
+"Is he in the Fort?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Bon! I shall be there presently." So without any delay
+he proceeded to the Fort, and entered the apartment where
+young Scott was confined.
+
+"Ah, Monsieur! This is where you are?"
+
+"Yes, you tyrannical ruffian. But I shall not be here
+for long." Riel curbed the mad blood which had leaped to
+his temples.
+
+"Monsieur shall not be here long, if he chooses to accept
+conditions upon which he may be free."
+
+"Come, for curiosity sake, let us hear the proposals; I
+am certain that they are foul. Yet, as I say, I am anxious
+to hear them."
+
+"Monsieur must be reasonable. There is no good purpose
+to be served by railing at me."
+
+"That is true. You are too infamous a miscreant to be
+shamed or made better by reproaches."
+
+"Nevertheless, I shall proceed to business, Monsieur.
+Do you know where old Jean and his daughter have taken
+up their abode?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"So I suspected. If you will let me know their place of
+abode, that I may give them my guarantee for their personal
+safety if they return to their home--as I understand that
+through some unfounded fear of me they fled, and I am anxious
+to stand well in the affections of all my people--I shall
+permit you forthwith to leave this Fort."
+
+"Contemptible villain, liar and tyrant, I will _not_
+reveal to you. Begone. By heaven! if you stand there I
+shall bury my hands in your foul, craven throat."
+
+"Take care, Monsieur," was all M. Riel said, as he left
+Scott's presence. But his eye burned like a fiend's.
+The agitator, with a spirit of the most devilish rage
+consuming him, nevertheless went on to forward the general
+movement. His first great step was against the followers
+of Colonel Dennis, who had banded together and posted
+themselves in the house of Dr. Schultz, a very prominent
+settler. They had gathered here with arms in their hands,
+but they seemed like a lot of little children, without
+any purpose. There was no moral cohesion among them, and
+there was no force either to lead or to drive them. They
+were not long thus ridiculously impounded, when they
+began to look at one another, as if to ask:
+
+"_Quis furores o cives?_"
+
+They were not alone unprepared and undetermined to go up
+to Fort Garry, and fight the greasy Rebel and his followers,
+but they were by no means certain as to what they should
+do were the enemy to come against them. And this is just
+the very thing that the enterprising Monsieur Riel proposed
+to do. It is said that about this time he was often found
+reading books describing the sudden and unexpected military
+movements of Napoleon. And I have not the remotest doubt
+that the diseased vanity of the presumptuous crank enabled
+him to see a likeness in himself to the Scourge of Nations.
+So he said to his men:
+
+"We shall go down and capture this Dennis' geese-pound.
+Better turn out in good force, with your arms, though I
+am quite certain that you can capture the whole caboose
+with broom-sticks." So the Metis thronged after his heels,
+and surrounded the Schultz mansion with its "congregation
+of war spirits." Of course there is something to be said
+for the gathering together of these loyal people here,
+as there is for the issuing of the proclamation by the
+citizens of London, per the mouth of the three tailors.
+Beyond was Fort Garry, unlawfully seized by Riel, and
+now unlawfully invested by his troops. This was, therefore,
+a menace to the unlawful combination at the fort. At once
+the agitator began to dictate terms. If they would come
+out of their ridiculous hive, and surrender their arms,
+he would suffer no harm whatever to befall them; but
+content himself with merely taking them all in a lump,
+and locking them up prisoners in the fort. He would,
+however, insist upon other formalities; and, therefore,
+exhibited a declaration which he would ask them to sign.
+By this document each man would bind himself to rise no
+more, but to submit to the authority of the Provisional
+Government. There was very little parleying. Each brave
+loyalist took the paper, and put his name to it.
+[Footnote *] Dr. O'Donnell was the first to sign his
+name, and after he had done the rest followed and with
+much credit to the celerity of their penmanship. Then
+they all moved out and were escorted up to Fort Garry,
+where they were held for a considerable period, despite
+the prayers of prominent persons who had taken no active
+part on either side, for their liberation.
+
+[* Footnote: I take the following from Mr. Begg's History
+of the Rebellion: "In the meantime, there were from two
+to three hundred armed French half-breeds, as well as a
+number of lookers-on, around and outside the building;
+and it is said that a couple of mounted cannon (six
+pounders) were drawn outside the walls of Fort Garry,
+ready to be used in case of an assault upon the besieged
+premises.
+
+"When all those in the house had signed, and the surrender
+handed to Riel, he said that there were two signatures
+not on the list, which ought to be there--and which he
+insisted upon having. These were the names of James
+Mulligan and Charles Garrett. A guard from the French
+party was therefore sent to hunt up those two men; and
+in a short time they returned with the individuals they
+had been in search of. As soon as this had been done,
+the prisoners were taken out and marched to Fort Garry;
+and the following ladies, who, during the siege, had
+nobly resolved upon remaining by the side of their
+husbands, also insisted upon accompanying them to Fort
+Garry.
+
+"The following are the names of the ladies: Mrs. Schultz,
+Mrs. Mair, Mrs. O'Donnell; and as the first named lady
+was ill, probably from the excitement of the past few
+days, a sleigh was procured, and Dr. Schultz himself drew
+her along in it, behind the rest of the prisoners. When
+they reached Fort Garry, Mr. J. H. McTavish, accountant
+in the Hudson Bay Company service, kindly offered to give
+up his private quarters for the use of the married men
+and their families, and thus made things more comfortable
+for the ladies."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+In the meantime, the Government at Ottawa had convinced
+itself that affairs were in a pretty bad mess in the
+North-West. Therefore they dispatched, with olive branches,
+two commissioners to treat with the malcontents. It is
+hardly worth while to mention the names of these two
+gentlemen, though I may as well do so. They were
+Vicar-General Thibeault, this prelate, I understand,
+being a relative of the gentleman who produced the life
+of Sir Charles Tupper, and Colonel DeSalaberry. Mr.
+Donald A. Smith, the chief officer of the Hudson Bay
+Company, was also dispatched. He was instructed to inquire
+into and report upon the cause of the disturbances and
+also to assist Governor McTavish, or to relieve him,
+altogether of duties should ill health have incapacitated
+him. Mr. Smith arrived in due season at the settlement,
+and sought an interview with the Rebel leader in Fort
+Garry. M. Riel very readily admitted him; and then turned
+the keys upon him. It was a very great pity that it was
+not upon some members of the beautiful government at
+Ottawa that he had the opportunity of fastening the locks!
+There were now about sixty prisoners in the fort; the
+British ensign had been hauled down, and the flag of the
+Provisional Government, a combination of fleurs de-lys
+and shamrocks, hoisted in its stead. When the news got
+abroad that an agent had come from Canada to treat with
+the people on behalf of the Canadian Government, that
+Mr. McDougall was in disfavour with the Dominion ministry,
+and had returned to Ottawa, M. Riel's influence began
+to diminish sensibly.
+
+"Let us hear what Donald Smith has to say to us," they
+began to cry; and the Arch Rebel was fain to consent. A
+monster meeting of 1,100 people was held in the open air,
+with the thermometer twenty degrees below zero. Riel and
+his followers were not satisfied with the terms of the
+Dominion agent; and the arch disturber had made up his
+mind not to be satisfied. Yet he was not secure in his
+position, for there was much writhing among hosts of his
+followers under his tyrannical caprices. Sometimes he
+broke loose from all civilized restraint, and acted like
+a mad savage. Governor McTavish, who was reaching the
+last stages of consumption, for some reason incurred the
+ill-will of the autocrat. One might have supposed that
+a man tottering on the grave's brink would have been
+secure from violence and insult; but the heartless Rebel
+ruffian was insensible to every human impulse. Bursting
+into the chamber of the sick man, he raged like a wild
+bull, stamped upon the floor, and declared that he would
+have him shot before midnight. Then telling off a guard
+he sent them to invest the house. His rage cooled down
+after a little, and the murderous threat was not carried
+into execution. I have said that the loyalty and obedience
+of his entire followers were, so far, by no means assured.
+Hundreds who sympathized with the uprising, and in the
+beginning expressed admiration for his courage and daring,
+began to be shocked at his tyranny, and to hold aloof.
+This was the reason, we may be sure, that some of the
+revengeful threats which he, about this time made, were
+not carried into effect. He held long counsel with his
+military leader, Lepine.
+
+"How does the sentiment of the settlement go now? Do they
+disapprove of my severe measures?"
+
+"They do, Monsieur; and I am inclined to think that you
+will be obliged to show some generosity, even toward your
+worst enemies, to maintain the confidence and sympathy
+of your followers."
+
+"Suppose I release these prisoners?"
+
+"I know of nothing more popular that you could do."
+
+"But Scott? He is my deadliest enemy. It is to give a
+colour of justification to my attitude towards him that
+I have incarcerated the rest."
+
+"Even him, Monsieur, I think it would be advisable now
+to let him depart with the rest. I am quite certain that
+he will before long, moved by his hatred of yourself,
+commit some act that will justify you in according to
+him very stern sort of punishment.
+
+"Be it so. I shall let them all go. But remember: you
+never must allow this man to pass from under your eye."
+
+Meanwhile poor Marie was far away, sighing all the day
+for some word from her lover. She had heard that they
+had captured him and locked him in a dungeon. A terrible
+fever seized her, and she cried out in her delirium to
+take her to her lover. For many days after the fire of
+her illness had cooled, she lay between life and death
+like some fitful shadow; but when a letter came to her,
+in the dear writing that she so well knew, announcing
+that he was once more free, the enfeebled blood began to
+stir in her veins, and a faint tint of rose began to
+appear on the wasted cheek.
+
+"I will run over and see my little love during the first
+breathing time that offers," he wrote. "I hope, ma amie,
+you are not sorrowing at my absence. No hour passes over
+me, whether wake or dreaming, that I do not sigh for my
+darling Marie; but I am consoled with the thought that
+when the turmoil is ended, when this land of tumult and
+tyranny has become a region of peace and fruitful industry,
+I will be able to bring my darling back to her dear old
+home; and in a little wed her there, and then take her
+to my arms for ever."
+
+This was very sweet tidings to the desolate girl. She
+read the letter over and over till she could repeat every
+word of the eight large pages which it contained. When
+she began to grow stronger she would keep it in her lap
+all day, and touch it tenderly as a young mother would
+her sleeping babe. Before blowing out her lamp in the
+night she would kiss the letter, and put it under her
+pillow. When she opened her large bright eyes in the
+morning she would take it, kiss it, and read it once
+again.
+
+During all this time the fire of Riel's two-fold passion
+was not burning lower:--nay, it was growing stronger.
+His aim now was to make himself such a ruler and master
+in the settlement that every word of his should be as
+law, and that no man, not all the people, might disobey
+his command or censure his action.
+
+"So Thomas Scott is to marry her, when the strife ends,"
+he would speculate. "Ah, Monsieur Scott, if to that time
+you defer your nuptials, they shall take place in heaven
+--or in hell." For the furtherance of his diabolical
+personal aims he now began to assume a benignant, fatherly
+tone, and when he issued his famous "Proclamation to the
+people of the North-West," everybody was struck by the
+calmness, the restraint, and even the dignity of its
+language. [Footnote *1] He likewise endeavoured to show
+that he was not a disturber whose only mission was to
+pull down. Through his instrumentality, and at his
+suggestion in every one of its details, a Bill of Rights,
+[Footnote *2] was drawn up, and published to the people.
+This document set forth little more than what would be
+regarded as legitimate requests.
+
+[*1 Footnote: This document was as follows:--"Let the
+assembly of twenty-eight representatives, which met on
+the 9th March, be dear to the people of Red River! That
+assembly has shown itself worthy of great confidence. It
+has worked in union. The members devoted themselves to
+the public interests, and yielded only to sentiments of
+good will, duty and generosity. Thanks to that noble
+conduct, public authority is now strong. That strength
+will be employed to sustain and protect the people of
+the country.
+
+"To-day the Government pardons all those whom political
+differences led astray only for a time. Amnesty will be
+generously accorded to all those who will submit to the
+Government; who will discountenance or inform against
+dangerous gatherings.
+
+"From this day forth the public highways are open.
+
+"The Hudson Bay Company can now resume business. Themselves
+contributing to the public good, they circulate their
+money as of old. They pledge themselves to that course.
+
+"The attention of the Government is also directed very
+specially to the northern part of the country, in order
+that trade there may not receive any serious check, and
+peace in the Indian districts may thereby he all the more
+securely maintained.
+
+"The disastrous war which at one time threatened us, has
+left among us fears and various deplorable results. But
+let the people feel reassured.
+
+"Elevated by the Grace of Providence and the suffrages
+of my fellow-citizens to the highest position in the
+Government of my country, I proclaim that peace reigns
+in our midst this day. The Government will take every
+precaution to prevent this peace from being disturbed.
+
+"While internally all is thus returning to order,
+externally, also, matters are looking favourable. Canada
+invites the Red River people to an amicable arrangement.
+She offers to guarantee us our rights, and to give us a
+place in the Confederation equal to that of any other
+Province.
+
+"Identified with the Provisional Government, our national
+will, based upon justice, shall be respected.
+
+"Happy country, to have escaped many misfortunes that
+were prepared for her! In seeing her children on the
+point of a war, she recollects the old friendship which
+used to bind them, and by the ties of the same patriotism
+she has re-united them again for the sake of preserving
+their lives, their liberties, and their happiness.
+
+"Let us remain united and we shall be happy. With strength
+of unity we shall retain prosperity.
+
+"O, my fellow-countrymen, without distinction of language,
+or without distinction of creed--keep my words in your
+hearts! If ever the time should unhappily come when
+another division should take place amongst us, such as
+foreigners heretofore sought to create, that will be the
+signal for all the disasters which we have had the
+happiness to avoid.
+
+"In order to prevent similar calamities, the Government
+will treat with all the severity of the law those who
+will dare again to compromise the public security. It is
+ready to act against the disorder of parties as well as
+against that of individuals. But let us hope rather that
+extreme measures will be unknown and that the lessons of
+the past will guide us in the future.
+
+"LOUIS RIEL.
+
+"Government House,
+
+"Fort Garry, April 9th, 1870."]
+
+
+[*2 Footnote: This document claimed:--
+
+"1st. The right to elect our own Legislature.
+
+"2. The Legislature to have power to pass all laws, local
+to the Territory, over the veto of the Executive, by a
+two-thirds vote.
+
+"3. No Act of the Dominion Parliament (local to this
+Territory) to be binding on the people until sanctioned
+by their representatives.
+
+"4. All sheriffs, magistrates, constables, &c., &c., to
+be elected by the people--a free homestead pre-emption
+law.
+
+"5. A portion of the public lands to be appropriated to
+the benefit of schools, the building of roads, bridges,
+and parish buildings.
+
+"6. A guarantee to connect Winnipeg by rail with the
+nearest line of railroad--the land grant for such road
+or roads to be subject to the Legislature of the Territory.
+
+"7. For four years the public expenses of the Territory,
+civil, military and municipal, to be paid out of the
+Dominion Treasury.
+
+"8. The military to be composed of the people now existing
+in the Territory.
+
+"9. The French and English language to be common in the
+Legislature and Council, and all public documents and
+Acts of Legislature to be published in both languages.
+
+"10. That the Judge of the Superior Court speak French
+and English.
+
+"11. Treaties to be concluded and ratified between the
+Government and several tribes of Indians of this Territory,
+calculated to I insure peace in the future.
+
+"12. That all privileges, customs and usages existing at
+the time of the transfer, be respected.
+
+"13. That these rights be guaranteed by Mr. McDougall
+before he be admitted into this Territory.
+
+"14. If he have not the power himself to grant them, he
+must get an Act of Parliament passed expressly securing
+us these rights: and, until such Act be obtained, he
+must stay outside the Territory."]
+
+His followers soon began to forget his late manifestation
+of tyranny and violence, and his enemies found themselves
+silenced by his restraint, and the wisdom of his
+declarations. Yet the rebel leader for many reasons, one
+of which is very well known to the reader, was one of
+the unhappiest of men. Besides the matter at his heart
+he lived hourly in mortal dread of bodily harm. In the
+dead of night he would waken, start suddenly from his
+bed and clutch at some garment hanging upon the wall,
+deeming the thing to be an assassin. Mr. Begg says that
+one day he went out to call upon one Charles Nolin, for
+the purpose of effecting a reconciliation. While he was
+sitting in the house eating supper, a man having a gun
+passed the window; upon which Riel suddenly threw down
+his knife and fork, and declared that he was about to be
+shot. Nolin answered that he never would be shot in his
+house, and immediately went out to see who the man was.
+It appears that he was an Indian, seeking the way to a
+comrade's lodge, and perfectly innocent of any murderous
+intention. Almost immediately after this had occurred,
+about forty men from the Fort arrived, and accompanied
+Riel back to his quarters. His terror was so oppressive,
+that he was threatened with an attack of brain fever.
+
+Sixty miles from Fort Garry was a settlement known as
+Prairie Portage. The inhabitants to a considerable extent
+consisted of whitemen, and English and Scotch half-breeds.
+When news reached this community that the Disturber had
+taken sixty prisoners and locked them up in Fort Garry,
+a feeling of the deepest indignation took possession of
+all. A number of the settlers called upon Major Boulton,
+a gentleman who had at one time been a captain in the
+10th Regiment, and spoke to him in this wise:
+
+"We can muster here 400 good fighting men, and if I you
+will lead us we shall march against this scoundrel, I
+liberate the people whom he has shut up in the Fort, and
+put an end to the rebellion."
+
+"You hold out a very fair prospect," Major Boulton
+answered, "but I have very grave doubts that the thing
+can be accomplished as easily as you imagine."
+
+"We have the arms, and we are determined to move against
+that presumptuous nest of domineering banditti. If you
+do not lead us, then the command will have to fall upon
+one of ourselves, and there is no man amongst us who has
+had any experience in leadership."
+
+"How are your numbers made up?"
+
+"We have nearly a hundred immigrants, and about double
+that number of English-speaking half-breeds."
+
+"I consent to your request, but you must distinctly know
+that I do so altogether against my own judgment. Against
+my _judgment_ only, however, not against my inclinations."
+Very speedily the force was marshalled together, and
+organised in rough shape. Winter now reigned in all its
+severity upon the plains. Recently snow had fallen, and
+without snow shoes it was next to impossible to march.
+The arms of this crudely-disciplined band, as may be
+imagined, were not of the most approved pattern. Some
+of the half-breeds had flint-locks, and their highest
+average of "going-off" capacity was about 33 1/3 per
+cent. That is to say, out of three snaps you got the
+piece "off" once. The miscarriages were made up of "missing
+fire" and "burning prime."
+
+Now, while this dangerous army was marching toward Fort
+Garry, Riel, on the advice of his military chief, Lepine,
+had liberated the prisoners. Many of the latter tarried
+not long on the shadow of the rebel stronghold. Thomas
+Scott learned, on leaving the stockade, that a heavy
+force was proceeding to the Fort to overthrow the rebels,
+and made all haste to join the loyalists.
+
+Major Boulton was not without some definite and even
+commendable plan of procedure, much as he has been
+criticised by those who always show their wisdom _after_
+the event. To young Scott he detailed his programme.
+
+"My ambition is," he said, "to delude the rebels as to
+my movements, by affecting a desire to treat with them.
+Therefore, I shall halt with my forces a short march from
+Fort Garry, and when I have lulled suspicion, I will make
+a dash, in the night, trusting to the suddenness and
+vigour of the onset for success." Such a proceeding Scott
+strongly approved, and Major Boulton found that the young
+man's knowledge of the rebels' condition would be of the
+greatest value to the enterprise. So with considerable
+enthusiasm the force marched on. Now, however, the sky
+became a sullen indigo, and flakes of spitting snow began
+to drive out of the east.
+
+"I have some fear of that sky," the commander said to
+his followers. "If more snow comes, there is an end of
+the march." All day, and through the night and during
+the next day, the storm raged, covering the prairie with
+four feet of soft snow. Riel's scouts had given warning
+of the approach of the loyalists, and every man in the
+fort seized a fire arm, ready to march instantly upon
+the besiegers. The ruffianly O'Donoghue was fairly in
+his element.
+
+"Boy hivins and airth," he said, "but it's moyself that's
+itching to get at those lick-shpittle loyalists. Veeve
+lah Republeekh," he shouted, tossing his filthy hat, "and
+God save Oirland."
+
+"We must return, my men," Major Boulton said. "If these
+well-armed rebels were to come against us now, they would
+butcher us like sheep." With hearts full of disappointment,
+the force disbanded, and the men began to retrace their
+steps homeward. A portion of it, however, remained
+together. Some in sleighs and others on foot verged off
+across the prairie from St. John's school-house, in this
+way endeavouring to avoid Fort Garry. But Riel's eyes
+had been upon them, and big, unwashed O'Donoghue, mounting
+his horse, shouted--
+
+"We've got thim. Veeve lah Republeekh; God save Oirland,"
+and set out over the plain, followed by a host of little
+Frenchmen, bristling like porcupines, with their war-like
+inclinations.
+
+"Surround the lick-shpittles, Mounsieurs," shouted the
+big, red Irishman. "Veeve lah, Veeve lah!" he screamed,
+and beat the flanks of his horse with his monster feet.
+The big ruffian was fairly delirious for a fight. "Thim
+are the min. Mounsieurs," he shouted, "that robbed my
+counthrey of her liberty. Him thim in, Mounsieurs." In
+this way he continued to shout, his voice sounding over
+the snowy waste like the bellowing of a bull. As he neared
+the portage detachment, he perceived Major Boulton, whom
+he knew.
+
+"Oha," he bellowed, "Mr. Chief Sassenach. Veeve lah
+Republeekh, God save Oirland! Surrender me brave
+lick-shpittle. What's this? Tare en nouns, if it isn't
+Tom Shkott. Divil resaive me you'll not get off this
+time. Lay down your arms, traitors and crown worshippers.
+Lay thim down. Drop thim in the shnow. There, don't be
+too nice. Down wid thim. Or will ye foight? But it's
+meself that would loike a bit of a shindy wid ye."
+Thereupon he took his rifle, loaded it, and pointed it
+at the head of Major Boulton.
+
+"Major," he shouted, "your eye is covered. Divil resaive
+me if I couldn't knock it out quicker nor you could wink."
+Then he lowered his piece, waved his greasy hat around
+his big sorrel head and yelled,
+
+"Veeve lah! Capture thim all, even to that cratur,"
+pointing to a little, thin, spiteful-looking man, with
+a face much like a weasel's. His skin was the colour of
+the leaf of the silver poplar, his eyes were very quick,
+and they snapped and scintillated upon the smallest
+provocation. He was one of the most cantankerous,
+self-willed men in the whole company, and was under the
+impression that his advice was worth the combined wisdom
+of all the rest. He had heard the contemptuous reference
+made to himself by O'Donoghue, and his little eyes fairly
+blazed.
+
+"Yes, me take you also," a big, sodden half-breed said,
+advancing close to the little man.
+
+"Take me? damn your impertinence! Take me?" and quick as
+thought itself he drew his pistol and snapped it once,
+twice, three times in the Metis face. He fairly danced
+with rage.
+
+"Take me?" he screamed out once again, and, running at
+the Metis, who had grown alarmed and backed off several
+paces, he ran the barrel of the pistol down his throat.
+
+"Now, you filthy, red-headed rascal," he said, turning
+toward the leader, "if you will come down from your horse,
+I will settle you in the same way," and running over, he
+stabbed O'Donoghue in the knee with the muzzle of his
+pistol, and afterwards punched the horse in the ribs.
+O'Donoghue quickly turned his horse around and, with a
+sudden movement, squirted a jet of tobacco juice in the
+eyes of the tempestuous little loyalist.
+
+"Now, take him up to the fort, my min, wid the rest.
+Forward, march. Veeve lah Republeekh, and God save Oirland,
+Major Boulton," delivering the latter part of the sentence
+close to the ear of the captive leader.
+
+[Footnote: The following description of this ridiculous
+episode in the history of the rebellion is given by Mr.
+Begg in his history of the troubles:--
+
+"On the morning of the 17th, word was received that the
+English settlers had disbanded, and were returning to
+their homes. Soon after this, a small party of men--some
+in sleighs and others on foot, were seen to verge off
+across the prairie, from St. John's school-house, appearing
+as if they wished to avoid the town. As soon as this
+party was discovered, a body of horsemen emerged from
+Fort Garry, and started out for the purpose of intercepting
+them. People in the town, crowded every available spot
+overlooking the prairie. Faces thronged the windows.
+Wood piles and fences were crowded with sightseers, all
+expecting to behold a miniature battle. When the Portage
+party discovered the French coming out of the Fort they
+halted, and appeared to hold a consultation; after which,
+they moved slowly on--the depth of snow impeding their
+progress. The French, at the head of whom was O'Donoghue,
+continued to gallop over the snow drifts, halting now
+and again for stragglers. At last the two parties met,
+but instead of a fight, they mixed together for some
+minutes, and then they all started in the direction of
+Fort Garry. They have been taken prisoners, was the
+conclusion by the lookers-on, and so, indeed, it turned
+out to be. Several of the Portage party refused at first
+to give up their arms; but ultimately they consented to
+do so, and were all taken to Fort Garry, where they were
+imprisoned in the same rooms which had only recently been
+vacated by the first lot of prisoners. It is said that
+the Portage party gave themselves up, on the understanding
+that Riel merely wished to speak to them and explain
+matters. If this is the case, they were not justly dealt
+by, for immediately upon their arrival at Fort Garry,
+they were put in prison, and Major Boulton, their leader,
+placed in irons. What a singular change in affairs this
+occasioned;--twenty-four prisoners liberated on the
+15th,--forty-eight prisoners taken on the 17th."]
+
+Let us now return to the vengeful Riel. Never steady of
+purpose, or resting his faith upon logic, he had begun
+to curse himself for taking Lepine's advice and suffering
+Scott to depart.
+
+"After all, he may elude me, go out of the territory,
+and marry the girl. Curses, a thousand curses upon my
+own head for following the advice. Malediction upon
+Lepine's head for having given it to me." Just at this
+moment, the door opened, and Lepine entered.
+
+"I bring Monsieur good news."
+
+"Ah, what is it? Any tidings of Scott?"
+
+"He is at this very moment in the fort; having been caught
+among Major Boulton's party. He was most insolent to
+myself and O'Donoghue, and used very abusive language
+respecting yourself. I think, Monsieur, you have cause
+sufficient against him now."
+
+"Bon! bon! Yes,--he shall not escape me this time," and
+rising, he began to stride up and down the floor, his
+eyes flaming with hate and vengeance.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Lepine, give me your attention. At once
+go and put Boulton in irons. I shall attend presently,
+and declare that he is to be shot to-morrow. Suppliants
+will come beseeching me to spare his life, but at first
+I will refuse to do so, and say that I am determined to
+carry out my threat. At the last I will yield. So far,
+so good. I do not know, now, whether you understand my
+methods or not."
+
+[Footnote: The following is Mr. Begg's version of this
+part of the affair:--"Riel granted the lives of three,
+but Major Boulton, he said, would have to die that night.
+It now began to look very serious. Archdeacon McLean
+was called upon to attend the condemned man during his
+last moments, and a feeling of oppression was felt by
+all at the thought of a human being to be thus sent to
+his last account on such short notice, at midnight, too
+(the hour appointed for the execution)--midnight--the
+very thought of a man being brought out in the stillness
+of the night to be shot like a dog was horrible in the
+extreme. Still there were no lack of interceders, although
+little hope was now entertained of Major Boulton being
+spared. People retired to their homes that evening with
+mingled feelings of hope and Uncertainty, mixed with
+horror at the deed about to be committed. And how was
+the prisoner during all this time? Calm and resigned to
+his fate. After writing a few lines to his friends in
+Canada, he called for a basin of water and a towel with
+which to wash his face and hands, and a glass of wine to
+prevent him, if possible, from shivering when passing
+into the cold night air, in case people might attribute
+it to fear. He spoke quietly and calmly of the fate before
+him, and acted altogether as a soldier should do in the
+face of death. In the meantime the French councillors
+were sitting in deliberation on Boulton's sentence, the
+result being that his life was spared. This was communicated
+at once to the prisoner who received the information as
+calmly as he had done the sentence of death."]
+
+"I think I do Monsieur," and there was a knowing twinkle
+in the eye of the wily scoundrel.
+
+"Well, this Scott has an unbridled tongue, and is pretty
+certain to use it. If he does not, a little judicious
+goading will soon set him in his most abusive mood. If
+possible, it would be well for one of the guards to
+provoke him to commit an assault. Could you rely upon
+any one of your men for such a bit of business?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur, I have such a man."
+
+"Bon, let him be so provoked, and after his violence has
+been thoroughly trumpeted through the fort, make a
+declaration of the same formally to me. I will then direct
+you to try him by court martial. You are aware of how I
+desire him to be disposed of. When the news gets abroad
+that he is to be shot, some will be incredulous, and
+others will come to sue for his life. I shall reply to
+them: 'This is a matter of discipline. The man has
+deserved death, or the court martial would not have
+sentenced him. I spared Boulton's life, and already I
+have as fruits of my leniency, increased turbulence and
+disrespect. The government of this colony must be respected,
+and the only way to teach its enemies that it must be,
+is to make an example of one of the greatest offenders.'
+Lose no time in completing the work. We know not what
+chance may work, and rob our hands of the scoundrel. You
+understand? I am least of all mixed up in the matter,
+being more concerned with weightier affairs."
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," and making an obeisance, the murderous
+tool departed. Exactly as it had been planned, it all
+fell out. Major Boulton was put in irons, and Riel declared
+that for the sake of peace and the prosperity of the
+colony, he must be shot. Dozens of people came and implored
+him to spare the condemned man's life; but he was
+inexorable. At last, however, "at the eleventh hour," as
+the newspapers put it, yielding to Mr. Donald A. Smith
+he said:
+
+"He is spared."
+
+Lepine presented himself before his leader.
+
+"Monsieur, I think that it will not be at all necessary
+to employ any stratagem to work our man into violence.
+He has been showering reproaches upon the guards, and
+loading your name with every sort of ignominious reproach.
+The guards knew my feelings respecting the man, so during
+the night they decided to put chains upon him. As the
+foremost one advanced with the manacles, the prisoner
+raised his arm, and dealt him a blow on the head which
+felled him to the ground."
+
+"Bon! Bon!" Riel cried, while he rubbed his hands with
+satisfaction. "Without applying the little goad at all,
+he fulfils our will."
+
+"Well, not in the strictest sense, Monsieur. Luc had
+certain private instructions from me, and he carried them
+out in a very skilful manner."
+
+"N'importe, Monsieur, N'importe how the thing came about;
+we have the cause against him, and that suffices. What
+do you now propose to do, for you are aware Monsieur--"
+there was now a tone of diabolical raillery in his words--"
+that this is a matter in which I cannot concern myself,
+you being the best judge of what is due rebellious military
+prisoners?"
+
+"Merci, Monsieur! I shall endeavour to merit your further
+regard. My intention is to proceed forthwith to try him.
+Already, I have summoned the witnesses of his guilt; and
+he and you shall know our decision before another hour
+has passed." Then the faithful Monsieur Lepine was gone.
+
+"No, ma Marie. You shall never deck your nuptial chamber
+with daisies for Monsieur Thomas Scott. You will find
+occupation for your sweet little fingers in putting fresh
+roses upon the mound that covers him. For a _feu-de-joie_
+and the peal of glad marriage bells, I will give you, ma
+petite chere, the sullen toll that calls him to his open
+coffin, and the rattle of musketry that stills the tongue
+which uttered to you the last love pledge."
+
+For an hour did he pace up and down the floor gloating
+over his revenge. Meanwhile I shall leave him, and follow
+the "adjutant-general," as M. Lepine was known under the
+Provisional Government. He proceeded to the private room
+of the military quarters, and entering found his subordinate
+officers assembled there.
+
+"Messieurs," he said, "We know what our business is. We
+must lose no time in dispatching it. But before commencing,
+let me say a few words. Monsieur Riel is so overweighted
+with other affairs that the matter of dealing with the
+man Scott rests entirely in our hands. I have just left
+him, after endeavouring in vain to induce him to be
+present at the trial; but he could not spare the time to
+come. By skilfully sounding him, however, I discovered
+that his sentiment respecting the prisoner are exactly
+the same as those entertained by myself. What these are,
+I need hardly say. It is now a struggle between the
+authority of the Provisional Government and a horde of
+rebellious persons of which the defendant is the most
+dangerous. The eyes of our followers are upon us; and if
+we permit the authority of government to be defied, its
+officers reviled, and insult heaped upon us, depend upon
+it we shall speedily lose the hold which we have gained
+after so many bitter struggles; and become ridiculous,
+and a prey to the conspiracy which our enemies are so
+actively engaged in promoting against us. The very fact
+of this man Scott having leagued himself with our enemies,
+within a few hours after his release from confinement,
+is in itself an offence worthy of death; but I shall ask
+these persons who are here as witnesses to show you that
+since his capture he has merited death ten times over at
+our hands. With your permission gentlemen, I will proceed:
+
+"Thomas Scott of Red River Settlement stands charged
+before this court-martial with treasonable revolt against
+the peace and welfare of the colony; with having leagued
+himself with an armed party, whose object was the overthrow
+of authority as vested in our Provisional Government. He
+is likewise charged with having attempted criminal violence
+upon lawfully delegated guards appointed over him, during
+his incarceration; and likewise with inciting his
+fellow-prisoners to insubordination and tumult, contrary
+to the order and well being of authority as established
+in Red River."
+
+"Luc Lestang."
+
+This person came forward.
+
+"Relate all you know in the conduct of the prisoner Scott
+that may be regarded as treasonable and criminal, within
+the past fourteen days."
+
+"On the 17th ultimo, I was present at his capture, a
+short distance from Fort Garry. He was armed, and was in
+company with a number of other armed persons who had
+leagued themselves under one Major Boulton, with the
+object of capturing Fort Garry, and overthrowing the
+Provisional Government as established in this colony."
+
+"Have you seen him since his imprisonment in the Fort?"
+
+"I have seen him every day since."
+
+"Will you please state what have been his demeanour and
+conduct as a prisoner?"
+
+"He has been insulting and disorderly in the last degree."
+
+"Will you specify a few particular examples?"
+
+"I have frequently heard him describe the Provisional
+Government and its supporters as a band of mongrel
+rough-scruffs, a greasy, insolent, nest of traitors; and
+a lot of looting, riotous, unwashed savages. He has used
+language of this sort ever since his entry into the Fort.
+Likewise, I have heard him say, that he would have the
+pleasure of assisting in hanging Monsieur Riel to a
+prairie poplar; and in putting tar and feathers upon his
+unwashed, hungry followers."
+
+"Has he been guilty of any acts of violence?"
+
+"He has been guilty of acts of violence. When he became
+unbearably insubordinate I found it to be my duty to put
+irons upon him. As I approached him with the handcuffs
+he smote me twice in the face, and I yet carry the mark
+that he gave me. [Here the precious half-breed pointed
+to his right eye, which was a dusky purple.] This black
+eye I received from one of his blows."
+
+"That will do, Luc."
+
+Another witness with the movements of a snake, and eyes
+as black as sloes, was called; and he gave evidence which
+tallied exactly with that sworn to by Luc Lestang. This,
+of course, was not a very extraordinary coincidence, for
+he had been present while the first miscreant was giving
+his evidence. But poor Scott, whose life was the issue
+of all the swearing, was not permitted to be present,
+but was kept without in a distant room, chained there
+like a wild beast.
+
+"The Court," said the adjutant-general, "has heard the
+accusation against this man; and its duty now is to
+consider whether or not the safety, the peace, the
+well-being of the government and the state, demands that
+the extreme penalty should be visited upon this common
+disturber and enemy both. The question is, whether he is
+worthy of Death, or not. You will retire gentlemen,--"
+there were four of them, exclusive of witnesses, and the
+clerk--"and find your verdict."
+
+They were absent about two minutes. The foreman then
+advancing said:
+
+"Monsieur Adjutant, WE FIND THE PRISONER SCOTT, GUILTY."
+
+Then drawing upon his head a black cap, the adjutant
+said:
+
+"After due and deliberate trial by this Court, it has
+been found that the prisoner Thomas Scott, is 'Guilty.'
+_I do, therefore, declare the sentence of this court
+martial to be, that the prisoner be taken forth this day,
+at one o'clock, and shot._ And may God in His infinite
+mercy, have mercy upon his soul."
+
+Monsieur Riel had been all this while pacing up and down
+his room. A tap came upon his door.
+
+"Entrez. Ah, it is you, mon adjutant!"
+
+"Oui, mon president."
+
+"What tidings?"
+
+"C'est accompli. The court-martial has found the prisoner
+guilty; and he is condemned to be shot at one o'clock
+this day."
+
+"Monsieur is expeditious! Monsieur is zealous. C'est bon,
+c'est bon; merci, Monsieur." And the miscreant walked
+about delirious with the exuberance of his gratification.
+Then he came over to where his adjutant stood, and shook
+his hand; then he thrust his fingers through his hair,
+and half bellowed, his voice resembling that of some foul
+beast.
+
+"La patrie has reason to be proud of her zealous son,"
+and he again shook the hand of his infamous lieutenant.
+Then with a very low bow M. Lepine left the room, saying
+as he departed,
+
+"I shall endeavour to merit to the fullest the kindly
+eulogy which Monsieur President bestows upon me." The
+news of Scott's sentence spread like fire around the
+settlement. Some believed that the penalty would not be
+carried out, while others declared that they thought
+otherwise.
+
+"If this prisoner is pardoned, people will begin to treat
+the sentences of the Provisional Authorities as good
+jokes. Riel must be aware of this; therefore Scott is
+likely to suffer the full penalty." Several persons called
+upon the tyrant, and besought him to extend mercy to the
+condemned man, but he merely shrugged his shoulders!
+
+"This prisoner has been twice rebellious. He has set bad
+example among the prisoners, assaulted his keeper, and
+loaded the Provisional Government with opprobrium. I
+may say to you, Messieurs, however, that I have really
+nothing to do with the man's case. In this time of tumult,
+when the operation of all laws is suspended, the
+Court-Martial is the only tribunal to which serious
+offenders can be referred. This young man, Scott, has
+had fair trial, as fair as a British Court-Martial would
+have given him, and he has been sentenced to death. I
+assume that he would not have received such a sentence
+if he had not deserved it. Therefore I shall not interfere.
+There is no use, Messieurs, in pressing me upon the
+matter. At heart, I shall grieve as much as you to see
+the young man cut off, but his death I believe necessary
+now, as an example to the hundreds who are desirous of
+overthrowing the authority, which we have established in
+the colony." The petitioners left the tyrant with sorrowful
+faces.
+
+"My God!" one of them exclaimed, "it is frightful to
+murder this young man, whose only offence is resistance
+to probable insult from his debased, half-breed keeper.
+Is there nothing to be done?"
+
+No, there was nothing to be done. The greasy, vindictive
+tyrant was lord and master of the situation When Riel
+was alone, he began once more to walk up and down the
+room, and thus mused aloud:
+
+"I shall go down to his cell. Perhaps, if I pretend that
+I will spare his life, he may tell me where resides Marie.
+
+"Yes," he was sure that he would succeed, "I shall get
+his secret by promising pardon; then I will spit upon
+his face and say 'die dog, I'll not spare you.'" So forth
+he sallied, and made his way to the cell where the young
+man sat in chains.
+
+"Well, malignant tyrant, what do you here? Whatever your
+business is, let it be dispatched quickly, for your
+presence stifles me. What dishonourable proposal have
+you now to make?"
+
+"Monsieur Scott, it seems to be a positive pleasure to
+you to revile me. Yet have I sought to serve you;--Yea,
+I would have been, would now be, your friend."
+
+"Peace; let me hear what it is that you now propose?"
+
+"You are aware that it is ordered by Court-Martial, of
+which, I was not a member, that you are to be shot at
+one o'clock this day? It is now just forty-five minutes
+of one. I can spare your life, and I will do it, upon
+one condition."
+
+"Pray let me hear what dishonour it is that you propose?
+I ask the question now, for the same reason that I made
+a similar query during my first incarceration, out of a
+curiosity to learn, if possible, a little more of your
+meanness and infamy."
+
+"And I reply to you as I answered before, that I shall
+take no notice of your revilings, but make my proposal.
+I simply ask you to state to me where Jean and his daughter
+Marie have taken up their abode?"
+
+"Where you will never find them. That's my answer, villain
+and tyrant, and now begone."
+
+"Perhaps you imagine that the sentence will not be carried
+out. I ask you to choose between life and liberty, and
+an almost immediate ignominious death."
+
+"I care not for your revenge, or your mercy. Once more
+I say, get you gone." Then the ruffian turned round,
+rushed at the chained prisoner, and dealt him a terrific
+kick in the side, after which he spat upon his face.
+
+"She shall be mine!" he hissed, "when your corpse lies
+mouldering in a dishonoured traitor's grave." The young
+man was chained to a heavy table, but with a sudden
+wrench, he freed himself, raised both arms, and was about
+bringing down his manacled hands upon the tyrant miscreant
+--and that blow would have ended the rebellion at Red
+River,--when Luc burst into the room, seized the prisoner,
+and threw him. While his brute knee was on the young
+man's breast, and his greasy hand held the victim's
+throat, Riel made his escape, and turned back to his own
+quarters.
+
+As for poor Scott, when the tyrant, and the brutal guard
+had left the cell, he began to pace up and down, sorely
+disturbed. All along he had cherished the hope that the
+tyrant would be induced to commute the sentence to lengthy
+imprisonment. But the diabolical vengeance which he had
+seen in the tyrant's eye now began to undermine his hope
+of life. Some friends were admitted to his cell, and they
+informed him that they had pleaded for him, but in vain.
+
+"And do you think that he will really perpetrate this
+murderous deed?" he asked.
+
+"Most assuredly he will; and now nothing remains for you
+but to prepare to meet your doom like a true man. You
+are not the first who has suffered in like manner in a
+cause which history will ever associate with your name.
+The tyrant who prevails over you, will not triumph for
+long. Ignominious will be the atonement that he must pay.
+But you have to show that for the sacred cause of loyalty
+you know _how_ to die. You have made your peace with God,
+and there is nought then that you have to fear. You sorrow
+at going alone, leaving all the world after you, but we
+go hence too, in a little; and every hour the clock tells,
+yields a thousand souls to eternity."
+
+"Ah, my friends, this is all true, but I am young, and
+I had cherished one very sweet hope."
+
+"This has been the fate of tens of thousands."
+
+"I should not have shrunk from death six months ago, had
+he set me up as a target for his half-breed murderers.
+I should have uttered no word of repining, but it is
+different now: O God, it is very different."
+
+All hung down their heads. They were vainly trying to
+hide their tears.
+
+"And even for myself, under the new condition which has
+arisen, I would not care. It is because of _her_--because
+of my pure, beautiful love, my Marie, whom this fiend
+has so persecuted, that I cannot look upon my doom with
+calmness. I had thought that there was such a happy future
+in store for us, for her and me, when this tumult was
+ended!" Then he took paper and pen and wrote a letter,
+which, when he had sealed it, he gave into the hands of
+the clergyman.
+
+"That address must be known only to one," he said. "It
+is not safe to post the letter anywhere in Canada; but,
+as a dying request, I ask that you have it put in the
+post at Pembina."
+
+"I shall with my own hand deliver it. I shall set out
+to-morrow."
+
+"May God, sir, send you comfort in your affliction. Pray
+remain as long as you can with my darling;--tell her,
+for it will help her better to bear the blow, that I was
+cheerful, and that I said I had no fear but that she and
+I would meet it heaven, and that when I went there I
+would pray to my God in her behalf every day. She has no
+token of mine. Take this ring and give it to her, and my
+scarf-pin, which in her sweet, childish fancy she used
+so to admire. Tell her that I died--I have told her in
+my letter--but repeat it to her, with my heart full, O
+so full! of love for her."
+
+There was now a rude bustling at the door; the rusty key
+was plied, and with a harsh scream the bolt flew back.
+Then the evil-looking Luc entered, followed by five or
+six others, all of whom were partially intoxicated.
+
+"Your hour has come, young man," he said, in a brutal
+voice. "Let us be going."
+
+"My God, this is a cold-blooded murder," poor Scott said,
+turning to Mr. Donald A. Smith and the Rev. Mr. Young.
+Then he bade good-bye to the visitors and to his fellow
+prisoners, and walked forth with the guard closely
+accompanied by Mr. Young. Before they got outside the
+prison door the miscreant leader said,
+
+"Stop a moment." Then taking a white handkerchief he tied
+it round the victim's eyes. Regarding it for a moment,
+he said, "That will do, I guess. Here, two of you men,
+take him by the arms." During this time the prisoner was
+engaged in deep prayer, and remained so till he reached
+the place of execution. This was a few yards distant,
+upon the snow, where a coffin had been placed to receive
+his body. Addressing Mr. Young, he said:
+
+"Shall I stand or kneel?"
+
+"Kneel," the clergyman answered in a low voice.
+
+"Farewell," [Footnote: I get the details of the execution
+from a report of the occurrence by Hon. Donald A. Smith.
+The extract is likewise to be found in Captain Huyshe's
+Bed River Expedition, pp. 18-19.--The Author.] he said,
+to Mr. Young, then "My poor Marie!" While these words
+were upon his lips there were several rifle reports, and
+this high-spirited, sunny-hearted young fellow, fell
+backwards into his coffin, pierced by three bullets. Mr.
+Young returned to the body but found the victim was still
+alive. He groaned several times and moved his hands;
+whereupon one of the party approached with a pistol and
+discharged it into the sufferer's face. The bullet entered
+at the eye and passed round the head. Then the body was
+straightened out in the coffin and the lid nailed down.
+The whole affair was so revoltingly cruel that it is with
+pain one is obliged to write about it. It is said, and
+upon authority that there is little room to question,
+that even after the cover had been put upon the coffin,
+the young man was still heard to groan, and even to cry.
+Mr. Young then asked that he might be permitted to take
+the body and give it interment in the burying ground of
+the Presbyterian Congregation, but his request was not
+granted, and a similar favour was refused to the Bishop
+of Rupert's Land. The body was taken inside the Fort
+where Lepine declared it was to be buried; and where an
+actual burial did take place before a number of spectators.
+The coffin, afterwards exhumed, was found to contain only
+stones and rubbish. What the fate of the body was no one
+has since discovered, but it has been conjectured that
+it was taken during the night by Riel's bloodhounds and
+dropped through the ice into the river.
+
+Mr. Young was faithful to his pledge. On the following
+day he set out over the bitter, snowy wastes for Pembina,
+and thence through storm, and over pathless stretches he
+held his way till he reached the settlement where abode
+Marie and her father.
+
+She was sitting at the window-pane thinking of her lover
+when the stranger passed; and she opened the door to the
+clergyman's knock. There could be no mistaking who this
+girl was, and the clergyman's heart was numb as he looked
+upon her.
+
+"Did he send me any message?" And then reflecting that
+this man was a stranger who may never have seen her lover,
+she blushed deeply. But she recovered herself in a moment.
+
+"Where does Monsieur come from?"
+
+"From Winnipeg."
+
+"O, then," she thought, "he perhaps _does_ know my beloved.
+Is there peace there now," she asked, "or is that wicked
+man still at his evil deeds?"
+
+"There is not peace at Red River, my child. Come in;--it
+is to speak to you about events at Red River that I have
+come all the way from that far settlement."
+
+She learnt her doom, and the good clergyman sat by her
+trying to afford some consolation. But she seemed not to
+understand the meaning of his words, or even to hear
+them. The blow had been too overwhelming for mortal tongue
+to fashion words that could convey aught of comfort. She
+sat there, her face like a stone, her eyes tearless. Yes,
+she read his letter and kissed his presents. She would
+fold the letter sometimes and lay it away near to her
+heart. Then she would open it again, spread it upon her
+lap, and sit half the day alternately looking at, and
+tenderly handling it. A few days and nights were spent
+during which she spake no word, eat no food, nor took
+any sleep. At the end of the fourth day they found her
+on a little seat beside the door where _he_ had said
+good-bye to her. She had his letter in her hand and his
+ring upon her finger. But she was dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+After the return of Mr. McDougall to Ottawa, and while
+the Government press busied itself in laying upon that
+gentleman's shoulders the blame which should have been
+debited to the blundering of the administration, steps
+were being taken to have an armed force sent at once to
+the scene of tumult, to restore the authority of the
+Queen. Sir Garnet Wolseley, who has since earned distinction
+in bush and desert fighting, was the officer put in charge
+of the expedition.
+
+Before this step had been taken, however, the government
+had set the wheels of a totally different sort of force
+in motion. Monseigneur Tache, to whom I have already
+referred, was absent in Rome attending the Ecumenical
+Council, when the disturbance broke out. Sir John went
+to M. George E. Cartier then, and said:
+
+"My idea is that the man who can do more to settle this
+matter than all the wisdom of the Government combined,
+is Monseigneur Tache. What think you--would it not be
+well to represent the case to him by cable, and ask him
+to return?"
+
+"Oui, Sir John,--the suggestion is good." So the bishop
+was cabled for, and he came home. "Well, Messieurs," he
+said, "what function is it with which you would endow
+me? With what have I to deal?"
+
+"The people are in open, armed rebellion. They do not
+want to come into the confederation; and there is an
+extensive desire for annexation. The head of the movement
+is Louis Riel, and he is president of the Provisional
+Government. He has seized and invested Fort Garry, set
+up laws for himself, and is feeding and supplying his
+troops with the property of the Hudson's Bay Company."
+[Let it be borne in mind that, at this time, the murder
+of Scott had not been committed, and Riel and his followers
+were only known to be guilty of having risen in armed
+revolt, and consumed much of the stores of the Hudson's
+Bay Company].
+
+"Well, Messieurs, the case is made plain. Now, with what
+authority do you endow me?"
+
+"We authorize you to say to the Rebels, on behalf of the
+Government, that if they will peaceably depart to their
+homes, and submit to the authority of the Queen, as
+represented by the Government of Canada, no harm will
+come to them. We authorize you further, to assure them
+that the Government will stand between them and the
+Hudson's Bay Company, should the latter seek recompense
+for stores consumed, or property appropriated. Finally,
+for the offences committed--and which we have specified
+--you shall, on our behalf, extend pardon to each and all."
+
+Armed with this authority, the bishop set out. Before he
+reached Winnipeg the blood-thirsty president had murdered
+Scott. I hope the reader has not forgotten that Monseigneur
+was the same divine who used to look with delight upon
+Louis Riel when a child, and stroke his glossy, black
+hair. That he was the same gentleman who found for the
+lad a benefactress in the person of Madame Masson.
+
+The stars were fighting for the murderer, and he knew it
+when he heard that his personal friend and warm admirer
+was coming. His Lordship was not nearly as badly shocked
+as most humane people might suppose, when he heard that
+Thomas Scott had been butchered like a dog upon the snow.
+Indeed, there is some authority to say that he was not
+shocked at all. His good priest, Pere Richot, who got
+the bishop's ear, took a highly moral and humane view of
+the matter.
+
+"Shooting served the fellow right, Monseigneur," [Footnote:
+Captain Huyshe and several other writers of high repute,
+are my authority for this statement.] he said. "He was
+a disturber, and it was good to make an example of him."
+
+In a little, we may be sure, the Monseigneur's opinion
+did not differ very widely from that of the "crocmitaine"
+priest.
+
+"Let the people all assemble," the bishop proclaimed:
+"I have important declarations to make to them." They
+obeyed his mandate, and he said:
+
+"I am authorized by the Government of Canada, to inform
+you that if you forthwith depart to your lawful habitations
+in peace, you will have nothing to fear. Your rebellious
+deeds will be forgiven to you; the other unfortunate
+event will likewise be overlooked, and the Hudson Bay
+Company, whose provisions you have eaten and whose property
+you have appropriated, will be indemnified by government,
+if they take steps to obtain restitution for the same."
+
+One month later, years afterwards, this precious divine
+maintained that the authority with which he had been
+clothed by the Government--and I have given that authority
+_substantially_--endowed him with the power to grant
+pardon for the murder of Scott! Without tiring the reader,
+let me say that it was by means of the discussion and
+the perplexities which subsequently arose upon this point,
+that the miscreant-fiend escaped the vengeance of the
+law. _Monseigneur had not lost his interest or affection
+yet for the lad for whom he had procured an education!_
+
+The bloody Guiteau, however, did not consider the pardon
+a very great act of liberality. On the contrary, he was
+inclined to regard the discussion of his guilt, the guilt
+of the president of an independent colony! who was
+law-maker and law-dispenser in himself, as somewhat of
+an impertinence. He still continued to administer the
+government, and to live sumptuously in the house of
+Governor McTavish. About him here he had gathered some
+of his most powerful followers, one of which was the big
+fenian, O'Donoghue. These ate and drank to their heart's
+content, but from their wallowing and disgusting habits
+the residence soon resembled a filthy lair where pigs
+lie down. Yet the Rebel Chief had spared no pains to make
+it luxurious; conveying thither, with other plunder, the
+effects of the house of Dr. Schultz.
+
+When it was at first told Riel that Sir Garnet Wolseley,
+at the head of a large force, was marching against him,
+he refused to believe it. It was not till he actually
+with his own eyes, saw the troops that he was convinced.
+Then with hysterical precipitation the greasy murderer
+scurried out of the Fort, mounted a horse, and rode away
+in mortal terror. Later, he was reduced to the necessity
+of walking, and when his boots were worn off his feet,
+there was blood in his foot-prints. In this plight he
+met a follower who used to tremble before him in the days
+of his power, and to be like unto Caius Marius, he said
+to this man:
+
+"Go back and tell your friends that you have met Louis
+Riel, a fugitive, barefooted, without a roof above his
+head, and no where to go." This beastly, murderous tyrant
+did actually imagine himself to be a hero!
+
+Later on he was supplied with money by Sir John Macdonald
+to keep out of the country. The amount was not paid to
+him in a lump, but his good friend, the whilome bishop,
+and now archbishop, paid it out whenever the worthless,
+vagabond rascal came and represented himself as being
+very needy.
+
+He often, in his fallen days, would go about sighing for
+Marie, and declaring that, with all his vengeful feelings
+towards her, she was the only maiden whom he had ever
+really loved. Old Jean came back and settled with a sad
+heart, in the little cottage where had grown up his sweet
+Marie. It was very desolate for his old heart now. The
+ivy wreathed itself about the little wicker house, as
+was its wont, but Marie was not there. The cows came as
+usual to the bars to be milked, but there was a lamenting
+in their lowing call. They missed the small, soft hand
+that used to milk them, and never more heard the blithe,
+glad voice singing from _La Claire Fontaine_. Paul worked
+bravely and strove to cheer his father; and Violette,
+with her bright, quick eyes, just a little like Marie's,
+would come down and sing to him, and bring him cool,
+pink, dew-bathed roses. He thanked them all; but their
+love was not sufficient. His heart was across the prairies
+by a grave upon which the violets were growing. Before
+the leaves fell he was lying by her side. A cypress
+marks the graves, and the little brook goes by all the
+summer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+We left the murderer upon the plains making speeches like
+Marius on the ruins of Carthage. The self-imposed
+banishment did not endure for long; and the swarthy face
+of Louis Riel was once more seen in Riviere Rouge. When
+tidings of the murder got abroad, English-speaking Canada
+cried out that the felon should be handed over to justice.
+I say English-speaking Canada, for the French people
+almost to a man gave their sympathy to the man whose
+hands were red with the blood of his fellow creature.
+They could not be induced to look upon the slaying as an
+act of inhuman, bloody, ferocity, with which the question
+of race or religion had not the remotest connection.
+
+"It is because Riel, a Frenchman and a Roman Catholic,
+shot Thomas Scott, an Englishman and a Protestant, that
+all this crying for vengeance is heard over the land.
+Now, had the cases been reversed, we would hear no English
+lamentings over a murdered Riel." This was in effect what
+they said, impossible, almost, as it might seem for one
+to be able to credit it. For illiterate persons, who
+could see no treason in the uprising, to condone the
+tumult and havoc, and regard even the murder justifiable,
+was what might have been expected. But what shall be said
+for M. George E. Cartier, the "enlightened statesman,"
+for Pere Richot, the "crocmitaine," for Pere Lastanc,
+the Vicar-General, and finally, for Monseigneur himself?
+Nothing can be said! We can only as Canadians all hang
+down our heads in shame, that any section of our common
+country should make such an exhibition of itself in the
+sight of humanity.
+
+The protege of the Hierarchy was not long to mope about
+the plains like another dumb and fallen Saturn. No less
+proportions than that of un Dieu hors de combat, a very
+God overthrown, would the deluded followers accord to
+the overwhelmed chief. The clergy never suffered any
+aspersion to be thrown upon "le grand homme" for by no
+less appellation was he known.
+
+"He has been your benefactor," the coarse "crocmitaine"
+Richot would say. "Had he not risen and compelled Government
+to grant you your rights, you would forever have been
+down-trodden by Canadian tyrants. When the rage of the
+heretics in Ontario shall have cooled down we must send
+Le Bienfaiteur to Parliament. And the time did actually
+come when the murderer appeared upon the hustings in the
+West soliciting the votes of the people. Nor did he appeal
+in vain. _He was elected._ Nay, more than this, he set
+out for Ottawa, entered that city, and in the open light
+of day walked up to the Parliament Buildings, and in the
+eyes of officials and of the public subscribed his name
+to the Members' roll. Thousands have been in the habit
+of denouncing Sir John for permitting an unhung felon to
+go about as a free man, but when he came red-handed and
+presuming to Ottawa and enrolled his name, the Reformers
+were in power."
+
+Before this date, however, the criminal had secured some
+official eulogy in the West. And it happened in this
+wise. Some time after the appointment of Mr. Archibald
+to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Manitoba, several bands
+of Fenians threatened to invade the territory, and set
+up above the plains a green flag with a harp and a shamrock
+upon it. Mr. Archibald had at hand no force to resist
+the threatened attack, and he became almost delirious
+with alarm. So he sent a messenger to M. Riel, the untried
+felon, whose crime was at the time the subject of voluminous
+correspondence between Canada and the Colonial Office,
+accepting a proposal made by the ex-Rebel to call out
+the half-breeds in defence of the new Province. The
+Fenians did not carry out their threat, but it was much
+the same for the murderer of poor Scott as if they had.
+When the danger was blown over the Lieutenant-Governor
+walked in front of the ex-Rebel lines, expressed his
+gratitude to the men, and warmly shook hands with Riel
+and Lepine.
+
+The presence of Riel was yet a standing menace to peace
+among the half-breeds beyond the limits of the new
+province. The Canadian Government began to devise means
+of getting him out of the country. They tried persuasion,
+but this was not an effective mode. It was at this juncture
+that a sum was put into the hands of Archbishop Tache to
+pay the felon in consideration of his withdrawal. All
+this time Ontario was crying out for the capture of the
+man; and it was while the amount was being placed to the
+murderer's credit with the Archbishop, that Sir John
+raised his eyes toward heaven and said:
+
+"I wish to God I could catch him!"
+
+So Riel took himself out of Canada, and traversed American
+territory till he found a district it Montana, thickly
+inhabited by half-breeds. Here he established himself in
+a sort of a fashion, sometimes tilling the soil, frequently
+hunting, but all the while talking about Red River. He
+soon began to forget Marie, and to cast languishing eyes
+upon some of the half-breed girls living upon the airy
+uplands. [Footnote: It is stated upon certain authority,
+how good I don't know, that the brave M. Riel rejoices
+in the possession of three wives. One is said to be a
+French Metis, the other a Scotch half-breed, and the
+third a beautiful Cree squaw with large dusky eyes.] He
+was regarded as a great hero by these maidens, for long
+before his coming the daring, brilliancy, and great
+achievements of Monsieur Riel had been told with enthusiasm
+at the fireside of every half-breed in Montana. We shall
+leave M. Riel in Montana, sometimes working, sometimes
+hunting, always wooing, and take a very brief glance at
+the causes which led up to the present outbreak.
+
+Under the new legislation for the territories, only those
+half-breeds within the bounds of the new province were
+guaranteed secure possession of their land. Under the
+principle that all territory not granted in specific form
+to individuals by the Ministers of the Crown, is the
+property of the Crown, each half-breed who occupied a
+lot of land under the Hudson Bay Company's rule, was
+regarded as a squatter under the new regime. To make such
+holding valid, therefore, the Government issued patents
+to _bona fide_ squatters, who then found themselves on
+the same footing as the white immigrants. But beyond
+Manitoba, and chiefly in Prince Albert, there were large
+numbers of half-breeds settled over the prairie. So long
+as no immigrant came prying about for choice land the
+half-breeds had naught to complain about, but the rapid
+influx of population soon altered the whole face of the
+matter. Several squatters who had toiled for many a long
+year upon holdings, were obliged to make way for strangers
+who had "friends at court"--for even in the North West
+wilderness there is, in this sense, a court--and who took
+a fancy to the particular piece of land upon which "these
+lazy half-breeds" were squatting. Newspapers, whose
+business it is to keep the skirts of government clean in
+the matter, deny this altogether. But, unfortunately,
+there is no use in denying it. It is but too true, and
+it is with a feeling of very great regret that I myself,
+a Conservative, and a warm well-wisher of the
+administration, affirm it. It is true that in many and
+many a case, in a greater number of instances than even
+opponents of the administration suppose, a half-breed
+who has toiled for a number of years upon a lot, effecting
+improvements and taking pride in his property, has been
+dispossessed by an incomer because he could not show a
+patent from the Interior Department.
+
+But almost as fruitful a source of dissatisfaction as
+these heartless and dishonest displacements has been the
+difficulty which the unfortunate squatter has experienced
+in obtaining his patent. The mills of the gods in the
+Interior Department grind very slowly. The obtaining of
+a patent by a deserving squatter as a general rule is
+about as difficult, and as worthy of applause when
+achieved, as is the task which lies before a farmer's
+boy who has decided to become a member of parliament, by
+first earning money enough to go to school to prepare
+for a third class teachership, by then teaching school
+till he has a sufficient competency to study medicine,
+and by then practising his profession till he finds
+himself able to capture the riding. Of course there is
+some excuse, and we must not forget to produce it, for
+the Department of the Interior. It would be undignified
+if it were to move with any degree of rapidity. According
+to etiquette, and the rule is very proper, when the
+application of the half-breed comes to the office, it
+must remain for at least four weeks in the drawer set
+apart for "correspondence to be read." After it has been
+read it receives one or two marks with a red-lead pencil,
+after which it is deposited in pigeon-hole No. 1. Now
+no document ever lodges for a shorter time than a month
+in pigeon-hole No. 1; and if at the end of that period
+it should happen to be removed, the clerk lays by his
+novel or tooth-pick, as the case may be, and puts one or
+two blue marks upon the back of it. When we consider that
+there are all the way from six to twenty pigeon-holes,
+by a simple process of arithmetic we can get approximately
+near the period which it takes the poor half-breed's
+prayer to get from pigeon-hole Alpha to pigeon-hole Omega.
+But during the process the back of the squatter's
+application has become a work of art. It is simply
+delightful to look upon. It not alone contains memoranda
+and hieroglyphics made in red and blue pen-pencil but it
+is also beautified by marks made upon it in carmine ink,
+in ink "la brillanza," an azure blue ink, in myrtle green
+ink, in violette noire; but never, it must be said to
+the credit of the department, in common black. But all
+these colours are worthless indeed, viewed from any point
+of view, compared with its other acquisitions. Solomon
+himself in all his glory was never decked out more
+gorgeously than this poor half-breed's greasy sheet of
+foolscap is at the end of its journey through the
+pigeon-holes. The prime minister of the Crown in all his
+pomp of imperial orders has not so many ribbons as this
+poor vagabond's claim. Sometimes it is swathed in crimson
+tyings, sometimes in scarlet, now and again in magenta;
+and I am very happy to be able to say that pink and two
+very exquisite shades of blue known as birds-egg and
+cobalt have lately been introduced.
+
+Of course the half-breed complains when the weeks have
+swelled into months, and the months have got out of their
+teens, that he has heard no answer to his prayer; but
+the rascal should try to consider that his document has
+to make its voyage through the pigeon holes.
+
+In this way there has been much heartburning, and many
+curses against officialdom and red-tape. While the back
+of the application is being turned out a christmas card,
+a stray immigrant comes along, and the squatter half-breed
+has once more to go back for a new camping-ground.
+
+But there is something to be said--this time I am
+serious--for the Department in the matter, though not a
+very great deal. A number of the half-breeds, though a
+small, a very, very small proportion of the whole, are
+restless vagabonds, who squat upon lands with no intention
+of remaining permanently, but only with the object of
+speculation by selling their scrip, leaving the
+neighbourhood, taking up another lot, and receiving in
+like manner disposable scrip again. But the officers of
+the North-West must know that the half-breed people, _in
+general_, are constant-working, and are desirous of
+achieving comfort, and of affluence. Yet because of the
+acts of a few unprincipled, lazy wanderers, some will
+seek to convey the impression that the conduct of the
+small few is a type of the methods of all.
+
+There is still, among the many irritating causes, all of
+which my limits will not permit me to dwell upon, one
+which must not go unnoticed. Mr. Dewdney is not the
+gentleman who ought to have the immediate administration
+of North-West affairs in his hands. He has neither the
+understanding nor the inclination to make him a suitable
+administrator. Before all things he is there for himself;
+and he has even figured in the respectable role of
+land-grabbing. I am sure that if the gentleman is to be
+provided for by the public no objection would be raised
+if Sir John were to propose that he be recalled, and
+receive his salary all the same in consideration of the
+position he holds in the regard of the prime-minister,
+and of those who are not exactly prime-ministers or
+ministers. Mr. Dewdney has not alone got it into his
+head that an Indian has no understanding; but he must
+also endow himself with the conviction that he has no
+nostrils. A friend of Mr. Dewdney got some meat, but the
+article stank, and the importer knew not how to dispose
+of it.
+
+"O sell it to the Indians," the Governor said; and, "Lo!
+to the poor Indian" it was sold; and sold at tenderloin
+prices.
+
+"We can't eat em meat. He stinks," the poor savage said.
+"Em charge too much. Meat very bad."
+
+"Let Indians eat their meat," the just Mr. Dewdney
+retorted; "or starve and be damned." What right has an
+Indian to complain of foul meat, and to say that he has
+been charged too high a price for it? He is only a savage!
+
+Let Sir John take care.
+
+Well, this was the state of affairs when Louis Riel,
+about a year ago, left off his wooing for a little while,
+and returned to the old theatre of his crimes. He found
+the people chafing under official injustice, and delays
+that were almost equivalent to a denial of justice. He
+did not care a fig for the condition of "his people!"
+but like the long-winged petrel, he is a bad weather
+bird, and here was his opportunity. He went abroad among
+the people, fomenting the discord, and assuring them that
+if all other means failed they would obtain their rights
+by rising against the authorities.
+
+But the plain object of this plausible disturber was
+cash. The lazy rascal had failed to earn a livelihood
+among the half-breeds of Montana; and now was resolved
+to get some help from the Dominion Treasury. Presently
+intimations began to reach the Canadian Government that
+if they made it worth M. Riel's while, he would leave
+the disaffected people and return to American territory.
+The sum of $5,000, it was learnt, a little later, would
+make it "worth his while" to go back. This, if Sir John's
+statement in the House of Commons is to be trusted, the
+administration refused to pay.
+
+And now some good priests made up their valises, and
+travelled out of the North-West, and all the way to
+Ottawa, to present the grievances of their people to the
+ministry. Archbishop Tache likewise showed himself at
+the capital on the same mission.
+
+"For God's sake," these men said, "give earnest, careful,
+prompt attention to affairs in the North-West. The people
+have sore grievances, and they do not get the redress
+which is their due. If you would prevent mischief and
+misery, lose no time." And as in duty bound the politicians
+said: "The government will give the matter its most
+serious consideration."
+
+M. Royal and the priests returned to the North-West
+down-spirited enough, and Mr. Macpherson sailed for
+England, while the half-breeds were making up their minds
+to obtain by force the rights which they had failed to
+obtain through peaceable means and persistent prayer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+The region known as Prince Albert was the chief seat of
+the disturbance. It has been already pointed out in these
+pages, that the connecting link between the Indian and
+the whiteman, is the half-breed. It is not to be wondered
+at then, that as soon as the Metis began to mutter
+vengeance against the authorities, the Indians began to
+hunt up their war paint. The writer is not seeking to
+put blame upon the Government, or upon the Department
+delegated especially to attend to Indian affairs, with
+respect to its management of the tribes. Any one who has
+studied the question at all, must know that there is
+nothing to be laid at the door of the Government in this
+regard.
+
+A very clear statement of the whole question of Indian
+management, and of the assumption of the North-West
+Territories, may be found in Mr. Henry J. Morgan's Annual
+Register for 1878; while the same admirable work, gives
+from year to year, a capital _resume_ of the condition
+of the tribes.
+
+Some divines, recently in the North-west, have been
+discussing the Indian question in some of the religious
+newspapers of Toronto, but they have treated the question
+in the spirit of inexperienced spinsters. The Government
+has been most criminally remiss in their treatment of
+the half-breeds, but, let it be repeated, their Indian
+policy gives no ground for condemnation.
+
+Yet when the half-breeds of Prince Albert, incited by
+Riel, began to collect fire-arms, and to drill in each
+others barns, the Indians began to sing and dance, and
+to brandish their tomahawks. Their way of living during
+late years has been altogether too slow, too dead-and-alive,
+too unlike the ways of their ancestors, when once at
+least in each year, every warrior returned to his lodge
+with scalp locks dangling at his belt. Les Gros-Ventres
+for the time, forgot their corporosity, and began to
+dance and howl, and declare that they would fight till
+all their blood was spilt with M. Riel, or his adjutant
+M. Dumont. The Blackfeet began to hold pow-wows, and tell
+their squaws that there would soon be good feasts. For
+many a day they had been casting covetous eyes upon the
+fat cattle of their white neighbours. Along too, came
+the feeble remnant of the once agile Salteaux, inquiring
+if it was to be war; and if so, would there be big feasts.
+
+"O, big feasts, big feasts," was the reply. "Plenty fat
+cattle in the corals; and heaps of mange in the store."
+So the Salteaux were happy, and, somewhat in their old
+fashion, went vaulting homewards.
+
+Tidings of fight, and feast, and turmoil reached the
+Crees, and they sallied out from the tents, while the
+large-eyed squaws sat silently reclining, marvelling what
+was to come of it all. High into the air the Nez Perce
+thrust his nostril; for he had got the scent of the battle
+from afar. And last, but not least, came the remnant of
+that tribe whose chief had shot Custer, in the Black
+Hills. The Sioux only required to be shown where the
+enemy lay; but in his enthusiasm he did not lose sight
+of the fat cattle grazing upon the prairies.
+
+These, however, were only the first impulses of the
+tribes. Many of them now began to remember that the
+Government had shown them many kindnesses, given them
+tea and tobacco, and blankets; and provided them with
+implements to plough the lands, and oxen to draw the
+ploughs. And some of the chiefs came forward and said
+"You must not fight against the Great Mother. She loves
+the Indians. The red man is well treated here better than
+away south. Ask the Sioux who lived down there; they tell
+you maybe." Such advice served to set the Indians
+reflecting; but many hundreds of them preferred to hear
+Louis Riel's words, which were:--
+
+"Indians have been badly treated. The Canadian Government
+has taken away their lands; the buffalo are nearly all
+gone, and Government sees the red men die of starvation
+without any concern. If you fight now you will make them
+dread you; and then they will be more liberal with you.
+Besides, during the war, you can have plenty of feasting
+among the fat cattle." A hellish war-whoop of approval
+always greeted such words.
+
+At length the rising came. Gabriel Dumont, Riel's
+lieutenant, a courageous, skilful half-breed, possessed
+of a sound set of brains, had drilled several hundreds
+of the Indians and half-breeds. Armed with all sorts of
+guns, they collected, and stationed themselves near Duck
+Lake.
+
+"My men," Dumont said, "You may not have to fight, for
+the officers may agree to the demand which I shall make
+of them on behalf of the Indians and the half-breed
+people. But if they refuse, and insist on passing, you
+know for what purpose you have taken arms into your hands.
+Let every shot be fired only after deliberate aim. Look
+to it that you fire low. After you have strewn the plain
+with their dead, they will go away with some respect for
+us. Then they will send out Commissioners to make terms
+with us. In the meantime the success of our attack, will
+bring hundreds of timid persons to our standard." This
+harangue was received with deafening cheers.
+
+So the rebels posted themselves in the woods, and filled
+a sturdily built house near by, waiting for the approach
+of Major Crosier and his force. At last they were seen
+out upon the cold snow-covered prairie. A wild shout went
+up from the inmates of the house, and it was answered
+from tree to tree through all the wintry wood. In the
+exuberance of his delight, one Indian would yelp like a
+hungry wolf who sighted his prey; and another would hoot
+like an owl in the middle of the night. At last the police
+and civilians were close at hand. The meeting took place
+in a hollow. Beyond was the dim illimitable prairie, on
+either hand were clumps of naked, dismal poplar, and
+clusters of white oak. Snow was everywhere, and when a
+man moved the crunching of the crust could be heard far
+upon the chill air.
+
+Signals were made for a parley, when some of the men from
+each side approached the line of demarcation. Joe McKay
+was the interpreter, and while he was speaking, an Indian,
+named Little Chief, grabbed at his revolver and tried to
+wrest it from him. A struggle ensued in which the Indian
+was worsted. Then raising his weapon McKay fired at the
+red skin, who dropped dead. This was the signal for
+battle. The voice of Dumont could be heard ringing through
+the hollow and over the hills. With perfect regularity
+his force spread out over a commanding bluff. Each man
+threw himself flat upon the ground, either shielding his
+body in the deep snow, or getting behind a tree or boulder.
+Major Crozier's force then drew their sleds across the
+trail, and the police threw themselves down behind it.
+Then came the words "Begin, my men," from the commander;
+--and immediately the crackle of rifles startled the hush
+of the wilderness. The police were lying down, yet they
+were not completely sheltered; but the civilians were
+standing.
+
+"My God, I'm shot," said one, and he fell upon the snow,
+not moving again. Then, with a cry, another fell, and
+another. From the woods on every hand came the whistling
+shot, and the rushing slugs of the rebels. Every tree
+had behind it a rebel, with deadly aim. But the murderous
+bullets seemed to come out of the inanimate wilderness,
+for not no much as the hand that pulled the deadly trigger
+could be seen. The police had a mountain gun, which Major
+Crozier now ordered them to bring to bear on the rebels,
+but the policeman who loaded it was so confused that he
+put the lead in before the powder. In forty minutes the
+bloody fray was ended. Seven of the loyalists were dead
+in their blood upon the snow, two lay dying, eleven others
+were wounded and bleeding profusely, Then came the word
+to retire, when the Major's force drew off. From the
+bluff and out of all the woods now came diabolical yells
+and jeering shouts. The day belonged to the rebels.
+
+When the police had moved away, the Indians and half-breeds
+came out from their ambush and began to hold rejoicings
+over the dead. They kicked the bodies, and then began to
+plunder them, getting, among other booty, two gold watches.
+Two of the fallen loyalists they observed still breathed,
+and these they shot through the head. So closely did they
+hold the muzzles of their murderous guns that the victims'
+faces were afterwards found discoloured with powder.
+
+Then returning to camp, they secured seven prisoners whom
+they had captured, and, leading them to the battle-field,
+make them look at the stark bodies of the loyalists, at
+the same time heaping all manner of savage insult upon
+the dead.
+
+A couple of days later the bodies of the victims were
+buried upon the plain, by the order of Riel. A little
+later the snow fell, and gave the poor fellows' grave a
+white, cold, coverlet.
+
+When tidings of the battle, and of the defeat of our men,
+reached the east, the wildest excitement prevailed. At
+once the Minister of Militia began to take stock of his
+forces, and some regiments were ordered out. The volunteers
+needed no urging, but promptly offered their services
+for the front. Their loyalty was cheered to the echo,
+and thousands assembled at every railway station to see
+them depart and say "God speed."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+While General Middleton, Colonel Otter, and others of
+our military officers, were hastening to the scene of
+tumult, tidings of the most startling kind were received
+from Frog Lake. Frog Lake is a small settlement, about
+forty miles north of Fort Pitt, and here a number of
+thrifty settlers had established themselves, tilling the
+soil. Latterly, however, some enterprising persons came
+there to erect a saw and grist mill, for much lumber
+fringes the lake, and a considerable quantity of grain
+is produced upon the prairie round about. There were only
+a few white settlers here, all the rest being half-breeds.
+Not far away lived detachments of various tribes of
+Indians, who frequently came into the little settlement,
+and smoked their pipes among the inhabitants. Here, as
+elsewhere, the most bitter feelings were entertained by
+the half-breeds and Indians against the Government, and
+chief of all against Governor Dewdney. Every one with
+white skin, and all those who in any way were in the
+service of the Government, soon came to be regarded as
+enemies to the common cause. Therefore, when night came
+down upon the settlement, Indians, smeared in hideous,
+raw, earthy-smelling paint, would creep about among
+dwellings, and peer, with eyes gleaming with hate, through
+the window-frames at the innocent and unsuspecting inmates.
+At last one chief, with a diabolical face, said,
+
+"Brothers, we must be avenged upon every white man and
+woman here. We will shoot them like dogs. No harm can
+come to us; for the great man has said so." (Alluding to
+Riel.) "When they are all shot the Government will get
+a big fright, and give the Indians and half-breeds what
+they ask for." The answer to this harangue was the clanking
+of barbaric instruments of music, the brandishing of
+tomahawks, and the gleam of hunting-knives. Secretly the
+Indians went among the half-breeds squatting about, and
+revealed their plans; but some of these people shrank
+with fear from the proposal. Others, however, said,
+
+"We shall join you. Let us with one blow wipe out the
+injustices done to us, and teach the Government that if
+they deny us our rights, we will fight for them; and
+murder those who are the agents of its will." So the plan
+was arranged, and it was not very long before it was
+carried out. And now runners were everywhere on the
+plains, telling that Dumont had a mighty army made up of
+most of the brave Indians of the prairies, and comprising
+all the dead shots among the half-breeds; that he had
+encountered heavy forces of police and armed civilians,
+and overthrown them without losing a single man. They
+likewise declared that he had hosts of prisoners, and
+that the whole of Canada was trembling with fear at the
+mention of the names of Riel and Dumont.
+
+"Now is our time to strike," said the Indian with the
+fiendish face, and the wolf-like eyes.
+
+Therefore, the 2nd day of April was fixed for the holding
+of the conference between the Indians and the white
+settlers. The malignant chief had settled the plan.
+
+"When the white faces come to our lodge, they will expect
+no harm. Ugh! Then the red man will have his vengeance."
+So every Indian was instructed to have his rifle at hand
+in the lodge. The white folk wondered why the Indians
+had arranged for a conference.
+
+"We can do nothing to help their case," they said, "we
+ourselves find it difficult enough to get the ear of
+Government. It will only waste time to go." Many of them,
+therefore, remained at home, occupying themselves with
+their various duties, while the rest, merely for the sake
+of agreeableness, and of shewing the Indians that they
+were interested in their affairs, proceeded to the place
+appointed for the pow-wow.
+
+"We hope to smoke our pipes before our white brothers go
+away from us," was what the treacherous chief, with
+wolfish eyes, had said, in order to put the settlers off
+their guard.
+
+The morning of the 2nd opened gloomily, as if it could
+not look cheerily down upon the bloody events planned in
+this distant wilderness. Low, indigo clouds looked down
+over the hills, but there was not a stir in all the air.
+Nor was any living thing to be seen stirring, save that
+troops of blue-jays went scolding from tree to tree before
+the settlers as they proceeded to the conference, and
+they perceived a few half-famished, yellow, and black
+and yellow dogs, with small heads and long scraggy hair,
+sculking about the fields and among the wigwams of the
+Indians in search for food.
+
+The lodge where the parley was to be held stood in a
+hollow. Behind was a tall bluff, crowned with timber;
+round about it green poplar, white oak, and some firs,
+while in front rolled by a swift stream, which had just
+burst its winter fetters. Unsuspecting aught of harm,
+two priests of the settlement, Oblat Fathers, named Fafard
+and La Marchand, were the first at the spot.
+
+"What a gloomy day," Pere Fafard said, "and this lodge
+set here in this desolate spot seems to make it more
+gloomy still. What, I wonder, is the nature of the
+business?" Then they knocked, and the voice of the chief
+was heard to say,
+
+"Entrez." Opening the door, the two good priests
+walked in, and turned to look for seats. Ah! what was
+the sight presented to them! Eyes like those of wild
+beasts, aflame with hate and ferocity, gleamed at them
+from the gloom of the back portion of the room. The
+priests were amazed. They knew not what all this meant.
+Then a wild shriek was given, and the chief cried, "Enemies
+to the red man, you have come to your doom." Then raising
+his rifle, he fired at Father Marchand. The levelling of
+his rifle was the general signal. A dozen other muzzles
+were pointed, and in a far briefer space of time than it
+takes to relate it, the two priests lay weltering in
+their blood, pierced each by half a dozen bullets.
+
+"Clear away these corpses," shouted the chief, "and be
+ready for the next." There was soon another knock at the
+door, and the same wolfish voice replied as before,
+saying,
+
+"Entrez." This time a full, manly-looking young fellow,
+named Charles Gowan, opened the door and entered. Always
+on the alert for Indian treachery, he had his suspicion
+now, before entering he suspected strongly that all was
+not right. He had only reached the settlement that morning,
+and had he returned sooner he would have counselled the
+settlers to pay no heed to the invitation. He was assured
+that several had already gone up to the pow-wow, so being
+brave and unselfish, he said,
+
+"If there is any danger afoot, and my friends are at the
+meeting-lodge, that is the place for me, not here." He
+had no sooner entered than his worst convictions were
+realized. With one quick glance he saw the bloodpools,
+the wolfish eyes, the rows of ready rifles.
+
+"Hell hounds!" he cried, "what bloody work have you on
+hand? What means this?" pointing to the floor.
+
+"It means," replied the chief, "that some of your pale-face
+brethren have been losing their heart's blood there. It
+also means that the same fate awaits you." Resolved to
+sell his life as dearly as lay in his power, he sprang
+forward with a Colt's revolver, and discharged it twice.
+One Indian fell, and another set up a cry like the
+bellowing of a bull. But poor Gowan did not fire a third
+shot. A tall savage approached him from behind, and
+striking him upon the head with his rifle-stock felled
+him to the earth. Then the savages fired five or six
+shots into him as he lay upon the floor. The body was
+dragged away and the blood-thirsty fiends sat waiting
+for the approach of another victim. Half an hour passed,
+and no other rap came upon the door. An hour went, and
+still no sound of foot-fall. All this while the savages
+sat mute as stones, each holding his murderous rifle in
+readiness for instant use.
+
+"Ugh!" grunted the chief, "no more coming. We go down
+and shoot em at em houses." Then the fiend divided his
+warriors into four companies, each one of which was
+assigned a couple of murders. One party proceeded toward
+the house of Mr. Gowanlock, of the firm of Gowanlock &
+Laurie, who had a large saw and grist mill in course of
+erection; creeping stealthily along, and concealing their
+approach by walking among the trees they were within
+forty yards of the house without being perceived. Then
+Mrs. Gowanlock, a young woman, recently married, walked
+out of the house, and gathering some kindling-wood in
+her apron, returned again. When the Indians saw her, they
+threw themselves upon their faces, and so escaped
+observation. Little did the inmates know the deadly danger
+that so closely menaced them. They went on talking
+cheerfully, dreaming of no harm. Gowanlock, as I have
+said, had been recently married, and himself and his
+young wife were buoyant with hope, for the future had
+already begun to promise them much. Mr. Gowanlock had
+gathered the wood with which to make biscuits; and W. C.
+Gilchrist, and Williscroft, two fine young men, both in
+Mr. Gowanlock's employ, were chatting with him on general
+matters. No one happened to be looking out of the window
+after Mrs. Gowanlock came in; but about half a minute
+afterwards some shadow flitted by the window, and
+immediately afterwards six or seven painted Indians, with
+rifles cocked, and uttering diabolical yells, burst into
+the house. The chief was with this party; and aiming his
+rifle, shot poor Gowanlock dead, another aimed at Gilchrist,
+but Mrs. Gowanlock heroically seized the savage's arms
+from behind, and prevented him for a moment or two; but
+the vile murderer shook her off, and falling back a pace
+or two, fired at her, killing her instantly. Three had
+now fallen, and as the poor young wife fell crying, "my
+God!" Croft fell pierced by two or three bullets. Lest
+the work might not have been sufficiently done, the
+murderers fired once more at the fallen victims, and then
+came away from the house.
+
+One of the most deserving of the settlers, but at the
+same time one of the most bitterly hated, was Dunn, the
+Indian agent. He was a half-breed, and had for a wife a
+very pretty Cree woman. For some days past, it is said,
+that she had been aware that the massacre had been planned;
+but uttered no word of warning. Stealthily the blood-thirsty
+band approached the dwelling of Dunn, for they knew him
+to be a brave man, who would sell his life very dearly.
+They were aware that in the Minnesota massacre which
+happened some years ago, that he had fought as if his
+life were charmed, and escaped with a few trifling wounds.
+The doomed man was alone on this terrible day, his wife
+having taken her blanket at an early hour and gone abroad
+to "talk" with some Cree maidens. Poor Dunn was busy in
+the little yard behind his house, putting handles in some
+of his farming implements, and did not perceive the
+approach of the murderers at all. There were five Indians
+in the party, and they crept up to within a dozen paces
+of where the unsuspecting man was at his work. Then,
+while he whistled a merry tune, they silently raised
+their rifles and took aim. The unfortunate man fell,
+pierced with all their bullets and made no stir.
+
+Another detachment of the bloodhounds directed their
+steps towards the residence of Barnez Fremoine, the
+Belgian rancher. He was a tall, magnificently-built man,
+and when the savages got in sight of his house they
+perceived that he was engaged oiling the axle of his
+waggon.
+
+Aided by the shelter of an outhouse, they approached
+within twenty yards of this victim; raised their arms
+and arrows and fired. He fell likewise without uttering
+a cry, and made no stir. When found afterwards there were
+two bullet holes in his head, and an arrow lay lodged in
+his breast. [Footnote: This fact I get from correspondence
+to the Ottawa _Free Press_, a newspaper which, under the
+great journalistic enterprise of Mr. J. T. Hawke, has
+kept the people at the Capital well informed from day to
+day on affairs at the scene of tumult.] Two other persons
+were surprised in the same way, and shot down like dogs,
+making a total of eleven slaughtered.
+
+The first official confirmation of the dreadful tragedy
+was given in a despatch, sent from Fort Pitt to Sir John
+Macdonald, by police inspector Dickens, a son of the
+immortal novelist.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+Perhaps, of all the acts of bravery recorded during this
+late Rebellion, not one stands out more prominently than
+that of Inspector Dickens, in resisting, with his little
+force, a large band of blood-thirsty Crees, till he would,
+with advantage and honour, retire from his ground. Fort
+Pitt stands in the centre of the Cree country, and was
+the scene of the treaty between the Government and the
+Crees, Chippewayans, Assinniboines and the Chippewas.
+There was great difficulty at the time in concluding the
+terms of the treaty. Big Bear, who reigns supreme in the
+district, and who was spokesman at the treaty, maintained
+that hanging ought to be abolished, and the buffalo
+protected. On the whole, he accepted the conditions of
+the treaty, but, as his people were not present, he would
+not sign it, although he did sign it in the following
+year. Big Bear is a noisy, meddlesome savage, who is
+never in his glory save when he is the centre of some
+disturbance. He has always shown much delight in talking
+about war; and he would go without his meals to listen
+to a good story about fighting. He has the habit to, when
+the reciter of the story has finished, of trying to
+discount what he has heard, and to make his auditors
+believe that some exploits of his own have been far more
+thrilling. When everything is peaceable, even when there
+are plenty of buffalo and peltry to be had, this savage
+is not satisfied; but still goes around asking if there
+is any news about trouble being about to take place
+anywhere. If he is told:
+
+"No, everything is quiet; the Indians are all satisfied,
+because they are doing well." Big Bear will reply, while
+knowingly closing one eye:
+
+"Me know better than that. There will soon be bloody
+work. Government break em treaty with Injuns. Lots of
+Injuns now ready to go out and scalp servants of the
+Government and white men." When, therefore, tidings
+reached the land of the Stoney Indians that the half-breeds,
+with Louis Riel at their head, had broken into revolt,
+Big Bear pulled off his feathered cap and threw it several
+times into the air. He went to his wives, a goodly number
+of which he is in the habit of keeping, and informed them
+that he would soon bring them home some scalps. He was
+so elated, that he ordered several of the young men to
+go and fetch him several white dogs to make a feast. So
+a large fire was built upon the prairie, a short distance
+from the chief's lodge, and the huge festival pot was
+suspended from a crane over the roaring flames. First,
+about fifteen gallons of water were put into this pot;
+then Big Bear's wives, some of whom were old and wrinkled,
+and others of which were lithe as fawns, plump and
+bright-eyed, busied themselves gathering herbs. Some
+digged deep into the marsh for roots of the "dog-bane,"
+others searched among the knotted roots for the little
+nut-like tuber that clings to the root of the flag, while
+others brought to the pot wild parsnips, and the dried
+stalks of the prairie pusley. A coy little maiden, whom
+many a hunter had wooed but failed to win, had in her
+sweet little brown hands a tangle of winter-green, and
+maiden-hair. Then came striding along the young hunters,
+with the dogs. Each dog selected for the feast was white
+as the driven snow. If a black hair, or a blue hair, or
+a brown hair, was discovered anywhere upon his body he
+was taken away; but if he were _sans reproche_ he was
+put, just as he was, head, and hide, and paws, and tail
+on--his throat simply having been cut--into the pot, Six
+dogs were thrown in, and the roots and stalks of the
+prairie plants, together with salt, and bunches of the
+wild pepper-plant, and of swamp mustard were thrown in
+for seasoning. Through the reserves round about for many
+miles swarth heralds proclaimed that the great Chief Big
+Bear was giving a White Dog feast to his braves before
+summoning them to follow him upon the war-path. The feast
+was, in Indian experience, a magnificent one, and before
+the young men departed they swore to Big Bear that they
+returned only for their war-paint and arms, and that
+before the set of the next sun they would be back at his
+side.
+
+True to their word the Indians came, hideous in their
+yellow paint. If you stood to leeward of them upon the
+plain a mile away you could clearly get the raw, earthy
+smell of the ochre upon their hands and faces. Some had
+black bars streaked across their cheeks, and hideous
+crimson circles about their eyes. Some, likewise, had
+stars in pipe-clay painted upon the forehead.
+
+Now the immediate object of the warlike enthusiasm of
+all these young men was the capture of Fort Pitt, an
+undertaking which they hardly considered worth shouldering
+their rifles for. But when it came to the actual taking
+it was a somewhat different matter. There were twenty-one
+policemen in the Fort and they had at their head an
+intrepid chief, Mr. Inspector Dickens, already referred
+to in this chapter. It was useless to fire bullets at
+the solid stockades; massacre was out of the question,
+for keen eyes peered ever from the Fort. Big Bear now
+had grown very ambitious.
+
+"Fort Pitt hardly worth bothering about," he said to his
+braves. "Plenty of big fighting everywhere. We'll go with
+Monsieur Riel. But we must have guns; good guns; and
+plenty of powder and shot and ball. So taking a number
+of his braves he approached the Fort and began to bellow
+that he wanted to have a talk. Inspector Dickens appeared,
+calling out,
+
+"Well, what does Big Bear want?"
+
+"We want guns, and powder, and shot, and ball."
+
+"Pray, what does Big Bear want with them?"
+
+"His young men are suffering of hunger, and they want to
+go shoot some elk and bear."
+
+"Big Bear is talking with a crooked tongue. He must not
+have any rifles, or powder or shot, or ball. I advise
+him to return peaceably to his reserve; and if there is
+anything that the Government can do for himself, or his
+people, I am sure they will do it. He will only make
+matters worse by creating a disturbance."
+
+"Ugh! The great police chief also talks with a crooked
+tongue; and if he does not give what the Indians ask for,
+they will burn down the fort, and murder himself and his
+followers, not sparing either the women or the children."
+
+"If this be your intention, you shall not find us
+unprepared." Just at this moment two mounted police, who
+had been out upon the plains as scouts, came in sight,
+at once Inspector Dickens perceived that the savages
+meant mischief. A number of rifles were raised at the
+unsuspecting policemen, then several shots were heard.
+Constable Cowan fell from his horse dead, pierced by
+several bullets; Constable Lousby was hit by a couple of
+bullets, but got into the fort before the savages could
+prevail.
+
+"Now, my men," shouted Inspector Dickens, "show these
+insolent savages that you can defy them." At once a raking
+fire was poured into the rebels. Four of the rebels fell
+dead, and some scores of others were wounded. The conduct
+of some of the savages who received slight wounds was
+exceedingly ludicrous. One who had been shot, _in running
+away_, began to yell in the most pitiable way; and he
+ran about the plain kicking up his heels and grabbing at
+the wounded spot, which, it is to be inferred, must have
+been stinging him very badly. I must not omit to speak
+that before the _recontre_, chief factor MacLean, who
+had always been held in high regard among the Indians,
+went out of the fort to have a parley with Big Bear.
+Arriving at the door of the chief's lodge, he knocked.
+Big Bear admitted him with the greatest pleasure, and
+after he had done so, said:
+
+"Guess me keep you, since me's get you." So the chief
+factor found himself a prisoner. Then Big Bear informed
+his captive that if he would write a letter to the rest
+of the civilians in the fort, asking them to withdraw,
+and enter into the Indian lodge, he would treat them
+civilly; but that if they refused, he would set fire to
+the fort, and they would perish in the flames. This
+MacLean consented to do, and in a little while there went
+out from the fort to the Indian prison, Mr. MacLean's
+family, consisting of eight, James Simpson, Stanley
+Simpson, W. B. Cameron, one Dufresne, Rev. C. Quinn,
+and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Mann, with their three
+children. Since that date, these people have been prisoners
+in Big Bear's camp, and every now and again the tidings
+come that they are receiving barbarous, and even brutal,
+treatment. After Big Bear had got possession of all
+these, he said to his chief young men:
+
+"'Spose we take em in, too, Mounted Police. No harm Get
+their guns. Keep them here for a spell, and then let 'em
+go." When he coolly presented himself before the stockades
+and proposed to Inspector Dickens to come right over to
+his lodges, assuring him that he would not allow the hair
+of one of his men's heads to be harmed, Inspector Dickens
+laughed:
+
+"You are a very presumptuous savage." After the fight
+which I have described, Inspector Dickens, studying the
+situation, regarded it in this light:
+
+"The civilians have gone to the Indians, so there is now
+no object to be attained by keeping my force here. In
+the battle with the savages I was successful. Therefore,
+may retreat with honour." Fitting up a York boat, he had
+it provisioned for the journey, and then destroying
+everything in the shape of supplies, arms and ammunition
+Which he could not take away, they started down the river,
+and after a tedious journey arrived at Battleford, worn
+with anxious watching, exposure and fatigue, but otherwise
+safe and well, save for the wounded constable. The brave
+Inspector was received at Battleford with ringing
+acclamations. Here, in a little, he was appointed to the
+command of the Police, superseding Lt.-Colonel Morris.
+Altogether there is not in the whole campaign an instance
+in which good judgment and bravery stand out so prominently
+as in this record of the conduct of the son of our great
+English novelist.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+No accident in the whole history of the present rebellion
+so ill bears to be written about as does this of the
+sacking of Battleford. This is a town of considerable
+importance, and it has a strongly-built fort, garrisoned
+by mounted police. It stands close to a large Cree reserve,
+and the prairie around it being very fertile, the population
+latterly had been growing rapidly. When first the
+disturbance broke out, it was feared that there would be
+trouble with the Stoney Crees in this region; for
+Poundmaker, a great brawling Indian chief, is always
+ready, like his boastful brother, Big Bear, to join in
+any revolt against authority, Poundmaker, for many a
+year, has done little save to smoke, drink tea among the
+squaws, and tell lies, as long as the Saskatchewan river,
+about all the battles he fought when he was a young man,
+and how terrible was his name over all the plains.
+Poundmaker has always been successful as a boaster, and
+there is hardly a squaw on the whole reserve who does
+not think him to be one of the most illustrious and mighty
+men alive. Therefore he has never sued in vain for the
+hand of a pretty maiden without success; and he has now
+no fewer than a score of wives, whom he is not able to
+support, and who are therefore compelled to go on their
+bare brown feet among the marshes in the summer, killing
+frogs and muskrats. The lazy rascal never works, but sits
+at home drinking strong tea, smoking and telling lies,
+while his wives, young ones and old ones, and his brawling
+papooses go abroad looking for something to eat.
+
+Now besides Poundmaker, there were among those Stoney
+Crees two other mischief-loving half-and-half Chiefs.
+One delighted in the name of Lucky Man, and the other of
+Little Pine. These two vagabonds leagued themselves with
+Poundmaker, when the first tidings of the the outbreak
+reached them, and painting their faces, went abroad among
+the young men, inciting them to revolt. They reminded
+them, that if they arose they would have plenty of big
+feasts, for the prairie was full of the white men's
+cattle. And Little Pine glanced with snaky eyes toward
+the town of Battleford.
+
+"May be by-em-by, get fine things out of stores. Go in
+and frighten away 'em people, then take heaps o' nice
+things; get squaws, may be, to help 'em to carry 'em
+away." This was just the sort of incentive that the young
+men wanted; and the Indian girls screamed with delight
+at the prospect of red shawls, and heaps of ribbons, and
+boxes of brass rings, and pretty red and white stockings,
+and boots with buttons on them.
+
+Presently Big Bear, and Little Pine, and Lucky Man began
+to get their forces in motion. Armed with bows and arrows,
+spears, and tomahawks, shot-guns and flint-muskets, and
+followed by gew-gaw-loving girls, squalling pappooses,
+and half starved yellow dogs, the Crees, with the three
+beauties just mentioned at their head, marched toward
+the town. The people, apprised of the intended attack,
+had fled to the police barracks; so that when the savages
+entered the town, the streets were deserted. Then commenced
+the work of pillage. According to a correspondent of the
+_Montreal Star_, "house after house was visited in quick
+succession, the squaws loudly acclaiming and shouting as
+the bucks smashed in the doors with axes. Firearms were
+the first things sought for by the braves, while the
+females ransacked each dwelling from top to bottom, in
+search of such articles as delighted the feminine eye,
+Soon the hitherto quiet and peaceful town of Battleford
+was transformed into a veritable place of destruction.
+Torn carpets, chairs, bedsteads and empty trunks were
+thrown into the streets, which were thronged by at least
+500 Indians, who, made hideous with war paint, shouted
+and discharged their rifles simultaneously, creating a
+perfect pandemonium. When the pillagers had accomplished
+their work, they commenced the attack on the barracks,
+but were repulsed with a trifling loss. Some young bucks
+got rolls of carpet, which they extended along the street,
+and then mounting their ponies rode up and down over the
+aesthetic patterns. The squaws got fineries enough to
+deck themselves in for the next year; and the amount of
+brass rings that they carried away was enough to make
+glad the heart of all Indian-dom. After having surfeited
+themselves with destruction, they returned, each one
+laden to his and her utmost capacity with booty. Several
+places were gutted and demolished; in other cases property
+was destroyed, and some establishments were set on fire."
+
+All this while Major Morris and his police, and nearly
+two hundred able bodied men, with 200 rifles and plenty
+of ammunition were cooped up in the Fort, peeping out at
+the squaws pillaging the town. It seems a little illogical
+that we should call out our young men from Halifax, from
+Quebec, from Montreal, from Kingston, from Ottawa, and
+from the other cities that put forces into the field, to
+go out into the far wilderness to protect property, when
+able-bodied men with arms in their hands stood by and
+watched unmoved a body of savages and squaws pillage
+their town, and give their property to the flames. It
+was to relieve this town that Colonel Otter made the
+brilliant march, upon which writers and orators have not
+been able to bestow enough of eulogy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+After the defeat of the police and civilians at Duck
+Lake, Riel and Dumont felt thoroughly confident of being
+able to deal with the forces which they were apprised
+the Canadian Government would send into the field against
+them. They held many long consultations together, and
+in every case it was Dumont who laid down the details of
+the military campaign. "These Canadian soldiers," he
+would say, "can not fight us here. We will entrench
+ourselves in positions against which they may fire cannon
+or gatling guns in vain. They are not used to
+bush-fighting, and will all the time expose themselves
+to our bullets. Besides, distances here are deceptive;
+and in their confusion they will make the wildest sort
+of shooting." It was decided that the rebel forces should
+make their main stand at an advantageous position, which
+Dumont had accidentally observed one day when he was out
+elk-stalking three years ago. This place, he assured his
+chief seemed to be intended by nature for a post of
+defence. It lay a short distance from Batoche's Crossing.
+
+"But my idea is to engage them several times with portions
+of my force; gradually to fall back, and then fight at
+my final ground the battle which shall decide who is
+master in these territories, the half-breeds or the
+Canadian volunteers."
+
+All this while General Middleton, with his brave fellows,
+had been making one of the most laborious marches recorded
+in modern wars. Perhaps the worst portion of the march
+was around the dismal reaches of Lake Superior. I take
+an extract from correspondence to the Toronto _Mail_.
+"But the most severe trial was last night's, in a march
+from Red Rock to Nepigon, a distance of only seven miles
+across the ice, yet it took nearly five hours to do it.
+After leaving the cars the battalion paraded in line. A
+couple of camp fires served to make the darkness visible.
+All the men were anxious to start, and when the word was
+given to march, it was greeted with cheers. It was
+impossible to march in fours, therefore an order was
+given for left turn, quick march. We turned, obedient to
+the order, but the march was anything but quick. Then
+into the solemn darkness of the pines and hemlock the
+column slowly moved. Each side being snow four feet deep,
+it was almost impossible to keep the track, and a misstep
+buried the unfortunate individual up to his neck. Then
+it began raining, and for three mortal hours there was
+a continuous down pour. The lake was reached at last, to
+the extreme pleasure of the corps. The wildness of the
+afternoon and the rain turned the snow into slush, at
+every step the men sank half a foot. All attempts to
+preserve distance were soon abandoned by the men, who
+clasped hands to prevent falling. The officers struggled
+on, arms linked, for the same purpose. Now and then men
+would drop in the ranks, the fact only being discovered
+by those in the rear stumbling over them. Some actually
+fell asleep as they marched. One brave fellow had plodded
+on without a murmur for three days. He had been suffering,
+but through the fear of being left behind in the hospital
+refrained from making his case known. He tramped half-way
+across last night's march reeling like a drunken man,
+but nature gave out at last, and with a groan he fell on
+the snow. There he lay, the pitiless rain beating on a
+boyish upturned face, until a passing sleigh stopped
+behind him. The driver, flashing his lantern in the
+upturned face, said he was dead. 'Not yet, old man,' was
+the reply of the youth, as he opened his eyes. 'I'm not
+even a candidate for the hospital yet.'"
+
+The following description of the Great Salt Plains, as
+given by a _Globe_ correspondent, is also worth reproducing:
+"The Great Salt Plains open out like broad, dreary marsh
+or arm of the sea, from which the tide has gone out. For
+about thirty-five miles the trail stretches in a
+north-westerly course across this dismal expanse, and
+away to the south-west, as far as the eye can reach,
+nothing save marsh grass, flags, bullrushes, and
+occasionally clumps of marsh willows can be seen. North-east
+of the trail scattering bluffs of stunted grey willows
+cluster along the horizon, and at one point along the
+trail, about midway of the plain, is found a small,
+solitary clump of stoneberry bushes, not more than thirty
+yards long, five or six feet in width, and only three or
+four feet high." The objective point of Major-General
+Middleton's march was Batoche's Crossing, where Riel had
+several large pits sunk, and fortifications thrown up,
+for a grand and final encounter with our troops. The line
+of march lay sometimes along the Saskatchewan's banks,
+but more frequently through the open prairie. The position
+of the rebels prior to the battle was this: Dumont, with
+250 half-breeds and Indians, had been retreating slowly
+before General Middleton's right column on the east bank
+of the river, their scouts keeping them informed of the
+General's movements. Dumont appears to have thought of
+waiting for the troops to attack him on Thursday night;
+at least that is the belief of the scouts, who saw some
+of his mounted men signalling to him all afternoon on
+Thursday. However that may be, he lay waiting for our
+men at the edge of a big _coulee_ near Fish Creek, early
+on Friday morning, his forces being snugly stowed away
+behind boulders, or concealed in the dense everglades of
+hazel, birch, and poplar. From day to day, almost from
+hour to hour, this veteran buffalo hunter had learned
+every tidings of the General's troops that keen observation
+made from clumps of bush along the prairie could give
+him. So when he learnt that the General himself, with
+his officers, were near at hand, his eyes fairly gleamed
+with enthusiasm.
+
+"My men," he said, as he went from covert to covert, from
+bluff to bluff, "you know the work that lies before you;
+I need not repeat it to you. Do not expose yourself, and
+do not fire unless you have a tolerable target." Then he
+arranged a system of signals, chiefly low whistles and
+calls, by which the men would be able to know when to
+advance, retire, lie close, make a dash, or move from
+one part of the ground to another.
+
+"They will at first fall into an ambush," he said, "then,
+my men, be nimble. In the panic there will be a rich
+harvest for you. Bring down the General if you can.
+Wherever an officer is in range, let him have a taste of
+your lead in preference to the privates." Then he lay
+close and watched, and listened, many times putting his
+ear to the ground. At last he gave an exclamation. It
+was in a whisper; but the silent rebels who lay there,
+mute as the husht trees around them, could well hear the
+words, "they come!"
+
+Let me now briefly describe the position which the rebel
+had chosen for himself. About five miles from McIntosh's
+stand two bluffs, about five hundred yards apart, thickly
+wooded on the top. Between these bluffs is a level open
+prairie that extends backward about a thousand yards,
+across which there runs a deep ravine, thickly timbered
+at the bottom.
+
+Now, on the morning of Friday, the twenty-fourth of April,
+General Middleton, who was still on the march to Batoche's,
+was riding with his staff, well in front. With him was
+Major Boulton's Horse, who acted as scouts. As they were
+passing the two bluffs named, suddenly the crack of
+musketry rang out upon the prairie. Major Boulton now
+perceived that he had fallen into an ambush. At the same
+time that deadly balls and buck-shot came whistling and
+cutting spitefully through the air, there arose from both
+bluffs the most diabolical yelling. For miles over the
+silent prairies could these murderous yells be heard.
+Nor were the rebel balls fired without effect. Captain
+Gardner fell bleeding upon the ground, and several of
+the men had also fallen.
+
+General Middleton, who had been some little distance in
+the rear was speedily apprised of the surprise, and
+dashing on toward the rebels' hold he met Boulton's Horse
+retiring for reinforcements. Then "A" Battery, the 90th
+regiment, and "C" Company, Toronto, with enthusiastic
+cheering, began to cry out: "Show us the rebels!"
+
+In a little while the firing became general, and our men
+struck out extending their formation as they neared the
+edge of the _coulee_, from which puffs of smoke were
+already curling up. Twenty of Dumont's men, with
+Winchesters, fired over a natural shelf or parapet
+protected by big boulders. The column was divided into
+two wings, the left consisting of "B" and "F" Companies
+of the 90th, with Boulton's mounted corps, and the right
+of the rest of the 90th, "A" Battery, and "C" School of
+Infantry. The left wing, "F" company leading, came under
+fire first. As the men were passing by him; Gen. Middleton
+shouted out:
+
+"Men of the 90th, don't bend your heads; you will soon
+be there; go in, and I know you'll do your duty."
+
+The men were bending down, partly to avoid the shots and
+partly because they were running over the uneven, scrubby
+ground. Colour-Sergeant Mitchell, of "F" company (one of
+the famous Wimbledon Mitchells), displayed great coolness,
+and afterwards did good execution with a rifle when the
+troops had entered the bush. "A," "C," and "D" Companies
+of the 90th, with "A" Battery and the School of Infantry,
+were on the right, the whole force forming a huge half-moon
+around the mouth of the _coulee_. The brush was densely
+thick, and as rain was falling, the smoke hung in clouds
+a few feet off the muzzles of the rifles.
+
+Here the 90th lost heavily. Ferguson was the first to
+fall. The bandsmen came up and carried off the injured
+to the rear, where Dr. Whiteford and other surgeons had
+extemporized a small camp, the men being laid some on
+camp-stretchers and some on rude beds of branches and
+blankets. "E" company of the 90th, under Capt. Whitla,
+guarded the wounded and the ammunition. General Middleton
+appeared to be highly pleased with the bearing of the
+90th as they pushed on, and repeatedly expressed his
+admiration. He seemed to think, however, that the men
+exposed themselves unnecessarily. When they got near the
+_coulee_ in skirmishing order, they fired while lying
+prostrate, but some of them either through nervousness
+or a desire to get nearer the unseen enemy, kept rising
+to their feet, and the moment they did so Dumont's men
+dropped them with bullets or buckshot. The rebels, on
+the other hand, kept low. They loaded, most of them having
+powder and shot bags below the edge of the ravine or
+behind the thicket, and then popped up for an instant
+and fired. They had not time to take aim except at the
+outset, when the troops were advancing.
+
+Meanwhile the right wing had gone into action also. Two
+guns of "A" Battery, under Capt. Peters, dashed up at
+10:40 o'clock, and at once opened on the _coulee_. A
+couple of old barns far back to the right were knocked
+into splinters at the outset, it being supposed that
+rebels were concealed there; and three haystacks were
+bowled over and subsequently set on fire by the shells
+or fuses. Attention was then centred on the ravine. At
+first, however, the battery's fire had no effect, as from
+the elevation on which the guns stood, the shot went
+whizzing over it. Dumont had sent thirty men to a small
+bluff, covered with boulder and scrub, within 450 yards
+of the battery, and these opened a sharp fire. The battery
+could not fire into this bluff without running the risk
+of killing some of the 90th, who had worked their way up
+towards the right of it. Several men of "A" were struck
+here. The rebels saw that their sharpshooters were causing
+confusion in this quarter, and about twenty of them ran
+clear from the back of the ravine past the fire of "C"
+and "D" companies to the bluff, and joined their comrades
+in a rattling fusillade on "A." Fortunately, only a few
+of them, had Winchesters. "A" moved forward a little,
+and soon got the measure of the ravine. The shrapnel
+screeched in the air, and burst right in among the brush
+and boulders, smashing the scraggy trees, and tearing up
+the moss that covered the ground in patches. The rebels
+at once saw that the game was up in this quarter, though
+they kept up a bold front and seldom stopped firing except
+when they were dodging back into new cover. In doing this
+they rarely exposed themselves, either creeping on all
+fours or else running a few yards in the shelter of the
+thicket and then throwing themselves flat on the ground
+again, bobbing up only when they raised their heads and
+elbows to fire.
+
+The shrapnel was too much for them, and they began to
+bolt towards the other side of the ravine, where our left
+wing was peppering them. This move was the first symptom
+of weakness they had exhibited, and Gen. Middleton at
+once took advantage of it and ordered the whole force to
+close in upon them, his object apparently being to surround
+them. The rebel commander, however, was not to be caught
+in that way. Instead of bunching all his forces on the
+left away from the fire of the artillery, he sent only
+a portion of it there to keep our men busy while the rest
+filled off to the north, retiring slowly as our two wings
+closed on them. Dumont was evidently on the look-out for
+the appearance of Col. Montizambert's force from the
+other side of the river.
+
+The general advance began at 11.45 a.m., Major Buchan of
+the 90th leading the right wing, and Major Boswell of
+the same corps the left. When the rebels saw this a number
+of them rushed forward on the left of the ravine, and
+the fighting for a time was carried on at close quarters,
+the enemy not being over sixty yards away. An old log
+hut and a number of barricades, formed by placing old
+trees and brushwood between the boulders, enabled them
+to make it exceedingly warm for our men for a time. At
+this point several of the 90th were wounded, and General
+Middleton himself had a narrow escape, a bullet going
+through his fur hat. Captains Wise and Doucet, of Montreal,
+the General's Aide-de-camps, were wounded about this
+time. "C" infantry behaved remarkably well all through,
+and bore the brunt of the general advance for some time,
+the buckshot from the rebels doing much damage. The rebel
+front was soon driven back, but neither here nor at any
+other time could the rebels' loss be ascertained. The
+Indians among them, who were armed with guns, appeared
+to devote themselves mainly to shooting the horses. A
+good many Indians were hit, and every time one of them
+was struck the others near him raised a loud shout, as
+if cheering. The troops pressed on gallantly, and the
+rebel fire slackened, and after a time died away, though
+now and then their front riflemen made a splurge, while
+the others made their way back. Captain Forrest, of the
+90th, headed the advance at this point, Lieutenant Hugh
+J. Macdonald (son of Sir John Macdonald), of this company,
+who had done excellent service all day, kept well up with
+Forrest, the two being ahead of their men, and coming in
+for a fair share of attention from the retreating rebels.
+Macdonald was first reported as killed and then as wounded,
+but he was not injured, though struck on the shoulder by
+spent buckshot. Forrest's hat was shot off. At 12.50 the
+rebels were far out of range, going towards Batoche's,
+and the Battle of Fish Creek was practically over.
+[Footnote: I am chiefly indebted to the Toronto _Mail_
+for the foregoing account of the battle.]
+
+During the battle, many instances of the greatest bravery
+are recorded. Private Ainsworth, of the 90th, was seen
+to leap upon the shoulders of a savage, who, in company
+with another, had endeavoured to cross the flat land and
+get shelter, wresting his gun and felling him to the
+earth with the butt of it, then securing the rifle firing
+at and killing the other Indian. While doing this, he
+was exposed to the fire of a score of guns, getting
+riddled with buck-shot and being struck with bullets.
+But the greatest daring and bravery were exhibited by
+Watson, of the Toronto School of Infantry. Finding it
+impossible to dislodge the enemy, he rushed headlong for
+the ambuscaded half-breeds, followed by a score of his
+comrades whom it was impossible to control. The war-cries
+of the Indians, the huzzas of the troops, and the rattle
+of musketry fairly echoed for miles, as evidenced by the
+statements of the west side contingent upon arriving on
+the scene. Watson paid the penalty of his daring by death,
+while the narrow escape of many others were remarkable.
+The utmost bravery all the while was displayed by our
+troops. When a man fell his comrade would pause for a
+moment, and say:
+
+"I hope you are not badly hurt," and then again look out
+for the enemy. Some of the men who received only slight
+wounds were anxious to remain in the fight, but their
+officers insisted that they should be taken to the rear,
+and attended to by the surgeons. Upon couches made of
+boughs, and covered with blankets, the brave young fellows
+were placed; and many of them submitted to probings and
+painful management of wounds without making a murmur.
+They seemed not to be concerned for themselves, but went
+on all the while enquiring as to how it was "going with
+the boys."
+
+General Middleton, himself a veteran soldier, expressed
+as I have already stated, his admiration for the bravery
+of all the men who were engaged. There was no bolting,
+even in the face of heavy fire; no shrinking, although
+_one man in every eight_ had been struck by the enemy's
+shot or bullets. Major Boulton had many narrow escapes,
+while he was standing for a moment, a hail of buckshot
+came whistling by his ear, burying itself into his horse,
+which was killed instantly. The Scouts, known as Boulton's
+Horse, under this brave officer, bore very gallantly
+their portion of the battle's brunt. Half-breads and
+Indians had orders from their leaders to shoot down horses
+as well as men; and Dumont frequently said, that the
+mounted men were the only ones of the force of the enemy
+for which he cared anything. Several of the horses were
+shot, and many of the men were riddled with buck-shot,
+but they bravely stood their ground. In the night, when
+the weary were sleeping after the hard day's work, dusky
+forms could be seen by the light of the moon, creeping
+stealthily towards where slept the gallant Scouts. The
+Guard heard a crackle, and turning, perceived three pairs
+of eyes gleaming with ferocity in the shadow of a clump
+of poplars.
+
+"Qui vive?" he cried, and raised his rifle; but before
+he could take aim, three shots rang out through the still
+night, and he fell dead, pierced by as many bullets.
+There was a general alarm through the camp, but no eye
+could detect the form of a Rebel. They were safe among
+the shadows in the ravine. In the few moments of silent
+horror that ensued after the commission of the murder,
+three diabolical yells sounded from the ravine, and far
+over the moon-lit prairies. Then divers voices were heard
+in the bluffs, and down in the gorge. These came from
+Dumont's men, who jeered, and cried that they hoped the
+soldiers enjoyed the pastime of watching their dead.
+
+On the following day, the bodies of the brave young
+fellows who had fallen, after being decently, and decorously
+disposed in death, were brought to the graves hollowed
+out in this far-away wilderness by the hands of old
+comrades. It was a very sad spectacle indeed. The death
+of brave soldiers is always mournful to contemplate; but
+war is the _trade_ of regulars, and they expect death,
+and burials in distant sod. But war is not the trade of
+our volunteer soldiers. They are mere young fellows, of
+various pursuits of life, and death and burial away from
+home lose nothing of their sorrowful surroundings, because
+the taking off has been at the hands of rebel murderers.
+General Middleton conducted the ceremonies; and here upon
+the wide, husht prairie, which will soon deck the graves
+with flowers, they were laid away. The brave young fellows
+who faced the Rebels' shot and ball without failing,
+faltered now, and many of them wept copious tears.
+
+On the following day, General Middleton began to make
+ready for his march toward Batoche's, where the Rebels'
+stronghold is located. Meanwhile the following sick and
+wounded have been left at the hospital at dark's Crossing,
+under the care of Dr. Orton: Captain Clark; Privates
+Hislop, Harris, Stovel, Matthews, Code Jarvis, Canniff,
+Lethbridge, Kemp, Bruce; Captain Gardner; Privates Perrin,
+King, Dunn, McDonald, Cummings, Jones, R. Jones, Wilson,
+Morrison, Woodman, Imrie, Asseline, Lailor; Sergeant
+Mawhinney, Private Wainwright.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded from
+the outbreak of the Rebellion to the close of Colonel
+Otter's engagement with Pound maker, Big Bear and other
+Indian bands:--
+
+Killed at Prince Albert:--
+
+Constable T. G. Gibson; Constable G. P. Arnold; Constable
+Garrett; Capt. John Morton; W. Napier; C. Page; James
+Blakey; J. Napier Elliott; Robert Middleton; D. Mackenzie;
+D. McPhail; Charles Newitt; Joseph Anderson; Alexander
+Fisher.
+
+Wounded at Prince Albert:--
+
+Capt. Moore; A. MacNab; Alex. Stewart; Inspector J. Howe;
+Corporal Gilchrist; S. F. Gordon; A. W. Smith; J. J.
+Moore; A. Miller.
+
+Killed at Frog Lake:--
+
+T. T. Quinn, Indian Agent at Frog Lake; Father Fafard;
+Father Marchand; John Delaney, Farm Inspector; J. A.
+Gowanlock; Mrs. Gowanlock; Charles Gouin; William Gilchrist;
+Two Lay Brothers; John Williscraft; James K. Simpson,
+and two Hudson Bay men made prisoners, and probably
+murdered by Frog Lake Indians.
+
+Killed at Fort Pitt:--
+
+Constable Cowan, N. W. M. P.
+
+Wounded at Fort Pitt:--
+
+Constable Lonsley, N. W. M. P
+
+Killed at Fish Creek:--
+
+Lieut. Swinford, 90th; Private Hutchinson, No. 1 Company,
+90th; Private Ferguson, No. 1 Company, 90th; Private
+Ennis, No. 4 Company, 90th; Gunner Demanolly, "A" Battery;
+Arthur Watson, School of Infantry; D'Arcy Baker, Mounted
+Infantry; Gunner Cook, "A" Battery; Wheeler, 90th;
+Ainsworth, "A" Battery,
+
+Wounded at Fish Creek:--
+
+Capt. Clarke, 90th; Capt. Wise, A. D. C.; Lieut. Doucett,
+A.D.C; Lieut. Bruce, M. I.; Capt. Gardner, M. I.; Private
+C. F. King, M. I.; Private H. P. Porin, M. I.; Private
+J. Langford, M. I.; Gunner Asseline, "A" Battery; Gunner
+Emeye, "A" Battery; Bombardier Taylor, "A" Battery;
+Sergeant-Major Mawhinney, "A" Battery; Driver Harrison;
+Private H. P. Wilson; Private E. Mannsell; Private Walter
+Woodman; Private R. H. Dunn, School of Infantry; Private
+H. Jones, School of Infantry; Private R. Jones, School
+of Infantry; Col.-Sergt. Cummings, School of Infantry;
+Corporal Lethbridge, 90th; Private Kemp; Corporal Code;
+Private Hartop; Private Blackwood; Private Canniff;
+Private W. W. Matthews; Private Lovell; Private Cane,
+10th Royals; Private Wheeeling, 10th Royals, knee
+dislocated; Private Hislop, 90th; Private Chambers, 90th;
+Corporal Thecker, 90th; Private Bouchette, 90th; Private
+Swan 90th; Corporal Brown.
+
+Killed at Battleford:--
+
+Frank Smart, shot on picket.
+
+Killed by Indians:--
+
+John Walkinshaw and Albert Harkness.
+
+Killings and Woundings elsewhere:--
+
+Sergeant Snyder, injured by explosion at Peterboro; Lieut.
+Morrow, accidentally shot; Private Moberley, broken arm;
+Kelsey, Midland Battalion, jumped from train, probably
+lost; G. H. Douglass, injured by fall from horse; Marwich,
+Halifax Battalion, died from exposure, a member of the
+9th (Quebec) Battalion, died from exposure; Farm Instructor
+Payne; Barnez Fremont, rancher, Achille Blois, 9th Quebec,
+died from fever.
+
+Killed at Poundmaker's Reserve:--
+
+Private Arthur Dobbs, Battleford Rifles; Bugler Foulks,
+School of Infantry; Corporals Laurie and Sleight, and
+Trumpeter Burke, Mounted Police; Privates Rogers and
+Osgoode, Governor-General's Foot Guards; Teamster Winder,
+of Regina.
+
+Wounded at Poundmaker's Reserve:--
+
+Col-Sergt. Cooper, in the hip, Private G. Varey, in the
+shoulder, Private Lloyd, in the shoulder, and Private G.
+Watts, in the thigh, Queen's Own Rifles. Lieut. Pelletier,
+in the thigh, Sergt. Gaffney, in the arm, Corporal Morton,
+in the groin, and Gunner Reynolds, in the arm, "B" Battery.
+Sergt. Winters, in the face, Private McQuillan, in the
+side, Governor-General's Foot Guards. Sergt. Ward, in
+the shoulder, Mounted Police. Sergt.-Major Spackman, in
+the arm, Bugler Gilbert, in the arm, Infantry School.
+
+Killed at Batoche:--
+
+Gunner Wm. Phillips, "A" Battery, Quebec; Private T,
+Moor, No. 3 company, Royal Grenadiers, Toronto; Capt.
+John French, scout; Capt. Brown, scout; Lieut. Fitch,
+10th Royal Grenadiers, shot through the heart; W. P.
+Krippen, of Perth, a surveyor; Private Haidisty, 90th
+Winnipeg Battalion; Private Fraser, 90th Winnipeg Battalion.
+Of the foregoing the last six were killed on Monday, the
+first on Saturday, and Private Moor on Sunday.
+
+Wounded at Batoche:--
+
+Tenth Royal Grenadiers:--Major Dawson, slightly in the
+ankle, able to limp about; Capt. Manley slightly in the
+foot; Capt. Mason flesh wound in the thigh; Staff Sergt.
+T. M. Mitchell, slight wound in the eye; Private R. Cook
+in the arm; Private G. Barbour, slight scratch in the
+head; Private G. W, Quigley, flesh wound in the arm;
+Private J. Marshall in the calf; Private H. Wilson, slight
+wound across the back; Bugler, M. Vaughan, in the finger;
+Private Scovell, slight flesh wound; Private Stead, slight
+flesh wound; Private Cantwell.
+
+The 90th Battalion:--Corp. Gillies, Sergt.-Major Watson,
+Private O. A. Wheeler, Private Young, Sergt. Jackes,
+Private M. Erickson, Private Kemp.
+
+Surveyor Scouts:--Lieut Garden.
+
+Capt. French's Scouts:--Trooper Cook.
+
+"A" Battery:--Driver Jas. Stout, Gunner Fairbanks, Gunner
+Charpentier, Gunner Twohey.
+
+Midland Battalion:--Lieut. Geo. Laidlaw, Lieut. Helliwell,
+Corp. Helliwell, Private Barton.
+
+Meanwhile the campaign goes on, and we know not what
+tidings any day may bring forth. There is no use now in
+having long discussions as to whose shoulders should bear
+the responsibility of all the devastation, terror, misery
+and blood; the duty of the hour is to put an end to the
+Rebellion. Riel must be captured at any cost; so, too,
+must Dumont. Men so strongly a menace to public peace as
+Riel and his bad and fearless ally, Dumont, must not be
+given the opportunity again of covering the land with
+blood. There must be a pretty wholesome hanging in the
+North-West, and the gentlemen whom the authorities must
+give first attention to are the two villains just named,
+Poundmaker, Big Bear, Little Pine, Lucky Man, and those
+bloody wolves who perpetrated the butcheries at Frog Lake.
+
+I have said that this is not the place to discuss at
+length the question of the Government's responsibility
+for this blood, and sorrow, and misery. Neither is it.
+Yet one and all believe, though thousands will belie
+their convictions, that there has been a criminal
+mismanagement of these half-breed people by the authorities
+at Ottawa.
+
+I have been obliged to show that in the past, many of
+our French co-patriots bestowed a most astonishing and
+unjustifiable sympathy for Riel. I am glad to be able to
+say that in the present case, while censuring the Government
+for its indifference to the grievances of the half-breeds,
+they have no word of justification for the murderous
+apostle of tumult. Bishop Langevin, brother of the Hon
+the Minister of Public Works, issued a pastoral, in which
+there was no uncertain sound. He called upon the faithful
+sons of the country within his diocese to come forward
+and join hands against a cause of tumult, destruction
+and murder.
+
+
+
+
+THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF LOUIS RIEL.
+
+On the 20th of July the Court met, when Riel was formally
+arraigned, the clerk reading the long indictment. In
+reply to the interrogation whether the prisoner pled
+guilty to the charge of treason, his counsel rose and
+took exception to the jurisdiction of the Court. The plea
+entered by the defence was to the affect that the presiding
+stipendiary magistrate was incompetent to try a case
+involving the death penalty, and urged that Riel should
+be tried by one of the duly constituted courts in Ontario
+or in British Columbia. Mr. Christopher Robinson, Q.C.,
+for the Crown, asked for an adjournment for eight days,
+to prepare a reply to the plea, which was granted. The
+Court then adjourned to the 28th instant.
+
+On the re-opening of the Court, counsel expressed themselves
+ready to proceed. Only a few minutes were taken up in
+selecting a jury. Twelve persons were called, five of
+whom were peremptorily challenged by the defence, and
+one by the Crown. The remaining six were sworn in to
+try the prisoner at the bar. Their names are as follows:
+--H. J. Painter, E. Everett, E. J. Brooks, J. W.
+Merryfield, H. Dean, and F. Crosgrove. During the selection
+of the jury, it is observed by a correspondent of _The
+Mail_, to whom we shall be indebted for the reports of
+the trial, in making the present abstract, "that Riel
+anxiously watched the face of every man as he was selected
+and sworn, as though he could read their inmost thoughts
+as they took the oath."
+
+After reading the indictment to the jury, Mr. B. B. Osler,
+Q.C., opened the case for the Crown, in which he explained
+the nature of the charge against the prisoner, whose
+career he traced through the successive steps of the
+rebellion, and indicated the weight and character of the
+evidence to be brought against its wicked instigator and
+chief leader. The plea of the defence of the incompetence
+of the Court to try the case, was first answered by the
+learned counsel, who remarked, that the character, and
+composition of the Court, as well as the provision for
+the trial of capital offences by a jury of six men instead
+of twelve, were in harmony with the Dominion Law enacted
+for the Government of the Territories, and that the
+Dominion Parliament had the right, under the British
+North America Act, to make that law. "The absence of
+the Grand Jury was explained, on the ground that such
+juries were essentially county organizations, and were
+impossible in large districts with small and scattered
+populations." The same reason explained the limiting of
+the jury to half the usual number. It was also stated
+that the Crown deemed it unwise, if indeed it were not
+impossible, to issue a Special Commission for the trial
+of the prisoner.
+
+Mr. Osler proceeding said, that Riel not only aided and
+abetted the illegal acts of the rebels, but directed
+these acts.
+
+"The testimony he claimed," says a writer in _The
+Illustrated War News_, "was abundantly sufficient to
+bring home to the prisoner his guilt in the charges
+against him. He (Mr. Osler) read the document in Riel's
+handwriting to Crozier, in which Riel threatened a war
+of extermination against the whites, and traced the
+prisoner's conduct afterwards to show that he had tried
+to carry out that threat. It was no constructive treason
+that was sought to be proved, but treason involving the
+shedding of brave men's blood. The accused had been led
+on, not by the desire to aid his friends in a lawful
+agitation for redress of a grievance, but by his inordinate
+vanity and desire for power and wealth."
+
+"The first overt act of treason was committed," continued
+Mr. Osler, "when the French half-breeds were requested
+by Riel to bring their arms with them to a meeting to be
+held at Batoche on March 3rd. This indicated that the
+prisoner intended to resort to violence. On the 18th
+instant they find him (Riel) sending out armed men and
+taking prisoners, including Mr. Lash, the Indian agent
+of the St. Lament region, and others, also looting the
+stores at and near Batoche, stopping freighters and
+appropriating their freight. A few days later the French
+half-breeds were under arms, and were joined by the
+Indians of the neighbourhood, who were incited to rise
+by the prisoner. On the 21st inst. Major Crozier did all
+he could to get the armed men to disperse, but directed
+by Riel, they refused to do so, and taking their orders
+from him, they continued in rebellion. He held a document
+in his hands, in the prisoner's handwriting," added Mr.
+Osler, "which contained the terms on which Fort Carlton
+would be spared attack by the surrender and march out of
+Major Crozier and the mounted police. This document was
+never delivered, but was found with other papers in the
+rebel council chamber after the taking of Batoche. It
+was said in this notification to Crozier that the rebels
+would attack the police if they did not vacate Carlton,
+and would commence a war of extermination of the white
+race. This document was direct evidence of the treasonable
+intentions of the prisoner. Ten days previously Riel
+declared himself determined to rule or perish, and the
+declaration was followed by this demand. It would be said
+that, at last, when a clash of arms was imminent, Riel
+objected to forcible measures; but this document was a
+refutation of that assertion. At Duck Lake the prisoner
+had taken upon himself the responsibility of ordering
+his men to fire on the police. At Fish Creek, if Riel
+was not there, he directed the movement, and was therefore
+responsible. On the day of the fight he went back to
+Batoche to finish the rifle-pits. In the contest at
+Batoche the prisoner was seen bearing arms, and giving
+such directions as would show that he was the main mover.
+His treatment of the prisoners, his letters to Middleton,
+and other documents would show Riel's leadership. A letter
+found in Poundmaker's camp would show his deliberate
+intention of bringing on this country the calamity of an
+Indian war. All this would be proven, and it would be
+shown that the prisoner had not come here to aid his
+friends in the redress of grievances, but in order to
+use the half-breeds for his own selfish ends." Mr. Osler
+closed with a reference to the death and suffering which
+had been caused by the ambition of one man, and impressed
+upon the jury the grave responsibility they were charged
+with in bringing his crime home to the prisoner.
+
+The first witness called by the Crown was DR. WILLOUGHBY,
+of SASKATOON. After having been sworn, witness said that
+the prisoner had stated to him that the Fort Garry trouble,
+when Scott had been shot, was nothing to what was going
+to take place. He said that the Indians only waited for
+him to strike the first blow to join him, and that he
+had the United States at his back. He seemed greatly
+excited, and said:--"It is time, doctor, that the breeds
+should assert their rights, and it will be well for those
+who have lived good lives." A party of armed men then
+drove up, and Riel said, pointing to them, "My people
+intend striking a blow for their rights. They have
+petitioned the Government over and over again, the only
+reply being an increase of the police force each time."
+The Indians, he said, had arranged their plans, and when
+the first blow was struck they would be joined by the
+American Indians. They would issue a proclamation, and
+assert that the time had arrived for him to rule the
+country or perish in the attempt. He promised to divide
+the country into seven equal portions, one of which was
+to be the new Ireland of the new North-West. He said the
+rebellion of fifteen years ago was not a patch on what
+this would be.
+
+THOS. McKAY, a loyal half-breed, was next called, who
+testified that he joined the Volunteer contingent from
+Prince Albert which formed part of Major Crozier's command
+at Duck Lake. Previous to that engagement he accompanied
+Mr. Hillyard Mitchell in his mission to Batoche, where
+the rebels had their headquarters. His object in going
+to Batoche was to point cut to the French half-breeds
+the danger they were getting into in taking up arms. On
+arriving at the village he was met by an armed guard who
+conducted him, with Mr. Mitchell, to the rebel council
+room, where he was introduced to Riel "as one of Her
+Majesty's soldiers." We here quote part of the examination,
+by Mr. Christopher Robinson, of this Witness.
+
+Q.--Who introduced you to the prisoner?
+
+A.--Mr. Mitchell introduced me to Mr. Riel as one of Her
+Majesty's soldiers.
+
+Q.--That is Mr. Hillyard Mitchell?
+
+A.--Yes. I shook hands with Mr. Riel and had a talk with
+him. I said, "There appears be great excitement here,
+Mr. Riel." He said, "No, there is no excitement at all;
+it was simply that the people were trying to redress
+their grievances, as they had asked repeatedly for their
+rights; that they had decided to make a demonstration."
+I told him it was a very dangerous thing to resort to
+arms. He said he had been waiting fifteen long years and
+that they had been imposed upon, and it was time now,
+after they had waited patiently that their rights should
+be given, as the poor half-breeds had been imposed upon.
+I disputed his wisdom and advised him to adopt different
+measures.
+
+Q.--Did he speak of himself at all in the matter?
+
+A.--He accused me of having neglected my people. He said
+if it was not for men like me their grievances would have
+been redressed long ago, that as no one took an interest
+in these people he had decided to take the lead in the
+matter.
+
+Q.--Well?
+
+A.--He accused me of neglecting them. I told him it was
+simply a matter of opinion, that I had certainly taken
+an interest in them, and my interest in the country was
+the same as theirs, and that I had advised them time and
+again, and that I had not neglected them. I also said
+that he had neglected them a long time if he took as deep
+an interest as he professed to. He became very excited,
+and got up and said, "You don't know what we are after--it
+is blood, blood; we want blood; it is a war of
+extermination. Everybody that is against us is to be
+driven out of the country." There were two curses in the
+country--the Government and the Hudson Bay Co. He further
+said the first blood they wanted was mine. There were
+some little dishes on the table, and he got hold of a
+spoon and said, "You have no blood, you are a traitor to
+your people, your blood is frozen, and all the little
+blood you have will be there in five minutes"--putting
+the spoon up to my face, and pointing to it. I said, "If
+you think you are benefiting your cause by taking my
+blood, you are quite welcome to it." He called his people
+and the committee, and wanted to put me on trial for my
+life, and Garnot got up and went to the table with a
+sheet of paper, and Gabriel Dumont took a chair on a
+syrup keg, and Riel called up the witnesses against me.
+
+At this juncture Riel was called away to attend a committee
+meeting of the rebel government. Subsequently, by the
+mediation of Hillyard Mitchell, Riel's wrath at McKay
+was placated, and he was allowed to return to Fort Carlton
+with his intercessor. Before leaving, Riel apologized to
+McKay for what he had said to him, and asked him to join
+the insurgents, which witness, of course, would not do,
+being a loyal half-breed and a volunteer in the ranks of
+the Prince Albert contingent with Crozier at Fort Carlton.
+
+McKay then detailed the incidents of the disastrous
+engagement with the rebels at Duck Lake, and gave strong
+testimony to criminate Riel, which the counsel for the
+defence utterly failed to shake.
+
+The next witness WAS JOHN ASTLEY, surveyor of PRINCE
+ALBERT, who was long prisoner of Riel's at Batoche, and
+the rebel chief's messenger on the day of the taking of
+the village by the loyal forces under Middleton. The
+witness gave a vivid description of his capture and
+imprisonment by Riel, and his subsequent release by the
+volunteers at Batoche. Riel acknowledged to him that he
+ordered his men in the name of the Almighty to fire at
+Duck Lake. He did not do so, however until, as he thought,
+the police had fired. Riel told him he must have another
+fight with the soldiers to secure better terms of surrender
+from Gen. Middleton.
+
+
+
+
+SECOND DAY OF THE TRIAL.
+
+The second day of the Riel trial brought out sufficient
+evidence to incriminate the prisoner, and to lead the
+Crown prosecutors to waive the calling of other witnesses.
+During the proceedings the prisoner, it is reported,
+manifested more interest than he did on the first day of
+the trial, and his dark penetrating eye restlessly wandered
+from witness to counsel, and from bench to jury. "All
+day long a couple of medical men sat watching his actions,
+to discover, if possible, whether his mind was affected
+or not." His disagreement with his counsel towards the
+close of the day, caused an exciting break in the
+proceedings.
+
+GEORGE KERR, of Kerr Brothers, BATOCHE, was the first
+witness sworn. He testified that on the 18th of March,
+Riel, with some fifty armed half-breeds, came to his
+store, and demanded, and obtained, all his guns and
+ammunition. His store was sacked, and later on he was
+himself taken prisoner, but was subsequently released.
+Riel, he testified, directed the rebel movements in
+concert with Gabriel Dumont.
+
+HARRY WALTERS, another storekeeper at BATOCHE, was then
+examined, and gave similar testimony as to the sacking
+of his store, and of Riel's demand for arms and ammunition.
+On his refusing to accede to the demand of the prisoner
+and the breeds with him, Riel said, "You had better do
+it quietly. If we succeed, I will pay you; if not, the
+Dominion Government will." I refused, said Walters, and
+they forced themselves in and took the arms. I was arrested
+shortly after. Riel said the movement was for the freedom
+of the people. The country, if they succeeded, was to be
+divided, giving a seventh to the half-breeds, a seventh
+to the Indians, a seventh to church and schools, the
+remainder to be Crown Lands. I was kept prisoner three
+days, being liberated by Riel. Riel said, God was with
+their people, and that if the whites ever struck a blow,
+a thunderbolt would destroy them. They took everything
+out of my store before morning, the prisoner superintending
+the removal of the goods.
+
+HILLYARD MITCHELL sworn, was examined by Mr. Osler. He
+said--I am an Indian trader, have a store at Duck Lake;
+heard there was an intention by rebels to take my store.
+I went to Fort Carlton and saw Major Crozier on the
+Thursday prior to the Duck Lake fight; saw prisoner on
+that Thursday at Batoche. Saw some people at the river
+armed. At the village I saw some English half-breed
+freighters who had been taken prisoners by Riel, and
+their freight also taken. Philip Garnot took me to the
+priest's house. I saw the prisoner there with Charles
+Nolin, Guardupuy and others. I think this was on the 19th
+of March. I told Riel that I had come to give some advice
+to the half-breeds. Riel said the Government had always
+answered their demands by sending more police. They were
+willing to fight 500 police. He said he had been trampled
+on and kept out of the country, and he would bring the
+Government and Sir Jonn Macdonald to their knees.
+
+THOMAS E. JACKSON was next examined by Mr. Osler, and
+deposed that he was a druggist, at Prince Albert, and a
+brother of Wm. Henry Jackson, an insane prisoner of
+Riel's. Riel, witness testified, asked him to write to
+the eastern papers, placing a favourable construction on
+his (Riel's) actions. Riel had made an application to
+Government for $35,000 as indemnity for loss of property;
+he showed the greatest hatred to the English, and his
+motives were those of revenge for ill-treatment at the
+time of the Red River rebellion. Having questioned Riel's
+present motives and plans, witness was taken prisoner
+and placed in close confinement. Riel afterwards accused
+me of having advised an English half-breed to desert.
+When Middleton was attacking Batoche, Riel came to witness
+and told him if Middleton killed any of their women and
+children he would massacre the prisoners. He wrote a
+message to Middleton to that effect, and I carried it to
+the General. (The message was produced and identified
+by witness). I did not return to the rebel camp. Saw the
+prisoner armed once after the Fish Creek fight. Riel was
+in command at Batoche, Dumont being in immediate command
+of the men. I know prisoner's handwriting. (The original
+summons to Major Crozier to surrender, the letter to
+Crozier asking him to come and take away the dead after
+Duck Lake fight, a letter to "dear relatives" at Fort
+Qu'Appelle, a letter to the half-breeds and Indians about
+Battleford, a letter to Poundmaker, and other documents
+were put in and identified by witness as being in Riel's
+handwriting).
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Fitzpatrick--The agitation was for
+provincial rights and their claims under the Manitoba
+treaty, and I was in sympathy with it. Riel was brought
+into the country by the French half-breeds. I attended
+a meeting at Prince Albert immediately after Riel's
+arrival in June, 1884. Riel said what they wanted was a
+constitutional agitation, and if they could not accomplish
+their ends in five years they would take ten to do it.
+Riel was their adviser; was not a member of the Executive
+Committee. Up to March last, from all I heard prisoner
+say or discovered otherwise, I believed Riel meant simply
+a constitutional agitation, as was being carried on by
+the other settlers. Riel had told him the priests were
+opposed to him, and that they were all wrong. Heard Riel
+talk of dividing up the country to be bestowed on the
+half-breeds, Poles, Hungarians, Bavarians, etc. When I
+was Riel's prisoner I heard him talk of this division,
+which I thought meant a division of the proceeds of sale
+of lands in a scheme of immigration. This was altogether
+different from what he had all along proposed at the
+meetings. All the documents Riel signed that I know of
+were signed "Exovide" (one of the flock). Riel explained
+that his new religion was a liberal form of Roman
+Catholicism, and that the Pope had no power in Canada.
+Think Riel wanted to exercise the power of the Pope
+himself. These expressions were made by Riel after the
+rebellious movement was begun.
+
+GENERAL MIDDLETON was now called, and was examined by
+Mr. C. Robinson, Q.C. He testified that he was sent by
+the Minister of Militia to quell the outbreak on the
+Saskatchewan, and gave the well-known details of his
+encounter with the rebels at Fish Creek, and of his
+subsequent movement on Batoche. He testified to receiving
+two letters from Riel on the day of the capture of Batoche,
+in one of which Riel threatened to massacre the prisoners
+in his possession if he (Middleton) fired upon the
+half-breed women and children. The letter was produced
+in Court, and identified by the General.
+
+CAPT. GEO. H. YOUNG, of the Winnipeg Field Battery,
+deposed that he was present at Batoche as Brigade Major
+under the last witness, and was in the charge at the
+close. Witness was first in the rebel council chamber
+after the capture of the village, and found and took
+possession of the rebel archives. A number of documents
+were produced, which witness recognised as those he had
+secured. After Riel's surrender he was given into
+witness's custody and taken to Regina.
+
+MAJOR JARVIS, in command of the Winnipeg Field Battery
+during the campaign, and to whom the charge of the papers
+found at Batoche was confided, identified the papers
+produced in Court.
+
+MAJOR CROZIER, of the N.-W. Mounted Police, was next
+sworn, and detailed the fact that he was met by an armed
+force of rebels at Duck Lake and fired upon, losing many
+of his command in killed and wounded. He testified that,
+subsequent to this engagement, a man named Sanderson
+brought him a letter from Riel asking him to come and
+remove his dead from the field.
+
+CHARLES NOLIN was next called, and was examined by Mr.
+Casgrain in French. The deposition of this witness we
+take from the Toronto _Globe_. Nolin deposed that he
+lived in St. Laurent and formerly in Manitoba. He knew
+when Riel came to this country in July, 1884. And met
+him many times. Riel showed him a book he had written in
+which he said he would destroy England, and also Rome
+and the Pope. Riel spoke to him of his plans in December,
+expressing his wish for money, a sum between ten and
+fifteen thousand dollars. Riel had no plan to get it,
+but he wanted to claim an indemnity from the Dominion
+Government; that they owed him $100,000. Riel told him
+he had had an interview with Father Andre, and at that
+time he was at open war with the clergy, but had made
+peace with Father Andre in order to gain his ends. Riel
+went into the church with Father Andre and other priests,
+and promised to do nothing against them, and Father Andre
+had promised to use his influence with the Government to
+secure an indemnity of $35,000. This was in the beginning
+of December, 1884, the agreement being made at St. Laurent.
+Between December and February 14th, witness had taken
+part in seven meetings. Riel said if he could get the
+money from the Government he would go wherever the
+Government would send him--to the Province of Quebec or
+elsewhere. Otherwise, he said, before the grass was very
+long, they would see foreign armies in Canada. He would
+begin with subduing Manitoba, and afterwards turn against
+the North-West. Prisoner afterwards prepared to go to
+the United States, and told the people it would look well
+if they attempted to prevent him from going. Riel never
+had the intention of leaving the country, but wanted
+witness to get the people to tell him not to go. Witness
+was chairman of a meeting which was held, and brought
+the matter up. On the 2nd March a meeting was held at
+the settlement between Riel and Father Andre. There were
+seven or eight half-breeds there. Prisoner appeared to
+be very excited, and told Father Andre he must give him
+permission to proclaim a Provisional Government before
+12 o'clock. On the 3rd March a meeting was held for the
+English half-breeds. About forty armed French-half-breeds
+came there. Riel spoke and said the police wanted to
+arrest him, but he had the real police. Witness spoke
+also at the meeting on the 5th of March. Riel afterwards
+told witness he had decided to take up arms and induce
+the people to take up arms for the glory of God, the good
+of the Church, and the saving of their souls. About twenty
+days before the prisoner took up arms witness broke
+entirely from him. On the 19th witness was made prisoner
+by four of Riel's men and taken to the church, where he
+found some half-breeds and Indians armed. That night he
+was taken before the council and was acquitted. Riel
+protested against the decision. Witness was condemned to
+death, and he was thus forced to join the rebels to save
+his life. The conditions of surrender to Crozier were
+put in his hands to be delivered to Crozier, but he did
+not deliver the letter. Riel was present at the Duck Lake
+fight, on the 26th March, and was one of the first to go
+out to meet the police, carrying a cross in his hands.
+
+Cross examined by Mr. Lemieux.--I have taken an active
+part in political affairs of the country. In 1869 I was
+in Manitoba. In 1884 Riel was living in Montana with his
+wife and children. I participated in the movement to
+bring Riel here; believed Riel would be of advantage in
+obtaining redress of the grievances. The clergy had not
+taken part in the political movement, but had assisted
+them in obtaining their rights. They thought it was
+necessary to have Riel as a point to rally round. Delegates
+were sent to invite Riel to come, and he came with his
+wife and family. A constitutional political movement was
+made, in which the half-breeds of all creeds took part,
+and the whites, though they were not active promoters,
+were sympathizers. Did not believe Riel ever wanted to
+return to Montana, although he spoke of it. After the
+Government refused to grant the indemnity to Riel witness
+did not believe he would be useful as a constitutional
+leader. It was after the indemnity was refused that Riel
+spoke of going away. Witness denied that in 1869 he
+started an agitation with Riel, and then, as in the
+present case, abandoned him. He only went as far as was
+constitutional. He had heard prisoner say he considered
+himself a prophet, and said he had inspiration in his
+liver and in every other part of his body. He wrote upon
+a piece of paper that he was inspired. He showed witness
+a book written with buffalo blood, which was a plan that
+after Riel had taken England and Canada, Quebec was to
+be given to the Prussians, Ontario to the Irish, and the
+North-West to be divided among the various nationalities
+of Europe, the Jews, Hungarians, and Bavarians included.
+The rebel council had first condemned witness to death,
+and afterwards liberated him, and he accepted a position
+in the council in order to save his life. Witness said
+that whenever the word police was mentioned Riel became
+very excited, having heard that the Government had answered
+their petitions for redress by sending 500 extra police.
+
+At this part of the cross-examination of Nolin, the
+proceedings were interrupted by an excited clamour of
+Riel, to be allowed to interrogate the prisoner, and to
+assist personally in the conduct of his case. This the
+Court could only allow with the consent of prisoner's
+counsel. His counsel objected, and urged that such a
+proceeding would prejudice their client's case; but Riel
+persisted, and the rest of the day was wasted in fruitless
+altercation, which neither the Court nor the counsel for
+the Crown could allay. The chief cause of Riel's excitement
+seemed to be the determination of his counsel to press
+the plea of insanity, a plea which, throughout the trial,
+Riel strongly objected to be urged on his behalf. The
+Court in the midst of the altercation, adjourned.
+
+
+
+
+THIRD DAY OF THE TRIAL.
+
+[Footnote: In preparing this abstract of the day's
+proceedings, the writer acknowledges to have drawn from
+the reports published in the Toronto _Globe_ and _Mail_,
+and the Montreal _Gazette_ And _Star_.]
+
+The Riel trial was resumed at Regina, on the morning of
+July 30th, by MR. GREEN SHIELDS' addressing the jury
+for the defence. The Court-room was again filled to its
+utmost capacity. After referring to the difficulty counsel
+had met, in the prisoner's endeavour to obstruct their
+conduct of the case, Mr. Greenshields dwelt upon the
+history of the Indians and half-breeds in the North-West
+Territories, pointing out their rights to the soil. In
+this Court they had a different procedure from that in
+other parts of the Dominion, and while not desiring to
+be understood that the prisoner would not receive as fair
+a trial as the machinery provided made possible, he
+questioned whether a jury of six men, nominated by the
+presiding magistrate, was sufficient to satisfy the
+demands of Magna Charta,--the great bulwark of the rights
+and liberties of all British subjects. He believed any
+of the older Provinces would rebel against such an
+encroachment on their rights, and he did not see why such
+a condition of things should obtain here. For years the
+half-breeds had been making futile efforts to obtain
+their rights. All these efforts had been met by rebuffs,
+or had received no attention whatever from the Federal
+Government, and those very rights for which the half-breeds
+were supplicating and petitioning were being handed over
+to railway corporations, colonization companies, and like
+concerns. He would not say that the action of the Government
+justified armed rebellion--the shedding of blood--but it
+left in these poor people those smouldering fires of
+discontent that were so easily fanned into rebellion by
+a madman such as Riel. The prisoner had been invited by
+the half-breeds to come among them from a foreign country
+to assist them in making a proper representation of their
+grievances to the Government. They were unlettered and
+required an active sympathizer, with education sufficient
+to properly conduct the agitation. Riel was the man they
+chose, and there was no evidence to show that when Riel
+came to this country he came with any intention of inciting
+the people to armed rebellion. His work was begun and
+carried on up till January in a perfectly constitutional
+manner. After that time, as the jury had seen in the
+cross-examination of the witnesses for the prosecution,
+no effort was made by the defence to deny that overt acts
+of treason had been committed in the presence of the
+prisoner; but evidence would be brought to show that at
+the time these acts were countenanced by the prisoner,
+he was of unsound mind and not responsible for what he
+did. The peculiar disease of the prisoner was called by
+men learned in diseases of the mind, "megalomania." This
+species of mental disease developed two delusions--one
+the desire for and belief that the patient could obtain
+great power in political matters to rule or govern,
+another his desire to found a great church. That the
+prisoner was possessed of these delusions, the evidence
+abundantly proved. The jury might consider, with some
+grounds for the belief, that the evidence of Charles
+Nolin, who swore that the prisoner was willing to leave
+the country if he obtained from the Government a gratuity
+of $35,000, was inconsistent with the real existence of
+such a monomania as the prisoner was afflicted with. But
+not one isolated portion, but the whole, of Nolin's
+evidence should be considered. Other portions of his
+testimony, for instance, prisoner's opinions on religious
+matters, and his intention to divide up the country
+between various foreign nationalities, were conclusive
+proof of the prisoner's insanity. This was a great State
+trial, the speaker said, and he warned the jury to throw
+aside the influence of heated public opinion, as it was
+expressed at present. There were many people executed
+for having taken part in the rebellion of 1837, and it
+was questionable if there could be found anyone now who
+would justify those executions. The beat of private
+feeling had died away, and the jury should be careful
+that no hasty conclusion in this case should leave
+posterity a chance to say that their verdict had been a
+wrong one. They should, if possible, look at the case
+with the calmness of the historian, throwing aside all
+preconceived notions of the case that interfered with
+the evidence given in the Court, and build up their
+verdict on the testimony brought out here. In the course
+of his remarks, Mr. Greenshields said, that he accused
+no Government in particular for neglecting the claims of
+the breeds; but if the authorities had paid attention to
+the petitions which had been addressed to them, the
+rebellion would never have occurred. He paid a glowing
+tribute to the volunteers, who left their private
+occupations and came from all parts of the Dominion to
+suppress the outbreak.
+
+At the conclusion of Mr. Greenshield's address, FATHER
+ANDRE, Superior of the Oblat Fathers in the district of
+Carlton, was called for the defence. He said he had been
+intimately associated with the breeds for a quarter of
+a century. Riel had been induced to come to this country
+by the settlers to assist them. The witness had a thorough
+knowledge of what was going on amongst the settlers. He
+had no knowledge of petitions having been sent to the
+Government during the agitation; but he had himself
+indirectly communicated with the Government last December,
+with the object of getting the prisoner out of the country.
+The pretensions or claims of the breeds changed frequently.
+After Riel's arrival the Government had been notified
+three or four times of what was transpiring. The Government
+had promised to take the matter into consideration. The
+Government had replied to one petition by telegram,
+conceding the old survey. This was an important concession.
+At Batoche three scrips had been issued, and at Duck Lake
+forty were given. The witness never liked talking with
+the prisoner on religion or politics. On these subjects
+Riel's language frightened the witness, who considered
+him undoubtedly crazy on these subjects, while on all
+other points he was sane enough. Once, at a meeting of
+priests, the advisability of allowing such a man to
+perform religious duties was discussed, and it was
+unanimously agreed that the man was insane. The discussion
+of religious or political subjects with him was like
+dangling a red flag in front of a bull.
+
+PHILIP GARNEAU, of Batoche, but at present a prisoner in
+Regina gaol, was now sworn and deposed as follows:--I
+saw Riel at Batoche last fall; had seen him several times
+before January. During the trouble I talked with him at
+my house on religious matters. He said the spirit of
+Elias, the prophet, was in him. He wanted the people to
+believe that. He often said the Spirit of God told him
+to do this or that. During his stay at my house Riel
+prayed aloud all night; never heard such prayers before;
+prisoner must have made them up. He could not stand to
+be contradicted, and was very irritable. Heard him declare
+he was representing St. Peter. Heard him talking of the
+country being divided into seven Provinces, and he was
+going to bring in seven different nationalities to occupy
+them. I did not believe he would succeed in that. He
+expected the assistance of the Jews and other nationalities,
+to whom he was going to award a Province each for their
+aid. Riel said he was sure to succeed, it was a divine
+mission, and God was the chief of the movement; only met
+him once before the trouble. I thought the man was crazy.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Robinson--I followed Riel solely
+because he forced me with armed men. He had great influence
+over the half-breeds, who listened to and followed his
+advice,
+
+FATHER FOURMAND sworn, examined by Mr. Lemieux in French--I
+am a priest of St. Laurent; went there in 1875. Have had
+conversations with Riel since the time of the rebellion.
+Often conversed with him on political and religious
+subjects. I was present at the meeting of priests at
+which Riel's sanity was questioned. I knew the facts upon
+which the question arose. Before the rebellion Riel was
+a polite and pleasant man to me. When he was not
+contradicted about political affairs he was quiet, but
+when opposed he was violent. As soon as the rebellion
+commenced he lost all control of himself, and threatened
+to burn all the churches. He believed there was only
+one God; that Christ the Son was not God, neither was
+the Holy Ghost, and in consequence the Virgin Mary was
+not the mother of God, but of the Son of God. He changed
+the song beginning "Hail Mary, mother of God," to "Hail
+Mary, mother of the Son of God." He denied the real
+presence of God in the Host, it was a man of six feet.
+Riel said he was going to Quebec, France and Italy, and
+would overthrow the Pope and choose a Pope or appoint
+himself. We finally concluded there was no other way of
+explaining his conduct than that he was insane. Noticed
+a great change in prisoner as the agitation progressed.
+When the fathers opposed him he attacked them. Witness
+was brought before the rebel council by the prisoner, to
+give an account of his conduct. He called me a little tiger,
+being very excited. Never showed me a book of his prophecies
+written in buffalo blood, although I heard of it.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Casgrain--Most of the half-breeds
+followed Riel in his religious views; some opposed them.
+The prisoner was relatively sane before the rebellion.
+The prisoner proclaimed the rebellion on March 18th. I
+promised to occupy a position of neutrality towards the
+provisional Government. He could better explain prisoner's
+conduct on the ground of insanity than that of great
+criminality. Witness naturally had a strong friendship
+towards the prisoner.
+
+The afternoon was devoted to expert testimony respecting
+the prisoner's sanity.
+
+
+
+
+MEDICAL TESTIMONY.
+
+DR. ROY, of the Beauport Asylum, Quebec, said the prisoner
+was an inmate of that institution for nineteen months.
+He was discharged in January, 1878. He suffered from
+ambitious mania. One of the distinguishing characteristics
+of that form of insanity is that, so long as the particular
+hobby is not touched, the patient appears perfectly sane.
+From what he heard the witnesses say, and from the
+prisoner's actions yesterday, he had no hesitation in
+pronouncing the man insane, and he believed him not to
+be responsible for his acts.
+
+DR. CLARKE, of Toronto, was the next witness. He said he
+was the Superintendent of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum. He
+has had nine or ten years' experience in treating lunatics.
+He examined the prisoner twice yesterday and once this
+morning. From what evidence he had heard and from his
+own examination, provided the witnesses told the truth
+and the prisoner was not malingering, there was no doubt
+of his being insane.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Osler--It is impossible for any
+man to say that a person like Riel, who is sharp and
+well-educated, is either insane or sane. He (the witness)
+would require to have him under his notice for months to
+form an opinion. The man's actions are consistent with
+fraud. Thinks he knows the difference between right and
+wrong, subject to his delusion.
+
+DR. WALLACE was next called. He said he was Superintendent
+of the Insane Asylum at Hamilton. He had listened to the
+evidence in this case. He saw the prisoner alone for half
+an hour. He has formed the opinion that there is no
+indication of insanity about him. He thinks the prisoner
+knows the difference between right and wrong. The person
+suffering from megalomania often imagines he is a king,
+divinely inspired, has the world at his feet--supreme
+egotism in fact. It is one of the complications of
+paralytic insanity.
+
+DR. JUKES, of the Mounted Police, would not say the
+prisoner was not insane. He had seen him daily since
+May, and noticed no traces of insanity.
+
+The Court adjourned at five o'clock.
+
+
+
+
+RIEL'S ADDRESS TO THE JURY.
+
+At the outset, writes W. A. H., correspondent of the
+Montreal _Star_, Riel spoke in a quiet and low tone, many
+of his statements carrying home conviction to his hearers.
+"At any rate," was the subsequent comment, "Riel speaks
+with the belief that he is right." Gradually as he
+proceeded and got fairly launched into his subject, his
+eyes sparkled, his body swayed to and fro as if strongly
+agitated, and his hands accomplished a series of wonderful
+gestures as he warmed up and spoke with impassioned
+eloquence. His hearers were spell-bound, and well they
+might, as each concluding assertion with terrible
+earnestness was uttered with the effect and force of a
+trumpet blast. That every soul in Court was impressed is
+not untrue, and many ladies were moved to tears. The
+following is an epitome of what he said:--
+
+"Your Honour, and gentlemen of the jury--It would be an
+easy matter for me to-day, to play the _role_ of a lunatic,
+because the circumstances are such as to excite any
+ordinary man subject to natural excitement after what
+has transpired to-day. The natural excitement, or may
+I add anxiety, which my trial causes me is enough to
+justify me in acting in the manner of a demented man;
+but I hope, with the help of God, that I will maintain
+a calm exterior and act with the decorum that suits this
+honourable Court. You have, no doubt, seen by the papers
+produced by the Crown, that I was not a man disposed to
+think of God at the beginning. Gentlemen, I don't want
+to play the part of a lunatic.
+
+"Oh, my God, help me through the grace and divine influence
+of Jesus. Oh, my God bless me, bless this Court, bless
+this jury, and bless my good lawyers, who at great
+sacrifice have came nearly 700 leagues to defend me.
+Bless the lawyers for the Crown, for they have done what
+they considered their duty. God grant that fairness be
+shown. Oh, Jesus, change the curiosity of the ladies and
+others here to sanctity. The day of my birth I was
+helpless, and my mother was helpless. Somebody helped
+her. I lived, and although a man I am as helpless to-day
+as I was a babe on my mother's breast. But the North-West
+is also my mother: although the North-West is sick and
+confined, there is some one to take care of her. I am
+sure that my mother will not kill me after forty-years
+life. My mother cannot take my life. She will be indulgent
+and will forget.
+
+"When I came here from Montana, in July, 1884, I found
+the Indians starving. The state of affairs was terrible.
+The half-breeds were subsisting on the rotten pork of
+the Hudson Bay Company. This was the condition, this was
+the pride, of responsible Government! What did Louis Riel
+do? I did not equally forget the whites. I directed my
+attention to assist all classes, irrespective of creed,
+colour or nationality. We have made petitions to the
+Canadian Government, asking them to relieve the state of
+affairs. We took time. Those who know me, know we took
+time with the object of uniting all classes, even if I
+may speak it, all parties. Those who know me know I have
+suffered. I tried to come to an understanding with the
+authorities on different points. I believe I have done
+my duty. It was said that I was egotistical. A man cannot
+generalize himself unless he is imputed with the taint.
+After the Canadian Government, through the honourable
+under-secretary of state, replied to my letter regarding
+the half-breeds, then, and not till then, did I look
+after my private affairs. A good deal can be said of the
+distribution of land. I don't know if my dignity would
+permit me to mention what you term my foreign policy,
+but if I was allowed to explain or question certain
+witnesses, those things would have looked different. My
+lawyers are good, but they don't understand the
+circumstances. Be it understood that I appreciate their
+services. Were I to go into details, I could safely say
+what Captain Young has told you regarding my mission, to
+bring about practical results. I have writings; my career,
+is perhaps nearly run, but after dissolution my spirit
+will still bring about practical results."
+
+Striking his breast he added:
+
+"No one need say that the North-West is not suffering.
+The Saskatchewan was especially afflicted, but what have
+I done to bring about practical results? For ten years
+I have been aware that I had a mission to perform; now
+what encourages me is the fact that I still have a mission
+to perform. God is with me, He is in this dock, and God
+is with my lawyers, the same as he was with me in the
+battles of the Saskatchewan. I have not assumed my mission.
+In Manitoba, to-day, I have a mission to perform. To-day
+I am forgotten by the Manitobans as dead. Did I not obtain
+for that province a constitutional government notwithstanding
+the opposition of the Ottawa authorities? That was the
+cause of my banishment."
+
+I thank the glorious General Middleton for his testimony
+that I possess my mental faculties. I felt that God was
+blessing me when those words were pronounced. I was in
+Beauport Asylum; Dr. Roy over there knows it, but I thank
+the Crown for destroying his testimony. I was in the
+Lunatic Asylum at Longue Pointe, near Montreal, also;
+and would like to see my old friends, Dr. Lachapelle and
+Dr. Howard, who treated me so charitably. Even if I am
+to die, I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I
+will not be regarded by all men as an insane person.
+
+TO THE COURT.--"Your honour and gentlemen of the jury,
+my reputation, my life, my liberty, are in your hands,
+and are at your discretion. I am so confident in your
+high sense of duty that I have no anxiety as to the
+verdict. My calmness does not arise from the presumption
+that you will acquit me. Although you are only half a
+jury, only a shred of that proud old British constitution,
+I respect you. I can only trust, Judge and gentlemen,
+that good and practical results will arise from your
+judgment conscientiously rendered. I would call your
+attention to one or two points. The first is that the
+House of Commons, Senate and Ministry, which make the
+laws, do not respect the interests of the North-West. My
+second point is that the North-West Council has the defect
+of its parent. There are practically no elections, and
+it is a sham legislature."
+
+Then, as if wandering from his subject, Riel broke forth
+and said:
+
+"I was ready at Batoche; I fired and wounded your soldiers.
+Bear in mind, is my crime, committed in self-defence, so
+enormous? Oh, Jesus Christ! help me, for they are trying
+to tear me into pieces. Jurors, if you support the plea
+of insanity, otherwise acquit me all the same. Console
+yourselves with the reflection that you will be doing
+justice to one who has suffered for fifteen years, to my
+family, and to the North-West."
+
+Riel concluded as follows, his language containing a
+strange admixture of the words applied to him by the
+medical experts, which he ingeniously turned against the
+Government:
+
+"Your honours and gentlemen of the jury:--I am taking
+the circumstances of my trial as they are. The only thing
+to which I would respectfully call your attention before
+you retire to deliberate is the irresponsibility of the
+Government. It is a fact that the Government possesses
+an absolute lack of responsibility, an insanity complicated
+with analysis. A monster of irresponsible, insane
+government, and its little North-West council, had made
+up their minds to answer my petitions by surrounding me,
+and by suddenly attempting to jump at me and my people
+in the fertile valley of the Saskatchewan. You are
+perfectly justified in declaring that having my reason
+and sound mind, I acted reasonably and in self-defence,
+while the Government, my aggressor, being irresponsible,
+and consequently insane, cannot but have acted madly and
+wrong; and if high treason there is, it must be on its
+side, not on my part."
+
+At the conclusion of Riel's lengthy address, MR. CHRISTOPHER
+ROBINSON, Q.C., closed the case for the Crown in a powerful
+speech, which went far to counteract the sympathetic
+effect produced by Riel's disconnected but eloquent
+oration. Mr. Robinson pointed out that no evidence was
+produced to show that the prisoner had not committed the
+acts he was charged with. From the evidence it was quite
+clear the prisoner was neither a patriot nor a lunatic.
+If prisoner was not responsible for the rebellion, who
+was? The speaker went over the evidence and showed that
+Riel's acts were not those of a lunatic, but well considered
+in all their bearings, and the deliberate acts of a
+particularly sound mind. The evidence as to Riel's
+confinement in an asylum nine years ago was not
+satisfactory. Why was he sent there under an assumed
+name? Why was the record of his case not produced along
+with the other papers, and a statement of his condition
+when leaving the asylum? Medical men were not always the
+best judges of insanity. Taking up the evidence against
+the prisoner, Mr. Robinson went over it in detail, and
+said no mercy should be shown one who had committed such
+acts. He pictured the terrible results if Riel had
+succeeded in his effort to rouse the Indians, The reason
+the prisoners Poundmaker and Big Bear had not been put
+in the witness box, was that they could not be asked to
+give evidence that would incriminate themselves.
+
+MR. JUSTICE RICHARDSON then read over the evidence to
+the jury, after which the court adjourned.
+
+
+
+
+THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
+
+[Footnote: This abstract of the final day's proceedings
+we take from the Toronto _Mail_.]
+
+The court resumed its sittings on the morning of the 1st
+of August, at the usual hour, and Col. Richardson continued
+his charge to the jury He read all the principal evidence,
+commenting thereon, and finally charged the jury to do
+their duty without fear or favour.
+
+
+
+
+THE VERDICT.
+
+When the jury returned with the verdict at 3.15 p.m.,
+after exactly one hour's deliberation, the prisoner, who
+had been on his knees in the dock praying incessantly,
+rose and stood facing the six men who came in bearing
+for him the message of life or death.
+
+The CLERK of the Court, amid a silence so intense that,
+like the darkness of Egypt, it could be felt, asked if
+the gentlemen of the jury had agreed upon their verdict?
+
+MR. COSGROVE, the foreman, answered in a low tone, but
+heard distinctly in the general hush, "We have!"
+
+The CLERK then asked: "Is the prisoner guilty or not
+guilty?"
+
+Everyone but the prisoner seemed anxious. He alone of
+all those present, eager to hear the message of fate,
+was calm.
+
+The Foreman replied: "Guilty, with a recommendation to
+mercy!"
+
+Riel smiled as if the sentence in no way affected him,
+and bowed gracefully to the jury.
+
+
+
+
+THE PRISONER'S SPEECH.
+
+COL. RICHARDSON asked the prisoner if he had anything to
+say why the sentence of the Court should not be passed
+upon him?
+
+RIEL replied: Yes, your honour. Then he began, in a low,
+calm voice to detail the story of the half-breeds in
+Manitoba, and spoke at length of the rebellion of '69.
+He said that if he had to die for what had taken place,
+it would be a consolation to his wife and to his friends
+to know that he had not died in vain. In years to come
+people will look at Manitoba and say that Riel helped
+the dwellers of those fertile plains to obtain the benefits
+they now enjoy. He said it would be an easy thing for
+him to make an incendiary speech, but he would refrain.
+He said that God had given him a mission to perform, and
+if suffering was part of that mission, he bowed respectfully
+to the Divine will, and he was ready to accept the task,
+even if the end should be death. Like David, he had
+suffered, but he lacked two years of the time that David
+suffered. The prisoner then went into the history of the
+Red River rebellion at great length. He claimed that he
+had ruled the country for two months for the Government,
+and his only reward was a sentence of exile. The troubles
+in the Saskatchewan, he said, were but a continuation of
+the troubles of the Red River, and the breeds feel that
+they are being robbed by the Government, which has failed
+to carry out the treaty promises that had been made to
+them. The breeds sustained their rights in '69 by arms,
+and the people of Manitoba are enjoying the results
+to-day. The people of Saskatchewan only followed the same
+precedent, and he trusted that the same results would
+follow. He then spoke at great length of the part played
+by Sir John Macdonald, Sir George Cartier, and Bishop
+Tache in the Red River rebellion. The money that had been
+given to him and to Lepine on leaving the country had
+been accepted, he said, as part of what was justly their
+due. The whites were gradually crowding out the Indians
+and the Metis, and what was more natural and just than
+for them to take up arms in defence of their rights? He
+justified his claims to $35,000 by saying that it was
+offered to him to keep out of the country for three years.
+The English constitution, he said, had been perfected
+for the happiness of the world, and his wish to have the
+representatives of the different nations here was to give
+people from the countries of the Old World an opportunity
+of enjoying the blessings God had given England. God had
+given England great glory, but she must work for that
+glory or it would surely pass away. The Roman Empire was
+four hundred years in declining from its proud pre-eminence,
+and England would be in the same position; but before
+England faded away a grander England would be built up
+in this immense country. His heart, while it beat, would
+not abandon the idea of having a new Ireland, a new
+Germany, a new France here; and the people of those
+countries would enjoy liberties under the British
+constitution which they did not obtain at home. If he
+must die for his principles, if the brave men who were
+with him must die, he hoped the French-Canadians would
+come and help the people to get back what was being
+unjustly wrenched from them. Peace had always been
+uppermost in his thoughts, and it was to save the country
+from being deluged with blood later on that they strove
+for their rights now. He concluded by objecting to the
+jury and the decision of the Court, and asked that he be
+not tried for the alleged offences of this season, but
+that his whole career be put on trial, and the jury asked
+to give a decision as to whether his life and acts have
+in any way benefited the country or not.
+
+
+
+
+THE SENTENCE.
+
+Mr. CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON moved for the sentence of the
+Court.
+
+Judge RICHARDSON then said: "Louis Riel, you are charged
+with treason. You let loose the flood gates of rapine
+and bloodshed, and brought ruin and death to many families,
+who, if let alone, were in comfort and a fair way of
+affluence. For what you did you have been given a fair
+and impartial trial. Your remarks are no excuse for your
+acts. You committed acts that the law demands an account
+for at your hands. The jury coupled with their verdict
+a recommendation to mercy. I can hold out no prospect
+for you, and I would recommend you to make your peace
+with God. For me, only one duty and a painful one to
+perform remains. It is to pass sentence upon you. If your
+life is spared, no one will feel more gratified than
+myself, but I can hold out no hope. The sentence of this
+Court upon you, Louis Riel, is that you be taken to the
+guard-room of the Mounted Police of Regina, whence you
+came, and kept there until September the eighteenth, and
+from thence to the place of execution, there to be hanged
+by the neck until dead, and may the Lord have mercy upon
+your soul!"
+
+Riel never moved a muscle, but, bowing to the Court,
+said:--"Is that on Friday, your Honour?"
+
+He was then taken from the Court-room, and a few minutes
+after was driven back, under strong escort, to the
+guard-room,
+
+
+
+
+AN APPEAL.
+
+After sentence had been passed upon Riel, Mr. Fitzgerald,
+one of prisoner's counsel, gave notice of appeal for a
+new trial to the Court of Queen's Bench, Manitoba. The
+appeal case was heard at Winnipeg on the 3rd and 4th days
+of September before Chief Justice Wallbridge and Mr.
+Justice T. W. Taylor.
+
+M. LEMIEUX, chief counsel for Riel, raised the old issue
+as to informality of the trial before the Stipendiary
+Magistrate at Regina, and contended that the magistrate
+was incompetent to try the case.
+
+Mr. FITZPATRICK followed. He held that the Treason-Felony
+Act was one of Imperial jurisdiction, and he questioned
+if it had delegated any power to the colonial authorities
+to legislate away any rights enjoyed by the subjects of
+the British Empire. He dwelt strongly upon the insanity
+question, and said the jury were convinced of the prisoner's
+lunacy, hence their recommendation to mercy.
+
+Mr. EWART also strongly questioned the jurisdiction of
+the Court at Regina and cited several authorities in
+support of his argument.
+
+Mr. ROBINSON, on behalf of the Crown, in an able address,
+strongly combated the idea that the Court at Regina was
+not legally constituted, and cited cases in support of
+his contention. He also dwelt at length on the insanity
+plea, showing the absurdity of the contention that Riel
+was insane.
+
+Mr. Osler and Mr. Aikens followed on the same side,
+supplementing the arguments of the previous speaker as
+to the constitutionality of the Court, and cited a number
+of authorities adverse to the insanity plea.
+
+
+
+
+NEW TRIAL REFUSED.
+
+At Winnipeg, on the 9th September, at a sitting of the
+full Court of the Queen's Bench of the Province of
+Manitoba, judgment was delivered in the appeal for a new
+trial for the prisoner Riel.
+
+His Lordship Chief Justice Wallbridge first delivered
+judgment. He referred briefly to the facts brought before
+the Court and the statutes by which the stipendiary
+magistrates are appointed in the North-West and to the
+powers given them for the trial of the cases before them
+alone, and to the cases, including treason, which have
+to be tried before a magistrate with a justice of the
+peace and a jury of six. His Lordship held that the
+constitutionality of the Court is established by the
+statutes passed, which he cited. If the Act passed by
+the Dominion Parliament was, as claimed by the defence,
+_ultra vires_, it was clearly confirmed by the Imperial
+Act subsequently passed, which made the Dominion Act
+equal to an Imperial Act. The objections were to his
+mind purely technical and therefore not valid. His opinion
+therefore was that a new trial should be refused, and
+the conviction of the Superior Court was therefore
+confirmed.
+
+Mr. Justice Taylor followed, dealing fully with the
+arguments brought forward by the prisoner's counsel. On
+the question of the delegation of the power to legislate
+given to the Dominion Parliament, he held that the Dominion
+Parliament has plenary powers on all subjects committed
+to it. He reviewed fully all the facts relating to the
+admission of Rupert's Land to the Dominion, and to the
+statutes passed for the government of Rupert's Land and
+Manitoba when formed as a province. After a critical
+examination of the evidence in the case, he was unable
+to come to any other conclusion than that to which the
+jury had come. The evidence entirely fails to relieve
+the prisoner from responsibility for his acts. A new
+trial must be refused and the conviction must be confirmed.
+
+Mr. Justice Killam next followed at some length, concurring
+in the views of his brother judges.
+
+With these proceedings the trial of the rebel chief was
+concluded, though counsel for Riel has notified the
+Executive that they will appeal the case to the Privy
+Council in England. Riel will, meantime, be respited.
+
+
+
+
+RIEL'S EXECUTION.
+
+The execution of Louis David Riel took place at Regina,
+on the 16th November, 1885. He met his fate bravely, and
+displayed more fortitude than had been thought possible.
+He abstained from speech-making, and confined himself
+entirely, on the advice of Father Andre, who has been
+his constant companion throughout, to spiritual matters.
+Riel never slept after receiving intelligence that the
+execution would take place that morning, and throughout
+the night was constant in his devotions. At seven o'clock
+he had a light supper, and at five in the morning mass
+was celebrated, followed two hours later by the
+administration of the last sacrament. Riel, towards the
+last, almost entirely dropped his new religious
+idiosyncrasies and decided to die a devout catholic.
+
+The hour fixed for the execution was eight o'clock, but
+it was fifteen minutes past that hour before those who
+had passes from the sheriff were admitted to the guard-room.
+Here was found the prisoner, kneeling on the floor of an
+upper room, from which he was to step to the gallows, It
+was a sad scene. Around him were gathered numbers of
+mounted police, Sheriff Chapleau, Deputy-Sheriff Gibson,
+and a few others. The room was illuminated by a small
+window, covered with a rime of frost through which the
+sun, now risen but a few hours, shot a few weak rays.
+Riel now knelt beside the open window, through which the
+gallows could be seen, and prayed incessantly for fully
+half an hour. Fathers McWilliams and Andre conducted the
+service for the doomed man in French, Riel repeating the
+responses in a clear voice, which could be heard distinctly
+above the murmurs of the priests' whispering tones. Riel
+wore a loose woollen surtout, grey trousers, and woollen
+shirt. On his feet were moccasins, the only feature of
+his dress that partook of the Indian that was in him. He
+received the notice to proceed to the scaffold in the
+same composed manner he had shown the preceding night on
+receiving warning of his fate. His face was full of
+colour, and he appeared to have complete self-possession,
+still responding to the service in a clear tone. The
+prisoner decided only a moment before starting for the
+scaffold not to make a speech. This was owing to the
+earnest solicitations of both the priests attending him.
+He displayed an inclination at the last moment to make
+an address, but Father Andre reminded him of his promise.
+
+The hangman, who on a former occasion had been in the
+hands of Riel as a prisoner, commenced the work of
+pinioning the doomed man, and then the melancholy procession
+soon began to wend its way toward the scaffold, which
+had been erected for Khonnors, the Hebrew, and soon came
+in sight of the noose. Deputy-Sheriff Gibson went ahead,
+then came Father McWilliams, next Riel, then Father Andre,
+Dr. Jukes, and others. As he stood on the trap-door Riel
+continued invoking the aid of Jesus, Mary, and the saints,
+during his last agonies. "Courage, pere," he said,
+addressing Father Andre, and then he addressed Father
+McWilliams in the same words. The latter priest kissed
+Riel, who said, "I believe still in God."
+
+"To the last," said Father Andre.
+
+"Yes, the very last," answered Riel: "I believe and trust
+in Him. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me."
+
+Dr. Jukes shook hands with the prisoner, who said in
+English: "Thank you, doctor." Then he continued: "Jesus,
+Marie, Joseph, assistez moi en ce dernier moment."
+
+Deputy-Sheriff Gibson then said, "Louis Riel, have you
+anything to say before death?" Riel answered "No." He
+was given two minutes to pray, and he repeated the Lord's
+prayer, Father McWilliams leading, while the cap was
+being drawn over his face and the rope adjusted. At the
+words "Lead me not into temptation" the hangman sprang
+the bolt, at twenty-eight minutes past eight, and Riel
+shot downward with a terrible crash. For a second he did
+not move. A slight twitching of the limbs was noticed,
+but instantly all was still again. In two minutes after
+the fall, Louis Riel was no more. His conduct on the
+scaffold was very courageous. He was pale but firm, and
+kept up his courage by constant prayer, thus diverting
+his thoughts from the terrible death before him. His neck
+was broken by the fall; the doctors say he could have
+experienced no physical suffering. For a second or two
+his limbs twitched slightly, then a convulsive shudder
+ran through his frame, and all was over. In less than
+three minutes Dr. Dodds pronounced him dead.
+
+Few persons were present. The only people on the scaffold,
+besides the condemned man and the hangman, were
+Deputy-Sheriff Gibson, Dr. Jukes, of the Mounted Police,
+Father Andre, Father McWilliams, and the press
+representatives.
+
+After death the coroner's jury was empanelled by Dr Dodds,
+and a verdict of death by hanging rendered. The hair of
+the deceased was cut off one side of both head and face.
+All the buttons torn off the coat, the moccasins removed
+from the feet, and even the suspenders cut into pieces
+for persons to obtain mementos of the deceased. He was
+placed in a plain deal coffin to await the plans of the
+Government as to interment. His own wish was to be buried
+at St. Boniface, and his friends are particularly anxious
+that his wishes in this respect be complied with, as his
+father and other friends repose in that place, as all
+the bodies of the convicts here have been stolen from
+the burying ground in less than a week.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Louis Riel: The Rebel
+Chief, by Joseph Edmond Collins
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10399 ***
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Louis Riel: The Rebel Chief
+by Joseph Edmond Collins
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Story of Louis Riel: The Rebel Chief
+
+Author: Joseph Edmond Collins
+
+Release Date: December 7, 2003 [EBook #10399]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL ***
+
+
+
+
+This etext was produced by Gardner Buchanan.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+The Story of Louis Riel
+The Rebel Chief
+
+
+by Joseph Edmond Collins
+
+Toronto, 1885
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+Along the banks of the Red River, over those fruitful
+plains brightened with wild flowers in summer, and swept
+with fierce storms in the winter-time, is written the
+life story of Louis Riel. Chance was not blind when she
+gave as a field to this man's ambition the plains whereon
+vengeful Chippewas and ferocious Sioux had waged their
+battles for so many centuries; a country dyed so often
+with blood that at last Red River came to be its name.
+But while our task is to present the career of this
+apostle of insurrection and unrest; stirred as we may be
+to feelings of horror for the misery, the tumult, the
+terror and the blood of which he has been the author, we
+must not neglect to do him, even him, the justice which
+is his right.
+
+He is not, as so many suppose, a half-breed, moved by
+the vengeful, irresponsible, savage blood in his veins.
+Mr. Edward Jack, [Footnote: I cannot make out what Mr.
+Jack's views are respecting Riel. When I asked him, he
+simply turned his face toward the sky and made some remark
+about the weather, I know that he has strong French
+proclivities, though the blood of a Scottish bailie is
+in his veins.] of New Brunswick, who is well informed on
+all Canadian matters, hands me some passages which he
+has translated from M. Tasse's book on Canadians in the
+North West; and from these I learn that Riel's father,
+whose name also was Louis, was born at the island of
+La Crosse, in the North-West Territories. This parent was
+the son of Jean Baptiste Riel, who was a French Canadian
+and a native of Berthier (_en haut_). His mother, that
+is the rebel's grandmother, was a Franco-Montagnaise
+Metis. From this it will be seen that instead of being
+a "half breed," Louis Riel is only one-eighth Indian, or
+is, if we might use the phrase employed in describing a
+mixture of Ethiopian and Caucasian blood, an Octoroon.
+
+Nay, more than this, we have it shown that our rebel can
+lay claim to no small share of respectability, as that
+word goes. During the summer of 1822, Riel's father, then
+in his fifth year, was brought to Canada by his parents,
+who caused the ceremony of baptism to be performed with
+much show at Berthier. In 1838 M. Riel _pere_ entered
+the service of the Hudson Bay Company, and left Lower
+Canada, where he had been attending school, for the
+North-West. He was stationed at Rainy Lake, but did not
+care for his occupation. He returned, therefore, to
+civilization and entered as a novice in the community of
+the Oblat Fathers, where he remained for two years. There
+was a strong yearning for the free, wild life of the
+boundless prairies in this man, and Red River, with its
+herds of roaming buffalo, its myriads of duck, and geese
+and prairie hens, began to beckon him home again. He
+followed his impulse and departed; joining the Metis
+hunters in their great biennial campaigns against the
+herds, over the rolling prairie. Many a buffalo fell upon
+the plain with Louis Riel's arrow quivering in his flank;
+many a feast was held around the giant pot at which no
+hunter received honours so marked as stolid male, and
+olive-skinned, bright-eyed, supple female, accorded him.
+Surfeited for the time of the luxury of the limitless
+plain, Riel took rest; and then a girl with the lustrous
+eyes of Normandy began to smile upon him, and to besiege
+his heart with all her mysterious force of coquetry. He
+was not proof; and the hunter soon lay entangled in the
+meshes of the brown girl of the plains. In the autumn of
+1843 he married her. Her name was Julie de Lagimodiere,
+a daughter of Jean Baptiste de Lagimodiere.
+
+Louis _pere_ was now engaged as a carder of wool; and
+having much ability in contrivance he constructed a little
+model of a carding mill which, with much enthusiasm, he
+exhibited to some officers of the Hudson Bay Company.
+But the Company, though having a great body, possessed
+no soul, and the disappointed inventor returned to his
+waiting wife with sorrow in his eyes. He next betook
+himself to the cultivation of a farm upon the banks of
+the little Seine; and his good, patient wife, when the
+autumn came, toiled with him all day, with her sickle
+among the sheaves.
+
+Tilling the soil proved too laborious, and he determined
+to erect a grist mill; but the stream that ran through
+the clayey channel of the _Seine petite_ was too feeble
+to turn the ponderous wheels. So he was obliged to move
+twelve miles to the east, where flowed another small
+stream bearing the aesthetic name "Grease River." This
+was not large enough either for his purposes, so with
+stupendous enterprise he cut a canal nine miles long,
+and through it decoyed the waters of the little Seine
+into the arms of the "Greasy" paramour. At this mill was
+ground the grain that grew for many a mile around; and
+in a little while Louis Riel became known as the most
+enterprising and important settler in Red River. But he
+was not through all his career a man of peace. The most
+deadly feud had grown up through many long years between
+the Hudson Bay Company and the Metis settled upon their
+territory; and it is only bald justice to say that the,
+reprisals of the half-breeds, the revolts, the hatred of
+everything in official shape, were not altogether
+undeserved. Louis Riel was at the head of many a jarring
+discord. How such an unfortunate condition grew we shall
+see later on, and we may also be able to determine if
+there are any shoulders upon which we can lay blame for
+the murder and misery that since have blighted one of
+the fairest portions of Canada.
+
+Louis Riel the elder was in due time blessed with a son,
+the same about whom it is our painful duty to write this
+little book. Estimating at its fullest the value of
+education, the father was keenly anxious for an opportunity
+to send _Louis fils_ to a school; but fortune had not
+been liberal with him in later years, though the sweat
+was constantly upon his brow, and his good wife's fingers
+were never still. This son had unusual precocity, and
+strangers who looked upon him used to say that a great
+fire slumbered in his eye. He was bright, quick and
+piquant; and it is said that it was impossible to know
+the lad and not be pleased with his person and manners.
+One important eye had observed him many a time; and this
+was the great ecclesiastical dignitary of Red River,
+Monseigneur Tache. He conceived a strong affection for
+the lad and resolved to secure for him a sound education.
+His own purse was limited, but there was a lady whom he
+knew upon whose bounty he could count. I give the following
+extract, which I translate from M. Tasse's book, and I
+write it in italics that it may be the more clearly
+impressed upon the reader's mind when he comes to peruse
+the first story of blood which shall be related: _The
+father's resources did not permit him to undertake the
+expense of this education, but His Grace Archbishop Tache
+having been struck with the intellectual precocity of
+Louis, found a generous protector of proverbial munificence
+for him in the person of Madame Masson, of Terrebonne._
+In later years it was reserved to the same bishop to go
+out as a mediator between Government and a band of rebels
+which had at its head a man whose hands were reddened
+with the blood of a settler. This rebel and murderer was
+the same lad upon whom the bishop had lavished his
+affection and his interest.
+
+Louis, the elder, was travelling upon the plain, when he
+met his son, bound for the civilized East, to enter upon
+his studies. He had pride in the lad, and said to his
+companions that one day he knew he would have occasion
+to glory in him. They said good-bye, the father seasoning
+the parting with wholesome words of advice, the son with
+filial submission receiving them, and storing them away
+in his heart. This was their last parting, and their last
+speaking. Before the son had been long at his studies he
+learned that his father was dead. His nature was deeply
+affectionate, and the painful intelligence overwhelmed
+him for many days. At school he was not distinguished
+for brilliancy, but his tutors observed that he had solid
+parts, and much intellectual subtlety. He was not a great
+favourite among his class-mates generally, because his
+manners were shy and reserved, and he shrank from, rather
+than courted, the popularity and leadership which are
+the darling aims of so many lads in their school-days.
+Yet he had many friends who were warmly attached to him;
+and to these he returned an equal affection. One of his
+comrades was stricken down with a loathsome and fatal
+malady, and all his comrades fled in fear away from his
+presence. But Louis Riel, the "half-breed," as the boys
+knew him, bravely went to the couch of his stricken
+friend, nursing, and bestowing all his attention and
+affection upon him, and offering consoling words. It is
+related that when the last moments came, the sufferer
+arose, and flinging his arms around Louis' neck, poured
+out his thanks and besought heaven to reward him. Then
+he fell backwards and died.
+
+Frequently young Riel's school-mates would ask him, "What
+do you intend doing when you leave school? Will you stay
+here, or do you go out again into the wilderness among
+the savages?"
+
+His eye would lighten with indignation at hearing the
+word "savages" applied to his people. "I will go out to
+the Red River," he would reply, to follow in the footsteps
+of my father. He has been a benefactor of our people,
+and I shall seek to be their benefactor too. When I tire
+of work, I can take my gun and go out for herds upon the
+plains with our people, whom you call "savages." I know
+not what you mean when you say "savages." We speak French
+as you do; our hearts are as kind, as noble, and as true
+as yours. When one of our people is in affliction the
+others give him sympathy and help. We are bound together
+by strong ties of fraternity; there is no jealousy among
+us, no tyranny of caste, but we all live in peace and
+love as the sisters and brothers in one great household.
+My eye deceives me if like this live you. You are divided
+into envious, brawling factions, each one of which tries
+to injure, and blight the reputation of the other. If
+one of you fall upon evil times he is left without the
+sympathy and succour of the others. In politics and in
+social grades you are divided, and in every respect you
+are such that I should mourn the day when our peaceable,
+simple, contented people on the banks of the Red River
+should in any respect choose your civilization for their
+model.
+
+He often spoke of a burning desire which he had to be a
+political as well as a social leader in the Colony of
+Red River. He frequently, likewise, muttered dark threats
+against the overbearing policy and dark injustice of "The
+Great Monopoly," as he used to characterize the Hudson
+Bay Company. Occasionally he would burst out into passionate
+words like these:
+
+"They treat us as they would blood thirsty savages upon
+the plains. They spurn us with their feet as dogs, and
+then they spit upon us. They mock at our customs, they
+regard with contempt that which to us is sacred and above
+price. They are not even deterred by the virtue of our
+women. Now witness, you God who made all men, the white
+man and the savage, I will, if the propitious day ever
+come, strike in vengeance, and my blow will be with an
+iron hand, whose one smiting shall wipe out all the
+injustice and the dishonour."
+
+Filled with these sentiments, when his school days came
+to an end, he packed his portmanteaus and took his way
+by stage and boat for the region that not many years
+hence was to ring and shudder with his name.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+Long before the vision of a confederation of the British
+Provinces entered into the brain of any man, Lord Selkirk,
+coming to the wilds of North America, found a tract of
+country fertile in soil, and fair to look upon. He arrived
+in this unknown wilderness when it was summer, and all
+the prairie extending over illimitable stretches till it
+was lost in the tranquil horizon, was burning with the
+blooms of a hundred varieties of flowers. Here the "tiger
+rose," like some savage queen of beauty, rose to his
+knees and breathed her sultry balm in his face. Aloof
+stood the shy wild rose, shedding its scent with delicate
+reserve; but the wild pea, and the convolvulus, and the
+augur flower, and the insipid daisy, ran riot through
+all the grass land, and surfeited his nostrils with their
+sweets. Here and there upon the mellow level stood a
+clump of poplars or white oaks, prim, like virgins without
+suitors, with their robes drawn close about them; but
+when over the unmeasured plain the wind blew, they bowed
+their heads: as if saluting the stranger who came to
+found a colony in the wilderness of which they were
+sentinels. Here too, in the hush, for the first time,
+the planter's ear heard a far-off, nigh indistinct, sound
+of galloping thunder. He knew not what it meant, and his
+followers surmised that it might be the tumult of some
+distant waterfall, borne hither now because a storm was
+at hand, and the denser air was a better carrier of the
+sound. And while they remained wondering what it could
+be, for the thunder was ever becoming louder, and,
+
+   "Nearer clearer, deadlier than before"
+
+Lo! out of the west came what seemed as a dim shadow
+moving across the plain. With bated breath they watched
+the dark mass moving along like some destroying tempest
+with ten thousand devils at its core. Chained to the
+ground with a terrible awe they stood fast for many
+minutes till at last in the dim light, for the gloaming
+had come upon the plains, they see eye-balls that blaze
+like fire, heads crested with rugged, uncouth horns and
+shaggy manes; and then snouts thrust down, flaring
+nostrils, and rearing tails.
+
+My God, a buffalo herd, and we'll be trampled to death,"
+almost shrieked one of the Earl's followers.
+
+"Peace! keep cool! Up, up instantly into these trees!"
+and the word was obeyed as if each man was an instrument
+of the leader's will. Beyond, in the south-east, a full
+moon, luscious seeming as some ripened, mellow fruit,
+was rising, and the yellow light was all over the plain.
+Then the tremendous mass, headed by maddened bulls, with
+blazing eyes and foaming nostrils, drove onward toward
+the south, like an unchained hurricane. Some of the
+terrified beasts ran against the trees, crushing horns
+and skull, and fell prone upon the plain, to be trampled
+into jelly by the hundreds of thousands in the rear. The
+tree upon which the earl had taken refuge received many
+a shock from a crazed bull; and it seemed to the party
+from the tree-branches as if all the face of the plains
+was being hurled toward the south in a condition of the
+wildest turmoil. Hell itself let loose could present no
+such spectacle as this myriad mass of brute life sweeping
+over the lonely plain under the wan, elfin light of the
+new-risen moon. Clouds of steam, wreathing itself into
+spectral shapes of sullen aspect, rose from the dusky,
+writhing mass, and the flaming of more than ten thousand
+eyeballs in the gloom presented a picture more terrible
+than ever came into the imagination of the writer of the
+Inferno. The spectacle, as observed by those some twenty
+feet from the ground, might be likened somewhat to a
+turbulent sea when a sturdy tide sets against the storm,
+and the mad waves tumble hither and thither, foiled, and
+impelled, yet for all the confusion and obstruction moving
+in one direction with a sweep and a force that no power
+could chain. Circling among and around the strange, dusk
+clouds of steam that went up from the herd were scores
+of turkey buzzards, their obscene heads bent downward,
+their sodden eyes gleaming with expectancy. Well they
+knew that many a gorgeous feast awaited them wherever
+boulder, tree, or swamp lay in the path of the mighty
+herd. At last the face of the prairie had ceased its
+surging; no lurid eyeball-light gleamed out of the dusk;
+and the tempest of cattle had passed the _voyageurs_ and
+went rolling out into the unbounded stretches of the dim,
+yellow plain.
+
+The morrow's sun revealed a strange spectacle. The great
+amplitude of rich, green grasses, warmed and beautified
+by the petals of flowers was as a ploughed field. The
+herbage had been literally crushed into mire, and this
+the innumerable hoofs had churned up with the soft, rich,
+dark soil of the prairie. The leguminous odours from
+decaying clover, and rank, matted masses of wild pease,
+the feverish exhalations of the tiger-lily, and of the
+rich blooded "buffalo lilac," together with the dank,
+earthy smell from the broken sod, were disagreeable and
+oppressive. Lord Selkirk's heart sank within him at seeing
+the ruin.
+
+"I fear me," he said, "to plant a colony here. A herd of
+these beasts coming upon a settlement would be worse than
+ten thousand spears." But some of his guides had before
+seen the impetuous rushing of the herds, and they assured
+him that this might not occur again in this portion of
+the prairie for a quarter of a century to come.
+
+"At any rate," they persisted, "the buffalo keeps away
+from regions that send up chimney-smoke. The chief regret
+by-and-by will be that the herds will not come near enough
+to us." And the Earl was reassured and proceeded with
+the steps preliminary to founding the colony. It need
+not be said that the place we have been describing was
+the prairie on the banks of the Red River.
+
+In a little while ships bearing numbers of sturdy Scotchmen
+began to cross the sea bound for this famous colony,
+where the land was ready for the plough, and mighty herds
+of wild cattle grazed knee-deep among gorgeous flowers
+and sweet grasses. They brought few white women with
+them, the larger number being young men who had bade
+their "Heeland" lassies good-bye with warm kisses,
+promising to come back for them when they had built
+homesteads for themselves in the far away wilds of the
+West.
+
+But when Lord Selkirk planted here his sturdy Scotchmen,
+wild beasts and game were not the only inhabitants of
+the plains. The Crees, a well-built, active, war-loving
+race, had from ages long forgotten roamed over these
+interminable meadows, fishing in the streams, and hunting
+buffalo. Here and there was to be found one of their
+"towns," a straggling congregation of tents made of the
+skins of the buffalo. Beautiful, dark-skinned girls, in
+bare brown, little feet, sat through the cool of evening
+in the summer days sewing beads upon the moccasins of
+their lovers, while the wrinkled dame limped about,
+forever quarrelling with the dogs, performing the household
+duties.
+
+But the Crees liked not the encroachment upon their
+territories by these foreign men with pale faces; and
+they held loud pow-wows, and brandished spears, and swept
+their knives about their heads till their sheen gleamed
+many miles over the prairie. Then preparing their paint
+they set out to learn from the pale-faced chief what was
+his justification for the invasion.
+
+"You cannot take lands without war and conquest," were
+the words of a young chief with a nose like a hawk's
+beak, and an eye like the eagle's, to Lord Selkirk. "You
+did not fight us; therefore you did not conquer us. How
+comes it then that you have our lands?"
+
+"Are you the owners of this territory?" calmly enquired
+the nobleman.
+
+"We are; no one else is the owner."
+
+"But I shall shew you that from two standpoints, first
+from my own, and afterwards from yours, it belongs not
+to you. Firstly, it belongs to our common Sovereign, the
+King of England. You belong to him; so likewise do the
+buffalo that graze upon the plains, and the fishes that
+swim in the rivers. Therefore our great and good Sovereign
+sayeth unto me, his devoted subject, 'Go you forth into
+my territories in the North of America, and select there
+a colony whereon to plant any of my faithful children
+who choose to go thither.' I have done so. Then, since
+you hold possession of these plains only by the bounty
+and sufferance of our good father the King, how can you
+object to your white brethren coming when they were
+permitted so to do?"
+
+Ugh; that was only the oily-tongued talk of the pale-faces.
+While seeming to speak fair, and smooth, and wise, their
+tongues were as crooked as the horn of the mountain-goat.
+Yet no chief could answer the Earl's contention, and they
+looked from one to another with some traces of confusion
+and defeat upon their faces.
+
+"But," continued Lord Selkirk, in the same grave and firm
+voice, "from your own standpoint you are not the proprietors
+of this territory. The Saulteux, with whom you wage your
+constant wars, have been upon these plains as long as
+you. In times of peace you have intermarried with them,
+and I now find in your wigwams many a squaw obtained from
+among the villages of your rivals."
+
+Ugh! They could not deny this. It was evident from their
+silence and the abject way in which they glanced from
+one to another that the case had gone against them.
+
+"But there is no reason for your jealousy or your
+hostility," Lord Selkirk continued; "our people come
+among you, not as conquerors, but as brothers. They shall
+not molest you but quietly till the fields and raise
+their crops. Instead of showing unfriendliness, I think
+you should take them by the hand and welcome them as
+brothers." These words at last prevailed, and the Crees
+put by their war paint, and came among the whites and
+offered them fish and buffalo steak.
+
+Thus was the colony founded. The grain grew well, and
+there was abundance in the new settlement, save that at
+intervals an army of locusts would come out of the west
+and destroy every green leaf. Then the settlers' needs
+were sore, and they were obliged to subsist upon roots
+and what fell to them from the chase.
+
+Many years rolled on, and the sturdy Scotch settlers had
+driven their roots fast into the ground. One alone of
+all the number who had kissed good-bye to his Scottish
+sweetheart returned to redeem his pledge. For the rest
+they soon forgot the rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes
+that they had left behind them, in the pleasures of the
+chase upon the plain, and the interest in their wide
+acres. But these perhaps were not the only reasons why
+they had forgotten their vows to the Scottish girls.
+Among the Crees were many beautiful maidens, with large,
+velvety eyes, black as the night when no moon is over
+the prairie, and shy as a fawn's. When first the white
+man came amongst them the girls were bashful; and when
+he went into the Crees' tent they would shrink away hiding
+their faces. But it soon became apparent that the shyness
+was not indifference; indeed many a time when the Scotch
+hunter passed a red man's tent he saw a pair of eyes
+looking languishingly after him. Little by little the
+timidity began to disappear, and sometimes the brown-skinned
+girls came in numbers to the white man's dwelling, and
+submitted themselves to be taught how to dance the
+cotillion and the eight-hand reel. Then followed the
+wooing among the flowery prairies; and the white men
+began to pledge their troths to the dusky girls. Many a
+brave hunter who had a score of scalps to dangle from
+his belt, sought, but sought in vain, a kind glance from
+some beautiful maiden of his tribe, who before the pale
+faces came would have deemed great indeed the honour of
+becoming the spouse of a warrior so distinguished. Jealousy
+began to fill the hearts of the Crees, but the mothers
+and wives, and the daughters too, were constant mediators,
+and never ceased to exert themselves for peace.
+
+"When," said they, "the white-faces first came among us,
+our chiefs and our young men all cried out, 'O they deem
+themselves to be a better race than we; they think their
+white blood is better than our red blood. They will not
+mingle with us although they will join with us in hunting
+our wild meat, or eating it after it has fallen to our
+arrow or spear. They will not consider one of our daughters
+fit for marriage with one of them; because it would blend
+their blood with our blood.' Now, O you chiefs and young
+men, that which you at the first considered a hardship
+if it did not come to pass, has come to pass, and yet
+you complain. 'The whites are above marrying our daughters,'
+you first cry; now you plan revenge because they want to
+marry, and do marry them." The arguments used by the
+women were too strong, and the brawny, eagle-eyed hunters
+were compelled to mate themselves with the ugly girls of
+the tents. It is asserted by some writers on the North-West
+that the beauty observed in the Metis women in after
+years was in great part to be attributed to the fact that
+the English settlers took to wife only the most beautiful
+of the Indian girls. Now and again too, the canny Scotch
+lad, with his gun on his shoulder and his retriever at
+his heel, would walk through a Saulteux settlement. The
+girls here were still shyer than their Cree cousins, but
+they were not a whit less lovely. They were not dumpy
+like so many Indian girls, but were slight of build, and
+willowy of motion. Their hair was long and black, but it
+was as fine as silk, and shone like the plumage of a
+blackbird. There was not that oily swarthiness in the
+complexion, which makes so many Indian women hideous in
+the eyes of a connoisseur of beauty; but the cheeks of
+these girls were a pale olive, and sometimes, when they
+were excited, a faint tinge of rose came out like the
+delicate pink flush that appears in the olive-grey of
+the morning. And these maidens, too, began to cast
+languishing eyes upon the pale-faced stranger; and sighed
+all the day while they sewed fringe upon their skirts
+and beads upon their moccasins. Their affections now were
+not for him who showed the largest number of wolves'
+tongues or enemies' scalps, but for the gracious stranger
+with his gentle manners and winning ways. They soon began
+to put themselves in his way when he came to shoot chicken
+or quail among the grasses; would point out to him passes
+leading around the swamps, and inform him where he might
+find elk or wild turkey. Then with half shy, yet half
+coquettish airs, and a lurking tenderness in their great
+dusk hazel eyes, they would twist a sprig off a crown of
+golden rod, and with their dainty little brown fingers
+pin it upon the hunter's coat. With shy curiosity they
+would smoothe the cloth woven in Paisley, forming in
+their minds a contrast between its elegance and that of
+the coats of their own red gallants made of the rough
+skin of the wolf or the bison. So it came to pass that
+in due season most of the pretty girls among the Jumping
+Indians had gone with triumph and great love in their
+hearts from the wigwam of their tribe to be the wives of
+the whites in their stately dwellings.
+
+In this way up-grew the settlement of Red River; by such
+intermarriages were the affections of the red men all
+over the plains, from the cold, gloomy regions of the
+North to the mellow plains of the South, won by their
+pale-faced neighbours. The savages had not shut their
+ears to what their women had so eloquently urged, and
+they would say:
+
+"The cause of these pale people is our cause; their
+interests are our interests; they have mingled their
+flesh and blood with ours; we shall be their faithful
+brothers to the death." It was this fact, not the wisdom
+of government Indian agents, nor the heaven-born insight
+of government itself into the management of tribes that
+so long preserved peace and good will throughout our
+North-West Territories. It was for this reason that
+enemies of government in the Republic could say after
+they had revealed the corruption of Red Cloud and Black
+Rock agents:
+
+"Observe the Canadian tribes, mighty in number, and
+warlike in their nature. They fight not, because they
+have been managed with wisdom and humanity. There is no
+corruption among the accredited officials; there is no
+sinister dealing towards them by the government." We do
+not charge our officials with corruption, neither do we
+believe that their administration has been feeble;--on
+the whole our attitude towards the Indian people has been
+fair; our policy has revealed ordinary sense,--and not
+much brilliancy. Probably half a dozen level-headed
+wood-choppers, endowed with authority to deal with the
+tribes, could have acquitted themselves as well; perhaps
+they might not have done so well, and it is probable that
+they might have exhibited a better showing.
+
+It was in this settlement that in after years appeared
+Louis Riel _pere_. For some generations the Hudson Bay
+Company had carried on an extensive trade in peltry, and
+numbers of their _employes_ were French peasants or
+_coureurs de bois_. Thousands of these people were
+scattered here and there over the territories; and they
+began to turn loving eyes toward the rich meadows along
+the banks of the Red River. Some of these had for wives
+squaws whom they had wooed and won during their engagement
+in the peltry trade. These finding that other whites had
+taken Indian girls for brides, felt drawn towards the
+new settlement by sentiments stronger than those of mere
+interest. Numbers of unmarried French took up farms in
+the new colony, and soon fell captive to the charms of
+the Cree girls. Now and again the history of the
+simple-hearted Scots was repeated; and a _coureur_ was
+presently seen to bring a shy, witching Saulteux maiden
+from the tents of the Jumping Indians. But the French,
+it must be said, were not so _dilettante_ in their taste
+for beauty as were their Scottish brethren; yet, as a
+rule, their wives were the prettiest girls in the tribes
+--after, of course, "braw John" had been satisfied--for
+an ugly maiden was content to have an Indian for her lord;
+and she tried no arts, plucked no bouquets from the
+prairie flowers, beaded no moccasins, and performed no
+tender little offices to catch the heart of the white man.
+
+"Pale face gets all the pretty squaws; suppose we must
+take 'em ugly ones. Ugh!" This was the speech, and the
+true speech of many a chief, or lion-hearted young man
+of the tribes under the new order at Red River.
+
+This may seem hard to the poor Indian, but perhaps it
+was just as well. It would have, indeed, been worse had
+the handsome maiden given her hand to the dusky Red, and
+afterwards, wooed by blue eyes, given her heart where
+her hand could never go. And the Indian woman is no better
+and no worse than her kind, no matter what the colour
+be. Happier, then, is the lot of the Indian with his
+homely affectionate wife, than with a bride with roses
+in her cheek, and sunlight in her eye, who cannot resist
+the pleading eye and the outstretched arms of one whose
+wooing is unlawful, and the result of which can be nought
+but wrong and misery.
+
+The population grew and comforts increased till eighteen
+or twenty thousand souls could be reckoned in the colony.
+The original whites had disappeared, and no face was to
+be seen but that of a Metis in any of the cosy dwellings
+in the settlement. These people had not yet learnt that
+amongst the whites, whose blood knew no alloy, they were
+regarded as a debased sort, and unfit socially to mix
+with those who had kept their race free from taint. The
+female fruitage of the mixture lost nothing by acquiring
+some of the Caucasian stock, but the men, in numerous
+cases, seemed to be inferior for the blending. In appearance
+they were inane, in speech laconic; they were shy in
+manners, and reserved, to boorishness, while in intellectual
+alertness they were inferior to the boisterous savage,
+or the shrewd, dignified white. But the woman perpetuated
+the shy, winning coyness of her red mother, and the arts,
+and somewhat of the refinements of her white father. The
+eye was not so dusk; it gleamed more: as if the ray from
+a star had been shot through it. There was the same olive
+cheek; but it was not so tawny, for the dawn of the white
+blood had appeared in it. She gained in symmetry too,
+being taller than her red mother, while she preserved
+the soft, willowy motion of the prairie-elk.
+
+But the women were not good housekeepers; and many a
+traveller has gone into the house of a Metis and seen
+there a bride witchingly beautiful, with her hair unkempt
+and disordered about her shoulders, her boots unlaced, and
+her stocking down revealing her bare, exquisitely-turned
+ankle.
+
+"A Cinderella!" he would exclaim, "but, by heaven, I
+swear, a thousand times more lovely!" If she had a child
+it would likely be found sprawling among the coals, and
+helping itself to handfuls of ashes. The little creature
+would be sure to escape the suspicion of ever having been
+washed. Ask the luminous-eyed mother for anything, for
+a knife to cut your tobacco, for a cup to get a drink of
+water, and the sweet sloven would be obliged to ransack
+two-thirds of the articles of the house to find what you
+sought.
+
+The dresses worn by herself, as well as by her husband
+or her brother, would not be less astonishing to the
+unaccustomed eye. The men wear a common blue capote a
+red belt and corduroy trousers. This, however, soon became
+the costume of every male in Red River, whether Metis or
+new-come Canadian. There, is however, a distinction in
+the manner of wearing. Lest the Canadian should be taken
+for a Metis he wears the red belt over the capote, while
+the half-breed wears it beneath. The women are fond of
+show, and like to attire themselves in dark skirts, and
+crimson bodices. Frequently, if the entire dress be dark,
+they tie a crimson or a magenta sash around their handsomely
+shapen waists; and they put a cap of some denomination
+of red upon their heads. Such colours, it need not be
+said, add to their beauty, and it is by no means uncertain
+that this is the reason why they adopt these colours.
+Some writers say that their love of glaring colours is
+derived from the savage side of their natures; but the
+Metis women have an artistic instinct of their own, and
+being for the greater part coquettes, it may very safely
+be said that according to the fitness of things is it
+that they attire themselves. But they are not able to
+shake off the superstitions of their race. If the young
+woman soon to be a mother, sees a hawk while crossing
+the fields in the morning, she comes home and tells among
+her female friends that her offspring is to be a son;
+and they all know that he is to be fleet and enduring in
+the chase, and that he will have the eyes of a hunter
+chief. But if a shy pigeon circle up from the croft, and
+cross her path, she sighs and returns not back to relate
+the omen; and it is only in undertones that her nearest
+friend learns a week afterwards that the promised addition
+to the household is to be a girl. The appearance of other
+birds and beasts, under similar circumstances, are likewise
+tokens; and though boys would be born, and girls too, if
+all the hawks and pigeons, and foxes and wild geese, and
+every other presaging bird and beast of the plains had
+fallen to the gun of huntsman and "sport," they cling to
+the belief; and the superstition will only die with the
+civilization that begat it. Many of the customs of their
+red mothers they still reverently perpetuate; but they
+are for all this deeply overlaid with Canadianism. Of
+all the women on the face of the earth, they are the
+greatest gossips.
+
+Not in their whole nature is there any impulse so strong
+as the love to talk. Therefore, when the morning's meal
+is ended, the pretty mother laces the boots around her
+shapely little ankles, puts her blanket about her, and
+sallies out to one of her friend's houses for the morning's
+gossip. In speaking of her dress, I neglected to state
+that although the Metis woman had for gown the costliest
+fabric ever woven in Cashmere, she would not be content,
+on the hottest summer day, in walking twenty paces to
+her neighbour's door, unless she had this blanket upon
+her. The hateful looking garment is the chief relic of
+her barbaric origin, and despite the desire which she
+always manifests to exhibit her personal charms at their
+best, she has no qualms in converting herself into a
+hideous, repulsive squaw, with this covering. If she be
+of a shy nature, she will cover her head with this garment
+when a stranger enters her abode; and many a curious
+visitor who has heard of the bright eyes and olive cheeks
+of the half-breed woman is sorely disappointed when
+drawing near to her on the prairie path, or in the village
+street, to see her pull the hideous blanket over her face
+while he passes her by. Not always will she do this, for
+the wild women of the plains, and the half breed beauties,
+find a strong charm in strange faces; and after she has
+received some little attentions, and a few trinkets or
+trifles, she will be ready enough to appoint a tryst upon
+the flowery prairie, under the mellow moon.
+
+We might forgive her for all this, if she could but
+restrain her tongue. From morn to noon, from noon to dewy
+eve, this unruly member goes on prattling about every
+conceivable thing, especially the affairs of her neighbours.
+We have seen that she goes out after she has eaten her
+breakfast; and she returns not till her appetite begins
+to be oppressive. She will then kiss her dusky little
+offspring, who, during her absence, has likely enough
+tried to stuff himself with coals, and then played with
+the pigs. In the evening one is pretty certain to find
+at some house a fiddler and a dancing party, which ends
+with a bountiful supper; though frequently, if the
+refreshments include whiskey, the party terminates with
+a regulation "Irish row." At nearly every such dance
+there is a white lad or two, and they are certain to
+monopolize the attention and the kisses of the prettiest
+girls. As the Indian had to sit by and see the white man
+come and take away the most beautiful of the wild girls,
+so too must the half-breed bear with meekness the preference
+of the Metis belle for the Caucasian stranger.
+
+The morals of the women are not over good, nor can they
+be said to be very bad. Amongst each other their virtue
+reaches a standard as high as that which prevails in our
+Canadian community. It is when the women are brought into
+contact with the white men that this standard lowers.
+Then comes the temptation, the sin, the domestic
+heartburnings, and the hatred towards those who tempted
+to the fall.
+
+The half-breed young men are fatally fond of show. The
+highest aim of their social existence seems to be to
+possess a dashing horse or two, and to drive a cariole.
+It is stated, on excellent authority, that a young man
+who wishes to figure as a _beau_, and to get the smiles
+of the pretty girls, will sometimes sell all his useful
+possessions to purchase a horse and cariole.
+
+But it must not be supposed that this sort of spirit
+pervades the entire community. A large portion of the
+people are thrifty and frugal, and maintain themselves
+by continuous, well-directed toil.
+
+The French half breeds profess the Roman Catholic religion,
+and they have a number of churches. At the head of the
+Roman communion is Archbishop Tache, of St. Boniface.
+This is the gentleman who provided the munificence for
+Louis Riel's education. He is the same bishop whose name
+so many hundreds of thousands of our people cannot recall
+without bitterness and indignation.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+Such, then, was the condition of Red River before the
+person who is the subject of this book appeared upon the
+scenes. But perhaps it is as well that I should relate
+one occurrence which fanned into bright flame the
+smouldering embers of discord between the half-breeds
+and their white neighbours. An officer of the Hudson Bay
+Company, living at an isolated post, had two daughters.
+As they began to arrive toward young-womanhood he was
+anxious that they should have an education, in order that
+they might, in proper season, be able to take their
+position in society. There were good schools at Red River,
+and thither the officer sent his daughters, placing them
+under the care of a guardian whom he knew would exercise
+an authority as judicious as his own. The two girls were
+remarkably handsome, and whenever they walked through
+the settlement, or drove abroad with their guardian, they
+attracted all the attention. Many a half-dusky heart was
+smitten of their white skin, which he would compare in
+colour to the pure snow that covers the plains. Now had
+the faces of the Red River beauties been Parian white,
+instead of dusky olive, the young _beaux_ of the settlement
+would not have found their hearts beating half so wildly
+about the two pale daughters of the Hudson Bay Company's
+officer. They would indeed have languished for chestnut
+eyes, and complexions of Spain and the southern vineyards
+of France. But here amongst their sturdy "tiger blossoms,"
+and passionate prairie roses blew two fair cold lilies;
+and their hearts bounded beyond measure at the thought
+of winning a look or a kindly smile. But the guardian
+watched the two pale girls closely, and permitted them
+to do little beyond his _surveillance_. There were not
+many whites in the circle of their acquaintance, but of
+this few, nearly every one was a suitor for one or other
+of the girls, yet for all the advances their hearts were
+still whole and they moved,
+
+   "In maiden meditation fancy free."
+
+Now in Red River was a young half-breed, almost effeminate
+in manners, handsome in face and form, and agreeable and
+gentle in his address. He was indeed a sort of Bunthorne
+of the plains, just such a person as a romantic, shallow
+girl is most apt for a rose's period to sigh out her soul
+about. You find his type in fashionable civilised circles,
+in the languid dude who displays his dreams in his eyes
+to captivate the hearts of the silly girls, and--discreetly
+--keeps his mouth shut, to conceal his lack of brains.
+The two white daughters of the Company's officer were
+girls of ordinary understanding, but one of them had
+gotten too much poetry into her sweet head, and stood on
+the verge of a dizzy steep that overlooked a gulf, the
+name of which was Love. At a party given by one of the
+foremost of the half-breed families, this girl met
+Alexander, the Scottish half-breed, whose person and
+manners have been just described. There was something in
+the dreamy, far-away expression of the young Metis' eyes,
+which stirred the blood in the veins of the romantic
+girl. When they rested upon her, the soul of their owner
+seemed to yearn out to her. The voiceless, tender,
+passionate appealing in the look she was unable to forget
+when she walked along the grassy lanes, or trod the
+flower-rimmed path of the prairie.
+
+Coming along in the hush of the summer evening, when only
+the lovemaking of the grasshoppers could be heard among
+the flowers, Alexander met her, He spoke no word, but
+there was the same tender, eloquent appealing in his
+eyes. He thought the young lady would not take it amiss
+of him, if he were to join her on her way over the fields;
+so he had taken the liberty.
+
+There was a flutter at her heart, and a great passion-rose
+bloomed in each cheek.
+
+No, she would not take it amiss. The walk was so pleasant!
+Indeed it was kind of him to join her.
+
+The dusky lover spake few words; but he indolently left
+the path and gathered some sprays of wild flowers, and
+offered them to the girl. His eyes had the same, wistful
+look, and his brown fingers trembled as he offered the
+bouquet. Receiving them, and pinning them under her
+throat, she said in a low tone, while her voice trembled
+a little,
+
+"When these fade, I shall press the petals in my book,
+and keep them always."
+
+"Do you consider the flowers I gave you worth preserving?"
+he asked, his low voice likewise trembling.
+
+"I do."
+
+"I would give more than that," he said, tenderly, "to
+your keeping."
+
+"Why," she enquired, with an unsuccessful attempt at
+displaying wonder, "what is it that you would give to my
+keeping?"
+
+"My heart," the young man answered, his indolent eyes
+lighting up in the gloaming. She said nothing, but hung
+her head. The swarthy lover saw that she took no offence
+at his declaration. Indeed he gathered from the quivering
+of her red, moist lips, and from the tenderness in her
+eye, that the avowal had more than pleased her. She
+continued for a few seconds to look bashfully down at
+the path; and then she raised her eyes and looked at him.
+No more encouragement was needed.
+
+"My beloved," he said, softly, and her head nestled upon
+his shoulder. There in the shadow of a small colony of
+poplars, on the verge of the boundless plain, shining
+under the full, ripe moon, each plighted troth to the
+other, and gave and received burning kisses. During the
+sweet, fast-fleeting hours on the calm plain, in her
+lover's arms, with no witness but the yellow moon, she
+took no heed of the barriers that lay between a union
+with her beloved; nor had he any foreboding of obstacles,
+but heard and declared vows of love, supremely happy.
+
+Woman is a sort of Pandora's Box, the lid whereof is
+being forever raised, revealing the secrets within. The
+plighted maiden was flushed of cheek and unusually bright
+of eye when she returned to her home that evening. She
+could give her guardian no satisfactory account of her
+long absence, and told a very confused story about two
+paths, "you know," that were "very much alike"; but that
+"one led away around a poplar wood and out upon a portion
+of the prairie" which she did "not know." Here the sweet
+pet had got astray, and wandered around, although "it
+was so silly," till the sound of the bells of St. Boniface
+tolling ten had apprised her of the hour and also let
+her know where she was. Her guardian took the explanation,
+and contented himself with observing that he hoped it
+would be her last evening upon the prairie, straying
+around like an elk that had lost her mate.
+
+"Jennie," said her sister, when they were alone, "you
+have not been telling the truth. You did not get astray
+on the prairie. Somebody has been courting you, and you
+are in love with him."
+
+"I am in love; and it is true that some one has been
+courting me. I had intended to tell you all about it, my
+heart is so full. Now can you tell me who may my lover
+be?"
+
+"I hope, Jennie," and the sister's eyes showed a blending
+of severity and sorrow, "that it is not Alexander."
+
+"It is Alexander. Why should it not be? Is he not handsome,
+and gentle, and good? Wherefore then not he?"
+
+"My God, do you know what such an alliance would cost
+you, would cost us all? Marriage with a half-breed would
+be a degradation; and a stain upon the whole family that
+never could be wiped out. O my poor unfortunate sister,
+ruin is what such a marriage would mean. Just that, my
+darling sister, and no less."
+
+"I care not for that. I love him with all my heart and
+soul, and pledged myself to-night a hundred times to be
+his. I never can love another man; and he only shall
+possess me. What care I for the degradation of which you
+speak, as measured against the crowning misery, or the
+supreme happiness of my life? No; when Alexander is ready
+to say to me, Come, I shall go to him, and no threat nor
+persuasion shall dissuade me."
+
+She spoke like all the heroic girls who afterwards meekly
+untie their bonnets just as they were ready to go to the
+church to wed against their keeper's will; and then sit
+down awaiting orders as to whom they must marry. Jennie
+was not the only girl who, in the first flush of passion,
+is prepared to go through fire, or die at the stake for
+the man she loves. Withal,--but that the proprieties
+forbid it--whenever young women make these dramatic
+declarations, the most appropriate course would be to
+give them a sound spanking, and put an end to the tragic
+business.
+
+Nellie thought it her duty, and I suppose it was, to tell
+her bear-like guardian what had befallen to her sister.
+He was less disturbed on hearing the intelligence than
+Nellie supposed, and merely expressed some cold-blooded
+surprise at the presumption of the half-breed. He sat
+at his desk, and taking a sheet of paper, wrote this
+letter:
+
+"To Alexander Saunders:
+
+"DEAR SIR,--Would you be good enough to call at my house
+this evening at eight o'clock?
+
+"Yours truly,
+
+"Thomas Brown."
+
+Having sealed and dispatched this note he resumed his
+work, without showing or feeling any further concern
+about the matter. When it was growing dark over the
+prairie that evening, the love-lorn Jennie saw her
+pleading-eyed lover pass along in the shadow of the
+poplars toward her guardian's house. She heard his ring
+at the door, and his step in the hall. Her heart was in
+a great flutter; but her sister was at her side giving
+her comfort. The doors were wide open, but everything
+was so husht, that the girls could plainly hear the
+following words spoken in the guardian's library:
+
+"I understand, Mr. Saunders, that you have been taking
+the astonishingly presumptuous course of soliciting the
+hand of one of my wards. I am not given to severity, or
+I do not exactly know how I ought to resent an act which
+exhibits such a forgetfulness of what your attitude should
+be towards a person in the station of my ward. You are
+merely a half-breed; you are half-Indian, and for that
+matter might as well be Indian altogether. My ward's
+position is such that the bare idea of such a union is
+revolting. She is a lady by birth and by education, and
+is destined for a social sphere into which you could
+never, and ought never, enter. You may now go, sir, but
+you must remember that your ignorance is the only palliation
+of your presumption. Laurie, show this young man the way
+out."
+
+"O, my God, what will become of me?" sobbed poor Jennie.
+"I cannot live! O, I will go after him! I will fly with
+him! I cannot endure this separation! O, sister, will
+you not intercede for my beloved? Tell uncle how noble
+and manly, and honourable he is! Can you not do anything
+for me? My God, what shall I do?"
+
+In this fashion did poor Jennie's grief find words, and
+we leave her alone with her sore heart, while we follow
+the rejected suitor. He walked swiftly down the lawn,
+turning not his eye, or he might have seen in the window
+his lover, stretching imploring arms toward him. All his
+blood was running madly in his veins, and it burned like
+fire. His heart was hot, and his temples throbbed.
+
+"So I am only a half-breed, and might as well be all
+Indian for that matter! O, God! A despised half-breed!
+They have shown the fangs at last. We now see how they
+regard us." And he went forth among his friends, and told
+the story of the insult and humiliation. A thousand
+half-breed hearts that night in Red River burned with
+vengeance against the white man; French Metis and English
+Metis alike had felt the sting of the indignity; and
+these two bodies, sundered before through petty cause,
+now united in a brotherhood of hate against the white
+population. It needs no further words to shew how ready
+these dusky people would be to rise and follow a crafty
+leader, who cried out:
+
+"We are despised by these white people. We want no social
+or political alliance with them. We shall live apart,
+rather than in ignominy and union with them." Louis Riel
+was not ready the next morning to rise and lead the people
+to revolt, for this occurred some years before his bloody
+star reached the zenith; but the same hatred was there
+years later, when he turned the governor sent to the
+colony by the Dominion out of the territories, and set
+up an authority of his own. Well might the French historian,
+cognisant of the fate of the luckless suitor, and the
+consequences of the rejection, cry out with the poet:
+
+   "_Amour tu perdis Troie._"
+   [Footnote: Love thou hast conquered even Troy.]
+
+As for poor Jennie, heroic Jennie, who would follow her
+lover to death itself, she submitted, after a few sleepless
+nights, and days that for her were without a breakfast,
+to the mandate of the guardian, and to the philosophy of
+her sister. A little later, a tall, ungainly young
+Highlander came, offered himself, and took to his home
+the poetic and tragic daughter of the Company's officer.
+
+Despite the blizards that sometimes come sweeping across
+the prairie, smothering belated travellers, and un-roofing
+dwellings, notwithstanding the frequent incursions from
+regions in the far west of myriad-hosts of locusts and
+grasshoppers, Red River settlement throve in wealth and
+population, till, when the period with which I shall now
+deal arrived, it numbered no fewer than 15,000 souls.
+Upon the completion of the great Act of the Confederation
+of the British North American Provinces in 1867, the
+attention of Canadian statesmen was turned to this distant
+colony, and negotiations were opened for the transfer of
+the Territory to the Dominion. The back of great monopolies
+had now been broken. In 1858, England had resumed its
+great Indian empire and extinguished John Company; and
+this act had paved the way for a similar resumption of
+the vast prairie domain granted by King Charles to "the
+Governor and Company of Adventurers of England trading
+into Hudson Bay." The transfer was to be effected, as
+one writer puts it, by a triangular sort of arrangement.
+All territorial rights claimed by the Hudson Bay Company
+--and Red River lay within the Company's dominions--were
+to be annulled on payment of 300,000 pounds by Canada,
+and the country would then be handed over by Royal
+proclamation to the Dominion Government, the Company
+being allowed to retain only certain parcels of land in
+the vicinity of its trading posts. I may as well go upon
+the authority of the same writer. [Footnote: Captain G.
+L. Huyshe.] The transfer was dated for the 1st of December,
+1869; but the Dominion Cabinet, eager to secure the rich
+prize, appointed its Minister of Public Works, the Honourable
+William McDougall, C.B., to be Lieutenant-Governor of
+the North-West Territories, and sent him off in the month
+of September, with instructions to proceed to Fort Garry
+"with all convenient speed" there to assist in the formal
+transfer of the Territories, and to "be ready to assume
+the Government" as soon as the transfer was completed.
+So far so well, but let us pause just here.
+
+There is something to be said even on the side of revolt
+and murder, and let us see what it is. Since the foundation
+of the colony the people had lived under the government
+according to the laws propounded by the Hudson Bay Company.
+The people had established a civilization of their own,
+and had customs and rules which were always observed with
+great reverence. When tidings reached them that they were
+to be transferred to the Dominion of Canada, they began
+to have some misgivings as to how they should fare under
+the new order. Of late years, too, there had come into
+prominence among them a man whom early in these pages we
+saw bid good-bye to his father upon the plains on his
+way to school in the East. The fire seen in young Riel
+at the school, and when he turned his face again for the
+prairies that he loved, had now reached full flame. He
+had never ceased to impress upon the people that the
+Hudson Bay Company was a heartless, soulless corporation,
+and that the treatment accorded to the Metis was no better
+than might have been given to the dogs upon the plains.
+There never was public peace after the tongue of this
+man had begun to make noise in the settlement.
+
+When, therefore, it became known that the Canadian
+Government had determined upon taking the colony to
+itself, an ambitious scheme of the highest daring entered
+into the brain of Louis Riel. He lost no time in beginning
+to sow seeds of discontent.
+
+"Canada," he said, "will absorb your colony, and as a
+people you will virtually be blotted out of existence.
+White officials will come here and lord it over you; the
+tax-gatherer will plunder the land for funds to build
+mighty docks, and canals, and bridges, and costly buildings,
+and numerous railroads in the East. The poor half-breed
+will be looked upon with contempt and curiosity: no
+custom that he regards as sacred will be respected; no
+right which is inherently his, will be acknowledged.
+They will send their own henchmen, who have no sympathy
+in common with the half-breeds, to rule over us; no
+complaint that the people make to the Central Government
+will be regarded; yea, this new rule will fasten itself
+upon us as some inexorable tyrant monster, driving deep
+its fangs into a soil that has been yours so long. Yes;
+you will be of _some_ interest to them. You have some
+handsome wives and pretty daughters, and those virtuous
+pale-faces from the East have a strong admiration for
+lovely women. In this respect, you shall receive their
+attention."
+
+The effect of such arguments among these credulous people,
+who saw not the wily traitor behind the rich, eloquent
+voice, quivering with indignation, was similar to that
+which would follow were you to fling a flaming torch upon
+the prairie in midsummer after a month of drought. Then
+the cunning deceiver went secretly to several of the
+leading half-breeds in Red River, and whispered certain
+proposals in their ear.
+
+Meanwhile, events were transpiring which furnished
+just the very fuel that Riel wanted for his fire. During
+the summer of 1869, a surveying party, under Colonel
+Dennis, had been engaged surveying the country, and
+dividing it into townships, etc., for future allotment by
+government. According to good authority, the proceedings
+of this party had given great offence to the Metis. The
+unsettled state of the half-breeds' land tenure not
+unnaturally excited apprehension in the minds of these
+poor ignorant people that their lands would be taken from
+them, and given to Canadian immigrants. Then they had
+the burning words of Louis Riel ringing in their ears
+saying that the thing _would_ be done. To lend colour to
+the mistrust, some members of the surveying party put up
+claims here and there to tracts of land to which they
+happened to take a fancy. But this was not all. Some of
+these gentlemen had the habit of giving the Indians drink
+till they became intoxicated, and then inducing them to
+make choice lands over to them. One could not pass through
+any superior tract of land without observing the stakes
+of some person or other of Colonel Dennis's party.
+
+"I foretold it," cried Riel. "Go out for yourselves and
+see the marks they have set up bounding their plunder."
+Nor was this the only grievance presented to the
+half-breeds. The very survey then being carried on they
+looked upon as an act of contempt towards themselves;
+for Riel had put it in this light.
+
+"The territory has not yet passed into the hands of the
+Canadian government"--and in saying this the Disturber
+was accurate--; "what right have they, therefore, to come
+here and lay down lines? It is as I have already told
+you: You are of as much importance in the eyes of the
+Canadian authorities, as would be so many dogs."
+
+Nor were these the only grievances either. A "big man,"
+a white, living at the settlement, had made himself
+obnoxious to the whole of Red River. He well knew how
+the people hated him, and he retorted by saying:
+
+"Your scurvy race is almost run. Presently you will get
+into civilized hands, and be put through your facings.
+You disrespect me, but my counsels prevail at Ottawa.
+Only what I recommend, will the Government do; so that
+you see the settlement is very completely in my hands."
+This man was a valuable ally to Riel; for almost literally
+did he, while portending to speak for the Dominion
+authorities, corroborate the allegation of the arch
+agitator. Then two officials, Messrs Snow and Mair, sent
+out by Mr. McDougall, while he was yet Minister of Public
+Works, had established an intimacy with the obnoxious
+white man, received his hospitality, and given acquiescent
+ear to his advice. These two gentlemen looked upon the
+half-breeds as savages. They sent letters to the newspapers,
+describing Red River and its people in terms grossly
+unjust, and inaccurate. M. Riel got the communications
+and read them to the people.
+
+"This," he said, "is the manner in which they describe
+our customs, our social life, and the virtue of our
+women." The women tossed their heads haughtily.
+
+"We do what is right," they said, "and they can slander
+us if they will. We shall not prove, perhaps, so easy a
+prey to those white gallants as they seem to suppose."
+One high-spirited girl, and very beautiful, vowed that
+during the run of her life, she never would speak to a
+white man for this insult, or let him see her face. Yet,
+if the gossip is to be trusted, before the flowers bloomed
+thrice, after that, upon the prairie, she was sighing
+her sweet soul away, through her great gazelle eyes, for
+love of a sturdy young Englishman, who had taken up his
+abode upon the plains. And better than all the young
+fellow married her, and she is now one of the happiest,
+not to say one of the prettiest, women in Manitoba.
+Strong words of determination by a young woman are the
+most conclusive evidence that I know of the weakening of
+her resolve.
+
+But Messrs Snow and Mair went on with their creditable
+work, and to their other good deeds it was alleged they
+added that of grabbing choice plots of land.
+
+These two men were, of course, known to be the accredited
+agents of the Minister of Public Works; and Riel succeeded
+in convincing the credulous people that the Minister,
+indeed the whole government, were cognizant of their acts
+and approved of the same. "While public indignation was
+at its height, it was announced that a Lieutenant-Governor
+had been appointed for Red River, and that the man chosen
+was the very person through whom the chief indignity had
+been put upon the settlement. It was also shown with
+burning force by Riel that in a matter so important as
+the transfer of fifteen thousand people from one particular
+jurisdiction to another, they, the people transferred,
+had not been consulted. They had not, he also pointed
+out, been even formally apprised of the transfer.
+
+"This Canadian Government take Red River and its half-breeds
+over, just as they would take over Red River and fifteen
+thousand sheep." And some of the men swore terrible oaths
+that this change should not be without resistance, and
+resistance to the death.
+
+Riel said that the determination was good.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+Having worked the unreasoning settlers to this pitch,
+Riel was satisfied. Public feeling needed but the fuse
+of some bold step of his to burst into instant flame. As
+the Lieutenant-Governor drew near the territory the
+agitator was almost beside himself with excitement. He
+neither ate nor slept but on foot or sleigh, was for ever
+moving from one to another perfecting plans, or inciting
+to tumult. At the house of a prominent half-breed, while
+the women sat about stitching, Riel met a number of the
+leading agitators, and thus addressed them:
+
+"There are two courses open to us now. One is to continue
+as an unorganized band of noisy disturbers; the other,
+to league ourselves into an organized body for the defence
+and government of our country." This proposal thrilled
+the veins of his listeners, and pouting, coral-coloured
+female lips, said softly,
+
+   "Brava!"
+
+A sort of fitful reflection followed the first wild burst
+of enthusiasm, and one _bois brule_ arose and said:
+
+"Far be it from me to utter one word that might dampen
+your ardor, but let us try to take some account of the
+cost. Would not such a step be an act of Rebellion? and
+is not Rebellion a treasonable offence?" At this point
+Riel, foaming with rage, arose and stopped him.
+
+"We want no poltroonery, no alarmist sentiments here,"
+he shouted. "Even though such an act were as you describe
+it, our duty as men, determined to guard their sacred
+rights, is to take the risk. But it would not be treason.
+The transfer of a people from one government to another
+is not constitutional without the people's consent. The
+Hudson's Bay Company have certain rights in the unsold
+lands of these regions; but no man, no corporation, no
+power, can sell, cede, or transfer that which is not his
+or its own property. Therefore the Hudson Bay Company
+has not the right to transfer our lands to the Dominion
+of Canada. And since we, the people of Red River, are
+not the chattels of the Company, they cannot transfer
+us. They have sold us to the Canadian government, but
+upon the ground between the two authorities will we stand,
+and create a province of our own. It may be that the
+Dominion Government will have justice enough to agree to
+this; if they oppose our rights, then I trust that there
+are men on Red River, who are not afraid to stand up for,
+yea to die for, their country." This speech was received
+with deafening acclamation.
+
+At once a Provisional Government was formed, and at the
+instigation of Riel, John Bruce, who was a mere cat's-paw,
+was declared President. Riel himself took the Secretaryship;
+and very promptly the Secretary raised his voice.
+
+"McDougall who sent his scourges here to plunder our
+land, and to ridicule our people, nears our border.
+There is no time to lose. _He must not enter_. I, therefore,
+move that the following letter be dispatched to him by
+a regularly constituted member of our Government:
+
+"St. Nobert, Red River, October 21st, 1869.
+
+"Sir,--The National Parliament of the Metis of Red River,
+hereby forbids you to enter the North-West Territories
+without a special permit from the National Government."
+
+This motion was carried with enthusiasm. The letter was
+signed by the President and Secretary, and dispatched to
+Pembina, which was situate on the border, to await the
+arrival at that point of the Governor Designate. The pomp
+and daring of these proceedings had such an effect upon
+the colonists, that little by little they began to grow
+blind to the fact that their action was in the face of
+Canadian authority, and an invitation to a collision of
+arms. If anyone expressed any fear he was either savagely
+silenced by Riel, or informed that there were men enough
+in Red River to hold the country in the face of any force
+that could be sent against them. And the military enthusiasm
+of the Metis gave some colour to this latter assertion.
+An armed force, sufficient for present necessities, was
+established on Scratching River, a place about fifteen
+miles from Fort Garry. Here a barrier was put across the
+road by which McDougall must travel to reach Fort Garry,
+and beyond this the half-breeds swore the pale face
+Governor should never pass.
+
+On the 30th day of October, Mr. McDougall arrived at
+Pembina. He was already aware that the country was seething
+with tumult; that Colonel Dennis had been turned out of
+the Territory; that Messrs. Snow & Mair had become hateful
+in the eyes of the half-breeds: yet he felt disposed to
+do little more than laugh at the whole affair. He had
+the assurance of his mischievous envoys that the matter
+was a mere temporary ebullition of feeling, and that his
+presence in the country would very soon calm the turbulent
+waters. So he said:
+
+"I shall take no notice of this impertinent letter. In
+fact it is impossible for me to recognise such a piece
+of presumption, and deal with a communication which would
+be the rankest insolence, but that it is so extremely
+ludicrous." So the gallant Lieutenant-Governor, with his
+officials, boldly crossed the line and proceeded towards
+Fort Garry. But they were met on their triumphant march
+by a detachment of fourteen armed half-breeds whose
+spokesman said:
+
+"You received an order from the Provisional Government
+not to enter these territories. When that order was passed
+it was the Government's intention to take care that it
+should be carried out. Yet you have forced yourself in
+here I give you till to-morrow morning to be clear of
+these territories." Mr. McDougall's lip began to hang a
+little low. The calm, even polite, tone of the spokesman
+of the party had impressed him more than bluster or rage.
+With the next morning came the same party. They made no
+noise, but quietly taking the horses of the Governor's
+party by the head, turned them around, and packed the
+whole of them back. In this way, and without so much as
+a loud word, was the Governor Designate turned out of
+the territories.
+
+Every success, however trivial, was fuel to the courage
+and enthusiasm of Riel's party.
+
+"I have begun this matter," the leader said to one of
+his followers, "and I do not mean to deal in half measures.
+Without stores we can do nothing. Fort Garry is worth
+our having just now, but we must move circumspectly in
+getting possession of it." So it was ordered that his
+followers should proceed in twos and threes, as if on no
+special mission, to the desired point. Presently, Governor
+McTavish saw in the shadow of the fort the rebel leader
+and a number of followers.
+
+"We are desirous of entering," Riel said.
+
+"Wherefore?" enquired the Governor.
+
+"We cannot tell you now," was the reply; "it is enough
+for me to say that a great danger threatens the fort."
+Without further explanation, the feeble-willed Hudson
+Bay officer permitted the rebel and his followers to
+enter.
+
+"Huzza!" they all shouted, when they found themselves
+inside the stockades, and glanced at tier upon tier of
+barrels of flour, and pork, and beef, and molasses; and
+upon the sacks of corn, and the warm clothing, and better
+than all, upon the arms and ammunition.
+
+"I am at last master in Red River," Riel said to one of
+his followers. "My men can fight now, for here we have
+at once a fortification and a base of supplies."
+
+Just a few words with reference to Mr. McDougall, and I
+shall dismiss him from these pages. He lived quietly at
+Pembina between the date of his expulsion from Red River
+and the first day of December. The latter date was fixed
+for the transfer of the new territory to the Dominion of
+Canada. So, towards midnight, on the 30th of November,
+the Governor-Designate and his party sallied, forth from
+the "line" and took formal possession of the territory
+in the name of the Government of Canada. There was no
+one stirring about the prairie on the night in question,
+for the glass shewed the thermometer to be 20 degrees
+below zero: so the gallant Governor was enabled to take
+possession without obstruction.
+
+Riel was now fairly intoxicated with success. Some of
+his followers would sometimes ask him if he had no fear
+that the Canadian Government would send out a large force
+of soldiers against him. His invariable reply was:
+
+"They never will do this. The way is too long, and the
+march too difficult. They will eventually make up their
+mind to let us rule this Province ourselves."
+
+"And do you propose to stand aloof as an independent
+colony?"
+
+"Perhaps! And, perhaps, we may, by and by, discuss the
+subject of annexation." For all the man's cunning and
+courage, he was almost as short-sighted as any savage
+upon the plain. And the small measure of Indian blood in
+him would assert itself in many ways. The people began
+to look upon him as another Napoleon triumphant, and to
+give him honour in every way that suggested itself. He
+made a great display of his importance, and would boast
+among his friends that he was as diplomatic and as able
+as any statesman in Canada, and that even his enemies
+admitted this. In his earlier days he sought, persistently,
+the smiles of the fair girls of the plains, but somehow
+or another he was never a very great favourite with the
+olive-skinned beauties. Now, however, the case was
+different with him. The Red River belles saw in him a
+hero and a statesman of the highest order, the ruler of
+a colony, and the defiant and triumphant enemy of the
+whole Dominion of Canada. So the poor, shallow pets began
+to ply their needles, and make for him presents of delicate
+things. One sewed gorgeous beads upon his hunting coat,
+and another set his jacket spangling with quills of the
+porcupine. The good priests of Red River, and their pious
+vicar, _pere_ Lestanc, whom Monseigneur had left in charge
+of the Diocese while he was attending the Ecumenical
+Council in Rome, came forward with their homage. These
+worthy gentlemen had been in the habit of reading from
+the Catechism ever since the time they were first able
+to tell their beads, or to make mud pies, these words:
+"He that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of
+God; and they that (so) resist shall purchase to themselves
+damnation." Here was a madly ambitious adventurer "resisting
+the power," and, therefore, "resisting the ordinances of
+God;" but these precious divines saw no harm whatever in
+the act. Indeed, they were the most persistent abettors
+in the uprising, counselling their flock to be zealous
+and firm, and to follow the advice of their patriotic
+and able leader, M. Riel. The great swaggering, windy
+_pere_ Richot, took his coarse person from house to house
+denouncing the Canadian Government and inciting the
+people.
+
+"No harm can come to you," he would say; "you have in
+the Canadian Government a good friend in Mr. George E.
+Cartier. He will see that no hair of one of your heads
+is touched." And Riel went abroad giving the same assurance.
+Moreover, it was known to every thinking one of the
+fifteen thousand Metis that Riel was a _protege_ of
+Monseigneur Tache; that through this pious bishop it was
+he had received his education, and that His Lordship
+would not alone seek to minimize what his favourite had
+done, but would say that the uprising was a justifiable
+one. This was how the Catholic Church in Red River
+stimulated the diseased vanity and the lawless spirit of
+this thrice-dangerous Guiteau of the plains.
+
+I have already said that Bruce was put up by Riel as a
+mere figure-head. When the end of the pretence had been
+accomplished, this poor scare-crow was thrown down and
+Louis Riel assumed the presidency of the Provisional
+Government. Now he began to draw to himself all those
+men whom he knew would be faithful tools in carrying out
+any scheme of villainy, or even of blood that he proposed
+to them. The coarse and loud-mouthed O'Donoghue was duly
+installed as a confidential attendant with wide powers,
+and Lepine was made head of the military part of the
+insurrectionary body. It certainly was strange if the
+treasonable undertaking should not be successful with
+the acquisition of all the fearless and lawless personages
+that the half-breed community could produce, and the
+vicar-general and the swaggering father Richot offering
+up masses that it should prevail.
+
+It must not be supposed that there were no white people
+in this Red River region. There were very many indeed,
+and some of them held prominent places in the community
+through high character or through affluence. Most of
+these persons were loyal to the heart's core, and were
+of opinion that the rising had nothing justifiable in
+it, and regarded it as a criminal and treasonable rebellion.
+At meetings, held in the town of Winnipeg, some of these
+gentlemen were at no pains to give expression to their
+sentiments. But Riel's murderous eye was upon them; and
+he was revolving over divers plans of vengeance. There
+was no reason why he should hesitate in taking any step
+that promised help to the cause, for Holy Church was
+praying for its success, and working for it, too. The
+shedding of the blood of a few heretics was a matter of
+small consequence: indeed, the act would only hallow a
+cause that had patriotism under, and religion behind it.
+We shall leave Riel glaring with wolfish eyes upon the
+good men who raised their voices against lawlessness,
+and relate a story which will shed a new light upon the
+darkest deed of the dark career of the miscreant Rebel.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+Some time before the outbreak, Riel, in company with a
+half-breed, had gone in the autumn shooting chicken along
+the prairies. The hunting-ground was many miles distant
+from Riel's home, so that the intention of the sportsmen
+was to trust themselves to the hospitality of some
+farm-house in the neighbourhood. The settlers were all,
+with two or three exceptions, Metis; and the door of the
+half-breed is never shut against traveller or stranger.
+One late afternoon, as the two men were passing along
+the prairie footpath towards a little settlement, they
+heard at some distance over the plain, a girl singing.
+The song was exquisitely worded and touching, and the
+singer's voice was sweet and limpid as the notes of a
+bobolink. M. Riel, like Mohammed, El Mahdi, and other
+great patrons of race and religion, is strong of will;
+but he is weaker than a shorn Samson when a lovely woman
+chooses to essay a conquest. So he marvelled much to his
+companion as to who the singer might be, and proposed
+that both should leave the path and join the unknown fair
+one. A few minutes walk brought the two beyond a small
+poplar grove, and there, upon a fallen tree-bole, in the
+delicious cool of the autumn evening, they saw the
+songstress sitting. She was a maiden of about eighteen
+years, and her soft, silky-fine, dark hair was over her
+shoulders. In girlish fancy she had woven for herself a
+crown of flowers out of marigolds and daisies, and put
+it upon her head. She did not hear the footsteps of the
+men upon the soft prairie, and they did not at once reveal
+themselves, but stood a little way back listening to her.
+She had ceased her song, and was gazing beyond intently.
+On the naked limb of a desolate, thunder-riven tree that
+stood apart from its lush, green-boughed neighbours, sat
+a lonely thrush in seeming melancholy. Every few seconds
+he would utter a note of song. Sometimes it was low and
+sorrowful, then it was louder, with the same sad quality
+in it, as if the lonely bird were calling for some
+responsive voice from far away over the prairie.
+
+"Dear bird, you have lost your mate, and are crying out
+for her," the girl said, stretching out her little brown
+hand compassionately toward the low-crouching songster.
+"Your companions have gone to the South, and you wait
+here trusting that your mate will come back, and not
+journey to summer lands without you. Is not that so, my
+poor bird? Ah, would that I could go with you where there
+are always flowers, and ever can be heard the ripple of
+little brooks. Here the leaves will soon fall, ah, me!
+and the daisies wither, and instead of the delight of
+summer we shall have only the cry of hungry wolves, and
+the bellowing of bitter winds above the ghastly plains.
+But could I go to the South, there is no one who would
+sing over my absence one lamenting note, as you sing, my
+bird, for the mate with whom you had so many hours of
+sweet lovemaking in these prairie thickets. Nobody loves
+me woos me, cares for me, or sings about me. I am not
+even as the wild rose here, though it seems to be alone
+and is forbidden to take its walk: for it holds up its
+bright face and can see its lover; and he breathes back
+upon the kind, willing, breeze-puffs, through all the
+summer, sweet-scented love messages, tidings of a matrimony
+as delicious as that of the angels." She stood up, and
+raised her arms above her head yearningly. The autumn
+wind was cooing in her hair, and softly swaying its silken
+meshes.
+
+"Fare well, my desolate one: may your poor little heart
+be gladder soon. Could I but be a bird, arid you would
+have me for a companion, your lamenting should not be
+for long. We should journey loitering and love-making
+all the long sweet way, from here to the South, and have
+no repining."
+
+Turning around, she perceived two men standing close
+beside her. She became very confused, and clutched for
+the blanket to cover her face, but she had strayed away
+among the flowers without it. Very deeply she blushed
+that the strangers should have heard her; and she spake
+not.
+
+"Bon jour, ma belle fille." It was M. Riel who had
+addressed her. He drew closer, and she, in a very low
+voice, her olive face stained with a faint flush of
+crimson, answered,
+
+"Bon jour, Monsieur."
+
+"Be not abashed. We heard what you were saying to the
+bird, and I think the sentiments were very pretty."
+
+This but confused the little prairie beauty all the more.
+But the gallant stranger took no heed of her embarrassment.
+
+"With part of your declaration I cannot agree. A maiden
+with such charms as yours is not left long to sigh for
+a lover. Believe me, I should like to be that bird to
+whom you said you would, if you could, offer love and
+companionship." M. Riel made no disguise of his admiration
+for the beautiful girl of the plains. He stepped up by
+her side and was about to take her hand after delivering
+himself of this gallant speech, but she quickly drew
+it away. Passing through a covert as they neared the
+little settlement, Riel's sportsman companion walked
+ahead, leaving the other two some distance in the rear.
+The ravishing beauty of the girl was more than the
+amorously-disposed stranger could resist, and suddenly
+throwing his arms around her he sought to kiss her. But
+the soft-eyed fawn of the desert soon showed herself in
+the guise of a petit bete sauvage. With a startling scream
+she bounded away from his grasp.
+
+"How do you dare take this liberty with me, Monsieur,"
+she said, her eyes kindled with anger and wounded pride.
+"You first meanly come and intrude upon my privacy; next
+you must turn what knowledge you gain by acting spy and
+eavesdropper, into a means of offering me insult. You
+have heard me say that I had no lover to sigh for me. I
+spoke the truth: I _have_ no such lover. But you I will
+not accept as one; your very sight is already hateful
+to me." And turning, with flushed cheek and gleaming
+eyes, she entered the cosy, cleanly-kept little cottage
+of her father. But she soon reflected that she had been
+guilty of an unpardonably inhospitable act in not asking
+the strangers to enter. Suddenly turning, she walked
+rapidly back, and overtook the crest-fallen wooer and
+his companion, and said in a voice from which every trace
+of her late anger had disappeared.
+
+"Entrez, Messieurs."
+
+M. Riel's countenance speedily lost its gloom, and,
+respectfully touching his hat, he said:
+
+"Oui, Mademoiselle, avec le plus grand plaisir." Tripping
+lightly ahead she announced the two strangers, and then
+returned, going to the bars where the cows were lowing,
+waiting to be milked. The persistent sportsman had not
+by any means made up his mind to desist in the wooing.
+
+"The colt shies," he murmured, "when she first sees the
+halter. Presently she becomes tractable enough." Then,
+while he sat waiting for the evening meal, blithely
+through the hush of the exquisite evening came the voice
+of the girl. She was singing from _La Claire Fontaine_:
+
+   "A la claire fontaine
+    Je m'allait promener,
+    J'ai trouve l'eau si belle
+    Que je me suis baigne."
+
+Her song ended with her work, and as she passed the
+strangers, with her two flowing pails of yellow milk,
+Riel whispered softly, as he touched her sweet little
+hand:
+
+"Ah, ma petite amie!"
+
+The same flash came in her eyes, the same proud blood
+mantled through the dusk of her cheek, but she restrained
+herself. He was a guest under her father's roof, and she
+would suffer the offence to pass. The persistent gallant
+was more crest-fallen by this last silent rebuke, than
+by the first with its angry words. The first, in his
+vanity, he had deemed an outburst of petulance, instead
+of an expression of personal dislike, especially as the
+girl had so suddenly calmed herself and extended
+hospitalities. He gnashed his teeth that a half-breed
+girl, in an obscure village, should resent his advances;
+he for whom, if his own understanding was to be trusted,
+so many bright eyes were languishing. At the evening meal
+he received courteous, kindly attention from Marie; but
+this was all. He related with much eloquence all that
+he had seen in the big world in the East during his school
+days, and took good care that his hosts should know how
+important a person he was in the colony of Red River. To
+his mortification he frequently observed in the midst of
+one of his most self-glorifying speeches that the girl's
+eyes were abstracted, as if her imagination were wandering.
+He was certain she was not interested in him, or in his
+exploits.
+
+"Can she have a lover?" he asked himself, a keen arrow
+of jealousy entering at his heart, and vibrating through
+all his veins. "No, this cannot be. She said in her
+musings on the prairie that she had nobody who would sing
+a sad song if she were to go to the South. Stop! She
+may love, and not find her passion requited. I shall
+stay about here some days, upon some pretext, and I shall
+see what is in the wind."
+
+The next morning, when breakfast was ended, he perceived
+Marie rush to the window, and then hastily, and with a
+dainty coyness withdraw her head from the pane.
+Simultaneously he heard a sprightly tune whistled, as if
+by some glad, young heart that knew no care. Looking now,
+he saw a tall, well-formed young whiteman, a gun on his
+back, and a dog at his heels, walking along the little
+meadow-path toward the cottage.
+
+"This is the lover," he muttered; "curses upon him." From
+that moment he hated with all the bitterness of his nature
+the man now striding carelessly up toward the cottage
+door.
+
+"Bon jour, mademoiselle et messieurs" the newcomer said
+in cheery tones, as he entered, making a low bow.
+
+"Bon jour, Monsieur Scott," was the reply. Louis Riel,
+intently watching, saw the girl's colour come and go as
+she spoke to the young man. This was the same Scott, the
+Thomas Scott, the tidings of whose fate, at the hands of
+the rebel and murderer, Louis Riel, in later years, sent
+the blood boiling through the veins of Western Canada.
+The young man stayed only for a few moments, and Riel
+observed that everybody in the house treated him as if
+in some way he had been the benefactor of all. When he
+arose to go, young Jean, who knew of every widgeon in
+the mere beyond the cottonwood grove, and where the last
+flock of quail had been seen to alight, followed him out
+the door, and very secretly communicated his knowledge.
+Marie had seen a large flock of turkeys upon the prairie
+a few moments walk south of the poplar grove, and perhaps
+they had not yet gone away.
+
+"When did you see them, ma chere mademoiselle Marie?
+enquired Scott. You know turkeys do not settle down like
+immigrants in one spot, and wait till we inhabitants of
+the plains come out and shoot them. Was it last week, or
+only the day before yesterday that you saw them?" There
+was a very merry twinkle in his eye as he went on with
+this banter. Marie affected to pout, but she answered.
+
+"This morning, while the dew was shining upon the grass,
+and you, I doubt not, were sleeping soundly, I was abroad
+on the plains for the cows. It was then I saw them. I am
+glad, however, that you have pointed out the difference
+between turkeys and immigrants. I did not know it before."
+He handed her a tiger lily which he had plucked on the
+way, saying,
+
+"There, for your valuable information, I give you that.
+Next time I come, if you are able to tell me where I can
+find several flocks, I shall bring you some coppers." With
+a world of mischief in his eyes, he disappeared, and Mary,
+in spite of herself, could not conceal from everybody in
+the house a quick little sigh at his departure.
+
+"It seems to me this Monsieur Scott is a great favourite
+with your folk, Monsieur?" Said M. Riel, when the young
+man had left the cottage. "Now I came with my friend also
+for sport, but no pretty eyes had seen any flocks to
+reserve for me." And he gave a somewhat sneering glance
+at poor Marie, who was pretending to be engaged in
+examining the petals of the tiger-lilly, although she
+was all the while thinking of the mischievous, manly,
+sunny-hearted lad who had given it to her. M. Riel's
+words and the sneer were lost, so far as she was concerned.
+Her ears were where her heart was, out on the plain beyond
+the cottonwood, where she could see the tall, straight,
+lithe figure of young Scott, with his dog at his heels,
+its head now bobbing up from the grass, and now its tail.
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," returned Marie's father, "Monsieur Scott
+is a very great favourite with our family. We are under
+an obligation to him that it will be difficult for us
+ever to repay."
+
+"Whence comes this benefactor," queried M. Riel, with
+an ugly sneer, "and how has he placed you under such
+obligation?" Then, reflecting that he was showing a
+bitterness respecting the young man which he could just
+then neither explain nor justify, he said:
+
+"Mais, pardonnez moi. Think me not rude for asking these
+questions. When pretty eyes are employed to see, and
+pretty lips to tell of, game for one sportsman in preference
+to another, the neglected one may be excused for seeking
+to know in what way fortune has been kind with his rival."
+
+"Shall I tell the whole story, Marie?" enquired the
+_pere_, "or will you do so?"
+
+"O I know that you will not leave anything out that can
+show, the bravery of Mr. Scott, so I shall leave you to
+tell it," replied the girl.
+
+"Well, last spring, Marie was spending some days with
+her aunt, a few miles up Red River. It was the flood
+time, and as you remember the river was swollen to a
+point higher than it had ever reached within the memory
+of any body in the settlement. Marie is venturesome, and
+since a child has shown a keen delight in going upon
+boats, or paddling a canoe; so one day, during the visit
+which I have mentioned, she got into a birch that swung
+in a little pond formed behind her uncle's premises by
+the over-flowing of the stream's channel. Untying the
+canoe, she seized the blade and began to paddle about in
+the lazy water. Presently she reached the eddies, which,
+since a child, she has always called the 'rings of the
+water-witches,' wherever she learned that term. Her
+cousin, Violette, was standing in the doorway, as she
+saw Marie move off, and she cried out to her to beware
+of the eddies; but my daughter, wayward and reckless, as
+it is her habit to be in such matters, merely replied
+with a laugh; and then, as the canoe began to turn round
+and round in the gurgling circles, she cried out, 'I am
+in the rings of the water-witches. C'est bon! bon! C'est
+magnifique! O I wish you were with me, Violette, ma chere.
+It is so delightful to go round and round.' A little way
+beyond, not more than twice the canoe's length, rushed
+by, roaring, the full tide of the river. 'Beware, Marie,
+beware, for the love of heaven, of the river. If you get
+a little further out, and these eddies will drag you out,
+you will be in the mad current, and no arm can paddle
+the canoe to land out of the flood. Then, dear, there is
+the fall below, and the fans of the mill. Come back,
+won't you!' But my daughter heeded not the words. She
+only laughed, and began dipping water up from the eddies
+with the paddle-blade, as if it were a spoon that she
+held in her hand. 'I am dipping water from the witches
+rings,' she cried. 'How the drops sparkle! Every one is
+a glittering jewel of priceless value. I wish you were
+here with me, Violette!' Suddenly, and in an altered
+tone, she cried, 'Mon Dieu! My paddle is gone.' The paddle
+had no sooner glided out into the rushing, turbulent
+waters than the canoe followed it, and Marie saw herself
+drifting on to her doom. Half a mile below was the fall,
+and at the side of the fall, went ever and ever around
+with tremendous violence, the rending fans of the
+water-mill. Marie knew full well that any drift boat, or
+log, or raft, carried down the river at freshet-flow,
+was always swept into the toils of the inexorable wheels.
+Yet, if she were reckless and without heed a few minutes
+before, I am told that now she was calm. As she is present,
+I must refrain from too much eulogy of her behaviour.
+Violette gave the alarm that Marie was adrift in the
+river without a paddle, and in a few seconds, every body
+living near had turned out, and were running down the
+shore. Several brought paddles, but it took hard running
+to keep up with the canoe, for the flood was racing at
+a speed of eight miles an hour. When they did get up in
+line each one flung out a paddle. But one fell too far
+out, and another not far enough. About fifteen men were
+about the banks in violent excitement, and every one of
+them saw nothing but doom for Marie. As the canoe neared
+a point about two hundred yards above the fall, a young
+white man--all the rest were bois-brules--rushed out upon
+the bank, with a paddle in his hand, and, without a word,
+leaped into the mad waters. With a few strokes, he was
+at the side of the canoe, and put the paddle into Marie's
+hand. 'Here,' he said, 'Keep away from the mill; that
+is your only danger, and steer sheer over the fall,
+getting as close as possible to the left bank.' The height
+of the fall, as you are aware, was not more than fifteen
+or eighteen feet, and there was plenty of water below,
+and not very much danger from rocks. 'Go you on shore
+now, and I will meet my doom, or achieve my safety,'
+Marie said; but the young man answered, 'Nay, I will go
+over the fall too: I can then be of some service to you.'
+So he swam along by the canoe's side directing my daughter,
+and shaping the course of the prow on the very brink of
+the fall. Then all shot over together. The canoe and
+Marie, and the young man were buried far under the terrible
+mass of water, but they soon came to the surface again,
+when the heroic stranger saved my daughter, and through
+the fury of the mad churning waters, landed her safe and
+unhurt upon the bank. The young man was Thomas Scott,
+whom you saw here this morning. Is it any wonder, think
+you, that when Marie sees wild turkeys upon the prairie,
+she keeps the knowledge of it to herself till she gets
+the ear of her deliverer? Think you, now, that it is
+strange he should be looked upon by us as a benefactor?"
+
+"A very brave act, indeed, on the part of this young
+man," replied the swarthy M. Riel. "He has excellent
+judgment, I perceive, or he would not so readily have
+calculated that no harm could come to any one who could
+swim well by being carried over the falls."
+
+Marie's eyes flashed indignantly at this cold blooded
+discounting of the generous, uncalculating bravery of
+her young preserver.
+
+"I doubt, Monsieur, she said, whether if you had been on
+the bank where Monsieur Scott jumped in, you would have
+looked upon the going over of the fall as an exploit so
+free of danger as you describe it now. As a matter of
+fact, there _were_ many half-breeds there, many of whom,
+no doubt, were as brave as yourself, but I should have
+perished in the fans of the mill if I had to depend upon
+the succour of any one of them."
+
+"Mademoiselle," he retorted with a fierce light in his
+eye, "I am not a half-breed."
+
+"O, pardonnez mois, I thought from your features and the
+straightness of your coal-black hair, that you were."
+Riel's blood was nigh unto boiling in his veins, but he
+had craft enough to preserve a tolerably unruffled
+exterior.
+
+"And in return for this great bravery, ma petite demoiselle
+has, I suppose, given her heart to her deliverer?"
+
+"I think Monsieur is impertinent; and I shall ask my
+father to forbid him to continue to address me in such
+a manner."
+
+"A thousand pardons; I did not mean to pain, but only to
+chaff, your brave daughter. I think that Monsieur Scott
+is most fortunate in having a friend, a beautiful friend,
+so loyal to him, and so jealous of his fair fame. But
+to pass to other matters. Have you had visits from any
+emissaries of the Canadian government during the autumn?"
+
+"Yes, Monsieur Mair came here one day in company with
+Monsieur Scott. They were both quail shooting. They
+stayed only for a little, and I was quite favourably
+impressed with the agreeableness and politeness of M.
+Mair's manners."
+
+"O, indeed! Monsieur Mair was here and with Mr. Scott!
+I am glad that you conceive an opinion so favourable of
+Monsieur Mair, but I regret that I am unable to share in
+the regard. I think I had better open your eyes somewhat
+to the character of this agreeable gentleman. Since
+coming to Red River, his chief occupation has been writing
+correspondence respecting our colony, and the civilization
+and morals of our people. I have been preserving carefully
+some of the communications for future use, and if you
+will permit me I shall read an extract from a late
+contribution of his to a newspaper printed in Ontario.
+You will, I think, be able to gather from it something
+of his opinion respecting the Metis women. Indeed, I am
+surprised that Mademoiselle's great friend and preserver,"
+he looked sneeringly at Marie, "should have for so close
+a companion a person who entertains these views about
+our people."
+
+"I do not know that Monsieur Scott is so close a companion
+of Monsieur Mair," put in Marie. "I think Monsieur is
+now, as he has been doing all along, assuming quite too
+much."
+
+"I sincerely trust that I am doing so, but I shall read
+the extract," and he took from his pocket-book a newspaper
+slip. Smoothing the creases out of the same, he read,
+with the most malignant glee, the following paragraph,
+dwelling with emphasis upon every disparaging epithet:--
+
+   "Here I am in Red River settlement. What a paradise
+   of a place it is. The mud, which is a beautiful dusky
+   red, like the complexion of the Red River belles, does
+   not rise much beyond my knees; and resembling the
+   brown-skinned beauties in more than complexion, it
+   affectionately clings to me, and do what I will, I
+   cannot get rid of it."
+
+"That is a very flattering description of our Red River
+young women, I am sure, and from the pen of your great
+friend's friend, too. Now is it not? But there is more
+than this," and he proceeded to read further.
+
+   "The other evening they had a pow-wow in the settlement,
+   which they called a dance. I was invited, and being
+   considered such a great man here, of course--I do not
+   speak it boastingly--the hearts of all the
+   tallow-complexioned girls throbbed at a great rate
+   when I entered."
+
+"Tallow complexioned girls!" reiterated the reader.
+"Very complimentary, indeed, on the part of the friend
+of your greatest friend."
+
+"Monsieur will either please finish reading his slip,
+since he wishes to do so, although, for my part, I am
+not at all interested in it, or put it by. In any case,
+I must ask that he will cease addressing me in this
+insolent tone."
+
+"Then, since Mademoiselle wills it so, I shall finish
+the very truthful and complimentary paragraph without
+further comment."
+
+   "Such a bear garden as that dance was; yet I somewhat
+   enjoyed the languishing glances of the bright-eyed
+   damsels. But, ugh! the savages never can be made to
+   wash themselves. When the dance had continued for
+   three or four hours, the dancers began to pair off
+   like pigeons and in each nook you could observe a
+   half-breed and his girl, sometimes the demoiselle
+   nursing her beau with arms about his neck, or _vice
+   versa_. ... The women are all slatterns, and as a rule
+   they exhibit about as much morality as is found among
+   the female elk of the prairies. A white man here who
+   is at all successful in winning female attention,
+   needs but to whistle, or to raise his finger, to have
+   half a dozen of the dusky beauties running after him.
+   While I write this letter I see two maidens passing
+   under my window. I no longer take pride or fun in the
+   matter. To me they have become a nuisance."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"Now, Monsieur," said M. Riel, folding his newspaper slip
+and putting it back again into his greasy pocket-book,
+"you well perceive that this Monsieur Mair is not exactly
+the sort of gentleman who ought to be the recipient of
+your hospitalities. I do not say that Monsieur Scott,
+who went over the little waterfall with your daughter,
+holds the same opinion respecting us, as as does his
+friend Monsieur Mair; I only know that upon matters of
+this kind bosom friends are very apt to be of the same
+mind.
+
+"Who, let me ask again, has informed the gallant and
+generous Monsieur that these two young white men are
+bosom friends? Monsieur Mair was at this house once,
+and Monsieur Scott was with him. I understood that they
+had only met the day before; and it is only a week ago
+since Monsieur told me that he had not since seen his
+new friend. Monsieur has been sarcastic in his reference
+to Monsieur Scott, I think without much excuse."
+
+"Is not this, Monsieur Scott, an employe of the Vampire
+Snow, who is making surveys through our territories in
+our despite, and in the face of law and justice?" Marie's
+father replied:
+
+"Il est, Monsieur."
+
+"So I had been informed. Now Monsieur, I have some serious
+business to talk to you about. As you are no doubt aware,
+the authorities at the Canadian Capital are at this moment
+discussing the project of buying the North-West Territories
+from the Hudson Bay Company, converting Red River into
+a Dominion Colony of the Confederation, and setting to
+rule it a governor and officials chosen from among
+Canadians, who hold opinions respecting us as a people,
+quite similar to those entertained by Monsieur Mair, and
+those who have the honour of being his friend." This with
+a malignant glance toward Marie, who merely retorted with
+a scornful flash in her fine, proud eyes.
+
+"Well, Monsieur, I have decided that Red River shall not
+pass over to the hands of alien officials. I shall call
+upon every true colonist to rise and aid me in asserting
+our rights as free men, and as the proprietors of the
+soil we have tilled for so many years. As for your friend
+Mr. Scott, Mademoiselle"--turning with a hideous look
+toward Marie--"I am very sorry to interfere with his
+good fortune, but before the set of to-morrow's sun, I
+intend packing Mr. Snow and his followers out of our
+territories. Nay more, I shall keep a very sharp look
+out for this young man who went with you over the chute
+petite. Indeed it may be interesting for you to hear that
+I know something of his antecedents already. He delights
+to call himself a 'loyalist,' and has declared that the
+people of Red River have no right to protest against the
+transfer to the Canadian Government."
+
+"I do not know what Monsieur Scott's views are upon this
+question," replied the girl. "Whatever they are I presume
+that he is as much entitled to hold them as you are to
+maintain yours."
+
+"I am not so certain on this point as ma belle Mademoiselle
+seems to be," he retorted with a sneer like the hiss of
+a cobra. "This is our country, and any man who opposes
+its welfare is a traitor and a common enemy. But now,
+Monsieur,"--turning to Marie's father--"you must permit
+me to say that I view with strong disapproval the intimacy
+of any of our people with aliens and enemies. Therefore
+I find it necessary to forbid for the future any further
+visit of this young man Scott to your house. Nay, more,
+I shall not permit any communication between your family
+and him; as I have good reason to believe that he is a
+paid spy of Mr. Snow and the Government of Canada."
+
+"Monsieur," quietly retorted Marie, with a curl of infinite
+contempt upon her soft, red-ripe, moist lips, "You are
+a coward, and a snake."
+
+"Hush, Marie! Monsieur must not take heed of the ready
+tongue of my daughter," the poor terrified and
+over-credulous father put in with much trepidation.
+
+"Mon pere need not apologize to Monsieur Riel for sa
+fille," the girl said, giving her father a glance of mild
+reproach. "I think that I am not unaware of the reason
+why Monsieur Riel's patriotism and vigilance have taken
+their present generous, honourable and manly form. And
+as I have now to go out and attend to my work, I would
+desire to say before leaving, that Monsieur has addressed
+his last words to me. I do not wish to see him ever again
+at our house. Should he insist on coming--and I know he
+has high spirit and honourable feeling enough to even so
+insist and force himself where he is not welcome--it
+shall be to my greatest repugnance. I have been to you,
+mon pere, a faithful and loving child. I do not think
+that I have ever before this day made any important
+request of you. But I make one now: it is that you request
+this Monsieur Riel to never enter our doors again. Pray,
+mon pere," she said going to him and looking into his
+face with the intensest pleading in her great eyes, "do
+not refuse me this request."
+
+"Monsieur has heard my daughter's request? I cannot deny
+it to her."
+
+The only reply from M. Riel was a sneer that sounded like
+an envenomed hiss.
+
+"About the matter of visits, Monsieur, I shall consult
+my own taste and convenience." Marie went out from the
+house as regal in her bearing, and as beautiful as any
+princess that has ever trod the court of Caliph. Riel
+followed the retreating form of the lovely girl with eyes
+that showed the rage and desire of a wild beast. When
+she was out of sight he calmed himself, and assuming a
+changed mood, turned to her father.
+
+"Monsieur, there is no reason why you and I should quarrel;
+is there?"
+
+"No Monsieur; no reason."
+
+"On the contrary, it would be well, if in these troublous
+times, when duties so momentous await every loyal heart
+in the colony, that we should be friends. Is this not so?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur."
+
+"Then we can, if you will, be friends. I am prepared to
+forgive the indignity put upon, me by your daughter. I
+will not hesitate to take your hand, and forgive you for
+the insult which you have just offered me. And now hear
+what I have to say. Coming yonder through the prairie,
+yesterday, I heard your daughter singing. The very sound
+of her voice thrilled me as I had never been delighted
+in all my life before. But when I saw her, sitting alone,
+a d heard her holding converse with a solitary bird which
+had lost its mate, I was ravished by her beauty, and made
+a vow that I would win her heart. I presently perceived
+that the impression I made upon her was not favourable.
+I took her hand in mine, but she snatched it away as if
+an aspek's tongue had touched it. A moment later, in the
+madness of my passion for her, I suddenly strained her
+in my arms. After this I knew that she detested me. This
+knowledge I could have borne, trusting to time, and to
+the aid of fortune, to make her look less indifferently
+upon me. Great achievement lies almost ready at my hand;
+and my end attained, she would have seen in me one who
+stood above all others in Red River in brilliancy of
+attainment and strength of character. And while in this
+way I was endeavouring to cool the fire that was burning
+me, I perceived that her heart was given to another; to
+one who, so far as I can judge, does not return her
+affection."
+
+"And who, pray Monsieur, may this rival be?"
+
+"The young man who rescued your daughter--Thomas Scott."
+
+"Mon Dieu, I hope that it is not as you say, for I do
+not want my daughter, much as I am indebted to this young
+man, to give to him her affection. If he be, as you say,
+a spy of Government and an enemy of our people, a marriage
+with him would be out of the question."
+
+"Bon, bon! Monsieur." And M. Riel, in the exuberance of
+his loyalty, having succeeded in the vital point, grasped
+the hand of Marie's father and shook and wrung it several
+times.
+
+"Now, Monsieur, we agree on the main point. I shall name
+the other conditions upon which we may be friends. I
+have sworn to overcome your daughter's repugnance to me.
+Will you assist me in the direction of accomplishing this
+object?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur, by every _fair_ means."
+
+"C'est bien. By every fair means. Only fair means will
+I ask you to employ. I shall now tell you what I desire
+you to do. You must keep Mademoiselle under your strictest
+surveillance. She must not see Monsieur Scott, or
+communicate with him. When his name is introduced into
+conversation, you must show that the subject is displeasing
+to you. You will be asked why it is so, and you shall
+answer that you have indisputable proof, and such proof
+you may take my _word_ to be, that the young man is not
+in sympathy with the cause of the Metis, and that he is
+actually a secret and paid agent of the Canadian Government.
+That your course may seem more reasonable, and appear to
+be the outcome of your own inclination, you will on such
+occasions be able to say that you are under obligation
+to him for his readiness and gallantry--always use these
+words--when your daughter was in the brimming river; but
+that your gratitude can be only a, memory, since he has
+leagued himself against a cause so near to the heart,
+and so supremely in the interest, of every man and woman
+and child in the colony of Red River. You must at the
+very first convenient moment, and without letting Marie
+perceive that I have prompted you to this step, inform
+her that she must banish from her mind at once any tender
+fancies regarding the young man which she may possess.
+Point out to her that in any case it would be unwise in
+her to cherish feelings which very evidently are not
+reciprocated. Lastly, you will have to teach her cautiously,
+and without the semblance of coercion, but constantly,
+to think of me. You must show her how great is the promise
+which lies before me; how I am the leader of the people
+and ruler-predestined of all the land. Nor must you forget
+to show her that if I have seemed rude in her presence,
+and given way to anger or bitterness, it was because of
+my all-consuming love for her, and that henceforth the
+great aim of my life, through all the turbulent deeds
+that this tumultous time may have in store for me, shall
+be to win her approbation, to hear at the close of the
+din, and when achievement shall have crowned me master,
+a 'Brava, Monsieur' from her sweet lips.'
+
+"Most faithfully, Monsieur, I swear to you," answered
+the old man, taking the Rebel's hand in his, "will your
+wishes be carried out. More than this, I can almost
+promise you that I shall succeed." And then he went to
+fetch a bottle, in which he had some choice old rye.
+While he was away, M. Riel, who was alone--for all were
+absent in the fields, and his comrade had been abroad
+since the grey dawn--began to muse in this wise:
+
+"So he believes that he can triumph--that Marie will
+yield!" Then he ground his teeth like a wild beast and
+swore a terrible oath. "If she yield--ah! but it is a
+feast for me to contemplate my revenge. Raise her to the
+dignity of wife to share my social honours and triumph.
+No; elle sera ma maitresse; and I shall cast her off
+among the worthless and degraded ones of her sex." Then
+Marie's father entered with the liquor, and pledged his
+fealty to Monsieur with many "salutes" and "bonne santes"
+After M. Riel had taken sufficient liquor to make him
+thoroughly daring, he said with a sinister tone:
+
+"Although it may not be your honour ever to call me your
+son-in-law, your duty in persuading your daughter remains
+the same. We have formed a compact of friendship and
+mutual understanding; yet I must say to you that your
+own personal safety depends upon your compliance; depends"
+he repeated, raising his voice till it sounded like the
+bellowing of an infuriated bull, "_upon your success_.
+Your intimacy with this man Scott, together with the
+visit paid to your house by the man Mair, places you
+entirely at my mercy. Before many days I shall call again
+to see how far you have succeeded. I shall expect a report
+of some progress. When I call after that I shall be
+satisfied with nothing short of _triumph_. I now go,
+leaving my warning to ring in your ears till you see me
+again." And with an air of insolent mastery, and a gross
+light in his eye, he seized his fowling-piece, and strode
+out the door, followed by his dog.
+
+"Mon Dieu!" gasped the terrified half-breed, "I thought
+that we had become friends, but he goes from my door like
+an enemy, filling my ears with threats of vengeance. May
+the Virgin protect my Marie and me from his power."
+
+"Has that terrible man gone, mon pere?" enquired Marie,
+who now entered with sorrow and agitation in her face.
+
+"Yes; but you must not speak against him. O, how I fear
+him; that is to say, ma petite fille, he is a very powerful
+man, a great man, and will one day rule all the people,
+and be in eminence like unto one of the Canadian Governors:
+therefore, it is that it was unfortunate the young man
+Scott should ever have been at our house."
+
+"Ah, mon pere! wherefore? Do you regret having extended
+a trifling hospitality, not better than you would accord
+to a wandering savage, to a brave, honest, honourable
+young man, who, at the risk, of his own life, saved the
+life of your child? O, surely you have not received into
+your ears the poison of this man's cunning and malice;"
+and she threw her arms about her father's neck and sobbed,
+and sobbed there as if her heart would burst. Old Jean
+was moved to deep grief at the affliction of his daughter,
+yet he could offer her no word of comfort.
+
+"Monsieur has poured no poison into my ear, ma chere.
+He is a powerful man and a great patriot. The people all
+love him; and, although he spoke rudely and bitterly to
+you, we must forgive him. This we shall not find difficult
+to do, when we remember that his display of ill-feeling
+was because of his all-consuming love for you."
+
+"All-consuming _love!_" and her eyes blazed with
+indignation. "All-consuming, all debasing, low passion;
+not love. No, no; love is a sacred thing, whose divine
+name is polluted when uttered by such lips as his."
+
+"Be reasonable, ma Marie; don't suffer hastily formed
+dislikes to sway your judgment and good sense. There is
+not a girl on all the prairies who would not be proud to
+be wooed by Monsieur Riel. Wherefore should you not be?
+If you have any other affection in your heart banish it.
+It may be that you have cherished a tender regard for
+the young man Scott, who is, let me see what he is, who
+is ready and gallant--no, that is not it--who is quick,
+and brave, yes, I think that is it----."
+
+"Mon Dieu; cease, mon pere. Has this tempter gone so far
+as to actually put in your mouth the words to be employed
+in winning me to his hateful, loathsome arms. Mon Dieu,
+Mon Dieu;" and she pressed her little brown fingers over
+her throbbing temples. Has my own father leagued himself
+against my happiness and, and--my _honour!_" And, with
+a loud, heart-rending cry, she fell to the floor, pale
+and motionless.
+
+"Is she dead! Mon Dieu! Ma chere fille, speak to me."
+And then raising her death-pale head a little, he poured
+some of the spirits into her mouth. This restored her,
+but there was an almost vacant look in her eye for many
+minutes, which wrung his heart. "Sit up my pet and we
+will talk together. I will no longer play the inhuman
+monster by disguises and deceit."
+
+"Then you will be frank?" she said, her eyes brightening.
+
+"I swear it. Now this man has conceived a violent passion
+for you, and I am to press his suit, to alienate your
+affections from Monsieur Scott, if you entertain such
+feelings, and to win you over to Monsieur Riel. He is to
+visit us within a brief period, and when he comes he will
+expect me to be able to report marked progress. He will
+make a second visit, and he has sworn that triumph alone
+will satisfy him then. If things fall not out in this
+wise, I am promised his vengeance. He declares that our
+intimacy with young Scott, and the visit paid us by the
+homme mauvais Mair, who is an unscrupulous agent of the
+Canadian Government, would justify extreme measures
+against us; and if I mistake not the man, his intention
+is to arm hundreds of our people, proclaim a martial law,
+and establish himself as head and judge. I am certain
+that he would not hesitate to take the most lawless steps.
+Indeed, I should not regard as safe either my own life
+or your honour. Such then being the facts, what are we
+to do?"
+
+"God is good; let us first of all put our trust in Him.
+Then let us examine the means which He has given us to
+meet the evil. Now, my plan is that I shall in the first
+instance affect to yield with grief to such proposals as
+you at first make to me. Let there be a surrender of
+Monsieur Scott--" Here she blushed so deeply that all
+her sweet-rounded cheek, and her neck, and her delicious
+little shell-like ears, became a crimson, deep as her
+bodice--"and a consent to entertain as favourably as I
+can the suit of M. Riel. Meanwhile we can see what is
+the next best step. I do not think that we have much to
+dread by leaving Red River. We can go to your brother
+who lives across the border, and I am certain that he
+will be delighted to harbour us till the tempest blows
+over. I believe that this rising will rage for a brief
+season only, when it must yield to the arm of the Canadian
+authorities. M. Riel is a fanatic, and counts not the
+perilousness of his undertaking. He will succeed at the
+first, I doubt not. You will hear of slaughtered whites,
+and others who have incurred his private vengeance. He
+will lord it over all like a tyrant, till he sees the
+bayonets from Canada, when he will take good care to get
+out of the way." Her father saw that her views were sound,
+and consented to take her advice; but who was to acquaint
+his brother with their needs, and to learn if he could
+afford a harbourage?
+
+"Paul can go. He can take the pony and ride the distance
+in twelve hours." So it was agreed, and Marie busied
+herself with the linen of her brother, and sewed missing
+buttons upon his clothes. In the evening, when all were
+seated at supper, a young half-breed who had long been
+an intimate friend at the house of Marie's father, and
+who cast many a languishing eye upon the piquant Violette,
+came in. There was much concern in his face, and it was
+some time before he knew how to begin to break the news
+which he possessed.
+
+"Monsieur Riel was at my father's house to-day, and he
+talked long there. He is not your friend," looking at
+Jean. "He declares that you are in league with the
+enemies of our colony, and has asked my father to keep
+a strict watch on the doings of every member of your
+family. I know that he talked in the same strain at every
+house he visited; and I think there is no threshold in
+our settlement that he hasn't crossed. About twenty-five
+young men have declared their willingness to follow him
+in any exploit. They met upon a field this afternoon and
+drilled for a couple of hours. One of them told me,"--the
+speaker now turned his gaze half toward Marie--"not an
+hour ago that their first business would be to settle
+affairs with Messieurs Mair and Scott, whom they declare
+are enemies of Red River, and spies of the Canadian
+government. I should not wonder if these two men were
+secured to-night; and if this be so, and I am any judge
+of human malevolence, Riel will have them shot." The
+colour had gone out of Marie's cheek, and there was a
+terrified gleam in her eye.
+
+"Can nothing be done," she asked, "to apprise them of
+the miscreant's designs?"
+
+"I regret that I can do nothing; you know how gladly I
+would were it in my power. Every man between twenty-one
+and sixty years in our settlement, has been called out
+to attend a meeting to be held during the evening in the
+school-house, to discuss the situation. One Lepine, a
+bosom friend of Monsieur Riel, is to tell us what we are
+to do. I, therefore, will have to be present."
+
+"I shall go," said young Paul. "I can reach Willow grove
+long before the moon is up, and give warning to Monsieur
+Scott. But Monsieur Mair has to take care of himself. I
+would very gladly assist in his capture, or for that
+matter be well pleased to be one of a firing party to
+dispatch his insolent, insulting life." The young lad's
+cheeks were burning with indignation. "I think Monsieur
+Riel is an impostor, although the cause which he has
+espoused is a holy one. But this Mair, after receiving
+our hospitalities turns and holds us up to the ridicule,
+contempt and pity of the world. Under obligation must we
+ever remain to Monsieur Scott, but beyond this, he is a
+true gentleman, and incapable of the remotest sympathy
+with the mean unmanliness of this Monsieur Mair."
+
+Paul, was a tall, handsome lad, with large, spirited,
+brown eyes. He was in his eighteenth year, but had the
+manly address of twenty-one. His sister's gratitude
+gleamed in her eyes. When he was ready to go out to saddle
+his pony, she put her arms about him and kissed him.
+
+"Que Dieu benisse, mon bon frere. Bon voyage!" and she
+watched him, I doubt not praying, though her ruby lips
+moved not, for him, and for her lover, till the flitting
+figure of himself and his fleet-limbed pony was lost in
+the dusk that had already gathered over the plain... That
+evening when Paul returned he came not alone. Another
+steed and rider were there, and beyond, in the shadow of
+a grove of cottonwood stood a party of a dozen horsemen.
+Marie heard the double tramp, and with some terror drew
+to the window to see who was approaching. But her
+apprehensions suddenly vanished, and a flush came over
+her face.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+"Mon pere, it is Paul, and there is with him Monsieur
+Scott; why, I wonder, has he come?" While the question
+yet remained unanswered, Paul entered the room accompanied
+by young Scott.
+
+"Monsieur will explain the cause of his visit," Paul said.
+
+"Monsieur and mademoiselle," young Scott began, inclining
+his head first to the father and then to the daughter,
+"as you may expect, only great urgency brought me here
+under these circumstances. A half-breed to whom I did a
+kindness since coming to the territories, is one of
+Monsieur Riel's agents, and is in the confidence of that
+dangerous person. He tells me that this very night,
+probably before the rise of the moon, a party is to
+surround your house, and make you and your daughter
+captives. The charge against you is, that you are both
+in league with Canadian spies, and enemies of Red River.
+One of the said spies is myself! It appears that you are
+to be taken to the common jail; and mademoiselle Marie
+is to be lodged in the house of a Metis hag, who is a
+depraved instrument of Riel's will. Therefore, I have
+brought hither an escort sufficient to accomplish your
+safe retreat to some refuge beyond the American frontier.
+Paul tells me that you had proposed going to your brother's.
+I do not consider this a safe plan. Your malignant
+persecutor will very speedily learn from your neighbours
+all information respecting the existence of relatives,
+and where they reside. You would be no safer from the
+vengeance of this monster in adjacent, thinly settled
+American territory, than you would be in Red River. Will
+you therefore come with me to my uncle's in a town not
+far beyond the line?--only too happy will he be to serve
+you in your need." The proposal was very gladly accepted.
+Tears stood in old Jean's eyes; and I doubt not that they
+came there when he began to reflect that, but for Marie,
+he should now have been acting in league with his miscreant
+persecutor against this noble, generous-hearted young fellow.
+
+Within an hour, most of the little valuables in the dear
+old homestead, which neither Jean nor Marie ever again
+expected to see, were made up into small packs, each one
+to be carried by one of the escorts. With a deep sigh
+Marie looked at the home of her happy youth, drowsing in
+the deep shadow of the oaks, and then mounted her horse.
+All that night she rode by her lover's side, and stole
+many a glance of admiring pride at his handsome, manly
+figure. When they were a couple of hours out, a dusky
+yellow appeared in the south-east, and then the bright,
+greenish-yellow rim of the Autumn moon appeared, and
+began to flood the illimitable prairie with a thick,
+wizard light.
+
+"So this miscreant has been hunting you, Marie?" said
+the young man, for both had unconsciously dropped in
+rear. "I did not like his glances this morning, and had
+resolved to keep my eyes upon him. I suppose, ma petite,
+if I had the right to keep you from the fans of water-mills,
+that I also hold the right of endeavouring to preserve
+you from a man whose arms would be worse than the rending
+wheel?" She said nothing, but there was gratitude enough
+in her eye to reward for the most daring risk that man
+ever run.
+
+"You do not love this sooty persecutor, do you, ma
+chere?"--and then, seeing that such a question pained
+and confused her, he said, "Hush now, ma petite fille;
+I shall not tease you any more." The confusion passed
+away, and her little olive face brightened, as does the
+moon when the cloud drifts off its disc.
+
+"I am very glad. O, if you only knew how I shudder at
+the sound of his name!"
+
+"There now, let us forget about him, I can protect you
+from him; can I not?" and he reined his horse closer to
+hers, and leaned tenderly over towards the girl. She
+said nothing, for she was very much confused. But the
+confusion was less embarrassment than a bewildered feeling
+of delight. But for the dull thud, thud of the hoofs upon
+the sod, her escort might plainly enough have heard the
+riotous beating of the little maiden's heart.
+
+"And now, about that flower which I gave you this morning.
+What did you do with it?"
+
+"Ah, Monsieur, where were your eyes? I have worn it in
+my hair all day. It is there now; it was there when you
+came to our cottage this evening."
+
+"Ah, I see. I am concerned with your head,--not with your
+heart. Is that it, ma petite bright eye? You know our
+white girls wear the flowers we give them under their
+throats, or upon their bosom. This they do as a sign that
+the donor occupies a place in their heart." He did not
+perceive in the dusky moonlight, that he was covering
+her with confusion. Upon no point was this little maiden
+so sensitive, as when it was revealed to her that a
+particular habit or act of hers differed from that of
+the civilized white girl. Her dear little heart was almost
+bursting with shame, and this thought was running through
+her mind.
+
+"Oh! what a savage I must seem in his eyes." Her own
+unspoken words seemed to burn through her whole body.
+"But how could I know where to wear my rose? I have read
+in English books that gentle ladies wear them there."
+And these lines of Tennyson came running through her
+head.
+
+  "She went by dale, and she went by down,
+   With a single rose in her hair."
+
+And they gave her some relief, for she thought, after
+all, that he might be only joking When the blood had gone
+back from her forehead, she turned towards her lover,
+who had been looking at her since speaking with somewhat
+of a tender expression in his mischievous eyes.
+
+"Do white girls never wear roses in their hair? I thought
+they did. Can it be wrong for me to wear mine in the same
+place?"
+
+"Ah, my little barbarian, you do not understand me. If
+an old bachelor, whose head shone like the moon there in
+the sky, were to give to some blithe young belle a rose
+or a lily, she would, most likely, twist it in her hair;
+but if some other hand had presented the flower, one
+whose eye was brighter, whose step was quicker, whose
+laugh was cheerier, whose years were fewer; in short, ma
+chere Marie, if some one for whom she cared just a little
+bit more than for any other man that walked over the face
+of creation, had presented it to her, she would not put
+it in her hair. No, my little unsophisticated one, she
+would feel about with her unerring fingers, for the spot
+nearest her heart, and there she would fasten the gift.
+Now, ma Marie, suppose you had possessed all this
+information this morning when I gave you the flower,
+where would you have pinned it?"
+
+"Nobody has ever done so much for me as has Monsieur.
+He leaped into the flood, risking his life to save mine.
+I would be an ungrateful girl, then, if I did not think
+more of him than of any other man; therefore, I would
+have pinned your flower on the spot nearest my heart,"
+Then, deftly, and before he could determine what her
+supple arms and nimble little brown fingers were about,
+she had disengaged the lily from her hair, and pinned it
+upon her bosom. "There now, Monsieur, is it in the right
+place?" and she looked at him with a glance exhibiting
+the most curious commingling of innocence and coquetry.
+
+"I cannot answer. I do not think that you understand me
+yet. If the act of saving you from drowning were to
+determine the place you should wear the rose, then the
+head, as you first chose, was the proper spot, Do you
+know what the word love means?"
+
+"O, I could guess, perhaps, if I don't know. I have heard
+a good deal about it, and Violette, who is desperately
+fond of a handsome young Frenchman, has explained it so
+fully to me, that I think I know. Yes, Monsieur, I _do_
+know."
+
+"Well, you little rogue, it takes one a long time to find
+out whether you do or not. In fact I am not yet quite
+satisfied on the point. However, let me suppose that you
+do know what love is; the all-consuming sort, the kind
+that sighs like the very furnace. Well, that part of the
+statement is clear. Then, supposing that a flower is worn
+over the heart only to express love, of the sort I
+mentioned, for the donor, where would you, with full
+knowledge of this fact, have pinned the flower that I
+plucked for you this morning?"
+
+"Since I do not understand the meaning of the word love
+with very great clearness,--I think Monsieur has expressed
+the doubt that I do understand it--I would not have known
+where to pin the flower. I would not have worn it at all.
+I would, Monsieur, have set it in a goblet, and taking
+my stitching, would have gazed upon it all the day, and
+prayed my guardian angel to give me some hint as to where
+I ought to put it on."
+
+"You little savage, you have eluded me again. Do you
+remember me telling you that some day, if you found out
+for me a couple of good flocks of turkeys, I would bring
+you some coppers?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"Well, if you discovered a hundred flocks now, I would
+not give you one." And then he leaned towards her again
+as if his lips yearned for hers; but his love of mischief
+was too strong for every other desire. For her part, she
+took him exactly as she should have done. She never
+pouted;--If she had done so, I fancy that there would
+have been soon an end of the wild, boyish, sunny raillery.
+
+"Hallo! Little one, we are away, away in the rear. Set
+your pony going, for we must keep up with our escort."
+Away they went over the level plain, through flowers of
+every name and dye, the fresh, exquisite, autumn breeze
+bearing the scent of the myriad petals upon their faces.
+After a sharp gallop over about three miles of plain,
+they overtook the main body of the escort.
+
+They now reached the border, and the pavements of the
+little town of Pembina rang with the hoofs of their
+horses. Away still to the south, they rode through the
+glorious autumn night, under the calm, bountiful moon.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Riel, I think we are some distance from
+your foul talons," Scott said, as turning in his saddle,
+he saw the steeples of Pembina, gloom-wrapped, almost
+sunk in the horizon. "I fancy I can hear the curses of
+his willing tools in the air, after they swooped down
+upon your cottage, Marie, and found the inmates flown."
+
+"What is your uncle's cottage like, Monsieur Scott?"
+
+"It is not unlike your own. It is in a grove of pines,
+and a happy brook goes chattering by it all the summer.
+Will you come fishing in it with me, ma petite?"
+
+"Oui, avec le plus grand plaisir, Monsieur," and she
+looked so happy, there was so much sun in her eyes, so
+many divine little dimples in her cheek, in contemplation
+of all the promised happiness, that it would not require
+much keenness to discover the secret of the dear little
+maiden.
+
+"Of course, you shall fish with a pin-hook. I am not
+going to see you catch yourself with one of the barbed
+hooks, like those which I shall use."
+
+"O, Monsieur Scott! Why will you always treat me as a
+baby!" and there was the most delicate, yet an utterly
+indescribable sort of reproach in her voice and attitude,
+as she spoke these words.
+
+"Then it is not a baby by any means," and he looked with
+undisguised admiration upon the maiden, with all the
+mystic grace and perfect development of her young womanhood.
+"It is a woman, a perfect little woman, a fairer a sweeter,
+my own mignonette, than any girl ever seen in this part
+of the plains since first appeared here human footprint."
+
+"O, Monsieur is now gone to the other extreme. He is
+talking dangerously; for he will make me vain."
+
+"Does the ceaseless wooing of the sweet wild rose by soft
+winds, make that blossom vain? or is the moon spoilt
+because all the summer night ten thousand streams running
+under it sing to it unnumbered praises? As easy, ma Marie,
+to make vain the rose or the moon as to turn your head
+by telling your perfections."
+
+"Monsieur covers me with confusion!" and the little sweet
+told the truth. But it was a confusion very exquisite to
+her. It sang like entrancing music through her veins;
+and gave her a delightful delirium about the temples,
+flow fair all the glorious great round of the night, and
+the broad earth lit by the moon, seemed to her now, with
+the music of his words coursing through her being.
+Everything was transfigured by a holy beauty, for Love
+had sanctified it, and clothed it with his own mystic,
+wonderful garments. It was with poor Marie, then, as it
+has some time or other been with us all: when every bird
+that sang, every leaf that whispered, had in its tone a
+cadence caught from the one loved voice. I have seen the
+steeple strain, and rock, and heard the bells peal out
+in all their clangourous melody, and I have fancied that
+this delirious ecstasy of sound that bathed the earth
+and went up to heaven was the voice of one slim girl with
+dimples and sea-green eyes.
+
+The mischievous young Scotchman had grown more serious
+than Marie had ever seen him before.
+
+"I hope, my child, that you will be happy here; the
+customs of the people differ from yours, but your nature
+is receptive to everything good and elevated, so that I
+am certain you will soon grow to cherish our civilization."
+
+I must say here for the benefit of the drivelling,
+cantankerous critic, with a squint in his eye, who never
+looks for anything good in a piece of writing, but is
+always on the search for a flaw, that I send passages
+from Tennyson floating through my Marie's brain with good
+justification. She had received a very fair education
+at a convent in Red River. She could speak and write both
+French and English with tolerable accuracy; and she could
+with her supple, tawny little fingers, produce a nice
+sketch of a prairie tree-clump, upon a sheet of cartridge
+paper, or a piece of birch rind.
+
+Young Scott was all the while growing more serious, and
+even becoming pathetic, which is a sign of something very
+delicious, and not uncommon, when you are travelling
+under a bewitching moon, in company with a more bewitching
+maiden.
+
+"I wish I could be with you during the early part of your
+stay here, for I could do much toward reconciling you to
+your new life."
+
+"And are you not going to stay with us?" Her voice sounded
+somewhat like a restrained cry of pain.
+
+"No Marie, my child, I have to return to the territories."
+
+"But that wicked man will work his vengeance upon you."
+
+"It is just to meet that wicked man upon his own ground
+that I go back. It is to thwart him, to cast in my strength
+on the side of peace, in the interest of those fertile
+plains, that I return. You do not suppose that this
+licentious fanatic can ultimately prevail against the
+will of the people of Canada, against the military force
+of the Empire of Great Britain. The sovereign of our
+mighty realm tolerates in no land any dispute of her
+authority, and this mad uprising will be crushed as I
+might stamp put the feeble splutter of a bed-room taper.
+There are without the intervention of outside force at
+all, enough of brave and loyal whitemen to overthrow this
+scurvy miscreant; and my immediate task is to do the
+little that lies in my power to incite them to their
+duty. When my work is done, when the plains are cleared
+of the mutinous, blind, unreasoning hordes whom this
+cunning, vainglorious upstart has called away from their
+peaceful homesteads, I will return, my darling little
+girl, with the tidings; and I shall bring you back to
+the spot where you grew up pure and artless as the lily
+that brightens the pond upon which we have so often
+paddled our birch together. What the days after that may
+have in store for us I know not."
+
+"Ah, I shall be very dreary in your absence, Monsieur
+Scott."
+
+"And I, my dear girl, shall be not less dreary without
+you. I believe you have regarded yourself as a mere
+plaything in my eyes. Why, ma chere, all of my heart you
+have wholly and irrevocably. One of your dear hands is
+more precious, more sacred to me, than any other girl
+whom mine eyes have ever seen. Do you remember the
+definition of love that I tried to give you? Well, I gave
+it from my own experience. With such a love, my prairie
+flower, do I love you. It is fit now, that we are so soon
+to part, that I should tell you this: and you will, know
+that every blow I strike, every noble deed I do shall be
+for the approbation of the dear heart distant from me in
+American territory. I have said that the hours of absence
+will be dreary; but there will be beyond the the darkest
+of them one hope which shall blaze like a star through
+the night, and that is that I shall soon be able to call
+my Marie my sweet, sweet bride. Now, my beloved, if that
+wished for time had come, and I were to say, 'Will you
+be mine, Marie,' what would you answer?"
+
+"I did not think that it would be necessary for Monsieur
+to ask me that question," she answered shyly, her beautiful
+eyes cast down; "I thought he knew."
+
+"My own little hunted pet!" He checked his horse, and
+seized the bridle of Marie's pony, till the two animals
+stood close together. Then he kissed the girl upon her
+sweet virgin lips, murmuring low,
+
+"My love."
+
+The next morning he was away, and Marie sat sad by the
+strange brook that ho had told her about. Old Jean was
+very contented, but now that he had nought to do, ha
+babbled all day about the wars; and thanked the Virgin
+that himself and his child had escaped the clutches of
+the Rebel leader. Paul speedily obtained employment
+harvesting on a large farm near by, and after a little
+old Jean began to be extremely useful to his kind host.
+But tying sheaves was not the occupation, at this tumultuous
+time, that young Paul's heart would have chosen. For how
+he longed to be in the fray! to stand, side by side, with
+his young comrade, Luc, fighting for the honour and
+independence of Riviere Rouge. It was only, after the
+most tedious argument, that he could be prevailed upon
+to stay; and it was Thomas Scott, who had so overcome him.
+
+"You know the designs that this monster harbours," that
+young man had said to Paul. "You are foolish enough to
+count now on his patriotism, and to imagine that he would
+welcome you to his ranks. He would act far differently:
+he would probably spare you, provided that you lent
+yourself to his evil designs. If you refused to do this,
+he would very probably shoot you as a traitor to your
+country."
+
+As for Riel, it may seem that his conduct in deciding in
+one hour, to use Marie's father as a tool, and, during
+the next, projecting a plan which defeated the very end
+which he had in view, was absolutely illogical, and
+unreasonable; and that it is the narrator whose skill is
+at fault. But I have been at pains to give this occurrence
+at length, for the very purpose of revealing the unstaid,
+unreasoning character of Riel, and how far passion and
+impulse will carry him away from sound understanding.
+
+As for the Arch-agitator, the spirits taken at the house
+of old Jean, had raised the savage part of his blood to
+the highest pitch of unreasoning and confident passion.
+All obstacles seemed to disappear, and he saw with the
+same glance the gratification of his passion and of his
+revenge.
+
+"Take the horses," he had said to his confidant, "before
+the moon rises. Approach the house softly, and carefully
+surround it. The girl must be treated with respect. You
+know where to leave her."
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," and the slavish fanatic went to do the
+vile bidding.
+
+For some hours M. Riel went among the Metis, perfecting
+his plans, but towards midnight he ordered his horse,
+and, with a lurid light in his eye, set off for the hut
+of the half-breed hag where he expected his ruffianly
+emissaries would have placed Marie before his arrival.
+But the cabin was desolate, save for the figure of an
+ill-featured old woman, who, when she heard hoof-beats
+approach, came to the door peering out into the night.
+
+"Has the expected yet arrived?" he asked, a half-puzzled
+expression in his face.
+
+"No, Monsieur."
+
+"Curses! What can have happened? They should have been
+here two hours ago. It is now three o'clock." Then he
+alighted and strode about for half an hour over the
+dim-lit sward, thrusting out his head every few seconds,
+in the direction from which the party should come. But
+still no sound, no sight, of any horseman. He now began
+to storm and blaspheme, and would remind anybody who saw
+him of some wild beast foiled of his prey. Presently,
+he observed a long distance off upon the plain, a figure
+which he believed was moving. Was this only a poplar or
+a cotton-wood tree? He got upon his knees, and put his
+ear to the ground; the soft thud of a horse's hoof vibrated
+under his ear, and he was satisfied.
+
+"But there is only one horseman. What can it mean?" He
+could not bear the suspense, and flinging himself upon
+his horse, he galloped out to meet the advancing stranger.
+It was soon told. The inmates had escaped, evidently long
+before the party got to the dwelling. The embers were
+very low on the hearth. Every article of value had been
+removed, and there were the prints of many hoofs near
+the cottage.
+
+"Scott has foiled me!" and the outwitted tyrant-libertine
+swore the most terrible oaths, that he would be revenged.
+
+"Off," he said to his confidant. "You must scour Red
+River over to find these fugitives. Wherever you see the
+girl, seize her, and bring her hither. The people must
+all know that she is a spy, and leagued with our most
+deadly enemies to thwart our cause. As for the father,
+catch him too, though I should not fret, if, in the
+capture, a stray bullet or two went singing through his
+head. Above all, Scott must be captured," and this was
+to himself, "let me lay hands upon him!"
+
+The horseman was riding off.
+
+"Stop! This old Jean has relatives in the territory; and
+with one of these he may be taking refuge."
+
+"I do not think that this is likely, Monsieur. But I
+learnt, and it was the prosecution of these enquiries
+among Jean's nearest neighbours, that kept me late in
+reaching you, that he has a brother in Pembina. Now in
+that direction did the hoof-marks of the party lead."
+
+"I see. He has gone there, counting on safety beyond the
+lines; but he leans upon a hollow reed. Let me see:
+to-morrow at the convention, next day at the grand parade
+of arms. Yes, on Tuesday evening, take with you forty
+men to Pembina. Of course, you go there with all speed,
+and locate the residence. Then on Tuesday night, when
+you enter the city, surround the house by a sortie You
+will have nothing to fear from the citizens, they have
+no force there to oppose yours, and if they had you could
+accomplish your mission so suddenly that you might be on
+the prairie with your prize before they had their arms
+in their hands." The horseman rode off, and the Rebel
+was alone.
+
+We have seen that Mr. McDougall had appointed his Deputy
+Colonel Dennis, as Conservator of the peace, and authorized
+him to organize a force, and put down the Rebellion.
+The English and Scotch settlers, almost to a man,
+sympathized with the interdicted governor; yet they did
+not care to bring themselves into conflict with men, with
+whom, for years past, they had lived in the most friendly
+relationship, unless some great necessity arose. As for
+Riel, they regarded him as an ambitious, short-sighted
+demagogue, who palmed off his low cunning for brilliant
+leadership, upon the credulous half-breeds. Nevertheless,
+a large number of these settlers declared their readiness
+to march under Colonel Dennis, and disperse the nest of
+rebels at Fort Garry. I need hardly say that most of
+the Irish settlers were heart and soul with Riel. It
+was not that they had any particular grievance to resent,
+or any grievance at all for that matter. It was as
+natural to them to rise in revolt, since the rising meant
+resistance to the lawful authority, as it is for the
+little duck first cast into the pond, to swim. A red
+haired, pug-nosed Irishman, coming to New York, leaped
+ashore and asked,
+
+"Is there a guvernment in this counthry?"
+
+"There is."
+
+"Thin I'm opposed to it."
+
+Much the same was it in the North-West, and the violent,
+blustering ruffian O'Donoghue was the mouthpiece, the
+leader, the type of that class of the people.
+
+A number of loyal Scotch and English, therefore, did
+arise, and they were known as the Portage party. This
+was some months after the night that we last saw Riel
+thwarted upon the prairies. In that connection it only
+remains to be said that the mission of the confidant to
+Pembina was fruitless; and the Rebel gnashed his teeth
+that his desires and his revenge had all been baulked.
+He had heard, however, that Thomas Scott was abroad
+through his territories; and that he had enlisted under
+the banner of Colonel Dennis,--which was the truth. What
+galled him most was, that in case he should succeed in
+getting Scott into his hands, he had no proofs that would
+be regarded as sufficient evidence upon which to proceed
+with the extreme of vengeance toward him. Yet his orders
+stood unchanged:
+
+"Wherever you find Thomas Scott seize him; and convey
+him to Fort Garry." On the sixth of December the confidant
+came into the tyrant's presence and said:
+
+"We have caught Scott." [Footnote: I take the following
+from Begg's "History of the North-West Rebellion," p.
+161: "About this time (6th December), the French arrested
+and imprisoned Mr. Thomas Scott, Mr. A. McArthur, and
+Mr. Wm. Hallet. Mr. Scott, it appears, had been one of
+the party assembled in Schultz's house, but had afterwards
+left; and no other reason for his arrest is known, except
+his having enrolled under Colonel Dennis. Mr. McArthur,
+was, it is said, confined on suspicion of acting secretly
+on behalf of Mr. McDougall; and Mr. Hallet, for his
+activity in assisting and advising Colonel Dennis." ]
+The Rebel leader's eye gleamed with a wolfish light.
+
+"Is he in the Fort?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Bon! I shall be there presently." So without any delay
+he proceeded to the Fort, and entered the apartment where
+young Scott was confined.
+
+"Ah, Monsieur! This is where you are?"
+
+"Yes, you tyrannical ruffian. But I shall not be here
+for long." Riel curbed the mad blood which had leaped to
+his temples.
+
+"Monsieur shall not be here long, if he chooses to accept
+conditions upon which he may be free."
+
+"Come, for curiosity sake, let us hear the proposals; I
+am certain that they are foul. Yet, as I say, I am anxious
+to hear them."
+
+"Monsieur must be reasonable. There is no good purpose
+to be served by railing at me."
+
+"That is true. You are too infamous a miscreant to be
+shamed or made better by reproaches."
+
+"Nevertheless, I shall proceed to business, Monsieur.
+Do you know where old Jean and his daughter have taken
+up their abode?"
+
+"I do."
+
+"So I suspected. If you will let me know their place of
+abode, that I may give them my guarantee for their personal
+safety if they return to their home--as I understand that
+through some unfounded fear of me they fled, and I am anxious
+to stand well in the affections of all my people--I shall
+permit you forthwith to leave this Fort."
+
+"Contemptible villain, liar and tyrant, I will _not_
+reveal to you. Begone. By heaven! if you stand there I
+shall bury my hands in your foul, craven throat."
+
+"Take care, Monsieur," was all M. Riel said, as he left
+Scott's presence. But his eye burned like a fiend's.
+The agitator, with a spirit of the most devilish rage
+consuming him, nevertheless went on to forward the general
+movement. His first great step was against the followers
+of Colonel Dennis, who had banded together and posted
+themselves in the house of Dr. Schultz, a very prominent
+settler. They had gathered here with arms in their hands,
+but they seemed like a lot of little children, without
+any purpose. There was no moral cohesion among them, and
+there was no force either to lead or to drive them. They
+were not long thus ridiculously impounded, when they
+began to look at one another, as if to ask:
+
+"_Quis furores o cives?_"
+
+They were not alone unprepared and undetermined to go up
+to Fort Garry, and fight the greasy Rebel and his followers,
+but they were by no means certain as to what they should
+do were the enemy to come against them. And this is just
+the very thing that the enterprising Monsieur Riel proposed
+to do. It is said that about this time he was often found
+reading books describing the sudden and unexpected military
+movements of Napoleon. And I have not the remotest doubt
+that the diseased vanity of the presumptuous crank enabled
+him to see a likeness in himself to the Scourge of Nations.
+So he said to his men:
+
+"We shall go down and capture this Dennis' geese-pound.
+Better turn out in good force, with your arms, though I
+am quite certain that you can capture the whole caboose
+with broom-sticks." So the Metis thronged after his heels,
+and surrounded the Schultz mansion with its "congregation
+of war spirits." Of course there is something to be said
+for the gathering together of these loyal people here,
+as there is for the issuing of the proclamation by the
+citizens of London, per the mouth of the three tailors.
+Beyond was Fort Garry, unlawfully seized by Riel, and
+now unlawfully invested by his troops. This was, therefore,
+a menace to the unlawful combination at the fort. At once
+the agitator began to dictate terms. If they would come
+out of their ridiculous hive, and surrender their arms,
+he would suffer no harm whatever to befall them; but
+content himself with merely taking them all in a lump,
+and locking them up prisoners in the fort. He would,
+however, insist upon other formalities; and, therefore,
+exhibited a declaration which he would ask them to sign.
+By this document each man would bind himself to rise no
+more, but to submit to the authority of the Provisional
+Government. There was very little parleying. Each brave
+loyalist took the paper, and put his name to it.
+[Footnote *] Dr. O'Donnell was the first to sign his
+name, and after he had done the rest followed and with
+much credit to the celerity of their penmanship. Then
+they all moved out and were escorted up to Fort Garry,
+where they were held for a considerable period, despite
+the prayers of prominent persons who had taken no active
+part on either side, for their liberation.
+
+[* Footnote: I take the following from Mr. Begg's History
+of the Rebellion: "In the meantime, there were from two
+to three hundred armed French half-breeds, as well as a
+number of lookers-on, around and outside the building;
+and it is said that a couple of mounted cannon (six
+pounders) were drawn outside the walls of Fort Garry,
+ready to be used in case of an assault upon the besieged
+premises.
+
+"When all those in the house had signed, and the surrender
+handed to Riel, he said that there were two signatures
+not on the list, which ought to be there--and which he
+insisted upon having. These were the names of James
+Mulligan and Charles Garrett. A guard from the French
+party was therefore sent to hunt up those two men; and
+in a short time they returned with the individuals they
+had been in search of. As soon as this had been done,
+the prisoners were taken out and marched to Fort Garry;
+and the following ladies, who, during the siege, had
+nobly resolved upon remaining by the side of their
+husbands, also insisted upon accompanying them to Fort
+Garry.
+
+"The following are the names of the ladies: Mrs. Schultz,
+Mrs. Mair, Mrs. O'Donnell; and as the first named lady
+was ill, probably from the excitement of the past few
+days, a sleigh was procured, and Dr. Schultz himself drew
+her along in it, behind the rest of the prisoners. When
+they reached Fort Garry, Mr. J. H. McTavish, accountant
+in the Hudson Bay Company service, kindly offered to give
+up his private quarters for the use of the married men
+and their families, and thus made things more comfortable
+for the ladies."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+In the meantime, the Government at Ottawa had convinced
+itself that affairs were in a pretty bad mess in the
+North-West. Therefore they dispatched, with olive branches,
+two commissioners to treat with the malcontents. It is
+hardly worth while to mention the names of these two
+gentlemen, though I may as well do so. They were
+Vicar-General Thibeault, this prelate, I understand,
+being a relative of the gentleman who produced the life
+of Sir Charles Tupper, and Colonel DeSalaberry. Mr.
+Donald A. Smith, the chief officer of the Hudson Bay
+Company, was also dispatched. He was instructed to inquire
+into and report upon the cause of the disturbances and
+also to assist Governor McTavish, or to relieve him,
+altogether of duties should ill health have incapacitated
+him. Mr. Smith arrived in due season at the settlement,
+and sought an interview with the Rebel leader in Fort
+Garry. M. Riel very readily admitted him; and then turned
+the keys upon him. It was a very great pity that it was
+not upon some members of the beautiful government at
+Ottawa that he had the opportunity of fastening the locks!
+There were now about sixty prisoners in the fort; the
+British ensign had been hauled down, and the flag of the
+Provisional Government, a combination of fleurs de-lys
+and shamrocks, hoisted in its stead. When the news got
+abroad that an agent had come from Canada to treat with
+the people on behalf of the Canadian Government, that
+Mr. McDougall was in disfavour with the Dominion ministry,
+and had returned to Ottawa, M. Riel's influence began
+to diminish sensibly.
+
+"Let us hear what Donald Smith has to say to us," they
+began to cry; and the Arch Rebel was fain to consent. A
+monster meeting of 1,100 people was held in the open air,
+with the thermometer twenty degrees below zero. Riel and
+his followers were not satisfied with the terms of the
+Dominion agent; and the arch disturber had made up his
+mind not to be satisfied. Yet he was not secure in his
+position, for there was much writhing among hosts of his
+followers under his tyrannical caprices. Sometimes he
+broke loose from all civilized restraint, and acted like
+a mad savage. Governor McTavish, who was reaching the
+last stages of consumption, for some reason incurred the
+ill-will of the autocrat. One might have supposed that
+a man tottering on the grave's brink would have been
+secure from violence and insult; but the heartless Rebel
+ruffian was insensible to every human impulse. Bursting
+into the chamber of the sick man, he raged like a wild
+bull, stamped upon the floor, and declared that he would
+have him shot before midnight. Then telling off a guard
+he sent them to invest the house. His rage cooled down
+after a little, and the murderous threat was not carried
+into execution. I have said that the loyalty and obedience
+of his entire followers were, so far, by no means assured.
+Hundreds who sympathized with the uprising, and in the
+beginning expressed admiration for his courage and daring,
+began to be shocked at his tyranny, and to hold aloof.
+This was the reason, we may be sure, that some of the
+revengeful threats which he, about this time made, were
+not carried into effect. He held long counsel with his
+military leader, Lepine.
+
+"How does the sentiment of the settlement go now? Do they
+disapprove of my severe measures?"
+
+"They do, Monsieur; and I am inclined to think that you
+will be obliged to show some generosity, even toward your
+worst enemies, to maintain the confidence and sympathy
+of your followers."
+
+"Suppose I release these prisoners?"
+
+"I know of nothing more popular that you could do."
+
+"But Scott? He is my deadliest enemy. It is to give a
+colour of justification to my attitude towards him that
+I have incarcerated the rest."
+
+"Even him, Monsieur, I think it would be advisable now
+to let him depart with the rest. I am quite certain that
+he will before long, moved by his hatred of yourself,
+commit some act that will justify you in according to
+him very stern sort of punishment.
+
+"Be it so. I shall let them all go. But remember: you
+never must allow this man to pass from under your eye."
+
+Meanwhile poor Marie was far away, sighing all the day
+for some word from her lover. She had heard that they
+had captured him and locked him in a dungeon. A terrible
+fever seized her, and she cried out in her delirium to
+take her to her lover. For many days after the fire of
+her illness had cooled, she lay between life and death
+like some fitful shadow; but when a letter came to her,
+in the dear writing that she so well knew, announcing
+that he was once more free, the enfeebled blood began to
+stir in her veins, and a faint tint of rose began to
+appear on the wasted cheek.
+
+"I will run over and see my little love during the first
+breathing time that offers," he wrote. "I hope, ma amie,
+you are not sorrowing at my absence. No hour passes over
+me, whether wake or dreaming, that I do not sigh for my
+darling Marie; but I am consoled with the thought that
+when the turmoil is ended, when this land of tumult and
+tyranny has become a region of peace and fruitful industry,
+I will be able to bring my darling back to her dear old
+home; and in a little wed her there, and then take her
+to my arms for ever."
+
+This was very sweet tidings to the desolate girl. She
+read the letter over and over till she could repeat every
+word of the eight large pages which it contained. When
+she began to grow stronger she would keep it in her lap
+all day, and touch it tenderly as a young mother would
+her sleeping babe. Before blowing out her lamp in the
+night she would kiss the letter, and put it under her
+pillow. When she opened her large bright eyes in the
+morning she would take it, kiss it, and read it once
+again.
+
+During all this time the fire of Riel's two-fold passion
+was not burning lower:--nay, it was growing stronger.
+His aim now was to make himself such a ruler and master
+in the settlement that every word of his should be as
+law, and that no man, not all the people, might disobey
+his command or censure his action.
+
+"So Thomas Scott is to marry her, when the strife ends,"
+he would speculate. "Ah, Monsieur Scott, if to that time
+you defer your nuptials, they shall take place in heaven
+--or in hell." For the furtherance of his diabolical
+personal aims he now began to assume a benignant, fatherly
+tone, and when he issued his famous "Proclamation to the
+people of the North-West," everybody was struck by the
+calmness, the restraint, and even the dignity of its
+language. [Footnote *1] He likewise endeavoured to show
+that he was not a disturber whose only mission was to
+pull down. Through his instrumentality, and at his
+suggestion in every one of its details, a Bill of Rights,
+[Footnote *2] was drawn up, and published to the people.
+This document set forth little more than what would be
+regarded as legitimate requests.
+
+[*1 Footnote: This document was as follows:--"Let the
+assembly of twenty-eight representatives, which met on
+the 9th March, be dear to the people of Red River! That
+assembly has shown itself worthy of great confidence. It
+has worked in union. The members devoted themselves to
+the public interests, and yielded only to sentiments of
+good will, duty and generosity. Thanks to that noble
+conduct, public authority is now strong. That strength
+will be employed to sustain and protect the people of
+the country.
+
+"To-day the Government pardons all those whom political
+differences led astray only for a time. Amnesty will be
+generously accorded to all those who will submit to the
+Government; who will discountenance or inform against
+dangerous gatherings.
+
+"From this day forth the public highways are open.
+
+"The Hudson Bay Company can now resume business. Themselves
+contributing to the public good, they circulate their
+money as of old. They pledge themselves to that course.
+
+"The attention of the Government is also directed very
+specially to the northern part of the country, in order
+that trade there may not receive any serious check, and
+peace in the Indian districts may thereby he all the more
+securely maintained.
+
+"The disastrous war which at one time threatened us, has
+left among us fears and various deplorable results. But
+let the people feel reassured.
+
+"Elevated by the Grace of Providence and the suffrages
+of my fellow-citizens to the highest position in the
+Government of my country, I proclaim that peace reigns
+in our midst this day. The Government will take every
+precaution to prevent this peace from being disturbed.
+
+"While internally all is thus returning to order,
+externally, also, matters are looking favourable. Canada
+invites the Red River people to an amicable arrangement.
+She offers to guarantee us our rights, and to give us a
+place in the Confederation equal to that of any other
+Province.
+
+"Identified with the Provisional Government, our national
+will, based upon justice, shall be respected.
+
+"Happy country, to have escaped many misfortunes that
+were prepared for her! In seeing her children on the
+point of a war, she recollects the old friendship which
+used to bind them, and by the ties of the same patriotism
+she has re-united them again for the sake of preserving
+their lives, their liberties, and their happiness.
+
+"Let us remain united and we shall be happy. With strength
+of unity we shall retain prosperity.
+
+"O, my fellow-countrymen, without distinction of language,
+or without distinction of creed--keep my words in your
+hearts! If ever the time should unhappily come when
+another division should take place amongst us, such as
+foreigners heretofore sought to create, that will be the
+signal for all the disasters which we have had the
+happiness to avoid.
+
+"In order to prevent similar calamities, the Government
+will treat with all the severity of the law those who
+will dare again to compromise the public security. It is
+ready to act against the disorder of parties as well as
+against that of individuals. But let us hope rather that
+extreme measures will be unknown and that the lessons of
+the past will guide us in the future.
+
+"LOUIS RIEL.
+
+"Government House,
+
+"Fort Garry, April 9th, 1870."]
+
+
+[*2 Footnote: This document claimed:--
+
+"1st. The right to elect our own Legislature.
+
+"2. The Legislature to have power to pass all laws, local
+to the Territory, over the veto of the Executive, by a
+two-thirds vote.
+
+"3. No Act of the Dominion Parliament (local to this
+Territory) to be binding on the people until sanctioned
+by their representatives.
+
+"4. All sheriffs, magistrates, constables, &c., &c., to
+be elected by the people--a free homestead pre-emption
+law.
+
+"5. A portion of the public lands to be appropriated to
+the benefit of schools, the building of roads, bridges,
+and parish buildings.
+
+"6. A guarantee to connect Winnipeg by rail with the
+nearest line of railroad--the land grant for such road
+or roads to be subject to the Legislature of the Territory.
+
+"7. For four years the public expenses of the Territory,
+civil, military and municipal, to be paid out of the
+Dominion Treasury.
+
+"8. The military to be composed of the people now existing
+in the Territory.
+
+"9. The French and English language to be common in the
+Legislature and Council, and all public documents and
+Acts of Legislature to be published in both languages.
+
+"10. That the Judge of the Superior Court speak French
+and English.
+
+"11. Treaties to be concluded and ratified between the
+Government and several tribes of Indians of this Territory,
+calculated to I insure peace in the future.
+
+"12. That all privileges, customs and usages existing at
+the time of the transfer, be respected.
+
+"13. That these rights be guaranteed by Mr. McDougall
+before he be admitted into this Territory.
+
+"14. If he have not the power himself to grant them, he
+must get an Act of Parliament passed expressly securing
+us these rights: and, until such Act be obtained, he
+must stay outside the Territory."]
+
+His followers soon began to forget his late manifestation
+of tyranny and violence, and his enemies found themselves
+silenced by his restraint, and the wisdom of his
+declarations. Yet the rebel leader for many reasons, one
+of which is very well known to the reader, was one of
+the unhappiest of men. Besides the matter at his heart
+he lived hourly in mortal dread of bodily harm. In the
+dead of night he would waken, start suddenly from his
+bed and clutch at some garment hanging upon the wall,
+deeming the thing to be an assassin. Mr. Begg says that
+one day he went out to call upon one Charles Nolin, for
+the purpose of effecting a reconciliation. While he was
+sitting in the house eating supper, a man having a gun
+passed the window; upon which Riel suddenly threw down
+his knife and fork, and declared that he was about to be
+shot. Nolin answered that he never would be shot in his
+house, and immediately went out to see who the man was.
+It appears that he was an Indian, seeking the way to a
+comrade's lodge, and perfectly innocent of any murderous
+intention. Almost immediately after this had occurred,
+about forty men from the Fort arrived, and accompanied
+Riel back to his quarters. His terror was so oppressive,
+that he was threatened with an attack of brain fever.
+
+Sixty miles from Fort Garry was a settlement known as
+Prairie Portage. The inhabitants to a considerable extent
+consisted of whitemen, and English and Scotch half-breeds.
+When news reached this community that the Disturber had
+taken sixty prisoners and locked them up in Fort Garry,
+a feeling of the deepest indignation took possession of
+all. A number of the settlers called upon Major Boulton,
+a gentleman who had at one time been a captain in the
+10th Regiment, and spoke to him in this wise:
+
+"We can muster here 400 good fighting men, and if I you
+will lead us we shall march against this scoundrel, I
+liberate the people whom he has shut up in the Fort, and
+put an end to the rebellion."
+
+"You hold out a very fair prospect," Major Boulton
+answered, "but I have very grave doubts that the thing
+can be accomplished as easily as you imagine."
+
+"We have the arms, and we are determined to move against
+that presumptuous nest of domineering banditti. If you
+do not lead us, then the command will have to fall upon
+one of ourselves, and there is no man amongst us who has
+had any experience in leadership."
+
+"How are your numbers made up?"
+
+"We have nearly a hundred immigrants, and about double
+that number of English-speaking half-breeds."
+
+"I consent to your request, but you must distinctly know
+that I do so altogether against my own judgment. Against
+my _judgment_ only, however, not against my inclinations."
+Very speedily the force was marshalled together, and
+organised in rough shape. Winter now reigned in all its
+severity upon the plains. Recently snow had fallen, and
+without snow shoes it was next to impossible to march.
+The arms of this crudely-disciplined band, as may be
+imagined, were not of the most approved pattern. Some
+of the half-breeds had flint-locks, and their highest
+average of "going-off" capacity was about 33 1/3 per
+cent. That is to say, out of three snaps you got the
+piece "off" once. The miscarriages were made up of "missing
+fire" and "burning prime."
+
+Now, while this dangerous army was marching toward Fort
+Garry, Riel, on the advice of his military chief, Lepine,
+had liberated the prisoners. Many of the latter tarried
+not long on the shadow of the rebel stronghold. Thomas
+Scott learned, on leaving the stockade, that a heavy
+force was proceeding to the Fort to overthrow the rebels,
+and made all haste to join the loyalists.
+
+Major Boulton was not without some definite and even
+commendable plan of procedure, much as he has been
+criticised by those who always show their wisdom _after_
+the event. To young Scott he detailed his programme.
+
+"My ambition is," he said, "to delude the rebels as to
+my movements, by affecting a desire to treat with them.
+Therefore, I shall halt with my forces a short march from
+Fort Garry, and when I have lulled suspicion, I will make
+a dash, in the night, trusting to the suddenness and
+vigour of the onset for success." Such a proceeding Scott
+strongly approved, and Major Boulton found that the young
+man's knowledge of the rebels' condition would be of the
+greatest value to the enterprise. So with considerable
+enthusiasm the force marched on. Now, however, the sky
+became a sullen indigo, and flakes of spitting snow began
+to drive out of the east.
+
+"I have some fear of that sky," the commander said to
+his followers. "If more snow comes, there is an end of
+the march." All day, and through the night and during
+the next day, the storm raged, covering the prairie with
+four feet of soft snow. Riel's scouts had given warning
+of the approach of the loyalists, and every man in the
+fort seized a fire arm, ready to march instantly upon
+the besiegers. The ruffianly O'Donoghue was fairly in
+his element.
+
+"Boy hivins and airth," he said, "but it's moyself that's
+itching to get at those lick-shpittle loyalists. Veeve
+lah Republeekh," he shouted, tossing his filthy hat, "and
+God save Oirland."
+
+"We must return, my men," Major Boulton said. "If these
+well-armed rebels were to come against us now, they would
+butcher us like sheep." With hearts full of disappointment,
+the force disbanded, and the men began to retrace their
+steps homeward. A portion of it, however, remained
+together. Some in sleighs and others on foot verged off
+across the prairie from St. John's school-house, in this
+way endeavouring to avoid Fort Garry. But Riel's eyes
+had been upon them, and big, unwashed O'Donoghue, mounting
+his horse, shouted--
+
+"We've got thim. Veeve lah Republeekh; God save Oirland,"
+and set out over the plain, followed by a host of little
+Frenchmen, bristling like porcupines, with their war-like
+inclinations.
+
+"Surround the lick-shpittles, Mounsieurs," shouted the
+big, red Irishman. "Veeve lah, Veeve lah!" he screamed,
+and beat the flanks of his horse with his monster feet.
+The big ruffian was fairly delirious for a fight. "Thim
+are the min. Mounsieurs," he shouted, "that robbed my
+counthrey of her liberty. Him thim in, Mounsieurs." In
+this way he continued to shout, his voice sounding over
+the snowy waste like the bellowing of a bull. As he neared
+the portage detachment, he perceived Major Boulton, whom
+he knew.
+
+"Oha," he bellowed, "Mr. Chief Sassenach. Veeve lah
+Republeekh, God save Oirland! Surrender me brave
+lick-shpittle. What's this? Tare en nouns, if it isn't
+Tom Shkott. Divil resaive me you'll not get off this
+time. Lay down your arms, traitors and crown worshippers.
+Lay thim down. Drop thim in the shnow. There, don't be
+too nice. Down wid thim. Or will ye foight? But it's
+meself that would loike a bit of a shindy wid ye."
+Thereupon he took his rifle, loaded it, and pointed it
+at the head of Major Boulton.
+
+"Major," he shouted, "your eye is covered. Divil resaive
+me if I couldn't knock it out quicker nor you could wink."
+Then he lowered his piece, waved his greasy hat around
+his big sorrel head and yelled,
+
+"Veeve lah! Capture thim all, even to that cratur,"
+pointing to a little, thin, spiteful-looking man, with
+a face much like a weasel's. His skin was the colour of
+the leaf of the silver poplar, his eyes were very quick,
+and they snapped and scintillated upon the smallest
+provocation. He was one of the most cantankerous,
+self-willed men in the whole company, and was under the
+impression that his advice was worth the combined wisdom
+of all the rest. He had heard the contemptuous reference
+made to himself by O'Donoghue, and his little eyes fairly
+blazed.
+
+"Yes, me take you also," a big, sodden half-breed said,
+advancing close to the little man.
+
+"Take me? damn your impertinence! Take me?" and quick as
+thought itself he drew his pistol and snapped it once,
+twice, three times in the Metis face. He fairly danced
+with rage.
+
+"Take me?" he screamed out once again, and, running at
+the Metis, who had grown alarmed and backed off several
+paces, he ran the barrel of the pistol down his throat.
+
+"Now, you filthy, red-headed rascal," he said, turning
+toward the leader, "if you will come down from your horse,
+I will settle you in the same way," and running over, he
+stabbed O'Donoghue in the knee with the muzzle of his
+pistol, and afterwards punched the horse in the ribs.
+O'Donoghue quickly turned his horse around and, with a
+sudden movement, squirted a jet of tobacco juice in the
+eyes of the tempestuous little loyalist.
+
+"Now, take him up to the fort, my min, wid the rest.
+Forward, march. Veeve lah Republeekh, and God save Oirland,
+Major Boulton," delivering the latter part of the sentence
+close to the ear of the captive leader.
+
+[Footnote: The following description of this ridiculous
+episode in the history of the rebellion is given by Mr.
+Begg in his history of the troubles:--
+
+"On the morning of the 17th, word was received that the
+English settlers had disbanded, and were returning to
+their homes. Soon after this, a small party of men--some
+in sleighs and others on foot, were seen to verge off
+across the prairie, from St. John's school-house, appearing
+as if they wished to avoid the town. As soon as this
+party was discovered, a body of horsemen emerged from
+Fort Garry, and started out for the purpose of intercepting
+them. People in the town, crowded every available spot
+overlooking the prairie. Faces thronged the windows.
+Wood piles and fences were crowded with sightseers, all
+expecting to behold a miniature battle. When the Portage
+party discovered the French coming out of the Fort they
+halted, and appeared to hold a consultation; after which,
+they moved slowly on--the depth of snow impeding their
+progress. The French, at the head of whom was O'Donoghue,
+continued to gallop over the snow drifts, halting now
+and again for stragglers. At last the two parties met,
+but instead of a fight, they mixed together for some
+minutes, and then they all started in the direction of
+Fort Garry. They have been taken prisoners, was the
+conclusion by the lookers-on, and so, indeed, it turned
+out to be. Several of the Portage party refused at first
+to give up their arms; but ultimately they consented to
+do so, and were all taken to Fort Garry, where they were
+imprisoned in the same rooms which had only recently been
+vacated by the first lot of prisoners. It is said that
+the Portage party gave themselves up, on the understanding
+that Riel merely wished to speak to them and explain
+matters. If this is the case, they were not justly dealt
+by, for immediately upon their arrival at Fort Garry,
+they were put in prison, and Major Boulton, their leader,
+placed in irons. What a singular change in affairs this
+occasioned;--twenty-four prisoners liberated on the
+15th,--forty-eight prisoners taken on the 17th."]
+
+Let us now return to the vengeful Riel. Never steady of
+purpose, or resting his faith upon logic, he had begun
+to curse himself for taking Lepine's advice and suffering
+Scott to depart.
+
+"After all, he may elude me, go out of the territory,
+and marry the girl. Curses, a thousand curses upon my
+own head for following the advice. Malediction upon
+Lepine's head for having given it to me." Just at this
+moment, the door opened, and Lepine entered.
+
+"I bring Monsieur good news."
+
+"Ah, what is it? Any tidings of Scott?"
+
+"He is at this very moment in the fort; having been caught
+among Major Boulton's party. He was most insolent to
+myself and O'Donoghue, and used very abusive language
+respecting yourself. I think, Monsieur, you have cause
+sufficient against him now."
+
+"Bon! bon! Yes,--he shall not escape me this time," and
+rising, he began to stride up and down the floor, his
+eyes flaming with hate and vengeance.
+
+"Now, Monsieur Lepine, give me your attention. At once
+go and put Boulton in irons. I shall attend presently,
+and declare that he is to be shot to-morrow. Suppliants
+will come beseeching me to spare his life, but at first
+I will refuse to do so, and say that I am determined to
+carry out my threat. At the last I will yield. So far,
+so good. I do not know, now, whether you understand my
+methods or not."
+
+[Footnote: The following is Mr. Begg's version of this
+part of the affair:--"Riel granted the lives of three,
+but Major Boulton, he said, would have to die that night.
+It now began to look very serious. Archdeacon McLean
+was called upon to attend the condemned man during his
+last moments, and a feeling of oppression was felt by
+all at the thought of a human being to be thus sent to
+his last account on such short notice, at midnight, too
+(the hour appointed for the execution)--midnight--the
+very thought of a man being brought out in the stillness
+of the night to be shot like a dog was horrible in the
+extreme. Still there were no lack of interceders, although
+little hope was now entertained of Major Boulton being
+spared. People retired to their homes that evening with
+mingled feelings of hope and Uncertainty, mixed with
+horror at the deed about to be committed. And how was
+the prisoner during all this time? Calm and resigned to
+his fate. After writing a few lines to his friends in
+Canada, he called for a basin of water and a towel with
+which to wash his face and hands, and a glass of wine to
+prevent him, if possible, from shivering when passing
+into the cold night air, in case people might attribute
+it to fear. He spoke quietly and calmly of the fate before
+him, and acted altogether as a soldier should do in the
+face of death. In the meantime the French councillors
+were sitting in deliberation on Boulton's sentence, the
+result being that his life was spared. This was communicated
+at once to the prisoner who received the information as
+calmly as he had done the sentence of death."]
+
+"I think I do Monsieur," and there was a knowing twinkle
+in the eye of the wily scoundrel.
+
+"Well, this Scott has an unbridled tongue, and is pretty
+certain to use it. If he does not, a little judicious
+goading will soon set him in his most abusive mood. If
+possible, it would be well for one of the guards to
+provoke him to commit an assault. Could you rely upon
+any one of your men for such a bit of business?"
+
+"Oui, Monsieur, I have such a man."
+
+"Bon, let him be so provoked, and after his violence has
+been thoroughly trumpeted through the fort, make a
+declaration of the same formally to me. I will then direct
+you to try him by court martial. You are aware of how I
+desire him to be disposed of. When the news gets abroad
+that he is to be shot, some will be incredulous, and
+others will come to sue for his life. I shall reply to
+them: 'This is a matter of discipline. The man has
+deserved death, or the court martial would not have
+sentenced him. I spared Boulton's life, and already I
+have as fruits of my leniency, increased turbulence and
+disrespect. The government of this colony must be respected,
+and the only way to teach its enemies that it must be,
+is to make an example of one of the greatest offenders.'
+Lose no time in completing the work. We know not what
+chance may work, and rob our hands of the scoundrel. You
+understand? I am least of all mixed up in the matter,
+being more concerned with weightier affairs."
+
+"Oui, Monsieur," and making an obeisance, the murderous
+tool departed. Exactly as it had been planned, it all
+fell out. Major Boulton was put in irons, and Riel declared
+that for the sake of peace and the prosperity of the
+colony, he must be shot. Dozens of people came and implored
+him to spare the condemned man's life; but he was
+inexorable. At last, however, "at the eleventh hour," as
+the newspapers put it, yielding to Mr. Donald A. Smith
+he said:
+
+"He is spared."
+
+Lepine presented himself before his leader.
+
+"Monsieur, I think that it will not be at all necessary
+to employ any stratagem to work our man into violence.
+He has been showering reproaches upon the guards, and
+loading your name with every sort of ignominious reproach.
+The guards knew my feelings respecting the man, so during
+the night they decided to put chains upon him. As the
+foremost one advanced with the manacles, the prisoner
+raised his arm, and dealt him a blow on the head which
+felled him to the ground."
+
+"Bon! Bon!" Riel cried, while he rubbed his hands with
+satisfaction. "Without applying the little goad at all,
+he fulfils our will."
+
+"Well, not in the strictest sense, Monsieur. Luc had
+certain private instructions from me, and he carried them
+out in a very skilful manner."
+
+"N'importe, Monsieur, N'importe how the thing came about;
+we have the cause against him, and that suffices. What
+do you now propose to do, for you are aware Monsieur--"
+there was now a tone of diabolical raillery in his words--"
+that this is a matter in which I cannot concern myself,
+you being the best judge of what is due rebellious military
+prisoners?"
+
+"Merci, Monsieur! I shall endeavour to merit your further
+regard. My intention is to proceed forthwith to try him.
+Already, I have summoned the witnesses of his guilt; and
+he and you shall know our decision before another hour
+has passed." Then the faithful Monsieur Lepine was gone.
+
+"No, ma Marie. You shall never deck your nuptial chamber
+with daisies for Monsieur Thomas Scott. You will find
+occupation for your sweet little fingers in putting fresh
+roses upon the mound that covers him. For a _feu-de-joie_
+and the peal of glad marriage bells, I will give you, ma
+petite chere, the sullen toll that calls him to his open
+coffin, and the rattle of musketry that stills the tongue
+which uttered to you the last love pledge."
+
+For an hour did he pace up and down the floor gloating
+over his revenge. Meanwhile I shall leave him, and follow
+the "adjutant-general," as M. Lepine was known under the
+Provisional Government. He proceeded to the private room
+of the military quarters, and entering found his subordinate
+officers assembled there.
+
+"Messieurs," he said, "We know what our business is. We
+must lose no time in dispatching it. But before commencing,
+let me say a few words. Monsieur Riel is so overweighted
+with other affairs that the matter of dealing with the
+man Scott rests entirely in our hands. I have just left
+him, after endeavouring in vain to induce him to be
+present at the trial; but he could not spare the time to
+come. By skilfully sounding him, however, I discovered
+that his sentiment respecting the prisoner are exactly
+the same as those entertained by myself. What these are,
+I need hardly say. It is now a struggle between the
+authority of the Provisional Government and a horde of
+rebellious persons of which the defendant is the most
+dangerous. The eyes of our followers are upon us; and if
+we permit the authority of government to be defied, its
+officers reviled, and insult heaped upon us, depend upon
+it we shall speedily lose the hold which we have gained
+after so many bitter struggles; and become ridiculous,
+and a prey to the conspiracy which our enemies are so
+actively engaged in promoting against us. The very fact
+of this man Scott having leagued himself with our enemies,
+within a few hours after his release from confinement,
+is in itself an offence worthy of death; but I shall ask
+these persons who are here as witnesses to show you that
+since his capture he has merited death ten times over at
+our hands. With your permission gentlemen, I will proceed:
+
+"Thomas Scott of Red River Settlement stands charged
+before this court-martial with treasonable revolt against
+the peace and welfare of the colony; with having leagued
+himself with an armed party, whose object was the overthrow
+of authority as vested in our Provisional Government. He
+is likewise charged with having attempted criminal violence
+upon lawfully delegated guards appointed over him, during
+his incarceration; and likewise with inciting his
+fellow-prisoners to insubordination and tumult, contrary
+to the order and well being of authority as established
+in Red River."
+
+"Luc Lestang."
+
+This person came forward.
+
+"Relate all you know in the conduct of the prisoner Scott
+that may be regarded as treasonable and criminal, within
+the past fourteen days."
+
+"On the 17th ultimo, I was present at his capture, a
+short distance from Fort Garry. He was armed, and was in
+company with a number of other armed persons who had
+leagued themselves under one Major Boulton, with the
+object of capturing Fort Garry, and overthrowing the
+Provisional Government as established in this colony."
+
+"Have you seen him since his imprisonment in the Fort?"
+
+"I have seen him every day since."
+
+"Will you please state what have been his demeanour and
+conduct as a prisoner?"
+
+"He has been insulting and disorderly in the last degree."
+
+"Will you specify a few particular examples?"
+
+"I have frequently heard him describe the Provisional
+Government and its supporters as a band of mongrel
+rough-scruffs, a greasy, insolent, nest of traitors; and
+a lot of looting, riotous, unwashed savages. He has used
+language of this sort ever since his entry into the Fort.
+Likewise, I have heard him say, that he would have the
+pleasure of assisting in hanging Monsieur Riel to a
+prairie poplar; and in putting tar and feathers upon his
+unwashed, hungry followers."
+
+"Has he been guilty of any acts of violence?"
+
+"He has been guilty of acts of violence. When he became
+unbearably insubordinate I found it to be my duty to put
+irons upon him. As I approached him with the handcuffs
+he smote me twice in the face, and I yet carry the mark
+that he gave me. [Here the precious half-breed pointed
+to his right eye, which was a dusky purple.] This black
+eye I received from one of his blows."
+
+"That will do, Luc."
+
+Another witness with the movements of a snake, and eyes
+as black as sloes, was called; and he gave evidence which
+tallied exactly with that sworn to by Luc Lestang. This,
+of course, was not a very extraordinary coincidence, for
+he had been present while the first miscreant was giving
+his evidence. But poor Scott, whose life was the issue
+of all the swearing, was not permitted to be present,
+but was kept without in a distant room, chained there
+like a wild beast.
+
+"The Court," said the adjutant-general, "has heard the
+accusation against this man; and its duty now is to
+consider whether or not the safety, the peace, the
+well-being of the government and the state, demands that
+the extreme penalty should be visited upon this common
+disturber and enemy both. The question is, whether he is
+worthy of Death, or not. You will retire gentlemen,--"
+there were four of them, exclusive of witnesses, and the
+clerk--"and find your verdict."
+
+They were absent about two minutes. The foreman then
+advancing said:
+
+"Monsieur Adjutant, WE FIND THE PRISONER SCOTT, GUILTY."
+
+Then drawing upon his head a black cap, the adjutant
+said:
+
+"After due and deliberate trial by this Court, it has
+been found that the prisoner Thomas Scott, is 'Guilty.'
+_I do, therefore, declare the sentence of this court
+martial to be, that the prisoner be taken forth this day,
+at one o'clock, and shot._ And may God in His infinite
+mercy, have mercy upon his soul."
+
+Monsieur Riel had been all this while pacing up and down
+his room. A tap came upon his door.
+
+"Entrez. Ah, it is you, mon adjutant!"
+
+"Oui, mon president."
+
+"What tidings?"
+
+"C'est accompli. The court-martial has found the prisoner
+guilty; and he is condemned to be shot at one o'clock
+this day."
+
+"Monsieur is expeditious! Monsieur is zealous. C'est bon,
+c'est bon; merci, Monsieur." And the miscreant walked
+about delirious with the exuberance of his gratification.
+Then he came over to where his adjutant stood, and shook
+his hand; then he thrust his fingers through his hair,
+and half bellowed, his voice resembling that of some foul
+beast.
+
+"La patrie has reason to be proud of her zealous son,"
+and he again shook the hand of his infamous lieutenant.
+Then with a very low bow M. Lepine left the room, saying
+as he departed,
+
+"I shall endeavour to merit to the fullest the kindly
+eulogy which Monsieur President bestows upon me." The
+news of Scott's sentence spread like fire around the
+settlement. Some believed that the penalty would not be
+carried out, while others declared that they thought
+otherwise.
+
+"If this prisoner is pardoned, people will begin to treat
+the sentences of the Provisional Authorities as good
+jokes. Riel must be aware of this; therefore Scott is
+likely to suffer the full penalty." Several persons called
+upon the tyrant, and besought him to extend mercy to the
+condemned man, but he merely shrugged his shoulders!
+
+"This prisoner has been twice rebellious. He has set bad
+example among the prisoners, assaulted his keeper, and
+loaded the Provisional Government with opprobrium. I
+may say to you, Messieurs, however, that I have really
+nothing to do with the man's case. In this time of tumult,
+when the operation of all laws is suspended, the
+Court-Martial is the only tribunal to which serious
+offenders can be referred. This young man, Scott, has
+had fair trial, as fair as a British Court-Martial would
+have given him, and he has been sentenced to death. I
+assume that he would not have received such a sentence
+if he had not deserved it. Therefore I shall not interfere.
+There is no use, Messieurs, in pressing me upon the
+matter. At heart, I shall grieve as much as you to see
+the young man cut off, but his death I believe necessary
+now, as an example to the hundreds who are desirous of
+overthrowing the authority, which we have established in
+the colony." The petitioners left the tyrant with sorrowful
+faces.
+
+"My God!" one of them exclaimed, "it is frightful to
+murder this young man, whose only offence is resistance
+to probable insult from his debased, half-breed keeper.
+Is there nothing to be done?"
+
+No, there was nothing to be done. The greasy, vindictive
+tyrant was lord and master of the situation When Riel
+was alone, he began once more to walk up and down the
+room, and thus mused aloud:
+
+"I shall go down to his cell. Perhaps, if I pretend that
+I will spare his life, he may tell me where resides Marie.
+
+"Yes," he was sure that he would succeed, "I shall get
+his secret by promising pardon; then I will spit upon
+his face and say 'die dog, I'll not spare you.'" So forth
+he sallied, and made his way to the cell where the young
+man sat in chains.
+
+"Well, malignant tyrant, what do you here? Whatever your
+business is, let it be dispatched quickly, for your
+presence stifles me. What dishonourable proposal have
+you now to make?"
+
+"Monsieur Scott, it seems to be a positive pleasure to
+you to revile me. Yet have I sought to serve you;--Yea,
+I would have been, would now be, your friend."
+
+"Peace; let me hear what it is that you now propose?"
+
+"You are aware that it is ordered by Court-Martial, of
+which, I was not a member, that you are to be shot at
+one o'clock this day? It is now just forty-five minutes
+of one. I can spare your life, and I will do it, upon
+one condition."
+
+"Pray let me hear what dishonour it is that you propose?
+I ask the question now, for the same reason that I made
+a similar query during my first incarceration, out of a
+curiosity to learn, if possible, a little more of your
+meanness and infamy."
+
+"And I reply to you as I answered before, that I shall
+take no notice of your revilings, but make my proposal.
+I simply ask you to state to me where Jean and his daughter
+Marie have taken up their abode?"
+
+"Where you will never find them. That's my answer, villain
+and tyrant, and now begone."
+
+"Perhaps you imagine that the sentence will not be carried
+out. I ask you to choose between life and liberty, and
+an almost immediate ignominious death."
+
+"I care not for your revenge, or your mercy. Once more
+I say, get you gone." Then the ruffian turned round,
+rushed at the chained prisoner, and dealt him a terrific
+kick in the side, after which he spat upon his face.
+
+"She shall be mine!" he hissed, "when your corpse lies
+mouldering in a dishonoured traitor's grave." The young
+man was chained to a heavy table, but with a sudden
+wrench, he freed himself, raised both arms, and was about
+bringing down his manacled hands upon the tyrant miscreant
+--and that blow would have ended the rebellion at Red
+River,--when Luc burst into the room, seized the prisoner,
+and threw him. While his brute knee was on the young
+man's breast, and his greasy hand held the victim's
+throat, Riel made his escape, and turned back to his own
+quarters.
+
+As for poor Scott, when the tyrant, and the brutal guard
+had left the cell, he began to pace up and down, sorely
+disturbed. All along he had cherished the hope that the
+tyrant would be induced to commute the sentence to lengthy
+imprisonment. But the diabolical vengeance which he had
+seen in the tyrant's eye now began to undermine his hope
+of life. Some friends were admitted to his cell, and they
+informed him that they had pleaded for him, but in vain.
+
+"And do you think that he will really perpetrate this
+murderous deed?" he asked.
+
+"Most assuredly he will; and now nothing remains for you
+but to prepare to meet your doom like a true man. You
+are not the first who has suffered in like manner in a
+cause which history will ever associate with your name.
+The tyrant who prevails over you, will not triumph for
+long. Ignominious will be the atonement that he must pay.
+But you have to show that for the sacred cause of loyalty
+you know _how_ to die. You have made your peace with God,
+and there is nought then that you have to fear. You sorrow
+at going alone, leaving all the world after you, but we
+go hence too, in a little; and every hour the clock tells,
+yields a thousand souls to eternity."
+
+"Ah, my friends, this is all true, but I am young, and
+I had cherished one very sweet hope."
+
+"This has been the fate of tens of thousands."
+
+"I should not have shrunk from death six months ago, had
+he set me up as a target for his half-breed murderers.
+I should have uttered no word of repining, but it is
+different now: O God, it is very different."
+
+All hung down their heads. They were vainly trying to
+hide their tears.
+
+"And even for myself, under the new condition which has
+arisen, I would not care. It is because of _her_--because
+of my pure, beautiful love, my Marie, whom this fiend
+has so persecuted, that I cannot look upon my doom with
+calmness. I had thought that there was such a happy future
+in store for us, for her and me, when this tumult was
+ended!" Then he took paper and pen and wrote a letter,
+which, when he had sealed it, he gave into the hands of
+the clergyman.
+
+"That address must be known only to one," he said. "It
+is not safe to post the letter anywhere in Canada; but,
+as a dying request, I ask that you have it put in the
+post at Pembina."
+
+"I shall with my own hand deliver it. I shall set out
+to-morrow."
+
+"May God, sir, send you comfort in your affliction. Pray
+remain as long as you can with my darling;--tell her,
+for it will help her better to bear the blow, that I was
+cheerful, and that I said I had no fear but that she and
+I would meet it heaven, and that when I went there I
+would pray to my God in her behalf every day. She has no
+token of mine. Take this ring and give it to her, and my
+scarf-pin, which in her sweet, childish fancy she used
+so to admire. Tell her that I died--I have told her in
+my letter--but repeat it to her, with my heart full, O
+so full! of love for her."
+
+There was now a rude bustling at the door; the rusty key
+was plied, and with a harsh scream the bolt flew back.
+Then the evil-looking Luc entered, followed by five or
+six others, all of whom were partially intoxicated.
+
+"Your hour has come, young man," he said, in a brutal
+voice. "Let us be going."
+
+"My God, this is a cold-blooded murder," poor Scott said,
+turning to Mr. Donald A. Smith and the Rev. Mr. Young.
+Then he bade good-bye to the visitors and to his fellow
+prisoners, and walked forth with the guard closely
+accompanied by Mr. Young. Before they got outside the
+prison door the miscreant leader said,
+
+"Stop a moment." Then taking a white handkerchief he tied
+it round the victim's eyes. Regarding it for a moment,
+he said, "That will do, I guess. Here, two of you men,
+take him by the arms." During this time the prisoner was
+engaged in deep prayer, and remained so till he reached
+the place of execution. This was a few yards distant,
+upon the snow, where a coffin had been placed to receive
+his body. Addressing Mr. Young, he said:
+
+"Shall I stand or kneel?"
+
+"Kneel," the clergyman answered in a low voice.
+
+"Farewell," [Footnote: I get the details of the execution
+from a report of the occurrence by Hon. Donald A. Smith.
+The extract is likewise to be found in Captain Huyshe's
+Bed River Expedition, pp. 18-19.--The Author.] he said,
+to Mr. Young, then "My poor Marie!" While these words
+were upon his lips there were several rifle reports, and
+this high-spirited, sunny-hearted young fellow, fell
+backwards into his coffin, pierced by three bullets. Mr.
+Young returned to the body but found the victim was still
+alive. He groaned several times and moved his hands;
+whereupon one of the party approached with a pistol and
+discharged it into the sufferer's face. The bullet entered
+at the eye and passed round the head. Then the body was
+straightened out in the coffin and the lid nailed down.
+The whole affair was so revoltingly cruel that it is with
+pain one is obliged to write about it. It is said, and
+upon authority that there is little room to question,
+that even after the cover had been put upon the coffin,
+the young man was still heard to groan, and even to cry.
+Mr. Young then asked that he might be permitted to take
+the body and give it interment in the burying ground of
+the Presbyterian Congregation, but his request was not
+granted, and a similar favour was refused to the Bishop
+of Rupert's Land. The body was taken inside the Fort
+where Lepine declared it was to be buried; and where an
+actual burial did take place before a number of spectators.
+The coffin, afterwards exhumed, was found to contain only
+stones and rubbish. What the fate of the body was no one
+has since discovered, but it has been conjectured that
+it was taken during the night by Riel's bloodhounds and
+dropped through the ice into the river.
+
+Mr. Young was faithful to his pledge. On the following
+day he set out over the bitter, snowy wastes for Pembina,
+and thence through storm, and over pathless stretches he
+held his way till he reached the settlement where abode
+Marie and her father.
+
+She was sitting at the window-pane thinking of her lover
+when the stranger passed; and she opened the door to the
+clergyman's knock. There could be no mistaking who this
+girl was, and the clergyman's heart was numb as he looked
+upon her.
+
+"Did he send me any message?" And then reflecting that
+this man was a stranger who may never have seen her lover,
+she blushed deeply. But she recovered herself in a moment.
+
+"Where does Monsieur come from?"
+
+"From Winnipeg."
+
+"O, then," she thought, "he perhaps _does_ know my beloved.
+Is there peace there now," she asked, "or is that wicked
+man still at his evil deeds?"
+
+"There is not peace at Red River, my child. Come in;--it
+is to speak to you about events at Red River that I have
+come all the way from that far settlement."
+
+She learnt her doom, and the good clergyman sat by her
+trying to afford some consolation. But she seemed not to
+understand the meaning of his words, or even to hear
+them. The blow had been too overwhelming for mortal tongue
+to fashion words that could convey aught of comfort. She
+sat there, her face like a stone, her eyes tearless. Yes,
+she read his letter and kissed his presents. She would
+fold the letter sometimes and lay it away near to her
+heart. Then she would open it again, spread it upon her
+lap, and sit half the day alternately looking at, and
+tenderly handling it. A few days and nights were spent
+during which she spake no word, eat no food, nor took
+any sleep. At the end of the fourth day they found her
+on a little seat beside the door where _he_ had said
+good-bye to her. She had his letter in her hand and his
+ring upon her finger. But she was dead.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+After the return of Mr. McDougall to Ottawa, and while
+the Government press busied itself in laying upon that
+gentleman's shoulders the blame which should have been
+debited to the blundering of the administration, steps
+were being taken to have an armed force sent at once to
+the scene of tumult, to restore the authority of the
+Queen. Sir Garnet Wolseley, who has since earned distinction
+in bush and desert fighting, was the officer put in charge
+of the expedition.
+
+Before this step had been taken, however, the government
+had set the wheels of a totally different sort of force
+in motion. Monseigneur Tache, to whom I have already
+referred, was absent in Rome attending the Ecumenical
+Council, when the disturbance broke out. Sir John went
+to M. George E. Cartier then, and said:
+
+"My idea is that the man who can do more to settle this
+matter than all the wisdom of the Government combined,
+is Monseigneur Tache. What think you--would it not be
+well to represent the case to him by cable, and ask him
+to return?"
+
+"Oui, Sir John,--the suggestion is good." So the bishop
+was cabled for, and he came home. "Well, Messieurs," he
+said, "what function is it with which you would endow
+me? With what have I to deal?"
+
+"The people are in open, armed rebellion. They do not
+want to come into the confederation; and there is an
+extensive desire for annexation. The head of the movement
+is Louis Riel, and he is president of the Provisional
+Government. He has seized and invested Fort Garry, set
+up laws for himself, and is feeding and supplying his
+troops with the property of the Hudson's Bay Company."
+[Let it be borne in mind that, at this time, the murder
+of Scott had not been committed, and Riel and his followers
+were only known to be guilty of having risen in armed
+revolt, and consumed much of the stores of the Hudson's
+Bay Company].
+
+"Well, Messieurs, the case is made plain. Now, with what
+authority do you endow me?"
+
+"We authorize you to say to the Rebels, on behalf of the
+Government, that if they will peaceably depart to their
+homes, and submit to the authority of the Queen, as
+represented by the Government of Canada, no harm will
+come to them. We authorize you further, to assure them
+that the Government will stand between them and the
+Hudson's Bay Company, should the latter seek recompense
+for stores consumed, or property appropriated. Finally,
+for the offences committed--and which we have specified
+--you shall, on our behalf, extend pardon to each and all."
+
+Armed with this authority, the bishop set out. Before he
+reached Winnipeg the blood-thirsty president had murdered
+Scott. I hope the reader has not forgotten that Monseigneur
+was the same divine who used to look with delight upon
+Louis Riel when a child, and stroke his glossy, black
+hair. That he was the same gentleman who found for the
+lad a benefactress in the person of Madame Masson.
+
+The stars were fighting for the murderer, and he knew it
+when he heard that his personal friend and warm admirer
+was coming. His Lordship was not nearly as badly shocked
+as most humane people might suppose, when he heard that
+Thomas Scott had been butchered like a dog upon the snow.
+Indeed, there is some authority to say that he was not
+shocked at all. His good priest, Pere Richot, who got
+the bishop's ear, took a highly moral and humane view of
+the matter.
+
+"Shooting served the fellow right, Monseigneur," [Footnote:
+Captain Huyshe and several other writers of high repute,
+are my authority for this statement.] he said. "He was
+a disturber, and it was good to make an example of him."
+
+In a little, we may be sure, the Monseigneur's opinion
+did not differ very widely from that of the "crocmitaine"
+priest.
+
+"Let the people all assemble," the bishop proclaimed:
+"I have important declarations to make to them." They
+obeyed his mandate, and he said:
+
+"I am authorized by the Government of Canada, to inform
+you that if you forthwith depart to your lawful habitations
+in peace, you will have nothing to fear. Your rebellious
+deeds will be forgiven to you; the other unfortunate
+event will likewise be overlooked, and the Hudson Bay
+Company, whose provisions you have eaten and whose property
+you have appropriated, will be indemnified by government,
+if they take steps to obtain restitution for the same."
+
+One month later, years afterwards, this precious divine
+maintained that the authority with which he had been
+clothed by the Government--and I have given that authority
+_substantially_--endowed him with the power to grant
+pardon for the murder of Scott! Without tiring the reader,
+let me say that it was by means of the discussion and
+the perplexities which subsequently arose upon this point,
+that the miscreant-fiend escaped the vengeance of the
+law. _Monseigneur had not lost his interest or affection
+yet for the lad for whom he had procured an education!_
+
+The bloody Guiteau, however, did not consider the pardon
+a very great act of liberality. On the contrary, he was
+inclined to regard the discussion of his guilt, the guilt
+of the president of an independent colony! who was
+law-maker and law-dispenser in himself, as somewhat of
+an impertinence. He still continued to administer the
+government, and to live sumptuously in the house of
+Governor McTavish. About him here he had gathered some
+of his most powerful followers, one of which was the big
+fenian, O'Donoghue. These ate and drank to their heart's
+content, but from their wallowing and disgusting habits
+the residence soon resembled a filthy lair where pigs
+lie down. Yet the Rebel Chief had spared no pains to make
+it luxurious; conveying thither, with other plunder, the
+effects of the house of Dr. Schultz.
+
+When it was at first told Riel that Sir Garnet Wolseley,
+at the head of a large force, was marching against him,
+he refused to believe it. It was not till he actually
+with his own eyes, saw the troops that he was convinced.
+Then with hysterical precipitation the greasy murderer
+scurried out of the Fort, mounted a horse, and rode away
+in mortal terror. Later, he was reduced to the necessity
+of walking, and when his boots were worn off his feet,
+there was blood in his foot-prints. In this plight he
+met a follower who used to tremble before him in the days
+of his power, and to be like unto Caius Marius, he said
+to this man:
+
+"Go back and tell your friends that you have met Louis
+Riel, a fugitive, barefooted, without a roof above his
+head, and no where to go." This beastly, murderous tyrant
+did actually imagine himself to be a hero!
+
+Later on he was supplied with money by Sir John Macdonald
+to keep out of the country. The amount was not paid to
+him in a lump, but his good friend, the whilome bishop,
+and now archbishop, paid it out whenever the worthless,
+vagabond rascal came and represented himself as being
+very needy.
+
+He often, in his fallen days, would go about sighing for
+Marie, and declaring that, with all his vengeful feelings
+towards her, she was the only maiden whom he had ever
+really loved. Old Jean came back and settled with a sad
+heart, in the little cottage where had grown up his sweet
+Marie. It was very desolate for his old heart now. The
+ivy wreathed itself about the little wicker house, as
+was its wont, but Marie was not there. The cows came as
+usual to the bars to be milked, but there was a lamenting
+in their lowing call. They missed the small, soft hand
+that used to milk them, and never more heard the blithe,
+glad voice singing from _La Claire Fontaine_. Paul worked
+bravely and strove to cheer his father; and Violette,
+with her bright, quick eyes, just a little like Marie's,
+would come down and sing to him, and bring him cool,
+pink, dew-bathed roses. He thanked them all; but their
+love was not sufficient. His heart was across the prairies
+by a grave upon which the violets were growing. Before
+the leaves fell he was lying by her side. A cypress
+marks the graves, and the little brook goes by all the
+summer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+We left the murderer upon the plains making speeches like
+Marius on the ruins of Carthage. The self-imposed
+banishment did not endure for long; and the swarthy face
+of Louis Riel was once more seen in Riviere Rouge. When
+tidings of the murder got abroad, English-speaking Canada
+cried out that the felon should be handed over to justice.
+I say English-speaking Canada, for the French people
+almost to a man gave their sympathy to the man whose
+hands were red with the blood of his fellow creature.
+They could not be induced to look upon the slaying as an
+act of inhuman, bloody, ferocity, with which the question
+of race or religion had not the remotest connection.
+
+"It is because Riel, a Frenchman and a Roman Catholic,
+shot Thomas Scott, an Englishman and a Protestant, that
+all this crying for vengeance is heard over the land.
+Now, had the cases been reversed, we would hear no English
+lamentings over a murdered Riel." This was in effect what
+they said, impossible, almost, as it might seem for one
+to be able to credit it. For illiterate persons, who
+could see no treason in the uprising, to condone the
+tumult and havoc, and regard even the murder justifiable,
+was what might have been expected. But what shall be said
+for M. George E. Cartier, the "enlightened statesman,"
+for Pere Richot, the "crocmitaine," for Pere Lastanc,
+the Vicar-General, and finally, for Monseigneur himself?
+Nothing can be said! We can only as Canadians all hang
+down our heads in shame, that any section of our common
+country should make such an exhibition of itself in the
+sight of humanity.
+
+The protege of the Hierarchy was not long to mope about
+the plains like another dumb and fallen Saturn. No less
+proportions than that of un Dieu hors de combat, a very
+God overthrown, would the deluded followers accord to
+the overwhelmed chief. The clergy never suffered any
+aspersion to be thrown upon "le grand homme" for by no
+less appellation was he known.
+
+"He has been your benefactor," the coarse "crocmitaine"
+Richot would say. "Had he not risen and compelled Government
+to grant you your rights, you would forever have been
+down-trodden by Canadian tyrants. When the rage of the
+heretics in Ontario shall have cooled down we must send
+Le Bienfaiteur to Parliament. And the time did actually
+come when the murderer appeared upon the hustings in the
+West soliciting the votes of the people. Nor did he appeal
+in vain. _He was elected._ Nay, more than this, he set
+out for Ottawa, entered that city, and in the open light
+of day walked up to the Parliament Buildings, and in the
+eyes of officials and of the public subscribed his name
+to the Members' roll. Thousands have been in the habit
+of denouncing Sir John for permitting an unhung felon to
+go about as a free man, but when he came red-handed and
+presuming to Ottawa and enrolled his name, the Reformers
+were in power."
+
+Before this date, however, the criminal had secured some
+official eulogy in the West. And it happened in this
+wise. Some time after the appointment of Mr. Archibald
+to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Manitoba, several bands
+of Fenians threatened to invade the territory, and set
+up above the plains a green flag with a harp and a shamrock
+upon it. Mr. Archibald had at hand no force to resist
+the threatened attack, and he became almost delirious
+with alarm. So he sent a messenger to M. Riel, the untried
+felon, whose crime was at the time the subject of voluminous
+correspondence between Canada and the Colonial Office,
+accepting a proposal made by the ex-Rebel to call out
+the half-breeds in defence of the new Province. The
+Fenians did not carry out their threat, but it was much
+the same for the murderer of poor Scott as if they had.
+When the danger was blown over the Lieutenant-Governor
+walked in front of the ex-Rebel lines, expressed his
+gratitude to the men, and warmly shook hands with Riel
+and Lepine.
+
+The presence of Riel was yet a standing menace to peace
+among the half-breeds beyond the limits of the new
+province. The Canadian Government began to devise means
+of getting him out of the country. They tried persuasion,
+but this was not an effective mode. It was at this juncture
+that a sum was put into the hands of Archbishop Tache to
+pay the felon in consideration of his withdrawal. All
+this time Ontario was crying out for the capture of the
+man; and it was while the amount was being placed to the
+murderer's credit with the Archbishop, that Sir John
+raised his eyes toward heaven and said:
+
+"I wish to God I could catch him!"
+
+So Riel took himself out of Canada, and traversed American
+territory till he found a district it Montana, thickly
+inhabited by half-breeds. Here he established himself in
+a sort of a fashion, sometimes tilling the soil, frequently
+hunting, but all the while talking about Red River. He
+soon began to forget Marie, and to cast languishing eyes
+upon some of the half-breed girls living upon the airy
+uplands. [Footnote: It is stated upon certain authority,
+how good I don't know, that the brave M. Riel rejoices
+in the possession of three wives. One is said to be a
+French Metis, the other a Scotch half-breed, and the
+third a beautiful Cree squaw with large dusky eyes.] He
+was regarded as a great hero by these maidens, for long
+before his coming the daring, brilliancy, and great
+achievements of Monsieur Riel had been told with enthusiasm
+at the fireside of every half-breed in Montana. We shall
+leave M. Riel in Montana, sometimes working, sometimes
+hunting, always wooing, and take a very brief glance at
+the causes which led up to the present outbreak.
+
+Under the new legislation for the territories, only those
+half-breeds within the bounds of the new province were
+guaranteed secure possession of their land. Under the
+principle that all territory not granted in specific form
+to individuals by the Ministers of the Crown, is the
+property of the Crown, each half-breed who occupied a
+lot of land under the Hudson Bay Company's rule, was
+regarded as a squatter under the new regime. To make such
+holding valid, therefore, the Government issued patents
+to _bona fide_ squatters, who then found themselves on
+the same footing as the white immigrants. But beyond
+Manitoba, and chiefly in Prince Albert, there were large
+numbers of half-breeds settled over the prairie. So long
+as no immigrant came prying about for choice land the
+half-breeds had naught to complain about, but the rapid
+influx of population soon altered the whole face of the
+matter. Several squatters who had toiled for many a long
+year upon holdings, were obliged to make way for strangers
+who had "friends at court"--for even in the North West
+wilderness there is, in this sense, a court--and who took
+a fancy to the particular piece of land upon which "these
+lazy half-breeds" were squatting. Newspapers, whose
+business it is to keep the skirts of government clean in
+the matter, deny this altogether. But, unfortunately,
+there is no use in denying it. It is but too true, and
+it is with a feeling of very great regret that I myself,
+a Conservative, and a warm well-wisher of the
+administration, affirm it. It is true that in many and
+many a case, in a greater number of instances than even
+opponents of the administration suppose, a half-breed
+who has toiled for a number of years upon a lot, effecting
+improvements and taking pride in his property, has been
+dispossessed by an incomer because he could not show a
+patent from the Interior Department.
+
+But almost as fruitful a source of dissatisfaction as
+these heartless and dishonest displacements has been the
+difficulty which the unfortunate squatter has experienced
+in obtaining his patent. The mills of the gods in the
+Interior Department grind very slowly. The obtaining of
+a patent by a deserving squatter as a general rule is
+about as difficult, and as worthy of applause when
+achieved, as is the task which lies before a farmer's
+boy who has decided to become a member of parliament, by
+first earning money enough to go to school to prepare
+for a third class teachership, by then teaching school
+till he has a sufficient competency to study medicine,
+and by then practising his profession till he finds
+himself able to capture the riding. Of course there is
+some excuse, and we must not forget to produce it, for
+the Department of the Interior. It would be undignified
+if it were to move with any degree of rapidity. According
+to etiquette, and the rule is very proper, when the
+application of the half-breed comes to the office, it
+must remain for at least four weeks in the drawer set
+apart for "correspondence to be read." After it has been
+read it receives one or two marks with a red-lead pencil,
+after which it is deposited in pigeon-hole No. 1. Now
+no document ever lodges for a shorter time than a month
+in pigeon-hole No. 1; and if at the end of that period
+it should happen to be removed, the clerk lays by his
+novel or tooth-pick, as the case may be, and puts one or
+two blue marks upon the back of it. When we consider that
+there are all the way from six to twenty pigeon-holes,
+by a simple process of arithmetic we can get approximately
+near the period which it takes the poor half-breed's
+prayer to get from pigeon-hole Alpha to pigeon-hole Omega.
+But during the process the back of the squatter's
+application has become a work of art. It is simply
+delightful to look upon. It not alone contains memoranda
+and hieroglyphics made in red and blue pen-pencil but it
+is also beautified by marks made upon it in carmine ink,
+in ink "la brillanza," an azure blue ink, in myrtle green
+ink, in violette noire; but never, it must be said to
+the credit of the department, in common black. But all
+these colours are worthless indeed, viewed from any point
+of view, compared with its other acquisitions. Solomon
+himself in all his glory was never decked out more
+gorgeously than this poor half-breed's greasy sheet of
+foolscap is at the end of its journey through the
+pigeon-holes. The prime minister of the Crown in all his
+pomp of imperial orders has not so many ribbons as this
+poor vagabond's claim. Sometimes it is swathed in crimson
+tyings, sometimes in scarlet, now and again in magenta;
+and I am very happy to be able to say that pink and two
+very exquisite shades of blue known as birds-egg and
+cobalt have lately been introduced.
+
+Of course the half-breed complains when the weeks have
+swelled into months, and the months have got out of their
+teens, that he has heard no answer to his prayer; but
+the rascal should try to consider that his document has
+to make its voyage through the pigeon holes.
+
+In this way there has been much heartburning, and many
+curses against officialdom and red-tape. While the back
+of the application is being turned out a christmas card,
+a stray immigrant comes along, and the squatter half-breed
+has once more to go back for a new camping-ground.
+
+But there is something to be said--this time I am
+serious--for the Department in the matter, though not a
+very great deal. A number of the half-breeds, though a
+small, a very, very small proportion of the whole, are
+restless vagabonds, who squat upon lands with no intention
+of remaining permanently, but only with the object of
+speculation by selling their scrip, leaving the
+neighbourhood, taking up another lot, and receiving in
+like manner disposable scrip again. But the officers of
+the North-West must know that the half-breed people, _in
+general_, are constant-working, and are desirous of
+achieving comfort, and of affluence. Yet because of the
+acts of a few unprincipled, lazy wanderers, some will
+seek to convey the impression that the conduct of the
+small few is a type of the methods of all.
+
+There is still, among the many irritating causes, all of
+which my limits will not permit me to dwell upon, one
+which must not go unnoticed. Mr. Dewdney is not the
+gentleman who ought to have the immediate administration
+of North-West affairs in his hands. He has neither the
+understanding nor the inclination to make him a suitable
+administrator. Before all things he is there for himself;
+and he has even figured in the respectable role of
+land-grabbing. I am sure that if the gentleman is to be
+provided for by the public no objection would be raised
+if Sir John were to propose that he be recalled, and
+receive his salary all the same in consideration of the
+position he holds in the regard of the prime-minister,
+and of those who are not exactly prime-ministers or
+ministers. Mr. Dewdney has not alone got it into his
+head that an Indian has no understanding; but he must
+also endow himself with the conviction that he has no
+nostrils. A friend of Mr. Dewdney got some meat, but the
+article stank, and the importer knew not how to dispose
+of it.
+
+"O sell it to the Indians," the Governor said; and, "Lo!
+to the poor Indian" it was sold; and sold at tenderloin
+prices.
+
+"We can't eat em meat. He stinks," the poor savage said.
+"Em charge too much. Meat very bad."
+
+"Let Indians eat their meat," the just Mr. Dewdney
+retorted; "or starve and be damned." What right has an
+Indian to complain of foul meat, and to say that he has
+been charged too high a price for it? He is only a savage!
+
+Let Sir John take care.
+
+Well, this was the state of affairs when Louis Riel,
+about a year ago, left off his wooing for a little while,
+and returned to the old theatre of his crimes. He found
+the people chafing under official injustice, and delays
+that were almost equivalent to a denial of justice. He
+did not care a fig for the condition of "his people!"
+but like the long-winged petrel, he is a bad weather
+bird, and here was his opportunity. He went abroad among
+the people, fomenting the discord, and assuring them that
+if all other means failed they would obtain their rights
+by rising against the authorities.
+
+But the plain object of this plausible disturber was
+cash. The lazy rascal had failed to earn a livelihood
+among the half-breeds of Montana; and now was resolved
+to get some help from the Dominion Treasury. Presently
+intimations began to reach the Canadian Government that
+if they made it worth M. Riel's while, he would leave
+the disaffected people and return to American territory.
+The sum of $5,000, it was learnt, a little later, would
+make it "worth his while" to go back. This, if Sir John's
+statement in the House of Commons is to be trusted, the
+administration refused to pay.
+
+And now some good priests made up their valises, and
+travelled out of the North-West, and all the way to
+Ottawa, to present the grievances of their people to the
+ministry. Archbishop Tache likewise showed himself at
+the capital on the same mission.
+
+"For God's sake," these men said, "give earnest, careful,
+prompt attention to affairs in the North-West. The people
+have sore grievances, and they do not get the redress
+which is their due. If you would prevent mischief and
+misery, lose no time." And as in duty bound the politicians
+said: "The government will give the matter its most
+serious consideration."
+
+M. Royal and the priests returned to the North-West
+down-spirited enough, and Mr. Macpherson sailed for
+England, while the half-breeds were making up their minds
+to obtain by force the rights which they had failed to
+obtain through peaceable means and persistent prayer.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+The region known as Prince Albert was the chief seat of
+the disturbance. It has been already pointed out in these
+pages, that the connecting link between the Indian and
+the whiteman, is the half-breed. It is not to be wondered
+at then, that as soon as the Metis began to mutter
+vengeance against the authorities, the Indians began to
+hunt up their war paint. The writer is not seeking to
+put blame upon the Government, or upon the Department
+delegated especially to attend to Indian affairs, with
+respect to its management of the tribes. Any one who has
+studied the question at all, must know that there is
+nothing to be laid at the door of the Government in this
+regard.
+
+A very clear statement of the whole question of Indian
+management, and of the assumption of the North-West
+Territories, may be found in Mr. Henry J. Morgan's Annual
+Register for 1878; while the same admirable work, gives
+from year to year, a capital _resume_ of the condition
+of the tribes.
+
+Some divines, recently in the North-west, have been
+discussing the Indian question in some of the religious
+newspapers of Toronto, but they have treated the question
+in the spirit of inexperienced spinsters. The Government
+has been most criminally remiss in their treatment of
+the half-breeds, but, let it be repeated, their Indian
+policy gives no ground for condemnation.
+
+Yet when the half-breeds of Prince Albert, incited by
+Riel, began to collect fire-arms, and to drill in each
+others barns, the Indians began to sing and dance, and
+to brandish their tomahawks. Their way of living during
+late years has been altogether too slow, too dead-and-alive,
+too unlike the ways of their ancestors, when once at
+least in each year, every warrior returned to his lodge
+with scalp locks dangling at his belt. Les Gros-Ventres
+for the time, forgot their corporosity, and began to
+dance and howl, and declare that they would fight till
+all their blood was spilt with M. Riel, or his adjutant
+M. Dumont. The Blackfeet began to hold pow-wows, and tell
+their squaws that there would soon be good feasts. For
+many a day they had been casting covetous eyes upon the
+fat cattle of their white neighbours. Along too, came
+the feeble remnant of the once agile Salteaux, inquiring
+if it was to be war; and if so, would there be big feasts.
+
+"O, big feasts, big feasts," was the reply. "Plenty fat
+cattle in the corals; and heaps of mange in the store."
+So the Salteaux were happy, and, somewhat in their old
+fashion, went vaulting homewards.
+
+Tidings of fight, and feast, and turmoil reached the
+Crees, and they sallied out from the tents, while the
+large-eyed squaws sat silently reclining, marvelling what
+was to come of it all. High into the air the Nez Perce
+thrust his nostril; for he had got the scent of the battle
+from afar. And last, but not least, came the remnant of
+that tribe whose chief had shot Custer, in the Black
+Hills. The Sioux only required to be shown where the
+enemy lay; but in his enthusiasm he did not lose sight
+of the fat cattle grazing upon the prairies.
+
+These, however, were only the first impulses of the
+tribes. Many of them now began to remember that the
+Government had shown them many kindnesses, given them
+tea and tobacco, and blankets; and provided them with
+implements to plough the lands, and oxen to draw the
+ploughs. And some of the chiefs came forward and said
+"You must not fight against the Great Mother. She loves
+the Indians. The red man is well treated here better than
+away south. Ask the Sioux who lived down there; they tell
+you maybe." Such advice served to set the Indians
+reflecting; but many hundreds of them preferred to hear
+Louis Riel's words, which were:--
+
+"Indians have been badly treated. The Canadian Government
+has taken away their lands; the buffalo are nearly all
+gone, and Government sees the red men die of starvation
+without any concern. If you fight now you will make them
+dread you; and then they will be more liberal with you.
+Besides, during the war, you can have plenty of feasting
+among the fat cattle." A hellish war-whoop of approval
+always greeted such words.
+
+At length the rising came. Gabriel Dumont, Riel's
+lieutenant, a courageous, skilful half-breed, possessed
+of a sound set of brains, had drilled several hundreds
+of the Indians and half-breeds. Armed with all sorts of
+guns, they collected, and stationed themselves near Duck
+Lake.
+
+"My men," Dumont said, "You may not have to fight, for
+the officers may agree to the demand which I shall make
+of them on behalf of the Indians and the half-breed
+people. But if they refuse, and insist on passing, you
+know for what purpose you have taken arms into your hands.
+Let every shot be fired only after deliberate aim. Look
+to it that you fire low. After you have strewn the plain
+with their dead, they will go away with some respect for
+us. Then they will send out Commissioners to make terms
+with us. In the meantime the success of our attack, will
+bring hundreds of timid persons to our standard." This
+harangue was received with deafening cheers.
+
+So the rebels posted themselves in the woods, and filled
+a sturdily built house near by, waiting for the approach
+of Major Crosier and his force. At last they were seen
+out upon the cold snow-covered prairie. A wild shout went
+up from the inmates of the house, and it was answered
+from tree to tree through all the wintry wood. In the
+exuberance of his delight, one Indian would yelp like a
+hungry wolf who sighted his prey; and another would hoot
+like an owl in the middle of the night. At last the police
+and civilians were close at hand. The meeting took place
+in a hollow. Beyond was the dim illimitable prairie, on
+either hand were clumps of naked, dismal poplar, and
+clusters of white oak. Snow was everywhere, and when a
+man moved the crunching of the crust could be heard far
+upon the chill air.
+
+Signals were made for a parley, when some of the men from
+each side approached the line of demarcation. Joe McKay
+was the interpreter, and while he was speaking, an Indian,
+named Little Chief, grabbed at his revolver and tried to
+wrest it from him. A struggle ensued in which the Indian
+was worsted. Then raising his weapon McKay fired at the
+red skin, who dropped dead. This was the signal for
+battle. The voice of Dumont could be heard ringing through
+the hollow and over the hills. With perfect regularity
+his force spread out over a commanding bluff. Each man
+threw himself flat upon the ground, either shielding his
+body in the deep snow, or getting behind a tree or boulder.
+Major Crozier's force then drew their sleds across the
+trail, and the police threw themselves down behind it.
+Then came the words "Begin, my men," from the commander;
+--and immediately the crackle of rifles startled the hush
+of the wilderness. The police were lying down, yet they
+were not completely sheltered; but the civilians were
+standing.
+
+"My God, I'm shot," said one, and he fell upon the snow,
+not moving again. Then, with a cry, another fell, and
+another. From the woods on every hand came the whistling
+shot, and the rushing slugs of the rebels. Every tree
+had behind it a rebel, with deadly aim. But the murderous
+bullets seemed to come out of the inanimate wilderness,
+for not no much as the hand that pulled the deadly trigger
+could be seen. The police had a mountain gun, which Major
+Crozier now ordered them to bring to bear on the rebels,
+but the policeman who loaded it was so confused that he
+put the lead in before the powder. In forty minutes the
+bloody fray was ended. Seven of the loyalists were dead
+in their blood upon the snow, two lay dying, eleven others
+were wounded and bleeding profusely, Then came the word
+to retire, when the Major's force drew off. From the
+bluff and out of all the woods now came diabolical yells
+and jeering shouts. The day belonged to the rebels.
+
+When the police had moved away, the Indians and half-breeds
+came out from their ambush and began to hold rejoicings
+over the dead. They kicked the bodies, and then began to
+plunder them, getting, among other booty, two gold watches.
+Two of the fallen loyalists they observed still breathed,
+and these they shot through the head. So closely did they
+hold the muzzles of their murderous guns that the victims'
+faces were afterwards found discoloured with powder.
+
+Then returning to camp, they secured seven prisoners whom
+they had captured, and, leading them to the battle-field,
+make them look at the stark bodies of the loyalists, at
+the same time heaping all manner of savage insult upon
+the dead.
+
+A couple of days later the bodies of the victims were
+buried upon the plain, by the order of Riel. A little
+later the snow fell, and gave the poor fellows' grave a
+white, cold, coverlet.
+
+When tidings of the battle, and of the defeat of our men,
+reached the east, the wildest excitement prevailed. At
+once the Minister of Militia began to take stock of his
+forces, and some regiments were ordered out. The volunteers
+needed no urging, but promptly offered their services
+for the front. Their loyalty was cheered to the echo,
+and thousands assembled at every railway station to see
+them depart and say "God speed."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+While General Middleton, Colonel Otter, and others of
+our military officers, were hastening to the scene of
+tumult, tidings of the most startling kind were received
+from Frog Lake. Frog Lake is a small settlement, about
+forty miles north of Fort Pitt, and here a number of
+thrifty settlers had established themselves, tilling the
+soil. Latterly, however, some enterprising persons came
+there to erect a saw and grist mill, for much lumber
+fringes the lake, and a considerable quantity of grain
+is produced upon the prairie round about. There were only
+a few white settlers here, all the rest being half-breeds.
+Not far away lived detachments of various tribes of
+Indians, who frequently came into the little settlement,
+and smoked their pipes among the inhabitants. Here, as
+elsewhere, the most bitter feelings were entertained by
+the half-breeds and Indians against the Government, and
+chief of all against Governor Dewdney. Every one with
+white skin, and all those who in any way were in the
+service of the Government, soon came to be regarded as
+enemies to the common cause. Therefore, when night came
+down upon the settlement, Indians, smeared in hideous,
+raw, earthy-smelling paint, would creep about among
+dwellings, and peer, with eyes gleaming with hate, through
+the window-frames at the innocent and unsuspecting inmates.
+At last one chief, with a diabolical face, said,
+
+"Brothers, we must be avenged upon every white man and
+woman here. We will shoot them like dogs. No harm can
+come to us; for the great man has said so." (Alluding to
+Riel.) "When they are all shot the Government will get
+a big fright, and give the Indians and half-breeds what
+they ask for." The answer to this harangue was the clanking
+of barbaric instruments of music, the brandishing of
+tomahawks, and the gleam of hunting-knives. Secretly the
+Indians went among the half-breeds squatting about, and
+revealed their plans; but some of these people shrank
+with fear from the proposal. Others, however, said,
+
+"We shall join you. Let us with one blow wipe out the
+injustices done to us, and teach the Government that if
+they deny us our rights, we will fight for them; and
+murder those who are the agents of its will." So the plan
+was arranged, and it was not very long before it was
+carried out. And now runners were everywhere on the
+plains, telling that Dumont had a mighty army made up of
+most of the brave Indians of the prairies, and comprising
+all the dead shots among the half-breeds; that he had
+encountered heavy forces of police and armed civilians,
+and overthrown them without losing a single man. They
+likewise declared that he had hosts of prisoners, and
+that the whole of Canada was trembling with fear at the
+mention of the names of Riel and Dumont.
+
+"Now is our time to strike," said the Indian with the
+fiendish face, and the wolf-like eyes.
+
+Therefore, the 2nd day of April was fixed for the holding
+of the conference between the Indians and the white
+settlers. The malignant chief had settled the plan.
+
+"When the white faces come to our lodge, they will expect
+no harm. Ugh! Then the red man will have his vengeance."
+So every Indian was instructed to have his rifle at hand
+in the lodge. The white folk wondered why the Indians
+had arranged for a conference.
+
+"We can do nothing to help their case," they said, "we
+ourselves find it difficult enough to get the ear of
+Government. It will only waste time to go." Many of them,
+therefore, remained at home, occupying themselves with
+their various duties, while the rest, merely for the sake
+of agreeableness, and of shewing the Indians that they
+were interested in their affairs, proceeded to the place
+appointed for the pow-wow.
+
+"We hope to smoke our pipes before our white brothers go
+away from us," was what the treacherous chief, with
+wolfish eyes, had said, in order to put the settlers off
+their guard.
+
+The morning of the 2nd opened gloomily, as if it could
+not look cheerily down upon the bloody events planned in
+this distant wilderness. Low, indigo clouds looked down
+over the hills, but there was not a stir in all the air.
+Nor was any living thing to be seen stirring, save that
+troops of blue-jays went scolding from tree to tree before
+the settlers as they proceeded to the conference, and
+they perceived a few half-famished, yellow, and black
+and yellow dogs, with small heads and long scraggy hair,
+sculking about the fields and among the wigwams of the
+Indians in search for food.
+
+The lodge where the parley was to be held stood in a
+hollow. Behind was a tall bluff, crowned with timber;
+round about it green poplar, white oak, and some firs,
+while in front rolled by a swift stream, which had just
+burst its winter fetters. Unsuspecting aught of harm,
+two priests of the settlement, Oblat Fathers, named Fafard
+and La Marchand, were the first at the spot.
+
+"What a gloomy day," Pere Fafard said, "and this lodge
+set here in this desolate spot seems to make it more
+gloomy still. What, I wonder, is the nature of the
+business?" Then they knocked, and the voice of the chief
+was heard to say,
+
+"Entrez." Opening the door, the two good priests
+walked in, and turned to look for seats. Ah! what was
+the sight presented to them! Eyes like those of wild
+beasts, aflame with hate and ferocity, gleamed at them
+from the gloom of the back portion of the room. The
+priests were amazed. They knew not what all this meant.
+Then a wild shriek was given, and the chief cried, "Enemies
+to the red man, you have come to your doom." Then raising
+his rifle, he fired at Father Marchand. The levelling of
+his rifle was the general signal. A dozen other muzzles
+were pointed, and in a far briefer space of time than it
+takes to relate it, the two priests lay weltering in
+their blood, pierced each by half a dozen bullets.
+
+"Clear away these corpses," shouted the chief, "and be
+ready for the next." There was soon another knock at the
+door, and the same wolfish voice replied as before,
+saying,
+
+"Entrez." This time a full, manly-looking young fellow,
+named Charles Gowan, opened the door and entered. Always
+on the alert for Indian treachery, he had his suspicion
+now, before entering he suspected strongly that all was
+not right. He had only reached the settlement that morning,
+and had he returned sooner he would have counselled the
+settlers to pay no heed to the invitation. He was assured
+that several had already gone up to the pow-wow, so being
+brave and unselfish, he said,
+
+"If there is any danger afoot, and my friends are at the
+meeting-lodge, that is the place for me, not here." He
+had no sooner entered than his worst convictions were
+realized. With one quick glance he saw the bloodpools,
+the wolfish eyes, the rows of ready rifles.
+
+"Hell hounds!" he cried, "what bloody work have you on
+hand? What means this?" pointing to the floor.
+
+"It means," replied the chief, "that some of your pale-face
+brethren have been losing their heart's blood there. It
+also means that the same fate awaits you." Resolved to
+sell his life as dearly as lay in his power, he sprang
+forward with a Colt's revolver, and discharged it twice.
+One Indian fell, and another set up a cry like the
+bellowing of a bull. But poor Gowan did not fire a third
+shot. A tall savage approached him from behind, and
+striking him upon the head with his rifle-stock felled
+him to the earth. Then the savages fired five or six
+shots into him as he lay upon the floor. The body was
+dragged away and the blood-thirsty fiends sat waiting
+for the approach of another victim. Half an hour passed,
+and no other rap came upon the door. An hour went, and
+still no sound of foot-fall. All this while the savages
+sat mute as stones, each holding his murderous rifle in
+readiness for instant use.
+
+"Ugh!" grunted the chief, "no more coming. We go down
+and shoot em at em houses." Then the fiend divided his
+warriors into four companies, each one of which was
+assigned a couple of murders. One party proceeded toward
+the house of Mr. Gowanlock, of the firm of Gowanlock &
+Laurie, who had a large saw and grist mill in course of
+erection; creeping stealthily along, and concealing their
+approach by walking among the trees they were within
+forty yards of the house without being perceived. Then
+Mrs. Gowanlock, a young woman, recently married, walked
+out of the house, and gathering some kindling-wood in
+her apron, returned again. When the Indians saw her, they
+threw themselves upon their faces, and so escaped
+observation. Little did the inmates know the deadly danger
+that so closely menaced them. They went on talking
+cheerfully, dreaming of no harm. Gowanlock, as I have
+said, had been recently married, and himself and his
+young wife were buoyant with hope, for the future had
+already begun to promise them much. Mr. Gowanlock had
+gathered the wood with which to make biscuits; and W. C.
+Gilchrist, and Williscroft, two fine young men, both in
+Mr. Gowanlock's employ, were chatting with him on general
+matters. No one happened to be looking out of the window
+after Mrs. Gowanlock came in; but about half a minute
+afterwards some shadow flitted by the window, and
+immediately afterwards six or seven painted Indians, with
+rifles cocked, and uttering diabolical yells, burst into
+the house. The chief was with this party; and aiming his
+rifle, shot poor Gowanlock dead, another aimed at Gilchrist,
+but Mrs. Gowanlock heroically seized the savage's arms
+from behind, and prevented him for a moment or two; but
+the vile murderer shook her off, and falling back a pace
+or two, fired at her, killing her instantly. Three had
+now fallen, and as the poor young wife fell crying, "my
+God!" Croft fell pierced by two or three bullets. Lest
+the work might not have been sufficiently done, the
+murderers fired once more at the fallen victims, and then
+came away from the house.
+
+One of the most deserving of the settlers, but at the
+same time one of the most bitterly hated, was Dunn, the
+Indian agent. He was a half-breed, and had for a wife a
+very pretty Cree woman. For some days past, it is said,
+that she had been aware that the massacre had been planned;
+but uttered no word of warning. Stealthily the blood-thirsty
+band approached the dwelling of Dunn, for they knew him
+to be a brave man, who would sell his life very dearly.
+They were aware that in the Minnesota massacre which
+happened some years ago, that he had fought as if his
+life were charmed, and escaped with a few trifling wounds.
+The doomed man was alone on this terrible day, his wife
+having taken her blanket at an early hour and gone abroad
+to "talk" with some Cree maidens. Poor Dunn was busy in
+the little yard behind his house, putting handles in some
+of his farming implements, and did not perceive the
+approach of the murderers at all. There were five Indians
+in the party, and they crept up to within a dozen paces
+of where the unsuspecting man was at his work. Then,
+while he whistled a merry tune, they silently raised
+their rifles and took aim. The unfortunate man fell,
+pierced with all their bullets and made no stir.
+
+Another detachment of the bloodhounds directed their
+steps towards the residence of Barnez Fremoine, the
+Belgian rancher. He was a tall, magnificently-built man,
+and when the savages got in sight of his house they
+perceived that he was engaged oiling the axle of his
+waggon.
+
+Aided by the shelter of an outhouse, they approached
+within twenty yards of this victim; raised their arms
+and arrows and fired. He fell likewise without uttering
+a cry, and made no stir. When found afterwards there were
+two bullet holes in his head, and an arrow lay lodged in
+his breast. [Footnote: This fact I get from correspondence
+to the Ottawa _Free Press_, a newspaper which, under the
+great journalistic enterprise of Mr. J. T. Hawke, has
+kept the people at the Capital well informed from day to
+day on affairs at the scene of tumult.] Two other persons
+were surprised in the same way, and shot down like dogs,
+making a total of eleven slaughtered.
+
+The first official confirmation of the dreadful tragedy
+was given in a despatch, sent from Fort Pitt to Sir John
+Macdonald, by police inspector Dickens, a son of the
+immortal novelist.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+Perhaps, of all the acts of bravery recorded during this
+late Rebellion, not one stands out more prominently than
+that of Inspector Dickens, in resisting, with his little
+force, a large band of blood-thirsty Crees, till he would,
+with advantage and honour, retire from his ground. Fort
+Pitt stands in the centre of the Cree country, and was
+the scene of the treaty between the Government and the
+Crees, Chippewayans, Assinniboines and the Chippewas.
+There was great difficulty at the time in concluding the
+terms of the treaty. Big Bear, who reigns supreme in the
+district, and who was spokesman at the treaty, maintained
+that hanging ought to be abolished, and the buffalo
+protected. On the whole, he accepted the conditions of
+the treaty, but, as his people were not present, he would
+not sign it, although he did sign it in the following
+year. Big Bear is a noisy, meddlesome savage, who is
+never in his glory save when he is the centre of some
+disturbance. He has always shown much delight in talking
+about war; and he would go without his meals to listen
+to a good story about fighting. He has the habit to, when
+the reciter of the story has finished, of trying to
+discount what he has heard, and to make his auditors
+believe that some exploits of his own have been far more
+thrilling. When everything is peaceable, even when there
+are plenty of buffalo and peltry to be had, this savage
+is not satisfied; but still goes around asking if there
+is any news about trouble being about to take place
+anywhere. If he is told:
+
+"No, everything is quiet; the Indians are all satisfied,
+because they are doing well." Big Bear will reply, while
+knowingly closing one eye:
+
+"Me know better than that. There will soon be bloody
+work. Government break em treaty with Injuns. Lots of
+Injuns now ready to go out and scalp servants of the
+Government and white men." When, therefore, tidings
+reached the land of the Stoney Indians that the half-breeds,
+with Louis Riel at their head, had broken into revolt,
+Big Bear pulled off his feathered cap and threw it several
+times into the air. He went to his wives, a goodly number
+of which he is in the habit of keeping, and informed them
+that he would soon bring them home some scalps. He was
+so elated, that he ordered several of the young men to
+go and fetch him several white dogs to make a feast. So
+a large fire was built upon the prairie, a short distance
+from the chief's lodge, and the huge festival pot was
+suspended from a crane over the roaring flames. First,
+about fifteen gallons of water were put into this pot;
+then Big Bear's wives, some of whom were old and wrinkled,
+and others of which were lithe as fawns, plump and
+bright-eyed, busied themselves gathering herbs. Some
+digged deep into the marsh for roots of the "dog-bane,"
+others searched among the knotted roots for the little
+nut-like tuber that clings to the root of the flag, while
+others brought to the pot wild parsnips, and the dried
+stalks of the prairie pusley. A coy little maiden, whom
+many a hunter had wooed but failed to win, had in her
+sweet little brown hands a tangle of winter-green, and
+maiden-hair. Then came striding along the young hunters,
+with the dogs. Each dog selected for the feast was white
+as the driven snow. If a black hair, or a blue hair, or
+a brown hair, was discovered anywhere upon his body he
+was taken away; but if he were _sans reproche_ he was
+put, just as he was, head, and hide, and paws, and tail
+on--his throat simply having been cut--into the pot, Six
+dogs were thrown in, and the roots and stalks of the
+prairie plants, together with salt, and bunches of the
+wild pepper-plant, and of swamp mustard were thrown in
+for seasoning. Through the reserves round about for many
+miles swarth heralds proclaimed that the great Chief Big
+Bear was giving a White Dog feast to his braves before
+summoning them to follow him upon the war-path. The feast
+was, in Indian experience, a magnificent one, and before
+the young men departed they swore to Big Bear that they
+returned only for their war-paint and arms, and that
+before the set of the next sun they would be back at his
+side.
+
+True to their word the Indians came, hideous in their
+yellow paint. If you stood to leeward of them upon the
+plain a mile away you could clearly get the raw, earthy
+smell of the ochre upon their hands and faces. Some had
+black bars streaked across their cheeks, and hideous
+crimson circles about their eyes. Some, likewise, had
+stars in pipe-clay painted upon the forehead.
+
+Now the immediate object of the warlike enthusiasm of
+all these young men was the capture of Fort Pitt, an
+undertaking which they hardly considered worth shouldering
+their rifles for. But when it came to the actual taking
+it was a somewhat different matter. There were twenty-one
+policemen in the Fort and they had at their head an
+intrepid chief, Mr. Inspector Dickens, already referred
+to in this chapter. It was useless to fire bullets at
+the solid stockades; massacre was out of the question,
+for keen eyes peered ever from the Fort. Big Bear now
+had grown very ambitious.
+
+"Fort Pitt hardly worth bothering about," he said to his
+braves. "Plenty of big fighting everywhere. We'll go with
+Monsieur Riel. But we must have guns; good guns; and
+plenty of powder and shot and ball. So taking a number
+of his braves he approached the Fort and began to bellow
+that he wanted to have a talk. Inspector Dickens appeared,
+calling out,
+
+"Well, what does Big Bear want?"
+
+"We want guns, and powder, and shot, and ball."
+
+"Pray, what does Big Bear want with them?"
+
+"His young men are suffering of hunger, and they want to
+go shoot some elk and bear."
+
+"Big Bear is talking with a crooked tongue. He must not
+have any rifles, or powder or shot, or ball. I advise
+him to return peaceably to his reserve; and if there is
+anything that the Government can do for himself, or his
+people, I am sure they will do it. He will only make
+matters worse by creating a disturbance."
+
+"Ugh! The great police chief also talks with a crooked
+tongue; and if he does not give what the Indians ask for,
+they will burn down the fort, and murder himself and his
+followers, not sparing either the women or the children."
+
+"If this be your intention, you shall not find us
+unprepared." Just at this moment two mounted police, who
+had been out upon the plains as scouts, came in sight,
+at once Inspector Dickens perceived that the savages
+meant mischief. A number of rifles were raised at the
+unsuspecting policemen, then several shots were heard.
+Constable Cowan fell from his horse dead, pierced by
+several bullets; Constable Lousby was hit by a couple of
+bullets, but got into the fort before the savages could
+prevail.
+
+"Now, my men," shouted Inspector Dickens, "show these
+insolent savages that you can defy them." At once a raking
+fire was poured into the rebels. Four of the rebels fell
+dead, and some scores of others were wounded. The conduct
+of some of the savages who received slight wounds was
+exceedingly ludicrous. One who had been shot, _in running
+away_, began to yell in the most pitiable way; and he
+ran about the plain kicking up his heels and grabbing at
+the wounded spot, which, it is to be inferred, must have
+been stinging him very badly. I must not omit to speak
+that before the _recontre_, chief factor MacLean, who
+had always been held in high regard among the Indians,
+went out of the fort to have a parley with Big Bear.
+Arriving at the door of the chief's lodge, he knocked.
+Big Bear admitted him with the greatest pleasure, and
+after he had done so, said:
+
+"Guess me keep you, since me's get you." So the chief
+factor found himself a prisoner. Then Big Bear informed
+his captive that if he would write a letter to the rest
+of the civilians in the fort, asking them to withdraw,
+and enter into the Indian lodge, he would treat them
+civilly; but that if they refused, he would set fire to
+the fort, and they would perish in the flames. This
+MacLean consented to do, and in a little while there went
+out from the fort to the Indian prison, Mr. MacLean's
+family, consisting of eight, James Simpson, Stanley
+Simpson, W. B. Cameron, one Dufresne, Rev. C. Quinn,
+and his wife, and Mr. and Mrs. Mann, with their three
+children. Since that date, these people have been prisoners
+in Big Bear's camp, and every now and again the tidings
+come that they are receiving barbarous, and even brutal,
+treatment. After Big Bear had got possession of all
+these, he said to his chief young men:
+
+"'Spose we take em in, too, Mounted Police. No harm Get
+their guns. Keep them here for a spell, and then let 'em
+go." When he coolly presented himself before the stockades
+and proposed to Inspector Dickens to come right over to
+his lodges, assuring him that he would not allow the hair
+of one of his men's heads to be harmed, Inspector Dickens
+laughed:
+
+"You are a very presumptuous savage." After the fight
+which I have described, Inspector Dickens, studying the
+situation, regarded it in this light:
+
+"The civilians have gone to the Indians, so there is now
+no object to be attained by keeping my force here. In
+the battle with the savages I was successful. Therefore,
+may retreat with honour." Fitting up a York boat, he had
+it provisioned for the journey, and then destroying
+everything in the shape of supplies, arms and ammunition
+Which he could not take away, they started down the river,
+and after a tedious journey arrived at Battleford, worn
+with anxious watching, exposure and fatigue, but otherwise
+safe and well, save for the wounded constable. The brave
+Inspector was received at Battleford with ringing
+acclamations. Here, in a little, he was appointed to the
+command of the Police, superseding Lt.-Colonel Morris.
+Altogether there is not in the whole campaign an instance
+in which good judgment and bravery stand out so prominently
+as in this record of the conduct of the son of our great
+English novelist.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+No accident in the whole history of the present rebellion
+so ill bears to be written about as does this of the
+sacking of Battleford. This is a town of considerable
+importance, and it has a strongly-built fort, garrisoned
+by mounted police. It stands close to a large Cree reserve,
+and the prairie around it being very fertile, the population
+latterly had been growing rapidly. When first the
+disturbance broke out, it was feared that there would be
+trouble with the Stoney Crees in this region; for
+Poundmaker, a great brawling Indian chief, is always
+ready, like his boastful brother, Big Bear, to join in
+any revolt against authority, Poundmaker, for many a
+year, has done little save to smoke, drink tea among the
+squaws, and tell lies, as long as the Saskatchewan river,
+about all the battles he fought when he was a young man,
+and how terrible was his name over all the plains.
+Poundmaker has always been successful as a boaster, and
+there is hardly a squaw on the whole reserve who does
+not think him to be one of the most illustrious and mighty
+men alive. Therefore he has never sued in vain for the
+hand of a pretty maiden without success; and he has now
+no fewer than a score of wives, whom he is not able to
+support, and who are therefore compelled to go on their
+bare brown feet among the marshes in the summer, killing
+frogs and muskrats. The lazy rascal never works, but sits
+at home drinking strong tea, smoking and telling lies,
+while his wives, young ones and old ones, and his brawling
+papooses go abroad looking for something to eat.
+
+Now besides Poundmaker, there were among those Stoney
+Crees two other mischief-loving half-and-half Chiefs.
+One delighted in the name of Lucky Man, and the other of
+Little Pine. These two vagabonds leagued themselves with
+Poundmaker, when the first tidings of the the outbreak
+reached them, and painting their faces, went abroad among
+the young men, inciting them to revolt. They reminded
+them, that if they arose they would have plenty of big
+feasts, for the prairie was full of the white men's
+cattle. And Little Pine glanced with snaky eyes toward
+the town of Battleford.
+
+"May be by-em-by, get fine things out of stores. Go in
+and frighten away 'em people, then take heaps o' nice
+things; get squaws, may be, to help 'em to carry 'em
+away." This was just the sort of incentive that the young
+men wanted; and the Indian girls screamed with delight
+at the prospect of red shawls, and heaps of ribbons, and
+boxes of brass rings, and pretty red and white stockings,
+and boots with buttons on them.
+
+Presently Big Bear, and Little Pine, and Lucky Man began
+to get their forces in motion. Armed with bows and arrows,
+spears, and tomahawks, shot-guns and flint-muskets, and
+followed by gew-gaw-loving girls, squalling pappooses,
+and half starved yellow dogs, the Crees, with the three
+beauties just mentioned at their head, marched toward
+the town. The people, apprised of the intended attack,
+had fled to the police barracks; so that when the savages
+entered the town, the streets were deserted. Then commenced
+the work of pillage. According to a correspondent of the
+_Montreal Star_, "house after house was visited in quick
+succession, the squaws loudly acclaiming and shouting as
+the bucks smashed in the doors with axes. Firearms were
+the first things sought for by the braves, while the
+females ransacked each dwelling from top to bottom, in
+search of such articles as delighted the feminine eye,
+Soon the hitherto quiet and peaceful town of Battleford
+was transformed into a veritable place of destruction.
+Torn carpets, chairs, bedsteads and empty trunks were
+thrown into the streets, which were thronged by at least
+500 Indians, who, made hideous with war paint, shouted
+and discharged their rifles simultaneously, creating a
+perfect pandemonium. When the pillagers had accomplished
+their work, they commenced the attack on the barracks,
+but were repulsed with a trifling loss. Some young bucks
+got rolls of carpet, which they extended along the street,
+and then mounting their ponies rode up and down over the
+aesthetic patterns. The squaws got fineries enough to
+deck themselves in for the next year; and the amount of
+brass rings that they carried away was enough to make
+glad the heart of all Indian-dom. After having surfeited
+themselves with destruction, they returned, each one
+laden to his and her utmost capacity with booty. Several
+places were gutted and demolished; in other cases property
+was destroyed, and some establishments were set on fire."
+
+All this while Major Morris and his police, and nearly
+two hundred able bodied men, with 200 rifles and plenty
+of ammunition were cooped up in the Fort, peeping out at
+the squaws pillaging the town. It seems a little illogical
+that we should call out our young men from Halifax, from
+Quebec, from Montreal, from Kingston, from Ottawa, and
+from the other cities that put forces into the field, to
+go out into the far wilderness to protect property, when
+able-bodied men with arms in their hands stood by and
+watched unmoved a body of savages and squaws pillage
+their town, and give their property to the flames. It
+was to relieve this town that Colonel Otter made the
+brilliant march, upon which writers and orators have not
+been able to bestow enough of eulogy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+After the defeat of the police and civilians at Duck
+Lake, Riel and Dumont felt thoroughly confident of being
+able to deal with the forces which they were apprised
+the Canadian Government would send into the field against
+them. They held many long consultations together, and
+in every case it was Dumont who laid down the details of
+the military campaign. "These Canadian soldiers," he
+would say, "can not fight us here. We will entrench
+ourselves in positions against which they may fire cannon
+or gatling guns in vain. They are not used to
+bush-fighting, and will all the time expose themselves
+to our bullets. Besides, distances here are deceptive;
+and in their confusion they will make the wildest sort
+of shooting." It was decided that the rebel forces should
+make their main stand at an advantageous position, which
+Dumont had accidentally observed one day when he was out
+elk-stalking three years ago. This place, he assured his
+chief seemed to be intended by nature for a post of
+defence. It lay a short distance from Batoche's Crossing.
+
+"But my idea is to engage them several times with portions
+of my force; gradually to fall back, and then fight at
+my final ground the battle which shall decide who is
+master in these territories, the half-breeds or the
+Canadian volunteers."
+
+All this while General Middleton, with his brave fellows,
+had been making one of the most laborious marches recorded
+in modern wars. Perhaps the worst portion of the march
+was around the dismal reaches of Lake Superior. I take
+an extract from correspondence to the Toronto _Mail_.
+"But the most severe trial was last night's, in a march
+from Red Rock to Nepigon, a distance of only seven miles
+across the ice, yet it took nearly five hours to do it.
+After leaving the cars the battalion paraded in line. A
+couple of camp fires served to make the darkness visible.
+All the men were anxious to start, and when the word was
+given to march, it was greeted with cheers. It was
+impossible to march in fours, therefore an order was
+given for left turn, quick march. We turned, obedient to
+the order, but the march was anything but quick. Then
+into the solemn darkness of the pines and hemlock the
+column slowly moved. Each side being snow four feet deep,
+it was almost impossible to keep the track, and a misstep
+buried the unfortunate individual up to his neck. Then
+it began raining, and for three mortal hours there was
+a continuous down pour. The lake was reached at last, to
+the extreme pleasure of the corps. The wildness of the
+afternoon and the rain turned the snow into slush, at
+every step the men sank half a foot. All attempts to
+preserve distance were soon abandoned by the men, who
+clasped hands to prevent falling. The officers struggled
+on, arms linked, for the same purpose. Now and then men
+would drop in the ranks, the fact only being discovered
+by those in the rear stumbling over them. Some actually
+fell asleep as they marched. One brave fellow had plodded
+on without a murmur for three days. He had been suffering,
+but through the fear of being left behind in the hospital
+refrained from making his case known. He tramped half-way
+across last night's march reeling like a drunken man,
+but nature gave out at last, and with a groan he fell on
+the snow. There he lay, the pitiless rain beating on a
+boyish upturned face, until a passing sleigh stopped
+behind him. The driver, flashing his lantern in the
+upturned face, said he was dead. 'Not yet, old man,' was
+the reply of the youth, as he opened his eyes. 'I'm not
+even a candidate for the hospital yet.'"
+
+The following description of the Great Salt Plains, as
+given by a _Globe_ correspondent, is also worth reproducing:
+"The Great Salt Plains open out like broad, dreary marsh
+or arm of the sea, from which the tide has gone out. For
+about thirty-five miles the trail stretches in a
+north-westerly course across this dismal expanse, and
+away to the south-west, as far as the eye can reach,
+nothing save marsh grass, flags, bullrushes, and
+occasionally clumps of marsh willows can be seen. North-east
+of the trail scattering bluffs of stunted grey willows
+cluster along the horizon, and at one point along the
+trail, about midway of the plain, is found a small,
+solitary clump of stoneberry bushes, not more than thirty
+yards long, five or six feet in width, and only three or
+four feet high." The objective point of Major-General
+Middleton's march was Batoche's Crossing, where Riel had
+several large pits sunk, and fortifications thrown up,
+for a grand and final encounter with our troops. The line
+of march lay sometimes along the Saskatchewan's banks,
+but more frequently through the open prairie. The position
+of the rebels prior to the battle was this: Dumont, with
+250 half-breeds and Indians, had been retreating slowly
+before General Middleton's right column on the east bank
+of the river, their scouts keeping them informed of the
+General's movements. Dumont appears to have thought of
+waiting for the troops to attack him on Thursday night;
+at least that is the belief of the scouts, who saw some
+of his mounted men signalling to him all afternoon on
+Thursday. However that may be, he lay waiting for our
+men at the edge of a big _coulee_ near Fish Creek, early
+on Friday morning, his forces being snugly stowed away
+behind boulders, or concealed in the dense everglades of
+hazel, birch, and poplar. From day to day, almost from
+hour to hour, this veteran buffalo hunter had learned
+every tidings of the General's troops that keen observation
+made from clumps of bush along the prairie could give
+him. So when he learnt that the General himself, with
+his officers, were near at hand, his eyes fairly gleamed
+with enthusiasm.
+
+"My men," he said, as he went from covert to covert, from
+bluff to bluff, "you know the work that lies before you;
+I need not repeat it to you. Do not expose yourself, and
+do not fire unless you have a tolerable target." Then he
+arranged a system of signals, chiefly low whistles and
+calls, by which the men would be able to know when to
+advance, retire, lie close, make a dash, or move from
+one part of the ground to another.
+
+"They will at first fall into an ambush," he said, "then,
+my men, be nimble. In the panic there will be a rich
+harvest for you. Bring down the General if you can.
+Wherever an officer is in range, let him have a taste of
+your lead in preference to the privates." Then he lay
+close and watched, and listened, many times putting his
+ear to the ground. At last he gave an exclamation. It
+was in a whisper; but the silent rebels who lay there,
+mute as the husht trees around them, could well hear the
+words, "they come!"
+
+Let me now briefly describe the position which the rebel
+had chosen for himself. About five miles from McIntosh's
+stand two bluffs, about five hundred yards apart, thickly
+wooded on the top. Between these bluffs is a level open
+prairie that extends backward about a thousand yards,
+across which there runs a deep ravine, thickly timbered
+at the bottom.
+
+Now, on the morning of Friday, the twenty-fourth of April,
+General Middleton, who was still on the march to Batoche's,
+was riding with his staff, well in front. With him was
+Major Boulton's Horse, who acted as scouts. As they were
+passing the two bluffs named, suddenly the crack of
+musketry rang out upon the prairie. Major Boulton now
+perceived that he had fallen into an ambush. At the same
+time that deadly balls and buck-shot came whistling and
+cutting spitefully through the air, there arose from both
+bluffs the most diabolical yelling. For miles over the
+silent prairies could these murderous yells be heard.
+Nor were the rebel balls fired without effect. Captain
+Gardner fell bleeding upon the ground, and several of
+the men had also fallen.
+
+General Middleton, who had been some little distance in
+the rear was speedily apprised of the surprise, and
+dashing on toward the rebels' hold he met Boulton's Horse
+retiring for reinforcements. Then "A" Battery, the 90th
+regiment, and "C" Company, Toronto, with enthusiastic
+cheering, began to cry out: "Show us the rebels!"
+
+In a little while the firing became general, and our men
+struck out extending their formation as they neared the
+edge of the _coulee_, from which puffs of smoke were
+already curling up. Twenty of Dumont's men, with
+Winchesters, fired over a natural shelf or parapet
+protected by big boulders. The column was divided into
+two wings, the left consisting of "B" and "F" Companies
+of the 90th, with Boulton's mounted corps, and the right
+of the rest of the 90th, "A" Battery, and "C" School of
+Infantry. The left wing, "F" company leading, came under
+fire first. As the men were passing by him; Gen. Middleton
+shouted out:
+
+"Men of the 90th, don't bend your heads; you will soon
+be there; go in, and I know you'll do your duty."
+
+The men were bending down, partly to avoid the shots and
+partly because they were running over the uneven, scrubby
+ground. Colour-Sergeant Mitchell, of "F" company (one of
+the famous Wimbledon Mitchells), displayed great coolness,
+and afterwards did good execution with a rifle when the
+troops had entered the bush. "A," "C," and "D" Companies
+of the 90th, with "A" Battery and the School of Infantry,
+were on the right, the whole force forming a huge half-moon
+around the mouth of the _coulee_. The brush was densely
+thick, and as rain was falling, the smoke hung in clouds
+a few feet off the muzzles of the rifles.
+
+Here the 90th lost heavily. Ferguson was the first to
+fall. The bandsmen came up and carried off the injured
+to the rear, where Dr. Whiteford and other surgeons had
+extemporized a small camp, the men being laid some on
+camp-stretchers and some on rude beds of branches and
+blankets. "E" company of the 90th, under Capt. Whitla,
+guarded the wounded and the ammunition. General Middleton
+appeared to be highly pleased with the bearing of the
+90th as they pushed on, and repeatedly expressed his
+admiration. He seemed to think, however, that the men
+exposed themselves unnecessarily. When they got near the
+_coulee_ in skirmishing order, they fired while lying
+prostrate, but some of them either through nervousness
+or a desire to get nearer the unseen enemy, kept rising
+to their feet, and the moment they did so Dumont's men
+dropped them with bullets or buckshot. The rebels, on
+the other hand, kept low. They loaded, most of them having
+powder and shot bags below the edge of the ravine or
+behind the thicket, and then popped up for an instant
+and fired. They had not time to take aim except at the
+outset, when the troops were advancing.
+
+Meanwhile the right wing had gone into action also. Two
+guns of "A" Battery, under Capt. Peters, dashed up at
+10:40 o'clock, and at once opened on the _coulee_. A
+couple of old barns far back to the right were knocked
+into splinters at the outset, it being supposed that
+rebels were concealed there; and three haystacks were
+bowled over and subsequently set on fire by the shells
+or fuses. Attention was then centred on the ravine. At
+first, however, the battery's fire had no effect, as from
+the elevation on which the guns stood, the shot went
+whizzing over it. Dumont had sent thirty men to a small
+bluff, covered with boulder and scrub, within 450 yards
+of the battery, and these opened a sharp fire. The battery
+could not fire into this bluff without running the risk
+of killing some of the 90th, who had worked their way up
+towards the right of it. Several men of "A" were struck
+here. The rebels saw that their sharpshooters were causing
+confusion in this quarter, and about twenty of them ran
+clear from the back of the ravine past the fire of "C"
+and "D" companies to the bluff, and joined their comrades
+in a rattling fusillade on "A." Fortunately, only a few
+of them, had Winchesters. "A" moved forward a little,
+and soon got the measure of the ravine. The shrapnel
+screeched in the air, and burst right in among the brush
+and boulders, smashing the scraggy trees, and tearing up
+the moss that covered the ground in patches. The rebels
+at once saw that the game was up in this quarter, though
+they kept up a bold front and seldom stopped firing except
+when they were dodging back into new cover. In doing this
+they rarely exposed themselves, either creeping on all
+fours or else running a few yards in the shelter of the
+thicket and then throwing themselves flat on the ground
+again, bobbing up only when they raised their heads and
+elbows to fire.
+
+The shrapnel was too much for them, and they began to
+bolt towards the other side of the ravine, where our left
+wing was peppering them. This move was the first symptom
+of weakness they had exhibited, and Gen. Middleton at
+once took advantage of it and ordered the whole force to
+close in upon them, his object apparently being to surround
+them. The rebel commander, however, was not to be caught
+in that way. Instead of bunching all his forces on the
+left away from the fire of the artillery, he sent only
+a portion of it there to keep our men busy while the rest
+filled off to the north, retiring slowly as our two wings
+closed on them. Dumont was evidently on the look-out for
+the appearance of Col. Montizambert's force from the
+other side of the river.
+
+The general advance began at 11.45 a.m., Major Buchan of
+the 90th leading the right wing, and Major Boswell of
+the same corps the left. When the rebels saw this a number
+of them rushed forward on the left of the ravine, and
+the fighting for a time was carried on at close quarters,
+the enemy not being over sixty yards away. An old log
+hut and a number of barricades, formed by placing old
+trees and brushwood between the boulders, enabled them
+to make it exceedingly warm for our men for a time. At
+this point several of the 90th were wounded, and General
+Middleton himself had a narrow escape, a bullet going
+through his fur hat. Captains Wise and Doucet, of Montreal,
+the General's Aide-de-camps, were wounded about this
+time. "C" infantry behaved remarkably well all through,
+and bore the brunt of the general advance for some time,
+the buckshot from the rebels doing much damage. The rebel
+front was soon driven back, but neither here nor at any
+other time could the rebels' loss be ascertained. The
+Indians among them, who were armed with guns, appeared
+to devote themselves mainly to shooting the horses. A
+good many Indians were hit, and every time one of them
+was struck the others near him raised a loud shout, as
+if cheering. The troops pressed on gallantly, and the
+rebel fire slackened, and after a time died away, though
+now and then their front riflemen made a splurge, while
+the others made their way back. Captain Forrest, of the
+90th, headed the advance at this point, Lieutenant Hugh
+J. Macdonald (son of Sir John Macdonald), of this company,
+who had done excellent service all day, kept well up with
+Forrest, the two being ahead of their men, and coming in
+for a fair share of attention from the retreating rebels.
+Macdonald was first reported as killed and then as wounded,
+but he was not injured, though struck on the shoulder by
+spent buckshot. Forrest's hat was shot off. At 12.50 the
+rebels were far out of range, going towards Batoche's,
+and the Battle of Fish Creek was practically over.
+[Footnote: I am chiefly indebted to the Toronto _Mail_
+for the foregoing account of the battle.]
+
+During the battle, many instances of the greatest bravery
+are recorded. Private Ainsworth, of the 90th, was seen
+to leap upon the shoulders of a savage, who, in company
+with another, had endeavoured to cross the flat land and
+get shelter, wresting his gun and felling him to the
+earth with the butt of it, then securing the rifle firing
+at and killing the other Indian. While doing this, he
+was exposed to the fire of a score of guns, getting
+riddled with buck-shot and being struck with bullets.
+But the greatest daring and bravery were exhibited by
+Watson, of the Toronto School of Infantry. Finding it
+impossible to dislodge the enemy, he rushed headlong for
+the ambuscaded half-breeds, followed by a score of his
+comrades whom it was impossible to control. The war-cries
+of the Indians, the huzzas of the troops, and the rattle
+of musketry fairly echoed for miles, as evidenced by the
+statements of the west side contingent upon arriving on
+the scene. Watson paid the penalty of his daring by death,
+while the narrow escape of many others were remarkable.
+The utmost bravery all the while was displayed by our
+troops. When a man fell his comrade would pause for a
+moment, and say:
+
+"I hope you are not badly hurt," and then again look out
+for the enemy. Some of the men who received only slight
+wounds were anxious to remain in the fight, but their
+officers insisted that they should be taken to the rear,
+and attended to by the surgeons. Upon couches made of
+boughs, and covered with blankets, the brave young fellows
+were placed; and many of them submitted to probings and
+painful management of wounds without making a murmur.
+They seemed not to be concerned for themselves, but went
+on all the while enquiring as to how it was "going with
+the boys."
+
+General Middleton, himself a veteran soldier, expressed
+as I have already stated, his admiration for the bravery
+of all the men who were engaged. There was no bolting,
+even in the face of heavy fire; no shrinking, although
+_one man in every eight_ had been struck by the enemy's
+shot or bullets. Major Boulton had many narrow escapes,
+while he was standing for a moment, a hail of buckshot
+came whistling by his ear, burying itself into his horse,
+which was killed instantly. The Scouts, known as Boulton's
+Horse, under this brave officer, bore very gallantly
+their portion of the battle's brunt. Half-breads and
+Indians had orders from their leaders to shoot down horses
+as well as men; and Dumont frequently said, that the
+mounted men were the only ones of the force of the enemy
+for which he cared anything. Several of the horses were
+shot, and many of the men were riddled with buck-shot,
+but they bravely stood their ground. In the night, when
+the weary were sleeping after the hard day's work, dusky
+forms could be seen by the light of the moon, creeping
+stealthily towards where slept the gallant Scouts. The
+Guard heard a crackle, and turning, perceived three pairs
+of eyes gleaming with ferocity in the shadow of a clump
+of poplars.
+
+"Qui vive?" he cried, and raised his rifle; but before
+he could take aim, three shots rang out through the still
+night, and he fell dead, pierced by as many bullets.
+There was a general alarm through the camp, but no eye
+could detect the form of a Rebel. They were safe among
+the shadows in the ravine. In the few moments of silent
+horror that ensued after the commission of the murder,
+three diabolical yells sounded from the ravine, and far
+over the moon-lit prairies. Then divers voices were heard
+in the bluffs, and down in the gorge. These came from
+Dumont's men, who jeered, and cried that they hoped the
+soldiers enjoyed the pastime of watching their dead.
+
+On the following day, the bodies of the brave young
+fellows who had fallen, after being decently, and decorously
+disposed in death, were brought to the graves hollowed
+out in this far-away wilderness by the hands of old
+comrades. It was a very sad spectacle indeed. The death
+of brave soldiers is always mournful to contemplate; but
+war is the _trade_ of regulars, and they expect death,
+and burials in distant sod. But war is not the trade of
+our volunteer soldiers. They are mere young fellows, of
+various pursuits of life, and death and burial away from
+home lose nothing of their sorrowful surroundings, because
+the taking off has been at the hands of rebel murderers.
+General Middleton conducted the ceremonies; and here upon
+the wide, husht prairie, which will soon deck the graves
+with flowers, they were laid away. The brave young fellows
+who faced the Rebels' shot and ball without failing,
+faltered now, and many of them wept copious tears.
+
+On the following day, General Middleton began to make
+ready for his march toward Batoche's, where the Rebels'
+stronghold is located. Meanwhile the following sick and
+wounded have been left at the hospital at dark's Crossing,
+under the care of Dr. Orton: Captain Clark; Privates
+Hislop, Harris, Stovel, Matthews, Code Jarvis, Canniff,
+Lethbridge, Kemp, Bruce; Captain Gardner; Privates Perrin,
+King, Dunn, McDonald, Cummings, Jones, R. Jones, Wilson,
+Morrison, Woodman, Imrie, Asseline, Lailor; Sergeant
+Mawhinney, Private Wainwright.
+
+The following is a list of the killed and wounded from
+the outbreak of the Rebellion to the close of Colonel
+Otter's engagement with Pound maker, Big Bear and other
+Indian bands:--
+
+Killed at Prince Albert:--
+
+Constable T. G. Gibson; Constable G. P. Arnold; Constable
+Garrett; Capt. John Morton; W. Napier; C. Page; James
+Blakey; J. Napier Elliott; Robert Middleton; D. Mackenzie;
+D. McPhail; Charles Newitt; Joseph Anderson; Alexander
+Fisher.
+
+Wounded at Prince Albert:--
+
+Capt. Moore; A. MacNab; Alex. Stewart; Inspector J. Howe;
+Corporal Gilchrist; S. F. Gordon; A. W. Smith; J. J.
+Moore; A. Miller.
+
+Killed at Frog Lake:--
+
+T. T. Quinn, Indian Agent at Frog Lake; Father Fafard;
+Father Marchand; John Delaney, Farm Inspector; J. A.
+Gowanlock; Mrs. Gowanlock; Charles Gouin; William Gilchrist;
+Two Lay Brothers; John Williscraft; James K. Simpson,
+and two Hudson Bay men made prisoners, and probably
+murdered by Frog Lake Indians.
+
+Killed at Fort Pitt:--
+
+Constable Cowan, N. W. M. P.
+
+Wounded at Fort Pitt:--
+
+Constable Lonsley, N. W. M. P
+
+Killed at Fish Creek:--
+
+Lieut. Swinford, 90th; Private Hutchinson, No. 1 Company,
+90th; Private Ferguson, No. 1 Company, 90th; Private
+Ennis, No. 4 Company, 90th; Gunner Demanolly, "A" Battery;
+Arthur Watson, School of Infantry; D'Arcy Baker, Mounted
+Infantry; Gunner Cook, "A" Battery; Wheeler, 90th;
+Ainsworth, "A" Battery,
+
+Wounded at Fish Creek:--
+
+Capt. Clarke, 90th; Capt. Wise, A. D. C.; Lieut. Doucett,
+A.D.C; Lieut. Bruce, M. I.; Capt. Gardner, M. I.; Private
+C. F. King, M. I.; Private H. P. Porin, M. I.; Private
+J. Langford, M. I.; Gunner Asseline, "A" Battery; Gunner
+Emeye, "A" Battery; Bombardier Taylor, "A" Battery;
+Sergeant-Major Mawhinney, "A" Battery; Driver Harrison;
+Private H. P. Wilson; Private E. Mannsell; Private Walter
+Woodman; Private R. H. Dunn, School of Infantry; Private
+H. Jones, School of Infantry; Private R. Jones, School
+of Infantry; Col.-Sergt. Cummings, School of Infantry;
+Corporal Lethbridge, 90th; Private Kemp; Corporal Code;
+Private Hartop; Private Blackwood; Private Canniff;
+Private W. W. Matthews; Private Lovell; Private Cane,
+10th Royals; Private Wheeeling, 10th Royals, knee
+dislocated; Private Hislop, 90th; Private Chambers, 90th;
+Corporal Thecker, 90th; Private Bouchette, 90th; Private
+Swan 90th; Corporal Brown.
+
+Killed at Battleford:--
+
+Frank Smart, shot on picket.
+
+Killed by Indians:--
+
+John Walkinshaw and Albert Harkness.
+
+Killings and Woundings elsewhere:--
+
+Sergeant Snyder, injured by explosion at Peterboro; Lieut.
+Morrow, accidentally shot; Private Moberley, broken arm;
+Kelsey, Midland Battalion, jumped from train, probably
+lost; G. H. Douglass, injured by fall from horse; Marwich,
+Halifax Battalion, died from exposure, a member of the
+9th (Quebec) Battalion, died from exposure; Farm Instructor
+Payne; Barnez Fremont, rancher, Achille Blois, 9th Quebec,
+died from fever.
+
+Killed at Poundmaker's Reserve:--
+
+Private Arthur Dobbs, Battleford Rifles; Bugler Foulks,
+School of Infantry; Corporals Laurie and Sleight, and
+Trumpeter Burke, Mounted Police; Privates Rogers and
+Osgoode, Governor-General's Foot Guards; Teamster Winder,
+of Regina.
+
+Wounded at Poundmaker's Reserve:--
+
+Col-Sergt. Cooper, in the hip, Private G. Varey, in the
+shoulder, Private Lloyd, in the shoulder, and Private G.
+Watts, in the thigh, Queen's Own Rifles. Lieut. Pelletier,
+in the thigh, Sergt. Gaffney, in the arm, Corporal Morton,
+in the groin, and Gunner Reynolds, in the arm, "B" Battery.
+Sergt. Winters, in the face, Private McQuillan, in the
+side, Governor-General's Foot Guards. Sergt. Ward, in
+the shoulder, Mounted Police. Sergt.-Major Spackman, in
+the arm, Bugler Gilbert, in the arm, Infantry School.
+
+Killed at Batoche:--
+
+Gunner Wm. Phillips, "A" Battery, Quebec; Private T,
+Moor, No. 3 company, Royal Grenadiers, Toronto; Capt.
+John French, scout; Capt. Brown, scout; Lieut. Fitch,
+10th Royal Grenadiers, shot through the heart; W. P.
+Krippen, of Perth, a surveyor; Private Haidisty, 90th
+Winnipeg Battalion; Private Fraser, 90th Winnipeg Battalion.
+Of the foregoing the last six were killed on Monday, the
+first on Saturday, and Private Moor on Sunday.
+
+Wounded at Batoche:--
+
+Tenth Royal Grenadiers:--Major Dawson, slightly in the
+ankle, able to limp about; Capt. Manley slightly in the
+foot; Capt. Mason flesh wound in the thigh; Staff Sergt.
+T. M. Mitchell, slight wound in the eye; Private R. Cook
+in the arm; Private G. Barbour, slight scratch in the
+head; Private G. W, Quigley, flesh wound in the arm;
+Private J. Marshall in the calf; Private H. Wilson, slight
+wound across the back; Bugler, M. Vaughan, in the finger;
+Private Scovell, slight flesh wound; Private Stead, slight
+flesh wound; Private Cantwell.
+
+The 90th Battalion:--Corp. Gillies, Sergt.-Major Watson,
+Private O. A. Wheeler, Private Young, Sergt. Jackes,
+Private M. Erickson, Private Kemp.
+
+Surveyor Scouts:--Lieut Garden.
+
+Capt. French's Scouts:--Trooper Cook.
+
+"A" Battery:--Driver Jas. Stout, Gunner Fairbanks, Gunner
+Charpentier, Gunner Twohey.
+
+Midland Battalion:--Lieut. Geo. Laidlaw, Lieut. Helliwell,
+Corp. Helliwell, Private Barton.
+
+Meanwhile the campaign goes on, and we know not what
+tidings any day may bring forth. There is no use now in
+having long discussions as to whose shoulders should bear
+the responsibility of all the devastation, terror, misery
+and blood; the duty of the hour is to put an end to the
+Rebellion. Riel must be captured at any cost; so, too,
+must Dumont. Men so strongly a menace to public peace as
+Riel and his bad and fearless ally, Dumont, must not be
+given the opportunity again of covering the land with
+blood. There must be a pretty wholesome hanging in the
+North-West, and the gentlemen whom the authorities must
+give first attention to are the two villains just named,
+Poundmaker, Big Bear, Little Pine, Lucky Man, and those
+bloody wolves who perpetrated the butcheries at Frog Lake.
+
+I have said that this is not the place to discuss at
+length the question of the Government's responsibility
+for this blood, and sorrow, and misery. Neither is it.
+Yet one and all believe, though thousands will belie
+their convictions, that there has been a criminal
+mismanagement of these half-breed people by the authorities
+at Ottawa.
+
+I have been obliged to show that in the past, many of
+our French co-patriots bestowed a most astonishing and
+unjustifiable sympathy for Riel. I am glad to be able to
+say that in the present case, while censuring the Government
+for its indifference to the grievances of the half-breeds,
+they have no word of justification for the murderous
+apostle of tumult. Bishop Langevin, brother of the Hon
+the Minister of Public Works, issued a pastoral, in which
+there was no uncertain sound. He called upon the faithful
+sons of the country within his diocese to come forward
+and join hands against a cause of tumult, destruction
+and murder.
+
+
+
+
+THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION OF LOUIS RIEL.
+
+On the 20th of July the Court met, when Riel was formally
+arraigned, the clerk reading the long indictment. In
+reply to the interrogation whether the prisoner pled
+guilty to the charge of treason, his counsel rose and
+took exception to the jurisdiction of the Court. The plea
+entered by the defence was to the affect that the presiding
+stipendiary magistrate was incompetent to try a case
+involving the death penalty, and urged that Riel should
+be tried by one of the duly constituted courts in Ontario
+or in British Columbia. Mr. Christopher Robinson, Q.C.,
+for the Crown, asked for an adjournment for eight days,
+to prepare a reply to the plea, which was granted. The
+Court then adjourned to the 28th instant.
+
+On the re-opening of the Court, counsel expressed themselves
+ready to proceed. Only a few minutes were taken up in
+selecting a jury. Twelve persons were called, five of
+whom were peremptorily challenged by the defence, and
+one by the Crown. The remaining six were sworn in to
+try the prisoner at the bar. Their names are as follows:
+--H. J. Painter, E. Everett, E. J. Brooks, J. W.
+Merryfield, H. Dean, and F. Crosgrove. During the selection
+of the jury, it is observed by a correspondent of _The
+Mail_, to whom we shall be indebted for the reports of
+the trial, in making the present abstract, "that Riel
+anxiously watched the face of every man as he was selected
+and sworn, as though he could read their inmost thoughts
+as they took the oath."
+
+After reading the indictment to the jury, Mr. B. B. Osler,
+Q.C., opened the case for the Crown, in which he explained
+the nature of the charge against the prisoner, whose
+career he traced through the successive steps of the
+rebellion, and indicated the weight and character of the
+evidence to be brought against its wicked instigator and
+chief leader. The plea of the defence of the incompetence
+of the Court to try the case, was first answered by the
+learned counsel, who remarked, that the character, and
+composition of the Court, as well as the provision for
+the trial of capital offences by a jury of six men instead
+of twelve, were in harmony with the Dominion Law enacted
+for the Government of the Territories, and that the
+Dominion Parliament had the right, under the British
+North America Act, to make that law. "The absence of
+the Grand Jury was explained, on the ground that such
+juries were essentially county organizations, and were
+impossible in large districts with small and scattered
+populations." The same reason explained the limiting of
+the jury to half the usual number. It was also stated
+that the Crown deemed it unwise, if indeed it were not
+impossible, to issue a Special Commission for the trial
+of the prisoner.
+
+Mr. Osler proceeding said, that Riel not only aided and
+abetted the illegal acts of the rebels, but directed
+these acts.
+
+"The testimony he claimed," says a writer in _The
+Illustrated War News_, "was abundantly sufficient to
+bring home to the prisoner his guilt in the charges
+against him. He (Mr. Osler) read the document in Riel's
+handwriting to Crozier, in which Riel threatened a war
+of extermination against the whites, and traced the
+prisoner's conduct afterwards to show that he had tried
+to carry out that threat. It was no constructive treason
+that was sought to be proved, but treason involving the
+shedding of brave men's blood. The accused had been led
+on, not by the desire to aid his friends in a lawful
+agitation for redress of a grievance, but by his inordinate
+vanity and desire for power and wealth."
+
+"The first overt act of treason was committed," continued
+Mr. Osler, "when the French half-breeds were requested
+by Riel to bring their arms with them to a meeting to be
+held at Batoche on March 3rd. This indicated that the
+prisoner intended to resort to violence. On the 18th
+instant they find him (Riel) sending out armed men and
+taking prisoners, including Mr. Lash, the Indian agent
+of the St. Lament region, and others, also looting the
+stores at and near Batoche, stopping freighters and
+appropriating their freight. A few days later the French
+half-breeds were under arms, and were joined by the
+Indians of the neighbourhood, who were incited to rise
+by the prisoner. On the 21st inst. Major Crozier did all
+he could to get the armed men to disperse, but directed
+by Riel, they refused to do so, and taking their orders
+from him, they continued in rebellion. He held a document
+in his hands, in the prisoner's handwriting," added Mr.
+Osler, "which contained the terms on which Fort Carlton
+would be spared attack by the surrender and march out of
+Major Crozier and the mounted police. This document was
+never delivered, but was found with other papers in the
+rebel council chamber after the taking of Batoche. It
+was said in this notification to Crozier that the rebels
+would attack the police if they did not vacate Carlton,
+and would commence a war of extermination of the white
+race. This document was direct evidence of the treasonable
+intentions of the prisoner. Ten days previously Riel
+declared himself determined to rule or perish, and the
+declaration was followed by this demand. It would be said
+that, at last, when a clash of arms was imminent, Riel
+objected to forcible measures; but this document was a
+refutation of that assertion. At Duck Lake the prisoner
+had taken upon himself the responsibility of ordering
+his men to fire on the police. At Fish Creek, if Riel
+was not there, he directed the movement, and was therefore
+responsible. On the day of the fight he went back to
+Batoche to finish the rifle-pits. In the contest at
+Batoche the prisoner was seen bearing arms, and giving
+such directions as would show that he was the main mover.
+His treatment of the prisoners, his letters to Middleton,
+and other documents would show Riel's leadership. A letter
+found in Poundmaker's camp would show his deliberate
+intention of bringing on this country the calamity of an
+Indian war. All this would be proven, and it would be
+shown that the prisoner had not come here to aid his
+friends in the redress of grievances, but in order to
+use the half-breeds for his own selfish ends." Mr. Osler
+closed with a reference to the death and suffering which
+had been caused by the ambition of one man, and impressed
+upon the jury the grave responsibility they were charged
+with in bringing his crime home to the prisoner.
+
+The first witness called by the Crown was DR. WILLOUGHBY,
+of SASKATOON. After having been sworn, witness said that
+the prisoner had stated to him that the Fort Garry trouble,
+when Scott had been shot, was nothing to what was going
+to take place. He said that the Indians only waited for
+him to strike the first blow to join him, and that he
+had the United States at his back. He seemed greatly
+excited, and said:--"It is time, doctor, that the breeds
+should assert their rights, and it will be well for those
+who have lived good lives." A party of armed men then
+drove up, and Riel said, pointing to them, "My people
+intend striking a blow for their rights. They have
+petitioned the Government over and over again, the only
+reply being an increase of the police force each time."
+The Indians, he said, had arranged their plans, and when
+the first blow was struck they would be joined by the
+American Indians. They would issue a proclamation, and
+assert that the time had arrived for him to rule the
+country or perish in the attempt. He promised to divide
+the country into seven equal portions, one of which was
+to be the new Ireland of the new North-West. He said the
+rebellion of fifteen years ago was not a patch on what
+this would be.
+
+THOS. McKAY, a loyal half-breed, was next called, who
+testified that he joined the Volunteer contingent from
+Prince Albert which formed part of Major Crozier's command
+at Duck Lake. Previous to that engagement he accompanied
+Mr. Hillyard Mitchell in his mission to Batoche, where
+the rebels had their headquarters. His object in going
+to Batoche was to point cut to the French half-breeds
+the danger they were getting into in taking up arms. On
+arriving at the village he was met by an armed guard who
+conducted him, with Mr. Mitchell, to the rebel council
+room, where he was introduced to Riel "as one of Her
+Majesty's soldiers." We here quote part of the examination,
+by Mr. Christopher Robinson, of this Witness.
+
+Q.--Who introduced you to the prisoner?
+
+A.--Mr. Mitchell introduced me to Mr. Riel as one of Her
+Majesty's soldiers.
+
+Q.--That is Mr. Hillyard Mitchell?
+
+A.--Yes. I shook hands with Mr. Riel and had a talk with
+him. I said, "There appears be great excitement here,
+Mr. Riel." He said, "No, there is no excitement at all;
+it was simply that the people were trying to redress
+their grievances, as they had asked repeatedly for their
+rights; that they had decided to make a demonstration."
+I told him it was a very dangerous thing to resort to
+arms. He said he had been waiting fifteen long years and
+that they had been imposed upon, and it was time now,
+after they had waited patiently that their rights should
+be given, as the poor half-breeds had been imposed upon.
+I disputed his wisdom and advised him to adopt different
+measures.
+
+Q.--Did he speak of himself at all in the matter?
+
+A.--He accused me of having neglected my people. He said
+if it was not for men like me their grievances would have
+been redressed long ago, that as no one took an interest
+in these people he had decided to take the lead in the
+matter.
+
+Q.--Well?
+
+A.--He accused me of neglecting them. I told him it was
+simply a matter of opinion, that I had certainly taken
+an interest in them, and my interest in the country was
+the same as theirs, and that I had advised them time and
+again, and that I had not neglected them. I also said
+that he had neglected them a long time if he took as deep
+an interest as he professed to. He became very excited,
+and got up and said, "You don't know what we are after--it
+is blood, blood; we want blood; it is a war of
+extermination. Everybody that is against us is to be
+driven out of the country." There were two curses in the
+country--the Government and the Hudson Bay Co. He further
+said the first blood they wanted was mine. There were
+some little dishes on the table, and he got hold of a
+spoon and said, "You have no blood, you are a traitor to
+your people, your blood is frozen, and all the little
+blood you have will be there in five minutes"--putting
+the spoon up to my face, and pointing to it. I said, "If
+you think you are benefiting your cause by taking my
+blood, you are quite welcome to it." He called his people
+and the committee, and wanted to put me on trial for my
+life, and Garnot got up and went to the table with a
+sheet of paper, and Gabriel Dumont took a chair on a
+syrup keg, and Riel called up the witnesses against me.
+
+At this juncture Riel was called away to attend a committee
+meeting of the rebel government. Subsequently, by the
+mediation of Hillyard Mitchell, Riel's wrath at McKay
+was placated, and he was allowed to return to Fort Carlton
+with his intercessor. Before leaving, Riel apologized to
+McKay for what he had said to him, and asked him to join
+the insurgents, which witness, of course, would not do,
+being a loyal half-breed and a volunteer in the ranks of
+the Prince Albert contingent with Crozier at Fort Carlton.
+
+McKay then detailed the incidents of the disastrous
+engagement with the rebels at Duck Lake, and gave strong
+testimony to criminate Riel, which the counsel for the
+defence utterly failed to shake.
+
+The next witness WAS JOHN ASTLEY, surveyor of PRINCE
+ALBERT, who was long prisoner of Riel's at Batoche, and
+the rebel chief's messenger on the day of the taking of
+the village by the loyal forces under Middleton. The
+witness gave a vivid description of his capture and
+imprisonment by Riel, and his subsequent release by the
+volunteers at Batoche. Riel acknowledged to him that he
+ordered his men in the name of the Almighty to fire at
+Duck Lake. He did not do so, however until, as he thought,
+the police had fired. Riel told him he must have another
+fight with the soldiers to secure better terms of surrender
+from Gen. Middleton.
+
+
+
+
+SECOND DAY OF THE TRIAL.
+
+The second day of the Riel trial brought out sufficient
+evidence to incriminate the prisoner, and to lead the
+Crown prosecutors to waive the calling of other witnesses.
+During the proceedings the prisoner, it is reported,
+manifested more interest than he did on the first day of
+the trial, and his dark penetrating eye restlessly wandered
+from witness to counsel, and from bench to jury. "All
+day long a couple of medical men sat watching his actions,
+to discover, if possible, whether his mind was affected
+or not." His disagreement with his counsel towards the
+close of the day, caused an exciting break in the
+proceedings.
+
+GEORGE KERR, of Kerr Brothers, BATOCHE, was the first
+witness sworn. He testified that on the 18th of March,
+Riel, with some fifty armed half-breeds, came to his
+store, and demanded, and obtained, all his guns and
+ammunition. His store was sacked, and later on he was
+himself taken prisoner, but was subsequently released.
+Riel, he testified, directed the rebel movements in
+concert with Gabriel Dumont.
+
+HARRY WALTERS, another storekeeper at BATOCHE, was then
+examined, and gave similar testimony as to the sacking
+of his store, and of Riel's demand for arms and ammunition.
+On his refusing to accede to the demand of the prisoner
+and the breeds with him, Riel said, "You had better do
+it quietly. If we succeed, I will pay you; if not, the
+Dominion Government will." I refused, said Walters, and
+they forced themselves in and took the arms. I was arrested
+shortly after. Riel said the movement was for the freedom
+of the people. The country, if they succeeded, was to be
+divided, giving a seventh to the half-breeds, a seventh
+to the Indians, a seventh to church and schools, the
+remainder to be Crown Lands. I was kept prisoner three
+days, being liberated by Riel. Riel said, God was with
+their people, and that if the whites ever struck a blow,
+a thunderbolt would destroy them. They took everything
+out of my store before morning, the prisoner superintending
+the removal of the goods.
+
+HILLYARD MITCHELL sworn, was examined by Mr. Osler. He
+said--I am an Indian trader, have a store at Duck Lake;
+heard there was an intention by rebels to take my store.
+I went to Fort Carlton and saw Major Crozier on the
+Thursday prior to the Duck Lake fight; saw prisoner on
+that Thursday at Batoche. Saw some people at the river
+armed. At the village I saw some English half-breed
+freighters who had been taken prisoners by Riel, and
+their freight also taken. Philip Garnot took me to the
+priest's house. I saw the prisoner there with Charles
+Nolin, Guardupuy and others. I think this was on the 19th
+of March. I told Riel that I had come to give some advice
+to the half-breeds. Riel said the Government had always
+answered their demands by sending more police. They were
+willing to fight 500 police. He said he had been trampled
+on and kept out of the country, and he would bring the
+Government and Sir Jonn Macdonald to their knees.
+
+THOMAS E. JACKSON was next examined by Mr. Osler, and
+deposed that he was a druggist, at Prince Albert, and a
+brother of Wm. Henry Jackson, an insane prisoner of
+Riel's. Riel, witness testified, asked him to write to
+the eastern papers, placing a favourable construction on
+his (Riel's) actions. Riel had made an application to
+Government for $35,000 as indemnity for loss of property;
+he showed the greatest hatred to the English, and his
+motives were those of revenge for ill-treatment at the
+time of the Red River rebellion. Having questioned Riel's
+present motives and plans, witness was taken prisoner
+and placed in close confinement. Riel afterwards accused
+me of having advised an English half-breed to desert.
+When Middleton was attacking Batoche, Riel came to witness
+and told him if Middleton killed any of their women and
+children he would massacre the prisoners. He wrote a
+message to Middleton to that effect, and I carried it to
+the General. (The message was produced and identified
+by witness). I did not return to the rebel camp. Saw the
+prisoner armed once after the Fish Creek fight. Riel was
+in command at Batoche, Dumont being in immediate command
+of the men. I know prisoner's handwriting. (The original
+summons to Major Crozier to surrender, the letter to
+Crozier asking him to come and take away the dead after
+Duck Lake fight, a letter to "dear relatives" at Fort
+Qu'Appelle, a letter to the half-breeds and Indians about
+Battleford, a letter to Poundmaker, and other documents
+were put in and identified by witness as being in Riel's
+handwriting).
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Fitzpatrick--The agitation was for
+provincial rights and their claims under the Manitoba
+treaty, and I was in sympathy with it. Riel was brought
+into the country by the French half-breeds. I attended
+a meeting at Prince Albert immediately after Riel's
+arrival in June, 1884. Riel said what they wanted was a
+constitutional agitation, and if they could not accomplish
+their ends in five years they would take ten to do it.
+Riel was their adviser; was not a member of the Executive
+Committee. Up to March last, from all I heard prisoner
+say or discovered otherwise, I believed Riel meant simply
+a constitutional agitation, as was being carried on by
+the other settlers. Riel had told him the priests were
+opposed to him, and that they were all wrong. Heard Riel
+talk of dividing up the country to be bestowed on the
+half-breeds, Poles, Hungarians, Bavarians, etc. When I
+was Riel's prisoner I heard him talk of this division,
+which I thought meant a division of the proceeds of sale
+of lands in a scheme of immigration. This was altogether
+different from what he had all along proposed at the
+meetings. All the documents Riel signed that I know of
+were signed "Exovide" (one of the flock). Riel explained
+that his new religion was a liberal form of Roman
+Catholicism, and that the Pope had no power in Canada.
+Think Riel wanted to exercise the power of the Pope
+himself. These expressions were made by Riel after the
+rebellious movement was begun.
+
+GENERAL MIDDLETON was now called, and was examined by
+Mr. C. Robinson, Q.C. He testified that he was sent by
+the Minister of Militia to quell the outbreak on the
+Saskatchewan, and gave the well-known details of his
+encounter with the rebels at Fish Creek, and of his
+subsequent movement on Batoche. He testified to receiving
+two letters from Riel on the day of the capture of Batoche,
+in one of which Riel threatened to massacre the prisoners
+in his possession if he (Middleton) fired upon the
+half-breed women and children. The letter was produced
+in Court, and identified by the General.
+
+CAPT. GEO. H. YOUNG, of the Winnipeg Field Battery,
+deposed that he was present at Batoche as Brigade Major
+under the last witness, and was in the charge at the
+close. Witness was first in the rebel council chamber
+after the capture of the village, and found and took
+possession of the rebel archives. A number of documents
+were produced, which witness recognised as those he had
+secured. After Riel's surrender he was given into
+witness's custody and taken to Regina.
+
+MAJOR JARVIS, in command of the Winnipeg Field Battery
+during the campaign, and to whom the charge of the papers
+found at Batoche was confided, identified the papers
+produced in Court.
+
+MAJOR CROZIER, of the N.-W. Mounted Police, was next
+sworn, and detailed the fact that he was met by an armed
+force of rebels at Duck Lake and fired upon, losing many
+of his command in killed and wounded. He testified that,
+subsequent to this engagement, a man named Sanderson
+brought him a letter from Riel asking him to come and
+remove his dead from the field.
+
+CHARLES NOLIN was next called, and was examined by Mr.
+Casgrain in French. The deposition of this witness we
+take from the Toronto _Globe_. Nolin deposed that he
+lived in St. Laurent and formerly in Manitoba. He knew
+when Riel came to this country in July, 1884. And met
+him many times. Riel showed him a book he had written in
+which he said he would destroy England, and also Rome
+and the Pope. Riel spoke to him of his plans in December,
+expressing his wish for money, a sum between ten and
+fifteen thousand dollars. Riel had no plan to get it,
+but he wanted to claim an indemnity from the Dominion
+Government; that they owed him $100,000. Riel told him
+he had had an interview with Father Andre, and at that
+time he was at open war with the clergy, but had made
+peace with Father Andre in order to gain his ends. Riel
+went into the church with Father Andre and other priests,
+and promised to do nothing against them, and Father Andre
+had promised to use his influence with the Government to
+secure an indemnity of $35,000. This was in the beginning
+of December, 1884, the agreement being made at St. Laurent.
+Between December and February 14th, witness had taken
+part in seven meetings. Riel said if he could get the
+money from the Government he would go wherever the
+Government would send him--to the Province of Quebec or
+elsewhere. Otherwise, he said, before the grass was very
+long, they would see foreign armies in Canada. He would
+begin with subduing Manitoba, and afterwards turn against
+the North-West. Prisoner afterwards prepared to go to
+the United States, and told the people it would look well
+if they attempted to prevent him from going. Riel never
+had the intention of leaving the country, but wanted
+witness to get the people to tell him not to go. Witness
+was chairman of a meeting which was held, and brought
+the matter up. On the 2nd March a meeting was held at
+the settlement between Riel and Father Andre. There were
+seven or eight half-breeds there. Prisoner appeared to
+be very excited, and told Father Andre he must give him
+permission to proclaim a Provisional Government before
+12 o'clock. On the 3rd March a meeting was held for the
+English half-breeds. About forty armed French-half-breeds
+came there. Riel spoke and said the police wanted to
+arrest him, but he had the real police. Witness spoke
+also at the meeting on the 5th of March. Riel afterwards
+told witness he had decided to take up arms and induce
+the people to take up arms for the glory of God, the good
+of the Church, and the saving of their souls. About twenty
+days before the prisoner took up arms witness broke
+entirely from him. On the 19th witness was made prisoner
+by four of Riel's men and taken to the church, where he
+found some half-breeds and Indians armed. That night he
+was taken before the council and was acquitted. Riel
+protested against the decision. Witness was condemned to
+death, and he was thus forced to join the rebels to save
+his life. The conditions of surrender to Crozier were
+put in his hands to be delivered to Crozier, but he did
+not deliver the letter. Riel was present at the Duck Lake
+fight, on the 26th March, and was one of the first to go
+out to meet the police, carrying a cross in his hands.
+
+Cross examined by Mr. Lemieux.--I have taken an active
+part in political affairs of the country. In 1869 I was
+in Manitoba. In 1884 Riel was living in Montana with his
+wife and children. I participated in the movement to
+bring Riel here; believed Riel would be of advantage in
+obtaining redress of the grievances. The clergy had not
+taken part in the political movement, but had assisted
+them in obtaining their rights. They thought it was
+necessary to have Riel as a point to rally round. Delegates
+were sent to invite Riel to come, and he came with his
+wife and family. A constitutional political movement was
+made, in which the half-breeds of all creeds took part,
+and the whites, though they were not active promoters,
+were sympathizers. Did not believe Riel ever wanted to
+return to Montana, although he spoke of it. After the
+Government refused to grant the indemnity to Riel witness
+did not believe he would be useful as a constitutional
+leader. It was after the indemnity was refused that Riel
+spoke of going away. Witness denied that in 1869 he
+started an agitation with Riel, and then, as in the
+present case, abandoned him. He only went as far as was
+constitutional. He had heard prisoner say he considered
+himself a prophet, and said he had inspiration in his
+liver and in every other part of his body. He wrote upon
+a piece of paper that he was inspired. He showed witness
+a book written with buffalo blood, which was a plan that
+after Riel had taken England and Canada, Quebec was to
+be given to the Prussians, Ontario to the Irish, and the
+North-West to be divided among the various nationalities
+of Europe, the Jews, Hungarians, and Bavarians included.
+The rebel council had first condemned witness to death,
+and afterwards liberated him, and he accepted a position
+in the council in order to save his life. Witness said
+that whenever the word police was mentioned Riel became
+very excited, having heard that the Government had answered
+their petitions for redress by sending 500 extra police.
+
+At this part of the cross-examination of Nolin, the
+proceedings were interrupted by an excited clamour of
+Riel, to be allowed to interrogate the prisoner, and to
+assist personally in the conduct of his case. This the
+Court could only allow with the consent of prisoner's
+counsel. His counsel objected, and urged that such a
+proceeding would prejudice their client's case; but Riel
+persisted, and the rest of the day was wasted in fruitless
+altercation, which neither the Court nor the counsel for
+the Crown could allay. The chief cause of Riel's excitement
+seemed to be the determination of his counsel to press
+the plea of insanity, a plea which, throughout the trial,
+Riel strongly objected to be urged on his behalf. The
+Court in the midst of the altercation, adjourned.
+
+
+
+
+THIRD DAY OF THE TRIAL.
+
+[Footnote: In preparing this abstract of the day's
+proceedings, the writer acknowledges to have drawn from
+the reports published in the Toronto _Globe_ and _Mail_,
+and the Montreal _Gazette_ And _Star_.]
+
+The Riel trial was resumed at Regina, on the morning of
+July 30th, by MR. GREEN SHIELDS' addressing the jury
+for the defence. The Court-room was again filled to its
+utmost capacity. After referring to the difficulty counsel
+had met, in the prisoner's endeavour to obstruct their
+conduct of the case, Mr. Greenshields dwelt upon the
+history of the Indians and half-breeds in the North-West
+Territories, pointing out their rights to the soil. In
+this Court they had a different procedure from that in
+other parts of the Dominion, and while not desiring to
+be understood that the prisoner would not receive as fair
+a trial as the machinery provided made possible, he
+questioned whether a jury of six men, nominated by the
+presiding magistrate, was sufficient to satisfy the
+demands of Magna Charta,--the great bulwark of the rights
+and liberties of all British subjects. He believed any
+of the older Provinces would rebel against such an
+encroachment on their rights, and he did not see why such
+a condition of things should obtain here. For years the
+half-breeds had been making futile efforts to obtain
+their rights. All these efforts had been met by rebuffs,
+or had received no attention whatever from the Federal
+Government, and those very rights for which the half-breeds
+were supplicating and petitioning were being handed over
+to railway corporations, colonization companies, and like
+concerns. He would not say that the action of the Government
+justified armed rebellion--the shedding of blood--but it
+left in these poor people those smouldering fires of
+discontent that were so easily fanned into rebellion by
+a madman such as Riel. The prisoner had been invited by
+the half-breeds to come among them from a foreign country
+to assist them in making a proper representation of their
+grievances to the Government. They were unlettered and
+required an active sympathizer, with education sufficient
+to properly conduct the agitation. Riel was the man they
+chose, and there was no evidence to show that when Riel
+came to this country he came with any intention of inciting
+the people to armed rebellion. His work was begun and
+carried on up till January in a perfectly constitutional
+manner. After that time, as the jury had seen in the
+cross-examination of the witnesses for the prosecution,
+no effort was made by the defence to deny that overt acts
+of treason had been committed in the presence of the
+prisoner; but evidence would be brought to show that at
+the time these acts were countenanced by the prisoner,
+he was of unsound mind and not responsible for what he
+did. The peculiar disease of the prisoner was called by
+men learned in diseases of the mind, "megalomania." This
+species of mental disease developed two delusions--one
+the desire for and belief that the patient could obtain
+great power in political matters to rule or govern,
+another his desire to found a great church. That the
+prisoner was possessed of these delusions, the evidence
+abundantly proved. The jury might consider, with some
+grounds for the belief, that the evidence of Charles
+Nolin, who swore that the prisoner was willing to leave
+the country if he obtained from the Government a gratuity
+of $35,000, was inconsistent with the real existence of
+such a monomania as the prisoner was afflicted with. But
+not one isolated portion, but the whole, of Nolin's
+evidence should be considered. Other portions of his
+testimony, for instance, prisoner's opinions on religious
+matters, and his intention to divide up the country
+between various foreign nationalities, were conclusive
+proof of the prisoner's insanity. This was a great State
+trial, the speaker said, and he warned the jury to throw
+aside the influence of heated public opinion, as it was
+expressed at present. There were many people executed
+for having taken part in the rebellion of 1837, and it
+was questionable if there could be found anyone now who
+would justify those executions. The beat of private
+feeling had died away, and the jury should be careful
+that no hasty conclusion in this case should leave
+posterity a chance to say that their verdict had been a
+wrong one. They should, if possible, look at the case
+with the calmness of the historian, throwing aside all
+preconceived notions of the case that interfered with
+the evidence given in the Court, and build up their
+verdict on the testimony brought out here. In the course
+of his remarks, Mr. Greenshields said, that he accused
+no Government in particular for neglecting the claims of
+the breeds; but if the authorities had paid attention to
+the petitions which had been addressed to them, the
+rebellion would never have occurred. He paid a glowing
+tribute to the volunteers, who left their private
+occupations and came from all parts of the Dominion to
+suppress the outbreak.
+
+At the conclusion of Mr. Greenshield's address, FATHER
+ANDRE, Superior of the Oblat Fathers in the district of
+Carlton, was called for the defence. He said he had been
+intimately associated with the breeds for a quarter of
+a century. Riel had been induced to come to this country
+by the settlers to assist them. The witness had a thorough
+knowledge of what was going on amongst the settlers. He
+had no knowledge of petitions having been sent to the
+Government during the agitation; but he had himself
+indirectly communicated with the Government last December,
+with the object of getting the prisoner out of the country.
+The pretensions or claims of the breeds changed frequently.
+After Riel's arrival the Government had been notified
+three or four times of what was transpiring. The Government
+had promised to take the matter into consideration. The
+Government had replied to one petition by telegram,
+conceding the old survey. This was an important concession.
+At Batoche three scrips had been issued, and at Duck Lake
+forty were given. The witness never liked talking with
+the prisoner on religion or politics. On these subjects
+Riel's language frightened the witness, who considered
+him undoubtedly crazy on these subjects, while on all
+other points he was sane enough. Once, at a meeting of
+priests, the advisability of allowing such a man to
+perform religious duties was discussed, and it was
+unanimously agreed that the man was insane. The discussion
+of religious or political subjects with him was like
+dangling a red flag in front of a bull.
+
+PHILIP GARNEAU, of Batoche, but at present a prisoner in
+Regina gaol, was now sworn and deposed as follows:--I
+saw Riel at Batoche last fall; had seen him several times
+before January. During the trouble I talked with him at
+my house on religious matters. He said the spirit of
+Elias, the prophet, was in him. He wanted the people to
+believe that. He often said the Spirit of God told him
+to do this or that. During his stay at my house Riel
+prayed aloud all night; never heard such prayers before;
+prisoner must have made them up. He could not stand to
+be contradicted, and was very irritable. Heard him declare
+he was representing St. Peter. Heard him talking of the
+country being divided into seven Provinces, and he was
+going to bring in seven different nationalities to occupy
+them. I did not believe he would succeed in that. He
+expected the assistance of the Jews and other nationalities,
+to whom he was going to award a Province each for their
+aid. Riel said he was sure to succeed, it was a divine
+mission, and God was the chief of the movement; only met
+him once before the trouble. I thought the man was crazy.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Robinson--I followed Riel solely
+because he forced me with armed men. He had great influence
+over the half-breeds, who listened to and followed his
+advice,
+
+FATHER FOURMAND sworn, examined by Mr. Lemieux in French--I
+am a priest of St. Laurent; went there in 1875. Have had
+conversations with Riel since the time of the rebellion.
+Often conversed with him on political and religious
+subjects. I was present at the meeting of priests at
+which Riel's sanity was questioned. I knew the facts upon
+which the question arose. Before the rebellion Riel was
+a polite and pleasant man to me. When he was not
+contradicted about political affairs he was quiet, but
+when opposed he was violent. As soon as the rebellion
+commenced he lost all control of himself, and threatened
+to burn all the churches. He believed there was only
+one God; that Christ the Son was not God, neither was
+the Holy Ghost, and in consequence the Virgin Mary was
+not the mother of God, but of the Son of God. He changed
+the song beginning "Hail Mary, mother of God," to "Hail
+Mary, mother of the Son of God." He denied the real
+presence of God in the Host, it was a man of six feet.
+Riel said he was going to Quebec, France and Italy, and
+would overthrow the Pope and choose a Pope or appoint
+himself. We finally concluded there was no other way of
+explaining his conduct than that he was insane. Noticed
+a great change in prisoner as the agitation progressed.
+When the fathers opposed him he attacked them. Witness
+was brought before the rebel council by the prisoner, to
+give an account of his conduct. He called me a little tiger,
+being very excited. Never showed me a book of his prophecies
+written in buffalo blood, although I heard of it.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Casgrain--Most of the half-breeds
+followed Riel in his religious views; some opposed them.
+The prisoner was relatively sane before the rebellion.
+The prisoner proclaimed the rebellion on March 18th. I
+promised to occupy a position of neutrality towards the
+provisional Government. He could better explain prisoner's
+conduct on the ground of insanity than that of great
+criminality. Witness naturally had a strong friendship
+towards the prisoner.
+
+The afternoon was devoted to expert testimony respecting
+the prisoner's sanity.
+
+
+
+
+MEDICAL TESTIMONY.
+
+DR. ROY, of the Beauport Asylum, Quebec, said the prisoner
+was an inmate of that institution for nineteen months.
+He was discharged in January, 1878. He suffered from
+ambitious mania. One of the distinguishing characteristics
+of that form of insanity is that, so long as the particular
+hobby is not touched, the patient appears perfectly sane.
+From what he heard the witnesses say, and from the
+prisoner's actions yesterday, he had no hesitation in
+pronouncing the man insane, and he believed him not to
+be responsible for his acts.
+
+DR. CLARKE, of Toronto, was the next witness. He said he
+was the Superintendent of the Toronto Lunatic Asylum. He
+has had nine or ten years' experience in treating lunatics.
+He examined the prisoner twice yesterday and once this
+morning. From what evidence he had heard and from his
+own examination, provided the witnesses told the truth
+and the prisoner was not malingering, there was no doubt
+of his being insane.
+
+Cross-examined by Mr. Osler--It is impossible for any
+man to say that a person like Riel, who is sharp and
+well-educated, is either insane or sane. He (the witness)
+would require to have him under his notice for months to
+form an opinion. The man's actions are consistent with
+fraud. Thinks he knows the difference between right and
+wrong, subject to his delusion.
+
+DR. WALLACE was next called. He said he was Superintendent
+of the Insane Asylum at Hamilton. He had listened to the
+evidence in this case. He saw the prisoner alone for half
+an hour. He has formed the opinion that there is no
+indication of insanity about him. He thinks the prisoner
+knows the difference between right and wrong. The person
+suffering from megalomania often imagines he is a king,
+divinely inspired, has the world at his feet--supreme
+egotism in fact. It is one of the complications of
+paralytic insanity.
+
+DR. JUKES, of the Mounted Police, would not say the
+prisoner was not insane. He had seen him daily since
+May, and noticed no traces of insanity.
+
+The Court adjourned at five o'clock.
+
+
+
+
+RIEL'S ADDRESS TO THE JURY.
+
+At the outset, writes W. A. H., correspondent of the
+Montreal _Star_, Riel spoke in a quiet and low tone, many
+of his statements carrying home conviction to his hearers.
+"At any rate," was the subsequent comment, "Riel speaks
+with the belief that he is right." Gradually as he
+proceeded and got fairly launched into his subject, his
+eyes sparkled, his body swayed to and fro as if strongly
+agitated, and his hands accomplished a series of wonderful
+gestures as he warmed up and spoke with impassioned
+eloquence. His hearers were spell-bound, and well they
+might, as each concluding assertion with terrible
+earnestness was uttered with the effect and force of a
+trumpet blast. That every soul in Court was impressed is
+not untrue, and many ladies were moved to tears. The
+following is an epitome of what he said:--
+
+"Your Honour, and gentlemen of the jury--It would be an
+easy matter for me to-day, to play the _role_ of a lunatic,
+because the circumstances are such as to excite any
+ordinary man subject to natural excitement after what
+has transpired to-day. The natural excitement, or may
+I add anxiety, which my trial causes me is enough to
+justify me in acting in the manner of a demented man;
+but I hope, with the help of God, that I will maintain
+a calm exterior and act with the decorum that suits this
+honourable Court. You have, no doubt, seen by the papers
+produced by the Crown, that I was not a man disposed to
+think of God at the beginning. Gentlemen, I don't want
+to play the part of a lunatic.
+
+"Oh, my God, help me through the grace and divine influence
+of Jesus. Oh, my God bless me, bless this Court, bless
+this jury, and bless my good lawyers, who at great
+sacrifice have came nearly 700 leagues to defend me.
+Bless the lawyers for the Crown, for they have done what
+they considered their duty. God grant that fairness be
+shown. Oh, Jesus, change the curiosity of the ladies and
+others here to sanctity. The day of my birth I was
+helpless, and my mother was helpless. Somebody helped
+her. I lived, and although a man I am as helpless to-day
+as I was a babe on my mother's breast. But the North-West
+is also my mother: although the North-West is sick and
+confined, there is some one to take care of her. I am
+sure that my mother will not kill me after forty-years
+life. My mother cannot take my life. She will be indulgent
+and will forget.
+
+"When I came here from Montana, in July, 1884, I found
+the Indians starving. The state of affairs was terrible.
+The half-breeds were subsisting on the rotten pork of
+the Hudson Bay Company. This was the condition, this was
+the pride, of responsible Government! What did Louis Riel
+do? I did not equally forget the whites. I directed my
+attention to assist all classes, irrespective of creed,
+colour or nationality. We have made petitions to the
+Canadian Government, asking them to relieve the state of
+affairs. We took time. Those who know me, know we took
+time with the object of uniting all classes, even if I
+may speak it, all parties. Those who know me know I have
+suffered. I tried to come to an understanding with the
+authorities on different points. I believe I have done
+my duty. It was said that I was egotistical. A man cannot
+generalize himself unless he is imputed with the taint.
+After the Canadian Government, through the honourable
+under-secretary of state, replied to my letter regarding
+the half-breeds, then, and not till then, did I look
+after my private affairs. A good deal can be said of the
+distribution of land. I don't know if my dignity would
+permit me to mention what you term my foreign policy,
+but if I was allowed to explain or question certain
+witnesses, those things would have looked different. My
+lawyers are good, but they don't understand the
+circumstances. Be it understood that I appreciate their
+services. Were I to go into details, I could safely say
+what Captain Young has told you regarding my mission, to
+bring about practical results. I have writings; my career,
+is perhaps nearly run, but after dissolution my spirit
+will still bring about practical results."
+
+Striking his breast he added:
+
+"No one need say that the North-West is not suffering.
+The Saskatchewan was especially afflicted, but what have
+I done to bring about practical results? For ten years
+I have been aware that I had a mission to perform; now
+what encourages me is the fact that I still have a mission
+to perform. God is with me, He is in this dock, and God
+is with my lawyers, the same as he was with me in the
+battles of the Saskatchewan. I have not assumed my mission.
+In Manitoba, to-day, I have a mission to perform. To-day
+I am forgotten by the Manitobans as dead. Did I not obtain
+for that province a constitutional government notwithstanding
+the opposition of the Ottawa authorities? That was the
+cause of my banishment."
+
+I thank the glorious General Middleton for his testimony
+that I possess my mental faculties. I felt that God was
+blessing me when those words were pronounced. I was in
+Beauport Asylum; Dr. Roy over there knows it, but I thank
+the Crown for destroying his testimony. I was in the
+Lunatic Asylum at Longue Pointe, near Montreal, also;
+and would like to see my old friends, Dr. Lachapelle and
+Dr. Howard, who treated me so charitably. Even if I am
+to die, I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I
+will not be regarded by all men as an insane person.
+
+TO THE COURT.--"Your honour and gentlemen of the jury,
+my reputation, my life, my liberty, are in your hands,
+and are at your discretion. I am so confident in your
+high sense of duty that I have no anxiety as to the
+verdict. My calmness does not arise from the presumption
+that you will acquit me. Although you are only half a
+jury, only a shred of that proud old British constitution,
+I respect you. I can only trust, Judge and gentlemen,
+that good and practical results will arise from your
+judgment conscientiously rendered. I would call your
+attention to one or two points. The first is that the
+House of Commons, Senate and Ministry, which make the
+laws, do not respect the interests of the North-West. My
+second point is that the North-West Council has the defect
+of its parent. There are practically no elections, and
+it is a sham legislature."
+
+Then, as if wandering from his subject, Riel broke forth
+and said:
+
+"I was ready at Batoche; I fired and wounded your soldiers.
+Bear in mind, is my crime, committed in self-defence, so
+enormous? Oh, Jesus Christ! help me, for they are trying
+to tear me into pieces. Jurors, if you support the plea
+of insanity, otherwise acquit me all the same. Console
+yourselves with the reflection that you will be doing
+justice to one who has suffered for fifteen years, to my
+family, and to the North-West."
+
+Riel concluded as follows, his language containing a
+strange admixture of the words applied to him by the
+medical experts, which he ingeniously turned against the
+Government:
+
+"Your honours and gentlemen of the jury:--I am taking
+the circumstances of my trial as they are. The only thing
+to which I would respectfully call your attention before
+you retire to deliberate is the irresponsibility of the
+Government. It is a fact that the Government possesses
+an absolute lack of responsibility, an insanity complicated
+with analysis. A monster of irresponsible, insane
+government, and its little North-West council, had made
+up their minds to answer my petitions by surrounding me,
+and by suddenly attempting to jump at me and my people
+in the fertile valley of the Saskatchewan. You are
+perfectly justified in declaring that having my reason
+and sound mind, I acted reasonably and in self-defence,
+while the Government, my aggressor, being irresponsible,
+and consequently insane, cannot but have acted madly and
+wrong; and if high treason there is, it must be on its
+side, not on my part."
+
+At the conclusion of Riel's lengthy address, MR. CHRISTOPHER
+ROBINSON, Q.C., closed the case for the Crown in a powerful
+speech, which went far to counteract the sympathetic
+effect produced by Riel's disconnected but eloquent
+oration. Mr. Robinson pointed out that no evidence was
+produced to show that the prisoner had not committed the
+acts he was charged with. From the evidence it was quite
+clear the prisoner was neither a patriot nor a lunatic.
+If prisoner was not responsible for the rebellion, who
+was? The speaker went over the evidence and showed that
+Riel's acts were not those of a lunatic, but well considered
+in all their bearings, and the deliberate acts of a
+particularly sound mind. The evidence as to Riel's
+confinement in an asylum nine years ago was not
+satisfactory. Why was he sent there under an assumed
+name? Why was the record of his case not produced along
+with the other papers, and a statement of his condition
+when leaving the asylum? Medical men were not always the
+best judges of insanity. Taking up the evidence against
+the prisoner, Mr. Robinson went over it in detail, and
+said no mercy should be shown one who had committed such
+acts. He pictured the terrible results if Riel had
+succeeded in his effort to rouse the Indians, The reason
+the prisoners Poundmaker and Big Bear had not been put
+in the witness box, was that they could not be asked to
+give evidence that would incriminate themselves.
+
+MR. JUSTICE RICHARDSON then read over the evidence to
+the jury, after which the court adjourned.
+
+
+
+
+THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.
+
+[Footnote: This abstract of the final day's proceedings
+we take from the Toronto _Mail_.]
+
+The court resumed its sittings on the morning of the 1st
+of August, at the usual hour, and Col. Richardson continued
+his charge to the jury He read all the principal evidence,
+commenting thereon, and finally charged the jury to do
+their duty without fear or favour.
+
+
+
+
+THE VERDICT.
+
+When the jury returned with the verdict at 3.15 p.m.,
+after exactly one hour's deliberation, the prisoner, who
+had been on his knees in the dock praying incessantly,
+rose and stood facing the six men who came in bearing
+for him the message of life or death.
+
+The CLERK of the Court, amid a silence so intense that,
+like the darkness of Egypt, it could be felt, asked if
+the gentlemen of the jury had agreed upon their verdict?
+
+MR. COSGROVE, the foreman, answered in a low tone, but
+heard distinctly in the general hush, "We have!"
+
+The CLERK then asked: "Is the prisoner guilty or not
+guilty?"
+
+Everyone but the prisoner seemed anxious. He alone of
+all those present, eager to hear the message of fate,
+was calm.
+
+The Foreman replied: "Guilty, with a recommendation to
+mercy!"
+
+Riel smiled as if the sentence in no way affected him,
+and bowed gracefully to the jury.
+
+
+
+
+THE PRISONER'S SPEECH.
+
+COL. RICHARDSON asked the prisoner if he had anything to
+say why the sentence of the Court should not be passed
+upon him?
+
+RIEL replied: Yes, your honour. Then he began, in a low,
+calm voice to detail the story of the half-breeds in
+Manitoba, and spoke at length of the rebellion of '69.
+He said that if he had to die for what had taken place,
+it would be a consolation to his wife and to his friends
+to know that he had not died in vain. In years to come
+people will look at Manitoba and say that Riel helped
+the dwellers of those fertile plains to obtain the benefits
+they now enjoy. He said it would be an easy thing for
+him to make an incendiary speech, but he would refrain.
+He said that God had given him a mission to perform, and
+if suffering was part of that mission, he bowed respectfully
+to the Divine will, and he was ready to accept the task,
+even if the end should be death. Like David, he had
+suffered, but he lacked two years of the time that David
+suffered. The prisoner then went into the history of the
+Red River rebellion at great length. He claimed that he
+had ruled the country for two months for the Government,
+and his only reward was a sentence of exile. The troubles
+in the Saskatchewan, he said, were but a continuation of
+the troubles of the Red River, and the breeds feel that
+they are being robbed by the Government, which has failed
+to carry out the treaty promises that had been made to
+them. The breeds sustained their rights in '69 by arms,
+and the people of Manitoba are enjoying the results
+to-day. The people of Saskatchewan only followed the same
+precedent, and he trusted that the same results would
+follow. He then spoke at great length of the part played
+by Sir John Macdonald, Sir George Cartier, and Bishop
+Tache in the Red River rebellion. The money that had been
+given to him and to Lepine on leaving the country had
+been accepted, he said, as part of what was justly their
+due. The whites were gradually crowding out the Indians
+and the Metis, and what was more natural and just than
+for them to take up arms in defence of their rights? He
+justified his claims to $35,000 by saying that it was
+offered to him to keep out of the country for three years.
+The English constitution, he said, had been perfected
+for the happiness of the world, and his wish to have the
+representatives of the different nations here was to give
+people from the countries of the Old World an opportunity
+of enjoying the blessings God had given England. God had
+given England great glory, but she must work for that
+glory or it would surely pass away. The Roman Empire was
+four hundred years in declining from its proud pre-eminence,
+and England would be in the same position; but before
+England faded away a grander England would be built up
+in this immense country. His heart, while it beat, would
+not abandon the idea of having a new Ireland, a new
+Germany, a new France here; and the people of those
+countries would enjoy liberties under the British
+constitution which they did not obtain at home. If he
+must die for his principles, if the brave men who were
+with him must die, he hoped the French-Canadians would
+come and help the people to get back what was being
+unjustly wrenched from them. Peace had always been
+uppermost in his thoughts, and it was to save the country
+from being deluged with blood later on that they strove
+for their rights now. He concluded by objecting to the
+jury and the decision of the Court, and asked that he be
+not tried for the alleged offences of this season, but
+that his whole career be put on trial, and the jury asked
+to give a decision as to whether his life and acts have
+in any way benefited the country or not.
+
+
+
+
+THE SENTENCE.
+
+Mr. CHRISTOPHER ROBINSON moved for the sentence of the
+Court.
+
+Judge RICHARDSON then said: "Louis Riel, you are charged
+with treason. You let loose the flood gates of rapine
+and bloodshed, and brought ruin and death to many families,
+who, if let alone, were in comfort and a fair way of
+affluence. For what you did you have been given a fair
+and impartial trial. Your remarks are no excuse for your
+acts. You committed acts that the law demands an account
+for at your hands. The jury coupled with their verdict
+a recommendation to mercy. I can hold out no prospect
+for you, and I would recommend you to make your peace
+with God. For me, only one duty and a painful one to
+perform remains. It is to pass sentence upon you. If your
+life is spared, no one will feel more gratified than
+myself, but I can hold out no hope. The sentence of this
+Court upon you, Louis Riel, is that you be taken to the
+guard-room of the Mounted Police of Regina, whence you
+came, and kept there until September the eighteenth, and
+from thence to the place of execution, there to be hanged
+by the neck until dead, and may the Lord have mercy upon
+your soul!"
+
+Riel never moved a muscle, but, bowing to the Court,
+said:--"Is that on Friday, your Honour?"
+
+He was then taken from the Court-room, and a few minutes
+after was driven back, under strong escort, to the
+guard-room,
+
+
+
+
+AN APPEAL.
+
+After sentence had been passed upon Riel, Mr. Fitzgerald,
+one of prisoner's counsel, gave notice of appeal for a
+new trial to the Court of Queen's Bench, Manitoba. The
+appeal case was heard at Winnipeg on the 3rd and 4th days
+of September before Chief Justice Wallbridge and Mr.
+Justice T. W. Taylor.
+
+M. LEMIEUX, chief counsel for Riel, raised the old issue
+as to informality of the trial before the Stipendiary
+Magistrate at Regina, and contended that the magistrate
+was incompetent to try the case.
+
+Mr. FITZPATRICK followed. He held that the Treason-Felony
+Act was one of Imperial jurisdiction, and he questioned
+if it had delegated any power to the colonial authorities
+to legislate away any rights enjoyed by the subjects of
+the British Empire. He dwelt strongly upon the insanity
+question, and said the jury were convinced of the prisoner's
+lunacy, hence their recommendation to mercy.
+
+Mr. EWART also strongly questioned the jurisdiction of
+the Court at Regina and cited several authorities in
+support of his argument.
+
+Mr. ROBINSON, on behalf of the Crown, in an able address,
+strongly combated the idea that the Court at Regina was
+not legally constituted, and cited cases in support of
+his contention. He also dwelt at length on the insanity
+plea, showing the absurdity of the contention that Riel
+was insane.
+
+Mr. Osler and Mr. Aikens followed on the same side,
+supplementing the arguments of the previous speaker as
+to the constitutionality of the Court, and cited a number
+of authorities adverse to the insanity plea.
+
+
+
+
+NEW TRIAL REFUSED.
+
+At Winnipeg, on the 9th September, at a sitting of the
+full Court of the Queen's Bench of the Province of
+Manitoba, judgment was delivered in the appeal for a new
+trial for the prisoner Riel.
+
+His Lordship Chief Justice Wallbridge first delivered
+judgment. He referred briefly to the facts brought before
+the Court and the statutes by which the stipendiary
+magistrates are appointed in the North-West and to the
+powers given them for the trial of the cases before them
+alone, and to the cases, including treason, which have
+to be tried before a magistrate with a justice of the
+peace and a jury of six. His Lordship held that the
+constitutionality of the Court is established by the
+statutes passed, which he cited. If the Act passed by
+the Dominion Parliament was, as claimed by the defence,
+_ultra vires_, it was clearly confirmed by the Imperial
+Act subsequently passed, which made the Dominion Act
+equal to an Imperial Act. The objections were to his
+mind purely technical and therefore not valid. His opinion
+therefore was that a new trial should be refused, and
+the conviction of the Superior Court was therefore
+confirmed.
+
+Mr. Justice Taylor followed, dealing fully with the
+arguments brought forward by the prisoner's counsel. On
+the question of the delegation of the power to legislate
+given to the Dominion Parliament, he held that the Dominion
+Parliament has plenary powers on all subjects committed
+to it. He reviewed fully all the facts relating to the
+admission of Rupert's Land to the Dominion, and to the
+statutes passed for the government of Rupert's Land and
+Manitoba when formed as a province. After a critical
+examination of the evidence in the case, he was unable
+to come to any other conclusion than that to which the
+jury had come. The evidence entirely fails to relieve
+the prisoner from responsibility for his acts. A new
+trial must be refused and the conviction must be confirmed.
+
+Mr. Justice Killam next followed at some length, concurring
+in the views of his brother judges.
+
+With these proceedings the trial of the rebel chief was
+concluded, though counsel for Riel has notified the
+Executive that they will appeal the case to the Privy
+Council in England. Riel will, meantime, be respited.
+
+
+
+
+RIEL'S EXECUTION.
+
+The execution of Louis David Riel took place at Regina,
+on the 16th November, 1885. He met his fate bravely, and
+displayed more fortitude than had been thought possible.
+He abstained from speech-making, and confined himself
+entirely, on the advice of Father Andre, who has been
+his constant companion throughout, to spiritual matters.
+Riel never slept after receiving intelligence that the
+execution would take place that morning, and throughout
+the night was constant in his devotions. At seven o'clock
+he had a light supper, and at five in the morning mass
+was celebrated, followed two hours later by the
+administration of the last sacrament. Riel, towards the
+last, almost entirely dropped his new religious
+idiosyncrasies and decided to die a devout catholic.
+
+The hour fixed for the execution was eight o'clock, but
+it was fifteen minutes past that hour before those who
+had passes from the sheriff were admitted to the guard-room.
+Here was found the prisoner, kneeling on the floor of an
+upper room, from which he was to step to the gallows, It
+was a sad scene. Around him were gathered numbers of
+mounted police, Sheriff Chapleau, Deputy-Sheriff Gibson,
+and a few others. The room was illuminated by a small
+window, covered with a rime of frost through which the
+sun, now risen but a few hours, shot a few weak rays.
+Riel now knelt beside the open window, through which the
+gallows could be seen, and prayed incessantly for fully
+half an hour. Fathers McWilliams and Andre conducted the
+service for the doomed man in French, Riel repeating the
+responses in a clear voice, which could be heard distinctly
+above the murmurs of the priests' whispering tones. Riel
+wore a loose woollen surtout, grey trousers, and woollen
+shirt. On his feet were moccasins, the only feature of
+his dress that partook of the Indian that was in him. He
+received the notice to proceed to the scaffold in the
+same composed manner he had shown the preceding night on
+receiving warning of his fate. His face was full of
+colour, and he appeared to have complete self-possession,
+still responding to the service in a clear tone. The
+prisoner decided only a moment before starting for the
+scaffold not to make a speech. This was owing to the
+earnest solicitations of both the priests attending him.
+He displayed an inclination at the last moment to make
+an address, but Father Andre reminded him of his promise.
+
+The hangman, who on a former occasion had been in the
+hands of Riel as a prisoner, commenced the work of
+pinioning the doomed man, and then the melancholy procession
+soon began to wend its way toward the scaffold, which
+had been erected for Khonnors, the Hebrew, and soon came
+in sight of the noose. Deputy-Sheriff Gibson went ahead,
+then came Father McWilliams, next Riel, then Father Andre,
+Dr. Jukes, and others. As he stood on the trap-door Riel
+continued invoking the aid of Jesus, Mary, and the saints,
+during his last agonies. "Courage, pere," he said,
+addressing Father Andre, and then he addressed Father
+McWilliams in the same words. The latter priest kissed
+Riel, who said, "I believe still in God."
+
+"To the last," said Father Andre.
+
+"Yes, the very last," answered Riel: "I believe and trust
+in Him. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me."
+
+Dr. Jukes shook hands with the prisoner, who said in
+English: "Thank you, doctor." Then he continued: "Jesus,
+Marie, Joseph, assistez moi en ce dernier moment."
+
+Deputy-Sheriff Gibson then said, "Louis Riel, have you
+anything to say before death?" Riel answered "No." He
+was given two minutes to pray, and he repeated the Lord's
+prayer, Father McWilliams leading, while the cap was
+being drawn over his face and the rope adjusted. At the
+words "Lead me not into temptation" the hangman sprang
+the bolt, at twenty-eight minutes past eight, and Riel
+shot downward with a terrible crash. For a second he did
+not move. A slight twitching of the limbs was noticed,
+but instantly all was still again. In two minutes after
+the fall, Louis Riel was no more. His conduct on the
+scaffold was very courageous. He was pale but firm, and
+kept up his courage by constant prayer, thus diverting
+his thoughts from the terrible death before him. His neck
+was broken by the fall; the doctors say he could have
+experienced no physical suffering. For a second or two
+his limbs twitched slightly, then a convulsive shudder
+ran through his frame, and all was over. In less than
+three minutes Dr. Dodds pronounced him dead.
+
+Few persons were present. The only people on the scaffold,
+besides the condemned man and the hangman, were
+Deputy-Sheriff Gibson, Dr. Jukes, of the Mounted Police,
+Father Andre, Father McWilliams, and the press
+representatives.
+
+After death the coroner's jury was empanelled by Dr Dodds,
+and a verdict of death by hanging rendered. The hair of
+the deceased was cut off one side of both head and face.
+All the buttons torn off the coat, the moccasins removed
+from the feet, and even the suspenders cut into pieces
+for persons to obtain mementos of the deceased. He was
+placed in a plain deal coffin to await the plans of the
+Government as to interment. His own wish was to be buried
+at St. Boniface, and his friends are particularly anxious
+that his wishes in this respect be complied with, as his
+father and other friends repose in that place, as all
+the bodies of the convicts here have been stolen from
+the burying ground in less than a week.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+END
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Story of Louis Riel: The Rebel
+Chief, by Joseph Edmond Collins
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