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■-.

THE STORY

LOUIS EIEL

THE

REBEL CHIEF.

ILLUSTRATED.

ROSE PUBLISHING COMPANY.

J885.

/^^^7^

^ i,"/ .

186077

COL-Ll/^^ ^^

D 'J~ O ^

Entered aefoidin<r to the Art of the Parliament of Canada, in the year onc-thoiisn.i'd
ei-ht huiidreu and ci^diti -five, by 111 .ntkr, Rusk & Company, in the otticu of the
Miuistcr of Agriculture.

• !•

THE STORY

ok"

LOUIS EIEL.

^<?iy

CHAPTER I.

LONG 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
^.^r^ whereon vengeful Chippewas and ferocious Sioux
haiTwaged 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, savj«ge blood in his veins. Mr.

THE STORY OF LOUIS IIIKL.

Edward Jack * of New Brunswick, who is well iuformed
on all Canadian matters, hands me some passages which
he has translated from M. Tassd's book on Canadians in
the North West ; and from these I learn that Kiel'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 Cana-
dian a;nd a native of Berthier {en haut). His mother, that
is the rebel's grandmother, was a Fiunco-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, Kiel's father,
then in his fifth year, was brought to Canada by his
parents, who caused the ceremony of baptism to be per-
formed 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 Nortli-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
Ligainst the herds, over the rolling prairie. Many a buf-
falo fell upon the plain with Louis Riel's arrow quivering

• I cannot make out what Mr. Jatsk's views are respecting Riel.
When I asked hiui, he simply turned his face toward tha sky and made
some remark about tlie weather. I know that he has strou i"'rencb pro-
clivities, though the b.lood of a Scottish bailie is in his veins.

■■

i^^ip

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL. 7

in his flank; many a feast was held around the giant
pot at w)iich no Imnter received honors 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, Kiel 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 jpevG 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 tae autumn
came, toiled with him all day, with her sickle i^mong the
sheaves.

Tilling the soil proved too laborious, and he de^;ermined
to erect a grist mill ; but the stream that ran through the
clayev 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 stroam bear-
ing the a3sthetic 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 Kiel 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 oi^lcial shape, were not altogether unde-
served. Louis Riel was at the head of many a jarring
discord. How such an unfortunate condition grew we
she^^ ceo later on, and we may also be able to determine
if tnere are any shoulders upon which we can lay blame
for the murder and miseiy that since have blighted one
of the fail est 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 liook. Estiniatinc: at its fullest the value of
education, the father was keenly anxious for an oppor-
tunity to send Louis Jils 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 l)right, 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 B-iver,
Monseigneur Tach^. He conceived a strong affection
for the lad and resolved to secure for him a sound edu-
cation. 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.
Tass^'s book, and I write it in italics that it may be the
more clearl}^ impressed upon the reader's mind when he
comes to peruse the firs, story of blood which shall be
related: The fathers resources did not 'permit him to
undertake the expense of this education, but His Grace
Archbishop TachS having been struck with the intellectual
'precocity of Louis, found a generous protector of prover-

■^:

mmm

^,.

TIlli: STOllY OF LOUIS IIIEL. ^

hud munificence for him in the persoyi of Madame Mas-
son, of Terrebonne. In later years it was reserved to the
same bishop to go out as a mediator between ( lovernment
and a band of rebels which had at its head a man whoso
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
ho 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 occa-
sion 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 over-
whelmed him for many days. At school he was not dis-
tinguished 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 consol-
ing 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.

■i -

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

Frequently yoiin^ Kiel's school-mates would a.sl< liiin,
"What do you intend doing when you leuvo .vii'Mtl ?
Will you stay here, or do you go out again into the vvjl-
derness among the .savages ?

His eye would lighten with indignation at hearing the
word "savages" app'.ied to his people. " I will go out
to the Red River," lie would reply, to follow in the foot-
steps 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 " sava-
ges." I know not what you mean when you say " sav-
ages." 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 aflliction the others give him sympathy and
help. We are bound together by strong ties of frater-
nity; 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 mo
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 up-
on evil times he is left without the sympathy and suc-
cour 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, con-
tented 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 ^klonopoly," 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,

I
1

^mm

THE STOllY OF LOUIS BIEL,

ail J tliori tlioy spit upon uh, Thoy mock at our customs,
they rcj^^ard witli contempt that which to us is sacied
and abovo 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
propitivjus day ever come, strike in vengence, and my
l)low will be with an iron hand, whose one smiting shall
wipe out all the injustice and the dishonor."

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 shcddjr with his name.

CHAPTER II.

-1

ro^^iONG befoTO the vision of a confederation of
M, the British Provinces entered into the brain of

any man, Lord Selkirk, coming to the wilds of

feS'.^&A North America, found a tract of country fertile
%^^ '^^^ in soil, and fair to look upon. He arrived in
^ip this unknown wilderness when it was summer, and
is 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 convolvidus, 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
]ioplar.^ or white oaks, prim, like virgins without suitors,
with their robes drawn close about thom ; but when over
the unmeasured |)lain 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-oft', nigh indistinct, sound of galloping thun-
der. He knew not what It meant, and his followers
surmised that it might be the tumult of some distant
waterftill, borne hither now liecause a storm was nt hand,
and the denser air was a better carrier of the sound. And

TTTi^ STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

vvliilo tlioy rcinaiiKHl 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 instru-
ment of the leader's will. Beyond, in the south-east, a
full moon, luscious seeming as some ripened, mellow fruit,
wrs rising, and the yellow light was all over the plain.
Then the tremendous mass, headed by maddened buUs^
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 a^ if all the face of the plains
was being hurled toward the south in a condition of tho
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 spec-
tral shapes of sullen aspect, rose from the dusky, writhing
mass, and the flaming of more than ten thousand eyeballs

14)

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

/--

in the gloom presented a picture more terrible than ever
caine into the imagination of the waiter of the Inferno.
The spectacle, as observed by those some twenty feet
from the o-roimd, miofht be likened somewhat to a turbu-
lent 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
dii'ection with a sweep and a force that no power could
chain. Circling among and around the strange, dusk
clouds of steam that wont u]^ from the herd were scores
of turkey buzzards, their obscene heads bent downward,
their sodden eyes glean)ing 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 praiiie had ceased its surg-
ing ; 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 beau-
tified by the petals of flowers was as a ploughed field. The
herbage had been literally crushed into mire, and this the
innumerable hoofs had chuined up with the soft, rich,
dark soil of the prairie. The leguminous odors 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 oppres-
sive. 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 see i the impetuous rushing of the herds, and they
assured 1 m that this might not occur again in this portion
of the prairie for a quarter of a century to come.

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

" At any rate," they persisted, " the buffalo keeps away
from regions that send up chininey-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
thev had built homesteads for themselves in the far away
wilds of the "West.

But when Lord Selkirk planted here his sturdy Scotch-
men, 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 in-
terminable 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 butialo. Beautiful, dark-skinned girls, in
bare brown, little feet, sat through the cool of evening in
the summer da3^s sewing beads upon the moccasins of
their lovers, while the wrinkled dame limped about, for-
ever 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. .

I* .

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

" 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 territorj' ? "' calmly en-
quired 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 Sove-
reign 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 chil-
dren 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 moun-
+nin-goat. Yet no chief could answer the Earl's conten-
tion, 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 s^^andpoint 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. Li 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
B

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

from one to another that the case had gone against them.

" But there is no reason for your jealousy or your hos-
tility," 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 gi-ew 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 look-
ing 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 cotil-
lion and the eight-hand reel. Then followed the wooing

THE STORY OF LOUIS TIEL.

among the flowery prjfKries ; and the white men began to
pledge their troths t^ 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 beau-
tiful 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 tame 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 j'^ou
chiefs and young men, tliat which you at tlie first con-
sidered a hardship if it did not come to pass, has come to
pass, and yet you complain. ' The whites are above mar-
rying our daughters,' you first cry ; now you plan revenge
because they v/ant to marry, and do msirry them." The
arguments us jd by the women were too strong, and the
brawny, eagle-eyed hunters were compelled to mate them-
selves with the ugly girls of the tents. It is asserted \yj
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 retrie .er at his heei, would walk through
a Saulteux settlement. The girls here were still shyer
than their Cree cousins, but they wei'e not a whit less
lovely. They were not dumpy like so many Indian girls,
but were slight of build, and willowy of motion. Their

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 east languishing eyes upon the
pale-faced stranger ; and sighed all the day while they
sewed fringe upon their skirts and beads upon their moc-
casins. 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 man-
ners and winning ways. They soon began to put them-
selves in his way when he came to shoot chicken or quail
among the grasses ; would point out to him passes lead-
ing 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 wo^en 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 STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

' The cause of these pale people is our cause ; their in-
terests 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 govern-
ment Indian agents, nor the heaven- born insight of gov-
ernment 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 hois. 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

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

mere interest. Numbers of unmarried French took u])
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 brinjif 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, oi
course, " braw John " had been satisfied— for an ugly
maiden was content to have an Indian for her lord ; ami
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 j ust 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 umlt

-t

, ' ^^i^-m'-

A LOYAL INDIAN CHIEF.

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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 oi
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 bjeen
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 un-
accustomed eye. The men wear a common blue capote
a red belt and corduroy trousei-s. This, however, soon

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

liecamo the costume of every male in Red River, whetlier
Metis or new-come Canadian. There, is however, a dis-
tinction 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 en-
tire 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 colors 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 endur-
ing 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 appear-
ance of other birds and beasts, under similar circum-
stances, 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

V ■

THE STORY OF LOUIS RTEL.

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 irown the costliest

gown

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 lookinjx ijarment 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 hei'self 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 alwr.ys 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 conceiv-
able thing, especially the affairs of her neighbours. We
have seen that she goes out after she has eaten her break-
fast ; and she returns not till her appetite begins to be
oppressive. She will then kiss her dusky little offspring.

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

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 atter tion
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
T)ear with meekness the preference of the Metis belle for
tlie 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 stan-
dard 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 per-
vades the entire community. A large portion of the peo-
ple are thrifty and frugal, and maintain themselves by
continuous, well-directed toil.

The French half-breeds profess the Roman Catholic re-
ligion, and they have a number of churches. At the head
of the Roman communion is Archbishop Tachd, of St.
Boniface. This is the gentleman who provided the mu-
niticericc for Louis Riel's education. He is the same

I y

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

bishop whose name so many hundreds of thousands of
our people cannot recall without bitterness and indigna-
tion. ■

I' (,

CHAPTEE III.

UCH, 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 occur-
rence 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 lemarkably 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, in-
stead of dusky olive, the young beaux of the settle-
ment 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

i 1.

I "i'

l''\

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 sitr-
veillance. 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 ad-
vances their hearts were stiJl whole and they moved

* * "

In maiden meditation fancy free,"

1^1 3W in Red River was a young half-breed, almost effem-
inate in manners, handsome in face and form, and agree-
able 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 her.d., 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 fore-
most 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 appeal-
ing 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
nly the love making of the grasshoppers could be heard
mong the flowers, Alexander met her. He spoke no

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 ofl'ered them to the girl. His eyes had the same,
wistful look, and his brown fingers trembled as he ofl'ered
the bouquet. Receiving them, and pinning them under
her throat, she said in a low tone, while her voice trem-
bled 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 pre-
serving ? " 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 hear I," the young \nan answered, his indolent eyes
lighting up in the gloaming. She said nothing, but hung
her head. The swarthy lover saw that she took no oflence
at his declaration. Indeed he gathered from the quiver-
ing 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 bashfullv 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

I' M

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

ander the full, ripe moon, each plighted troth to the other,
ind 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
3f the barriers that la}'" 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 even-
ing. 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 Iiim."

" 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 blend-
ing 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

THE STORY OP LOUIS RIEL.

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. my poor un^
fortunate 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 womejL-> make these dramatic
declarations, the most appropriate course would be to
give them a sound spanking, and pu ; 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 sis-
ter. 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 i

" Yours truly,

" Thomas Browit."

mmmm

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

I- 1^
V

I i

4 4

Having sealed and dispatched this note he resumed
his work, without showing or feeling any further concern
about the matter. V/hen it was growing dark over the
prairie that evening, the love-lorn Jennie saw her plead-
ing-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 tak-
ing 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 ?, 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 palli-
ation 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 ! 0, 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

■*'**■«— i**r?rr

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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 ! 0, 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 veno^eance afjainst 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 again-^t
the white population. It needs no further words to shew
how ready these dusky people would be to rise and fol-
low 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 gov'ernor 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 tuperdis Troie."*

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
breakfar3t, 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.

* Love thou hast confxuered even Troy.

^'i

rl!

Li' '

3G'

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

Desj^ite the blizards that sometimes come sweeping
across the prairie, smothering belated travellers, and un-
roofing dwellings, notwithstanding the frequent incur-
sions 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 v.ith 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

1 807, 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, Kng-
land had resumed its great Indian empire and extin-
guished John Company ; and this act had paved the way
for a similar resumption of the vast prairie domain
granted hy 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 by Canada, and the country
would then be handed over by Royal proclamation to the
Dominion Government, the Company being allowed to re-
tain only certain parcels of land in the vicinity of its
trading posts. I may as well go upon the authority of
the same writer.* The transfer was dated for the 1st
of December, 18G9 ; 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
(5ent 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,
■■ ——.„—— — ■ I

* Captain G. L. Huyshe,

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

s-i

and to " be ready to assume the Government " as soon
as the transfer was completed. So far so well, but let ua
pause just here.

There is something to be said even on the side of re-
volt and murder, and let us see what it is. Since the
fouridation 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 tid-
ings 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 Kiel at the school, and when he turned
his face again for the prairies that he loved, had now
reached full tiame. He had never ceased to impress upon
the people that the Hudson Bay Company was a heart-
less, 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 begin-
ning 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 build-
ings, and numerous railroads in the East. The poor half-
breed will be looked upon with contempt and curiosity :

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

1>I

It i'. '' ■

■ i

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 sym-
pathy in common with the half-breeds, to rule over us ;
no complaint that the people make to the (central Oovern-
ment 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 arfjuments amonjj these credulous
people, who saw not the wily traitor behind the rich, elo-
quent voice, quivering with indignation, was similar to
that which would follow were jou 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 18G9, 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 proceed-
ings of this party 'ad 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 luould 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.

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

Some of these gentlemen had the habit of giving the In-
dians drink till they became intoxicated, and then induc-
ing them to make choice lands over to them. One could
not pass through any superior tract of land without ob-
serving 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 plun-
der." 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 Dis-
turber 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 him-
self 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
almosu x^fcerally 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 Min-
ister of Public Works, had established an intimacy with
the obnoxious white man, received his hospitality, and
given acquiescent ear to his advice. These two gentle-
men looked upon the half-breeds as savages. They sent

■ff^

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

letters to the newspapers, describing Red River and its
people in terms j:;rossly unjust, and inaccurate. ]\[. Riel
got tlie comniunications antl read tlieni to the people.

" Tliis," he said, " is the manner in which tliey tlescribo
our customs, our social life, and t]\e virtue of our wouien."
The women tossi d their heads haughtil}^

" We do what is right," they sai/l, " and they can slan-
der us if they will. Wo shall not prove, perhai)s, so easy
a prey to those white gallants as they seem to suppose."
One liigh-spirited girl, and very beautiful, voweil that
during the run of her life, she never would s[>eak to a
vvdiite man for tliis insult, or let him see \\cv face. Yet, if
the gossip is to be trusted, before the flowers bloomed
thrice, after that, upon the ])raii-ie, 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 ha}>piest,
not to say one of the pri^ttiest, women in Manitoba.
Strong words of determination by a you'.ig woman are the
most conclusive evidence that 1 know of the weakening
of her resolve.

J^ut ]yi(\ssis Snow and Mair went on with their credit-
able work, and to their other good dei^ds it was alleged
ihey added that of grabbing choice plots oi land.

These two men were, of course, known to bo the ac-
credited agents of the Minister of Public Works ; and
Riel succeeded in convincing the credulous people that
the Minister, indeed the whole govermnent, were cogniz-
ant of their acts and a})proved t)f 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 tho
settlement. It was also shown with burning force by
Riel that in a matter so im[)ortant as the transfei- of fif-
teen thousand people from one particular jurisdiction

I' <

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THE STOllY OF LOUIS RTEL.

•# 41

to anotliei, they, tlio people transferred, had not been
consulted. They had not, he also pointed out, been even
formally npin-ised of the transfer.

" This Canadian Government take Rod River and its
half-breeds over, just as they would take over Red River
anil ilt'teen thousand sheep." And some of the men swore
terrible oaths that this ohanuje slu)uld uut bo without
resistanee, antl resistanee to the death.

Riel said that the determination was good.

;' ;

WINNIPEG WATER WORKS.

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CHAPTER IV.

A VING worked the unreasoning settlers to this
I )itch, Riei was satisfied. Public feeling needed
but the fuse of some bold step of his to burst
into instant flame. As the Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor drew near the territory the agitator was
almost beside himself with exciteM^iit. 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, cora^-
coloured female lips, said softly,
" Brava !"

A sort of fitful reflection followed the first wild hnr ,t
of enthusiasm, and one hois hrdle 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 1
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, " Evea though such an act were aa

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 govern-
ment 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 cor-
poration, 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 can-
not transfer us. They have sold us to the Canadian gov-
ernment, but upon the ground between the two authori-
ties 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 1
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 plun^lfir our
land, and to ridicule our people, nears our birder. There
is no time to lose. He must not enter. J, therefore, move
that the following letter be dispatched to him by a regu-
larly 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 dispatch-
ed to Pembina, which was situate on the border, to await

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

,11

'ki

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
arras. If any or j 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 pres-
ent 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 Foi't Garry, and beyond this the half-breeds
swore the pale face Governor si ould 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 ; ohat Messrs. Snow & Mair
liad 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 feel-
ing, 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 lu-
dicrous." 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 Govern-
ment not to enter these territories. When that order

THE STORY OF LOUIS RlEL.

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 mo''e 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 Desig-
nate turned out of the territories.

Every success, however trivial, was fuel V;0 the courage
and enthusiasm of Kiel'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 love circumspectly in
getting possession of it." So it was ordered that his fol-
lowers 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," Kiel 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 ilour, and pork, and beef, and molasses; and
upon the sacks of corn, and the warm clothing, and better
than all, upon the arms and amunition.

" I. am at last master in Red River," Riel said to one of
his followers." " My men can fight now, for here we have
ftt once a fortification and a base of supplies,"

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

's £

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■*.'■ i

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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 lat-
ter date was fixed for the transfer of the new territory to
the Dominion of Canada. So, towards midnight, on the
80th 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 Can-
ada. 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 invfiriable 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 o^inning
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 honor 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

\ ,

I i

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

a hero and a statesman of the highest order, the ruler ol'
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 tirst 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, there-
fore, " 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, coun-
selling their flock to be zealous and firm, and to follow
the advice of their patriotic and able leader, M. Riel.
The great swaggering, windy ^^-^'e 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 Tachd; 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.

\ r

THE ".TORY OF LOUIS RIEL

I have already said that Bruce was put up by Kiel as a
mere figure-head. When the end of the pretence had
been accomplished, this poor scare-crow was thrown down
and Louis Kiel 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 villany, or even of blood that he pro-
posed to them. The coarse and loud-mouthed O'Don-
oghue 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 underta.king should not be

successful with the acquisition of all the fearless and
lawless personages that the half-breed comnmnity 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 peo-
ple 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 afiiuence.
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, end 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.

CHAPTEE V.

OME time before the outbreak, Riel, in company
<^ with a half-breed, had gone in the autumn shoot-
ing chicken along the prairies. The hunting-
ground was many miles distant from Kiel's
home, so that the intention of the sportsmen
was to trust themselves to the hospitality oi
some farm-house in the neighbourhood. Tha
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 set-
tlement, 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 oi
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 sliould leave the path and join tho
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 oi
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 fl.owers out of marigolds and dai-
sies, and put it upon her head. She did not hear tha
D

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THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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,1 1

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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 gaz-
ing 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 melan-
choly. Every few seconds he would utter a note of song.
Sometimes it was low and sorrovvful, 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-puff's, 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 coo-
ing in her hair, and softly swaying its silken meshes.

" Fare well, my desolate one : may your poor little heart

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

be gladder soon. Could I but be a bird, and you would
have me for a companion, your lamenting should not bo
for long. We should journey loitering and love-making
all the long sweet way, from here to the South, and havo
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 de ^ply
she blushed that the strangers should have heard her;
and she spake not.

" Bon jour, ma belle fille." It was M. Kiel 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 embarrass-
ment.

"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. Kiel made no disguise of his admira-
tion for the beautiful girl of the plains. He stepped up
by her side and was about to take her hand after deliver-
ing himself of this gallant speech, but she quickly drew
it away. Passing through a covert as they neared the
little settlement, Kiel's sportsman companion walked
ahead, leaving the other two some distance in the rear.
The ravishing beauty of the girl was more than the amor-
ously-disposed stranger could resist, and suddenly throw-
ing his arms around her he sought to kiss her. But the
Boft-eyed fawn of the desert soon showed herself in the

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

guise of a petit bete sauvage. With a startling scream
she bounrled awny from his grasp.

" How do you dare take this liberty with me, Monsieur,"
she said, hur 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 eavesdroj)pcr, into a means of offering me insult.
You have heard me say that 1 had no lover to sigh for
mo. • I spoke the truth : I have no such lover. But you
I will not accept as one ; your very sight is already hate-
ful to me." And turning, with flushed check and gleam-
ing 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 eve^'v trace of
her late anger had disappeared.

" Entrez, Messieurs."

M. Kiel's countenance speedily lost its gloom, and, re-
Bpectfully touching his hat, he said :

" Oui, Mademoiselle, avec le plus grand plaisir." Trip-
ping 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

woomg.

" The colt shies," he murmuwl "-^vl^en 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 fi ntame
Je m'allait promener,
J'ai trouve I'eau si belle
Que je me suis baigne'."

HALF-BREED MAIDEN.

mrnsBosnm

THE STORY OE LOUIS RIEL.

J. - i

1.1

;■■ 'SJ

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 pro ad blood
mantled through the dusk of her cheek, but she restrain-
ed herself. He was a guest under her father's roof, and
she would suffer the offence to pass. The persistent gal-
lant was more crest-fallen by this last silent rebuke, than
by the first with its angy words. The first, in his van-
ity, 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 ob-
scure 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 daj^s, and took
good care that his hosts should know how important a
person he was in the colony of Red River. To his mor-
tification 1j3 frequently observed in the midst of one of
his most self-glorifjdng 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.

"Canvshe 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 "^ind."

The next morning, when breakfast was ended, he per-
ceived Marie rush to the window, and then hastily, anP
with a dainty coyness withdraw her head from the pane.

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

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 Kiel, 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 per-
haps 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
witii 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

:
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r!|t

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id'

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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 favour-
ite 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 sneer-
ing glance at poor Marie, who was pretending to be en-
gaged in examining the petals of the tiger-lilly, although
she was all the while thinking of the mischievous, manly,
Bunny-hearted lad who had given it to her. M. Kiel's
words and the sneer were lost, so far as she v -s con-
cerned. 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 Scctt, with his log 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 show.ng a bit-
terness 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 pre-

THE STORY OP LOUIS RIEL.

ference 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
^ere, " or will you do so ? "

"01 know that you will not leave anything out that
can show the bravery of Mr. Scott, so I shall leave yon
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 Hood time,
and as you remember the river v/as swollen to a point
higher than it had ever reached within the memory of
any body in the settlement. Marie is ventursome, 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 carioe,
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 L'arned 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 conoe began to turn round and round in the
gurgling circles, she cried out, * I am in the ring=. of the
water- witches. C'est bon ! bon ! C'est magnifique! I
wish you were with me, ^'^'olette, ma chere. It is so de-
lightful to go round ara 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

*.i^^

1*^!

•;«; :

if]

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III ^ ^ ^

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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, Vio-
lette ! ' 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 tremenduous vio-
lence, 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 pad-
dles, 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 ex-
citement, 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

'^Blr

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

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, 1 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 know-
ledge 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. Kiel. " 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, whethei' 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
BO free of danger as you describe it now. As a matter of
fact, there ivere 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."

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

t-'i

!'■' !.

;',!'

•J

" 0, pardonnez mois, I thought from your features and
the straightness of your coal-black hair, that you were."
Kiel'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 de-
moiselle 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."

" 0, indeed ! Monsieur Mair was here and with Mr.
Scott ! I am glad that you conceive an opinion so favour-
able 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 gentle, aan.
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 ex-
tract 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,

"•

t<^

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

" 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 com-
panion of Monsieur Mair," put in Marie. " I think Mon-
sieur 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 news-
paper 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 thru
comple:;ion, 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 v^ithout fur-
ther comir.ent."

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEl.

'ii

** Such a bear garden as that dance was ; yetT somewhat enjoyed
the languishing glances of the bright-eyed damsels. But, ugh ! tha
savages never can be made to wash themselves. When the dance
had continued for three or four hours, the dancers began to pair
oft" 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 berome a nuisance."

* ST. BONIFACE, FROi:^ WINNIPEG.

CHAPTEE VI.

OW, Monsieur," said M. Kiel, folding his news-
paper 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 friendfi ? 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 employ^ 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 :
" II est, Monsieu ."

" &0 1 had been informed. Now Monsieur, I have soma
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 theNorth-
West Territories from the Hudson Bay Company, convert-

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

,1 'I

ifl

h ii

ing Red River into a Dominion Colony of the Confeder-
ation, and setting to rule it a governor and officials eliosen
from among Canadians, who hold opinions respecting us
as a peo))le, <|iiito similar to those entertained by Monsieur
Mair, and those who have the honor 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 Mj". Scott,
Mademoiselle" — turning with a hideous look toward Mario
— " 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 ver^? 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 Cana-
dian Government."

" I do not know what Monsieur Scott's views are upon
this question," replied the girl. " Whatever they are I pre-
sume 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 Mad-
emoiselle 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

family and him ; as I liave good reason to believe that he
is a paid spy of Mr. Snow and the Government of Can-
ada."

"Monsieur," quietly retorted Marie, with a curl of infin-
ite 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 territied and over-cred-
ulous lather put in with much trepidation.

" Mon perci need not apologize to Monsieur Riel for sa
fille," the girl said, giving her father a glance of mild
reproach. " I think that 1 am not unaware of the reason
why Monsieur Hiel's patriotism and vigilance have taken
their present generous, honorable and manly form. And
as I have now to go out and attend to my work, 1 would
desire to say l»efore 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. lliel 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 fol-
lowed the retreating form of the lovel^^ girl with eyes that
E

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THE STORY OF LOUTS RIEL.

III

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Hliowed tlie rage and desire of a wild beast. When she waa
out of sight he cahned 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 ho 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,
and 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 mi-; ), 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 attain-
ment 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 STORY OF LOUIS RIKL.

"Tin; young man who rescucMJ yoiii- daiiglilcM 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 lie 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 exulierance
of his loyalty, having succeeded in the vital point, grasped
the hand of Marie's lather 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 eveiy 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 de-
sire 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 dis-
pleasing 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 tuord 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 Gov-
ernment. 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 Hod

THE STORY OF LOUIS lULL.

i I':

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River. You uuist at tlio very iirsi Cwnvoiiicnb moment,
and witliout lettin.:: Mario perceive tii.iL i luive jn'ouniLci
you to tliis step, iiit'orm her that she luusL bciiii.sU trout
iier mind at once any tendei- fancies regarding th(3 youn-'
man which she may possess. Point oui tolicr that iu any
case it would be unwise in lier to cherish leelings wljicii
very evidently are not reci])rocated. Lastly, you will have
to teach her cautiously, and without the senibLince of co-
ercion, bu'! constantly, to think of me. Vou must sliow
lier how great is the promise which lies before me; how
I am the loader of the people and ruler-predestined of all
the land. jMormust 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 iov 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 cu.i almost pro-
mise you that I shall succeed." And then he went to
fetch a bottle, in which he had some choioe old rye.
While he was away, M. Reil, 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 j i?)ld — ah ! but it is a feast
for me to contemplate my revenge. Raise her to the
dignity of wife to share my social honors and triumph,
No ; elle sera ma maitresse ; and 1 shall cast her off among
the worthless and degraded ones of her sex." Then
Marie's father entered with the liquor, and })ledged his
fealty to Monsieur with many " aalutus " and " bonne

•r :

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

sfint^^s" Aftor M. Reil had tnkon sufficient liquor to
make him thoroughly daring, he said with a sinister
tone :

" Although it may not be your honor ever to call mo
your son-in-law, your duty in ])ersuading your daughter
K^uiains the same. We have formed a compact of friend-
s])ip and mutual understanding; yet I must say to you
tliat your own personal safety depends upon your com-
pliance; depends" he repeated, raising his voice till it
sounded like the bellowing of an infuriated bull, " vpon
yovr success. Your intimacy with this man Scott, to-
gether with the visit paid to your house by the man Mair,
places you entirely at my mercy. Before many di^;s 1
shall call agnin > see how far you have succeeded. I
sliaii expect a re|)ort of some progress. When I call after
that I shall be satisfied with nothing short of trhiriipk.
I now go, leaving my warning to ring in your ears till
you see mo 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.

** AJon Dieu ! " gasped the terrified half-breed, " I
th'^ught that we had become friends, but he goes from my
door like an enemy, filling my ears with threats of ven-
geance. May the Virgin protect my Marie and me from
his power."

" Has that terrible man gone, mon pcro ? " enquired
Marie, who now entered with sorrow and agitation in
her face.

" Yes ; but you must not speak against him. O, how
T fear him ; that is to say, ma petite fille, he is a very
powerful man, a groat man, and will one day rule all tho
people, and be in eminence like unto one of the Canadian
(.iovernors : therefore, it is that it was unfortunate the
young man Scott should ovtM- have l)een at our house."

"Ah, mon peir! wherefore^ Do you regret having
extended a tritlijig hos])itality, not better than you woidd
accord to a wandering savage, to a brave, honest, honour-

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

I'j

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al)le yoiinnr man, who, at the risk of his o'vn life, saved tho
life of your child ? 0, 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 sob-
bed, and sobV)ed there as if her heart would burst. Old
Jean was moved to deep L;rief at the afiliction of his
daughter, yet he could oti'er 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 &i)oke rudely and bitterly
to you, we must forgi^^e him. This we shall not tind
dirticult to do, when we remember that his display of
ill-i'eelinyf was because of his all-consumincr love for vou."

"All-consuming love!'' and her eyes blazed with in-
dignation. "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 sutler 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 Uiel. 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
I'egard 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, 1 think that is it ."

" Mun DifU ; cease, mon pere. Has this tempter gone so
f^ir as to actually |)ut in your moutli the words to be em-
ployed in winning me to his hateful, loathsome arms,
^lon JJieu, Mon Dieu ;" and she pressed her little brown
fingers over her throbbing tem|)les. Has my own father
leagued himself against my happiness and, and — my
honour!" And, with a loud, hcart-i-ending cry, she fell
to the lioor, pale and moti<mless,

" Is she dead ! Mon Dieu ! Ma chere fille, speak to
me." And then raising her death-])al(' head a little, h»i
poured some of the spirits into her mouth. This restored

U
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THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

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 in-
human monstei' by disguises and deceit."

Then you will be frank ?" she said, her eyes bright-

(f rin

enmg.

" 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 satisf}?^ 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 Cana-
dian 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 estab-
lish himself as head and judge. I am certain that ho
would not hesitate ^"o 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 deli-
cious little shell-like ears, became a crimson, deep as her
boddice — " 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

U, i

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

% bo deliglited 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 (^anadian 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 jayonets 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 harbourasce ?

" Paul can go. He can take the pony and ride the dis-
tance 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 vou are in leaj^ue 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 settle-
ment that he hasn't crossed. About twenty-ilve young
men have declared their willinn^ness to follow him in anv
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 af-
fairs with Messieurs Mair and Scott, whoin they declare
are enemies of lied Riverj and spies of the Canadian gov-

THE STORY OF LOUIS IIIEL.

;fl

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I'M

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ernment. T should nofc 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." Tho
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 durmg the even-
ing in the school-house, to discuss the situation. One
Lepine, a bosom friend of Monsieur Kiel, 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 ob-
ligation must we ever remain to Monsieur Scott, but be-
yond 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 wcs 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

Bt r .

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

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
eveninfj 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 horse-
men. Marie heard the double tramp, and with some ter-
ror drew to the window to see who was approaching.
But her apprehensions suddenly vanished, and a flush came
over her face.

'iU

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. !■ 'I i? ^

CHAPTER VII.

'ON pere, it is Paul, and there is with him
Monsieur Scott; wb'"', I wonder, has he
come?" While the question yet remained
unanswered, Paul entered the room accom-
panied by young Scott.
" Monsieur will explain the cause of his visit/*
Paul said.
" Monsieur and mademoiselle," young Scott be-
pan, inclining his head first to the father and then to the
(laughter, " 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 Kiel'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. Thorefore, 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 con-
sider this a safe plan. Your malignant persecutor will
very speedily learn from your neighbours all information
respecting the existence of relatives, and where they re-

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL,

Side. You would be no safer from the vengeance of this
monster in adjacent, thinly settled American territory,
tlian you would be in Red River. Will you therefore come
with mo 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 Je- as 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 perse-
cutor 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 lo(>ked at the home of her bap])y 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 tigure. When they were a couple
of hours out, a dusky yellow appeared in the south-east,
and then the brigxit, greenish-yellow rim of the Autumn
moon appeared, and began to flood the illimitable prairie
with a thick, wizzard light.

" So this miscreant has been hunting you, Mari»3 ?" said
the young man, for both had unconsciously dropped in rear.
"I didnotlike 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,

iti

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

and hov little olivo face brightened, as does the moon
when the cloud diit'ts ofi' its disc.

" I am very glad. 0, if you only knew how I shud-
der at the sound of his name 1 "

" There now, let us forget about him, I can protect
you from him ; can I not ? " and he reined his horso
closer to hers, and leaned tenderly over towards the girl.
She said nothing, for she was very much contused, tJut
the confusion was less embarrassment than a bewildered
feeling of delight. But for the dull thud, thud of tho
hoofs upon the sod, her escort might plainly enough have
heard the riotous beatingr of the little maiden's heart.

" And now, about that iiower 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 ' there now ; it was there when
you came to our cott »,ge tms evening."

"Ah, I see. I am conct rned 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 ;l 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 partic-
ular 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 ey js. " 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 wt^ar them
there." And these lines of Tennyson came running
throuwli hf.r head.

" She went by dale, and she went by down,
With a single rose in her hair."

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THE STORY OF LOUIS IlTEL.

i i

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Ami tlioy (fiivc her sonic relief, for she t]iou«(lit, after all,
that he might be only joking" When the hlood had gono
back from her forehead, she turned towards her lover,
who had been looking at her since speaking with some-
what of a tender exj)ression 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 sliort, 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 infor-
mation 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 under-
Btand me yet. If the act of saving you from drowning

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

»M0

were to deternnno tho place you should wear the rose,
then tlie head, as you first chose, was the proper spot.
Do you know what the word love means ? "

" O, 1 could t^uess, perhaps, if I don't know. T have
heard a good deal about it, and V^iolette, who is desper-
ately 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 vou do or not. Tn fact I am not yet quite
satisfied on tno point. However, let me suppose that you
do know what love is; tho all-consuming sort, the kind that
sighs like the very furnace. Well, that part of the state-
ment is clear. Then, supposing that a flower is worn
over the heart only to exj)ress love, of the sort I men-
tioned, for the donor, whero would you, with full know-
ledge of this fact, have pinned the Howcr 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 ex-
pressed the loubt 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

THE STOBY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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M !

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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 keej) 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.
Alter 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 sad-
dle, 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 o 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 th i dear little
jnaiden.

" 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."

" 0, 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 admirp.tion upon the maiden, with all

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

the mystic ^race and perfect development of her young
womanhood. " It is a woniini, 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 hero
human footprint."

" O, Monsieur is now gone to the other extreme. He is
talkinir danjjerouslv ; for ^le 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 run-
ning 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 ex-
quisite to her. It sang like entrancing music through her
veins ; and gave her a delightful delirium about the
temples. How 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 Wcas 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, evere leaf that wliispered.had 'n its tone a
cadence cau«;ht 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 ecstacy 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 Mario had ever seen him before.

"I hope, my child, that you will be happy here ; the
customs of the people diii'er from yours, but your natuie
is receptive to everything good and elevated, so that 1

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

am certain you will soon giow to cherish our civiliza-
ion."

I must sa}'- here for the l.'-.nefit of the drivelling, cantan-
kerous critic, with a squint in his eye, who never lookfi
foT anytning 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 an<l
English with tolerable accuracy; and she could with hei
supple, tawi.y little fi"?;ers, produce a nice Fketch of ?.
prairie tree -clump, upon „ sheet of cartridge paper, or a
piece of birch rind.

Young Scott was all the while growing more serious,
and even becoming patheiic, which is a sign of something
very delicious, and not uncommon, when you are travel-
ling under a bewitching moon, in company with a moru
bewitching maiden.

" I wish I ctiilvl bo 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 voica
sounded somewhat like a restrained cry of pain.

" No Marie, my child, I have to return to the terri-
tories."

" 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 to' :rates in no land any dispute of her authority,
and this mad uprising will be crushed as I might stamp
out the feeble spluj^ter of a bed- room taper. There are.

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THE STOR\ OF LOUIS lUEL.

without the intervention of outside force at all, enough
of brave and loyal whitenien to overthrow this scurvy
miscreant; and ray 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 ])lains are cbared of the mutinous,
blind, unreasoning hordes whom this

cunning,

vain-

glorious 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 ai'tless as the lily that brightens
the pond upon which we have so often })addled our birch
together. What the days after that may have in store
for us 1 know not."

" Ah, I shall be very dreary in your absence, Monsieur
Scott."

•' And I, my dear girl, shall be not less dreary without
yoii. I believe you have regarded yourself as a mere
plaything in my eyes, Why, ma chere, all of my heart
you have wholly and ii-revocably. 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 y(^u. 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 nol)le deed I do
shall be for the a] '-robation of the dear heart distant from
me in American territory. I have said that the hours of
absence will be dn^ary; «jut 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
uall 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,' w iiat would you answer ? "

" I did not think that it would l)e necessary for Mon-
sieur to ask me that question," slie answered shyly, her
beautiful eyes cast down; " I thought he knew."

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

•;

K I

" My own little hunted pet I " He <,liecked liis liors<',
and seized the bridle of Marie's j^ny, till the two ani-
mals stood close together. Then he kisse<l the "^^irl upon
her sweet vii-<^in lips, nuu'inuring low

"My love." * * * ♦

The next luorninsj he was awav, and Marie sat sad by
the strange brook that he had told her about. Old Jt.'an
was very contented, but now that he had nought to do, ho
babbled all day about the wars; and thanked the Virgin
that himself and his child had escaped the clutches of
the llel)el leader. I'aul speedily obtained employment har-
vesting 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 frav ! to stand, side by side, with his
young comrade, Luc, lighting for the honor and inde})en-
dence of Riviere Rcnige. It was only, after the most
ted.ous 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 harbor.s," 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 ditlerently : he
would probably spare you, provided that you lent your-
self 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 tlefeated the very end
which he had in view, was absolutely illogical, and un-
reasonable ; 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 pVirpose of revealing the unstaid, un-
reasoning character of Riel, and how far passion and
impulse will carry him away from sound ui.Icr.'.Uading.

V'm

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

As for the Arch-agitator, tho spirits taken at the house
of old Jeavi, had raised the savage part of his blood to
the highest pitch of unreasoning and confident passion.
All obstacles seemed todisai)})ear,and he saw with thesauio
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 fiiinatic went to do tho
vile bidding.

For some hours M. Riel went among theJMetis, perfect-
ing his plans, but towards midnight he ordered his horse,
and, with a lurid light in his eye, set off for the hat of
the half-breed hag where he expected his ruffianly emis-
saries would have placed Maiie before his arrival. But
the cabin v/^as desolate, save for the figure of an ill-
featured old woman, who, when she heard hoof-beats ap-
proach, 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."
T}\eu he alighted and strode about for half an houi- 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 sav/himof some wild beast foiled of his prey.
Presently, he observed a long distance ofi' upon the plain,
a figure which he believed was m(#.ing. 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 on.'y one horseman. What can it mean?"
He could not bear the suspense, and fiinging himself upon

«S

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

his horse, hn galloped out to meet the advaiicinp^ straiv/or.
It was soon told. The inmates had escaped, evidently
long lj(t()i*e the party got to the dwelling. The enihers
were very low on the hearth. Every article of value had
been removed, and there W'ere the prints of many hoois
near the cottage.

*' Scott has foiled me !" and the outwitted tyrant-liber-
tine swore the most terrible oaths, that he would bo
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 mu>t
all know that she is a spy, and leagued with our most
deadly enemies to thwait our cause. As for the father,
catch him too, though I should not fret, if, in the cap-
ture, a stray bullet or two went singing through his head.
Above all, Scott must be capcured, and " thia was to him-
self, " let me lay hands uj)on him ! "
The horseman was riding oft'.

" 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 enquiiies 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 yoiu' prize before they had

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

their ariiiH 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 ofi" his low cunning for
brilliant leadership, upon the i^-edulous half-breeds. Never-
theless, a large number of these settlers declared their
readiness to march under (Jolonel 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 the}'^ had any ])articular 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 counthrv f

"There is."

" Thin I'm opposed to it."

Much the same was it in the North-West, and the vio-
lent, blustering ruftian O'Donaghoe 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 nicjht that we last saw Riel
thwarted upon the prairies. In that connection it only
remains to be said that the mission of the c )nfidant to
Pembina was fruitless ; and the Rebel gnashed his teeth

that his desires and his

revenge

had all been baulked.

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

Ho had lieard, however, that Thomas Scott was abroad
tlu-oiinh his territories ; and tliat ho had enlisted under
tli(i banner of ('olonel Dennis, — whicli was the trutli.
Wiiat galled him most was, that in ease he should succeed
in getting Scott into his hands, he had no proofs that
would be regarded as suHicient evidence upon which to
proceed with the extreme of vengeance toward him. Yet
his orders stood unchanged •

" Wherevt^' you tind T)»omas Scott seize him ; and con-
vey him to Fort (Jarry (hi the sixth of December the
confidant cauu» into the tyrant s presence and said:

" We have caught Seott.'* The Iv bel leader's eye
gleained witlj a woltish light.

" Is he in the Kort ?"

" Yes."

" Hon ! I shall be there presently." So without any
delay he proceeded to the Fort, and entered the apartment
where young Scott was conhned.

" Ah, Monsieur ! This is where you are ?"

" Yes, you tyrannical ruffian. But I shall not be here
for long." Kiel 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 sako, let us hear the proposals ; I
am certain that they are fo A. Yet, as I say, I am anxious
to hear them."

*I take the following from Begg's " History of the Nortli-West
Rebellion," p. 161 : " About this time (6th December), the French
arrestttd and imprisoned Mr. Thomas Scott, Mr. A. MoArthur, 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. Mc Arthur, was, it is said, c(mlined on suspi-
cion of acting secretly on behalf of Mr. McDougall ; and Mr. Hallet,
for his activity in assisting and advising Colonel Dennis."

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THE STORY OE LOUIS RIEL.

" Monsieur must be reasonable. There is no fi^ood pur-
pose to ])e served by railing at me."

" That is true. You are too infamous a miscreant to ha
shamed or made better by i-eproaches."

" Nevertiheless, 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 tlieii
personal safety if they return to their home — as J
understand that through some unfounded fear of me they
fled, and I am anxious to stand well in the ui factions of
all my people — I shall permit you forthwith to leave tliis
Fort."

" Contemptible villain, liar and tyrant, I will not reve.il
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 U^ft
Scott's presence. But his eye burned like a fiend's.
The agitator, with a spirit of the most devilish rage con-
suming 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, with-
out an}" 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 f

They were not alone unprepared and undetermined to go
up to Fort Garry, and fight the greasy Rebel and his fol-
lowers, but they were hy 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 Mon-

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

siour Riel proposo<l to do. It is said tli it about this time
he was often found reading books d* scril)ing the sudden
and unexpected niilitarj movements of Napoleon. And
I have not the remotest doubt that the diseased vanity of
the presumptuous crank enabled him to see a bkeness in
himself to the Scourge of Nations. So ho said to his
men:

" Wo 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 so'iething to be said for the gathering together
of these loyal people here, as th»>re 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 Kiel, 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 sub-
mit to the authority of the Provisional Government.
There was very little parleying. Each brave loyalist took
the paper, and put his name to it.* Dr. O'Donnell was the

*li

*! take the following from Mr. Begg'a History of the Rebellion :
"In the meantime, there were from two to three hur^rorl 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 can-
non (six pounders) were drawn outside the walls of Fort Garry,

IMAGE EVALUATION
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(716) B72-:.S03

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THE STORY OF LQUIS KIEL. *

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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.

ready to be used in case of an assault upon the besieged premisef^.

"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 tne fol-
lowing ladies, who, during the siege, had nobly resolved upon
remaining by the side of their husbands, also insisted upon accom-
panying 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."

jr - '

CHAPTEK VIII.

N the meantime, the Government at Ottawa
had convinced itself that affairs were in a
pretty bad mess in the North -West. There-
fore 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, chis prelate, I
understand, beinjj 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 cf duties should ill health have incapacitated
him. Mr. Smith arrived in due season at the settlement,
and sought an interview with the Kebel 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 govern-
ment at Ottawa that he had the opportunity of fastening
the locks 1 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
fleursde-lys and shamrocks, hoisted in its stead. When
the news got abroad that an agent had come from Canada
to treat v;itL the people on behalf of the Canadian Gov-
ernment, that Mr, McDougall was in disfavour with the
Dominion ministry, and had returned to Ottawa, M.
Kiel's influence began to diminish sensibly.

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

" Let US hear what Donald Sniith has to say to us,"
they began to cry ; and the Arch Rebel was fain to con-
sent. 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 satistied 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. Some-
times he broke loose from all civilized restraint, and acted
like a mad savagf'. Governor JNIcTavish, who was reach-
ing the last stages of conemnption, 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.
Burstinjj into the chamber of the sick man, he rao-ed like a
wild bull, stamped upon the floor, and declared th^it he would
have him shot before midnight. Thei l telling offa guard he
sent them to invest the house. His rage cooled down after
a little, and the murderous threat was not carried intf'
execution. I have said that the loyalty -^nd obedience of
his entire followers were, so far, ^^y no means assured.
Hundreds who sympathized with the uprising, and in the
beginnmg expressed admiration for his courage and dar-
ing, 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 cor.nsel 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 sym-
pathy of your followers."

" Suppose I release these prisoners V*

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THE STORY OF LOUIS 1IEL.

•1 1

" I know of nothing more popular that you could do."

" But Scott ? He is my deadJiest 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 deli-
rium 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, announc-
ing that he was once more free, the enfeebled blood began
to stir in her veins, and a faint tint of rose began to ap-
pear on the wasted cheek.

" I will run over and see my little love during the first
breathing time that offers," he wrote,
you are not sorrowing at my absence,
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 in-
dustry, 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

"I hope, ma amie,
No hour passes

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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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 Kiel's two-fold pas-
sion 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 dis-
obey 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 dia-
bolical personal aims he now began to a«Hume a benig-
nant, fatherly tone, and when he issued his famous " Pro-
clamation to the people of the North-West," everybody
was struck by the calmness, the restraint; and even the
dignity of its language.* He likewise endeavoured to show

* 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 wor-
thy of great confidence. It has worked in union. The members
devoted themselves to the public interests, and yielded only to sen-
timents of good will, duty and generosity. Thanks to that noble
conduct, public authority is now strong. That stength wiU be em-
ployed to sustain and protect the people of the country.

" To-day the Government pardons all those whom political dif-
ferences 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 bujufiess. Them-
selves contributing to the public good, they circulate i;h§ir money
jffia 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 ii%.y,
not receive any serious check, and peace in the Indian districts may
thereby be all the more securely maintained.

^•.

^»

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

that he was not a disturber whose only mission was to
pull down. Through his instrumentality, and at his sug-

{

" 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. Tho
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 lied liiver peo-
ple 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 dis-
order 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 KIEL.

** Government House,

" Fort Garry, April 9th, 1870."

100

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

I' ■ ; (

< M

gestion in every one of its details, a Bill of Right.s,* was
drawn up, and published to the people. This document
set forth little more than what would be regarded as
legitimate requests.

His followers soon began to forcfet his late manifesta-
tion of tyranny and violence, and his enemies found them-
selves 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 ho
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 pur-
pose 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.
NoUn answered that he never would be shot in his house,
and immediately went out to see who the man was It

hi- \

* 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 sheriflFs, 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 bene-
fit 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 sub-
ject 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.

['• '. 1 1

) ■

'm*^ '^''^^^^•■•m^^mm^mmm

I f

102

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

! 1

ll'

appears that he was an Indian, seeking the way to a com-
rade'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
s Prairie Portage. The inhabitants to a considerable ex-
tent 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
you will lead us we shall march against this scoundrel,
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 thr.t the thing
can be accomplished as easily as you imagine."

"9. The French and English language to be common in the Leg-
islature and Council, and all public documents and Acts of Legis-
lature to be published in both languages.

"10. That the Judge of the Superior Court speak French and
En glish.

" 11. Treaties to be concluded and ratified between the Govern-
ment and several tribes of Indians of this Territory, calculated to
insure peace in the future.

" 12. That all privileges, customs and usages existing at the time
of the transfer, be resp^ "^ted.

"13. That these rights be guaranteed by Mr. McDougall before
he be admitted into this Territory.

" 14. If he hive not the power himself to grant them, he must
get an Act o^ Parliament passed expressly securing us these rights :
and, until such Act be obtained^ he must stay outside the Terri-
torv," ,

/»'

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THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

103

" We have the arms, and we are determined to move
against that presumptuous nost of doinineerinij^ ])an(litti.
If you do not lead us, then the command will have to fall
upon one of ourselves, and there is no man amongst U3
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 in-
clinations." Very speedily the force was marshalled to-
gether, 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 th sir highest
average of "going-off " capacity was about 83 ;\ per cent.
That is to say, out of three snaps you got the piece " off"
once. The miscarriages were made up of " missing iire "
and " burning prime."

Now, while this dangerous army was marching toward
Fort Garry, Riel, on the advice of his military chief, Le-
pine, had liberated the prisoners. Many of the latter tar-
ried 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 crit-
icised by those who always show their wisdom afte7' the
event. To young Scott he detailed his programme.

" My ambition is," he ^aid, " to delude the rebels as to
toy 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 makf

^^1

III

FWWPI

1; . Il

104

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL,

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 consider-
able enthusiasir the force marcned 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. Kiel's scouts had given warning
of the approach of the loyalists, and every man in the fort
seized a lire arm, ready to march instantly upon the be-
siegers. 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 disap-
pointment, the force disbanded, and the men began to re-
trace 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 pchool-house,
in this way endeavouring to avoid Fort Garry. But Kiel's
eyes had been upon them, and big, unwashed O'Donoghue,
mounting his horse, shouted —

" We've got thim. Veeve lah Kepubleekh ; God save
Oirland," and set out over the plain, followed by a host of
little Frenchmen, bristling like porcupines, with their war-
like inclinations.

" Sun-ound the lick-shpittles, Mounsieurs," shouted the
big, red Irishman. Veeve lah, Veeve lah ! " he screamed,

Y^-

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

105

tt-i

and beat the flankn of his horse with liis monster feet.
The big ruffian was fairly delirious for a fi<,dit. "Thim are
the niin. Mounsieurs," he shouted, " that robbed my coun-
threy of her liberty. Him thim in, Mounsieurs." In tliis
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 mo 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." There-
upon he took his rifle, loaded it, and pointed it at the
head of Major Boulton.

"Major," he shouted, "your eye is co/ered. Divil
resaive me if T 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 tlim all, even to that cvatur,"
pointing to a little, thin, spiteful-looking man, with a face
much like a weasel's. His skin was the colbur 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-w lied 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

106

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

If. f

i;';

' I... I

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 sev-
eral 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 0'D(moghue in the knee with the muzzle of
his pistol, and afterwards punched the horse in the ribs.
O'Donoghiie quickly turned his horse around and, with a
sudden movement, squirted a jet of tobacco juice in the
eyes of the tempestuous little lovalist.

" 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.*

Let us now return to the vengeful Kiel. Never steady
of purpose, or resting his faith upon logic, he had begun
to curse himself for taking Lf pine's advice and suffering
Scott to depart.

* The following description of this ridiculous episode in the hics-
tory of the rebellion is given by Mr. Begg in his history of the
troubles : — On the morning of the 17th, ww J 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 overlook-
ing the prairie. Faces thronged the windows. Wood piles and
fences were crowded with sightseers, all expecting to behold a mini-
ature battle. When the Portage party discovered the French
coming out of the Fort they halted, and appeared to hold a consul-
tation ; after which, they moved slowly on — the depth of snow im-
peding their progress. The French, at the head of whom was

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

107

" After all, he may elude me, go out of the temtory,
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." Jus'' 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 inso-
lent 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 pre-
sently, 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 de-
termined to carry out my threat. At the last I will

5 '

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 pri-
soners, was the conclusion by the lookers-on, and so, indeed, it
turned out to be. Several of the Poitage 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 t'lat 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 X7th."

108

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

yield. So far, so good. I ^o not know, now, whether you
understand my methods or not."*

" I think I do Monsieur," and there was a knowing
^jwinkle 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 goad-
ing will soon set him in his most abusive mood. If pos-
sible, it would be well for one of the puards 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 repl}-^ to them :
' This is a matter of discipline. The man has deserved
death, or the court martial would not have sentenced him.
I spared Boul ton'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

■'*■ The following is Mr. Begg's version of this part of the afifair: —
" Kiel 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 exe-
cution) — midnight — the very thought of a man being brought out
in the stillness of the night to be shot like a dog w^as horrible in the
extreme. Still there were no lack of intercedera, although little
hope was now entertained of Major Boulton being spared. People re-
tired to their homes that evening with mingled feelings of hope and
Uncertainty, mixed with horror at the deed about to be committed.

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

109

in completing the work. We know not what chance may
work, and rob our hands of the scoundrel. You under-
stand ? T am least of all mixed up in the matter, being
more concerned with weightier affairs."

" Oui, Monsieur," and making an obeisance, the murder-
ous tool departed. Exactly as it had been planned, it all
fell out. Major Boulton was put in irons, and Kiel de-
clared that for the sake of peace and the prosperity of the
colony, he must be shot. Dozens of people came and im-
plored 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 re-
proach. 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 ! " Kiel cried, while he rubbed his hands
with satisfaction. " Without applying the little goad at
all, he fulfils our will."

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 he
fore him, and acted altogether as a soldier should do in the face of
death. In the meantime the French councidora were sitting in de-
liberation on Bouiton's sentence, the result being that his life was
spared. This was communicated at once to the prisoner who re-
ceived the information as calmly as he had done the sentence of
death."

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110

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

" 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 Mon-
sieur — " there was now a tone of diabolical raillery in his
words — " that this is a matter in which I cannoD 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 an-
other hour has passed." Then the faithful Monsieur Le-
pine 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 put-
ting fresh roses upon the m.ound 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 Icve pledge."

For an hour did he pace up and down the floor gloating
over his revenge. Meanwhile 1 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 sub-
ordinate officers assembled there.

" Messieurs," he said, *' We know what our business is.
We must lose no time in dispatching it. But before com-
mencing, 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 ieft him, after endeavouring in vain to induce him to
ne present at the trial ; but he could not spare the time

:.0

1^'

112

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

to come. By skilfully sounding him, however, I dis-
covered that his sentiment respecting the prisoner are ex-
actly the same as those entertained by myself. What
these are. I need hardly say. It is now a struggle be-
tween 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 de-
fied, 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 ridicu-
lous, 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 confine-
ment, 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 E-ed 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 over-
throw of authority as vested in our Provisional Govern-
ment. He is likewise charged with having attempted
criminal violence upon lawfully delegated guards ap-
pointed 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

THE STORY OF L0UI3 KIEL.

113

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 de-
gree."

" 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, 1 have heard him say, that he would have the
pleasure of assisting in hanging Monsieur Kiel to a prairie
poplar; and in putting tar and feathers upon his un-
washed, hungry follov;^ers."

" Has he been guilty of any acts of violence ? "

" He has been guilty of acts of violence. When he be-
came 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 pur-
ple.] 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 exact! / 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 giv-
ing his evidence. But poor Scott, whose life was the issue
of all the swearing, was not permitted to be present, but

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

li .

I".

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 dis-
turber 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 he, that the prisoner he taken forth this day, at one
o'clock, and shot. And may God in His infinite mercy,

have mercy upon his soul."

* % * * * « #

Monsieur Kiel 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 grati-
fication. Then he came over to where his adjutant stood,
and shook his hand ; then he thrust his fingers through

■•

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

115

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, say-
ing as he de[)arted,

" I shall endeavour to merit to the fullest the kindly
eulogy which Monsieur President bestows upon me. "
The news of St tt's sentence spread like fire around the
settlement. Some believed that the peaalty 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 con-
demned 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 tu-
mult, when the operation of all laws is suspended, the
Court - Martial is the only tribunal to which serious
oflfenders 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 mat-
ter. 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 over-
throwing the authority, which we have established in the
colony." The petitioners left the tyrant with sorrowful
faces.

116

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

}■. '

i-'

it ;

I'i!

" 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, vin-
dictive 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 ? What-
ever your business is, let it be dispatched quickly, for
your presence stifles me. What dishonorable proposal
have you now to make ? "

" Monsieur Scott, it seems to be a positive pleasure to
you ^o 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 nov/ 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 dishonor it is that you pro-
pose ? 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 ? '

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

117

,?"

" Where yoii will never find them. That's my answer,
villain and tyrant, and now begone."

" Pei'haps you imagine that the sentence will not be
carried out. I ask you to choose between life/ind liberty,
and an almost immediate isfnominious 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.

'' Slie shnll be mine!" he hissed, " when your corpse lies
mouldering in j^ dishonored traitor's grave." Tlie young
man was cbained to a heavv 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 bi'ute J nee 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 begun to pace up and down, sorely dis-
turbed. All along he had eherislied 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

118

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

pay. But you have to show that for the sacrerl 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 thousad 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 ha^f-breed murder-
ers. I should have uttered no word of I'epining, but it is
different now : O God, it is very ditferGnt."

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 — be-
cause of my pure, beautiful love, my Marie, whom this
fiend has so persecuted, that I cannot look upon my doom
with calmness. I had thou<T:lit 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 ow i hand deliver it. 1 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,

•

■^1

THE STORY OF LOTUS KIEL.

119

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,
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 bru-
tal 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,"* 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

* 1 get the details of the execution from a report of the occur-
rence by Hon. Donald A. Smith. The extract is likewise to be
found in Captain Huyshe's Red River Expedition, pp. 18-19. — Thb

AlTTHGR.

. ll

120

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

iff-

tw\ t'.

liiM

H-.

B^'T

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m 1)

found the victim was still alive. He groaned several
time s and moved his hands ; whereupon one of the party
approaclied with a pistol and discharged it into the suf-
ferer'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. Tt 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 ciy. Mr. Young then asked that
he might be permitted to take the body and give it in-
terment in the burying ground of the Presbyterian Con-
gregation, 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, after-
wards exhumed, was found to contain only stones and
rubbish. What the fate of the body was no one has since
disco ved, but it has been conjectured that it was taken
during the night by Kiel's bloodhounds and dropped
through the ice into the river.

« ■> 3K « « «

Mr. Young was faithful to his pledge. On the follow-
ing day he set out over the bitter, snowy wastes for Pem-
bina, 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

* ,1

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I .' ii:

122

THE STOHY OP LOUIS RIEL.

her lover, she blushed deeply. But she recoverd 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 hf^art. 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 duriag 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.

UL i

CHAPTEE IX.

>3=V'

FTER the return of Mr. McDougall to Ottawa,
jind 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
the scene of tumult, to restore the authority of
tiiti Queen. Sir Garnet Wolsele}^, 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 govern-
ment had set thfe wheels of a totally difierent sort of
force in motion. Monseigneur Tach^, 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 com-
bined, is Monseigneur Taclid. 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 ar

124

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

1. 1

s>, t

extensive desire for annexation. The head of the move-
ment 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 pioperty 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 V'

" 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 speci-
fied — 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 fightiag 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 author-

!HP

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

125

ity to say that he was not shocked at all. His good priest,
Pere Ricliot, who got the bishop's ear, took a highly moral
and humane view of the matter.

" Shooting served the fellow right, Monseigneur,"* 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 difier 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 youi 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 .o uuiam
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 author-
ity 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 affec-
tion yet for the lad for whom he had frocured an
education !

The bloody Guiteau, however, did not consider the par-
don a very great act of liberality. On the contrary, he

'^''Captain Huyshe and several other writers of high repute, are
my authority for this statement.

126

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

I f

1'^

I'i:

':!:

was inclined to regard the discussion of his guilt, the guilt
of the president of an independent colony ! who wasi
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 Gov-
ernor 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 wallowini,*' and disorustinj? habits
the residence soon resembled a hlthy 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 larcfe force, was marchinji' 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 I'ullower 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 ar d tell your friends that you have met
Louis Riel, a fugitive, barefooted, without a roof above his
head, and no where to go." This beastlj'', 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
Qot paid to him in a lump, but his good friend, the
whilome bishop, and now archbishop, paid it out when-
ever the worthless, vagabond rascal came and represented
himself as being very needy.

He often, in his fallen days, would go about sighing for
'*'arie, and declaring that, with all his vengeful f:.eiings

•A

128

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

towards her, she was the only maiden whom he had ever
reaUy 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 lament-
ing 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 ii "tss the
prairies by a grave upon which the violets were grow-
ing. Before the leaves fell he was lying by her side.
A. cypress marks the graves, and the little brook goes by
all the summer.

ver

Isad

his

ow.

nt-

oft

the

Tie.

him

but

the

ow-

ide.

CHAPTER X.

[E 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 Roufje. 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
thf^ slaying as an act of inhuman, bloody, ferocity, with
which the question of race or religion had not the remot-
est connection.

" It is because Riel, a Frenchman and a Roman Catho-
lic, shot Thomas Scott, an Englishman and a Protestant,
that all this cryinor for vengeance is heard over the land.
Now, had the cases been reversed, we would hear no
English lamen tings 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 tu-
mult 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 ?
N othing can be said ! We can only as Canadians all

r .»fia^ i « i-M i^ww > '^

ir;ii:

130

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 proteg^ 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 ac-
cord 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 " crocmi-
taine " Richot would say. " Had he not risen and com-
pelled 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 per-
mitting 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. Archi-
bald to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Manitoba, several
bands of Fenians threatened to invade the territory, and
Bet 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 de-
lirious with alarm. So he sent a messenger to M. Riel,
the untried felon, whose .crime was at the time the sub-

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

131

ject of voluiiunous corrospondence between (J.'ii\a<la and
the Colonial OfHce, 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 thi-eat,
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 Lepino.

The presence of Riel was yet a standing menace to peace
among the half-breeds beyond the limits of the new pro-
vince. The Canadian Government began to plevise means oi
getting him out of the country. They tried persuadon, but
this was not an effective mode. It was at. this juncture
that a sum was put into the hand* of Archbishop Tachd
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 lan-
guishing eyes upon some of the half-breed girls living upon
the airy uplands.* He was regarded as a great hero by
these mal-'-.-C, for long befor his coming the daring, bril-
liancy, and great achievements of Monsieur Riel had been
told with enthusiasm at the fireside of every half-breed

* It is stated upon certain authority, how good 1 don't know, that
the brave M. Riel rejoices in the possession of three wives. ()ne is
Baid to be a French Metis, the other a Scotch half-breed, and the
third a beautiful Cree squaw with large dupky eyes.

132

THE STORY OF LOUTS RIEL.

It.

■f

in Montana. We .shall leave M. Riel in Montana, somo-
tinies woikin<jf, .sometimes huntin*^, always wooin<;, nnd
take a very brief glance at the cau.ses 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 witcj
guaranteed .secure po.sses.sion of their land. TJndei- tluj
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 immi-
grant came prying about for choice land the half-breeds
had naught to complain about, but the rapid influx of
population soon altere<l 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 i , 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 vei^ great regret that I myself, a Con-
servative, 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.

Imc-

liiiid

tlio

I lose

in to
jeity
land
'd as
(linu

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL,

13S

liiifc almost as fruitful a source of dissatisfaction as these
heartless and dishonest displacements has been the ditH-
ciilty whieh the unfortunate squatter has experienced in
obtainin;,^ his ])atent. The mills of tlio gods in the Interior
Department grind very slowly. The obtaining of a patent
by a deserving S([uatter as a general rule is about as di Hi-
cult, 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 monev
enough to go to school to prepare ibr a third class teachei -
ship, by then teaching school till he has a suHlcient com-
petency to study medicine, and by then practising his
j)rofession 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 De}>artment of the Interior. It would
be undignified if it were to move with any degree of
rapidity. According to eti([uette, and the rule is very
]iroper, when the application of the half-breed comes to
the ofHce, 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 pcT'iod 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 processs of arithmetic we can
get approximately near the period which it takes the
poor half-breed's prayer to get from pigeon-hole Al})ha 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,

k.t

■' %

^i^ r

134j

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

in myrtle green ink, in violetfcc noiro ; but never, it must
be said to itlie credit of the de}>artnient, in common black.
But all these colours are worthless indeed, viewed from
any point of view, compared with its other ac(|uisitions.
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 va-
gabond's claim. Sometimes it is swathed in crimson
tyings, sometimes in scarlet, now and again in magenta;
and I am very hapj^y to be able to say that piidv 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 dceument
has to make its voyage through the pigeon holes.

In eh is way there has been nmcli heartburning, and
many curses against otticialdom and red-tape. While the
back of the application is being turned out a Christmas
card, a stray innnigrant 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 hcpuit upon lands with no inten-
tion of remaining permanently, but only with tlie object
of speculation by selling their scrip, leaving the neigh-
bourhood, taking up another lot, and receiving in like ,
nuinner disposable scrip again. But the ofhcers of the
North-West must know that the half-breed people, in
(/cneiul, are constant-working, and are desirous of achiev-
ii»^ comfort, and of atilueuce. Yet because of the acts of

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

135

ist
Ick.
)in
ns.
lit
leet
n-
ip
a-
^on
ta ;
wo

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 ot
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 administra-
tion of North- West affairs in his hand.'^;. Ho 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

land-grabbing.

I am sure that if the jxentloman 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 disi)ose of it.

" O sell it to the Indians," the Governor said ; and,
'* Lo ! to the poor Indian " it was sold ; and sold at tender-
loin prices.

" We (ian'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 afiairs when Louis Riel,
about r 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

136

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

\ ■■.

did not care a fig for the condition of " his people ! " hut
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. Present-
ly intimations began to reach the Canadian Government
that if they made it worth M. Kiel's while, he would leave
the disaffected people and return to American territory.
The sum of $5,000, it was learnt, a littlo 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 Tach^ likewise showed himself at
the capital on the same mission.

" For God's sake," these mi.^n said, "give earnest, careful,
prompt attention to affair ; in the North- West. The
people have sore grievance 5, and they do not get the
redress which is their due. If you would prevt-oi mis-
chief and misery, lose no time." And as in du< y i o md
the politicians said: "The government will givt '^he
matter its most serious consideration."

M. Royal and the priests returned to the North- West
down-sprited enough, and Mr. Macpherson sailed for Eng-
land, while the half-breeds were making up their minds
to obtain by force the rights which they had failed to ob-
tain through peaceable means and persistent prayer.

ihe

SjsM

CHAPTER XL

HE region known as Prince Albert was tha
chief seat of the disturbance. It has been al-
ready pointed out in these pages, that the con-
necting link between the Indian and the white-
man, is the half-breed. It is not to be won-
dered at then, that as soon as the Metis began to
mutter vengeance against the authorities, the Indiana
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
aftaiS-s, 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 Govern-
ment 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 resitmS of the
condition of the tribes.

Some divines, recently in the North-wes^j, 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 Govern-
ment 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
Kiel, began to collect fire-arms, and to drill in each others

, r

138

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

bams, the Indians began to sing and dance, and to bran-
dish 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
v/as 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.

*• 0, 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 tentj, 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 JBlack
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 fchem 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 hero :

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

139

In-

Ite
loo
in
Ip
he
Ind
od
he
s
av
of
Ible
to

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 pre-
ferred to hear Louis Kiel's words, which were : —

" Indians have been badly treated. The Canadian Gov-
ernment has taken away their lands; the buftalo 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 or approval always greeted such words.

At length Lhe rising came. Gabriel Dumont, Kiel'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
light, 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 pass-
ing, you know for what purpose you have taken arms in-
to your hands. Let every shot be fired only after de-
liberate 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 Com-
missioners to make terms with \\6. In the meantime the
success of our attack, will bring hundreds of timid per-
sons to our standard." This harangue was received with
deafening cheers.

So the rebels posted themseb''cs in the woods, and filled
a stuidlly 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 tliC inmates of the house, and it was an-
Bwered from tree to tree through all the wintry wood. In

■; $

Pit'

I'M

t *•

140

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL

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 middJe 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 wa.^
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* com-
manding 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 cai^o the words
" Begin, my men," from the commander ; — and immedi-
ately the crackle of rifles startled the hush of the wilder-
ness. 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 whis-
tling 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

141

the

bear on tho 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 camo
diabolical yells and jeering shouts. The day belonged to
the rebels.

When the police had moved away, the Indii.-.ns and
half-breeds came out from their ambush and begar. 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 oId-
served 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 bat-
tle-field, make them look at the stark bodies of the loyal-
ists, 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 volun-
teers needed no urging, but promptly offered their ser-
vices 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."

■;

I»:H

i I

CHAPTER XII.

|;HILE 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 per-
sons 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 carne into the little set-
tlement, and smoked their pipes among the inhabitants.
Here, as elsewhere, the most bitter feelings were enter-
tained by the half-breeds and Indians against the Gov-
ernment, 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 gleam-
ing with hate, through the window-frames at the innocent
and unsuspecting inmates. At last one chief, with a dia-
bolical face, said,

" Brothers, we must be avenged upon every white man
and woman here. We will shoot them like dogs. Kq

»g

CHIEF ADDRESSING HIS TRIBE.

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

if!

har'.n can comn to us ; for the great man has said so."
(Alluding to Kiel.) " When they are all shot the Gov-
ernment will get a big fright, and give the Indians and
half-breeds what they ask for." The answer to this har-
rangue 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 light 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 compris-
ing all the dead shots among the halt-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 men-
tion of the names of Kiel 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 hold-
ing of the conference Vetween the Indians and the white
settlers. The malignant chief had settled the plan.

" When the white faces come to our lodge, they will ex-
pect 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 Govern-
ment;. It will only waste time to go." Many of them.

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

145

I so."

}ov-

Jand

ihar-

isic,

\ing-

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 bro-
thers 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 "ould
not look cheerily down upon the bloody events planned
in this distant wilderness. Low, indigo clouds looked
down over the hills, b it 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 be-
fore 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 busi-
ness ? " 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

. i

146

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

priests were amazed. They knew not what all this meant.
Then a wild shriek was given, and the chief cried, ** Ene-
mies to the red man, you have come to your doom," Then
raising his ritie, he fired at Father Marchand. The level-
ling 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. Al-
ways on the alert for Indian treachery, he had his suspi-
cion now, before entering he suspected strongly that all was
not right. He had only reached the settlen- ^nt that morn-
ing, and had he returned sooner he would 'e counselled
the settlers to pay no heed to the invitati^.^. He was as-
sured 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
Bell his life as dearly as lay in his power, he sprang for-
ward with a Colt's revolver, and discharged it twice.
One Indian fell, and another set up a cry like the bellow-
ing 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

147

Int.

le-
len
Tel-
ler
ime
in

)re.

cartli. Then the ravages fired five or six shots into him
as he lay upon the floor. The body was (liaL(i,'ed away
and the blood-thirsty fiends sat waitini; for the ap|)roach
of another victim. Half an hour passed, an(i no other rap
came upon the door. An hour went, and still n(j sound
of foot-fall. All this while the savages sat mute as stones,
each holding his murderous rifio in readiness for instant
use.

" Ugh ! " grunted the chief, " no more coming. We go
down and shoot em at em houses." Then the fiend divi-
ded his warriors into four companies, each one of which
was assigned a couple of murders. One party proceeded
toward the house of Mr. Gowaidock, of the firm of Gowan-
lock & Laurie, who had a huge saw and grist mill in
course of erection ; creeping stealthily along, and conceal-
ing their approach by walking among the trees they were
within forty ; irds of the house without being perceived.
Then Mrs. Clcjwanlock, 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 fu-
ture 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 chat-
ting 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

148

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

ifi

dead, another aimed afc Gilchrist, but Mi.s. Gowanlock
heroically seized the savage's arms from behind, and pre-
vented 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 aw^ay 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 accent. He was a half-breed, and had for a vv^ife a
very pretty Cree woman. For some days past, it is sn-d,
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 w^ould sell his
life very dearly. They were aware that in tlie ]\linnesota
massacre which hap})ened 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 ])usy in the little yard behind
his house, putting handles in some of his farming imple-
ments, 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 unsuspect-
ing man was at his work. Then, while he whistled a
merry tune, they silently raised their rifies and took aim.
The unfortunate man fell, pierced with all their bullets
and made no stir.

Another detachment of the bloodhounds directed their
stoDs towards the residence of Barnez Fremoine, the Bel-
gian rancher. He was a tall, magnificently-built man,
and when the savages got in sight of his house they per-
ceived that he was engaged oiling the axle of his waggon.

'to'*©

150

THE STORY OF LOUTS KIEL.

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 afterwads there
were two bullet holes in his head, and an arrow lay
lodged in his breast.* 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.

*This fact I get from correspondence to the Ottawa Free Press, a
newspaper whioh, under the great journalistic entei-prise 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.

li'

pel

IS
is

Ire

J.
om

CHAPTEE XIII.

ERHAPS, 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 honor, retire from his ground.
Fort Pitt stands in the centre of the Cree country,
and was the scene of the treaty between the Gov-
ernment and the Crees, Chippewayans, Ar^sinniboines 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 pre-
sent, 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 glorj'^ save when he is the centre of
some disturbance. He has always shown m jch 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 ^eciter 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 :

■X

152

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

" No, everything is quiet ; the Indians are all satisfied,
because they are doing well." Big Bear will reply, while
knowingly closing on 3 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 Kiel at their head, had broken into
revolt. Big Bear pulled off his feathered cap and threw it
several times into the aii'. 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 festi-
val 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 knot-
ted 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 tan-
gle 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 any-
where 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

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15*

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 re-
serves round about for many miles swarth heralds pro-
claimed 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 experi-
ence, a magnificent one, and before the young men de-
parted 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 crim-
son 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
un'^ertaking which they hardly considered worth shoul-
dering their rifles for. But when it came to t\e actual
taking it was a somewhat difierent matter. TL:^re were
twenty-one policemen in the Fort and they had at their
head an intrepid chief, Mr. Inspector Dickens, already re-
ferred to in this chapter. It was useless to fire bullets
at the solid stockades ; massacre was out of the qaostion,
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 Kiel. But we must have guns ; good
guns ; and plenty of powder and shot and ball. So tak-
ing a number of his braves he approached the Fort and
began to bellow that he wanted to have a talk. Inspec-
tor Dickens appeared, calling out,

" Well, what does Big Bear want ? "

THE STORY OP LOUIS KIEL.

li)ii

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" 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, 1 am sure they will do it. He wiU 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 follov^ers, not sparing either the women or the
children."

** If this be your intention, you shall not find us unpre-
pared." 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 unsus-
pecting policemen, then several shots were heard. Con-
stable 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 ru lining 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

m I

15G

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

with Big Bear. Arriving at the door of the chief's lodge,
he knocked. Big Bear admittea hira 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, con-
sisting o;' 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 ohe
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 mwi'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 honor" 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

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

157

)dgo,
ttest

the
Jear
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.

. i I I'

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' 1 1

CHAPTEK XIV.

accident in the whole history of the present re-
bellion 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 ^hole 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 sup-
port, Lnd who are therefore compelled to go on their
bare brown feet among the marshes in the summer, kill-
ing 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 bi-awliu,
papooses go abroad looking for something to eat.

:w.

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

15li

Now "hosidcs Poundmaker, there were among those
Stoney Crees two other mischief-loving half-and-hcalf
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 re-
volt. 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 de-
light at the prospect of red shawls, and heaps of ril)bons,
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, w4th
the three beauties just mentioned at ther 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 strecits were deserted. Then
commenced tbe work of pillage. According to a correspon-
dent of the Montreal Star, "house after house was visited in
quick succession, the squaws loudly acclaiming and shout-
ing as the bucks smashed in the doors with axes. Fire-
arms 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.

IGO

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

iu!

Torn carpets, chairs, besteads and empty trunks were
thrown into the streets, whicli were tlironj^ed hy at least
500 Indians, who, made hideous with war paint, shouted
and discharged their rifles simultaneously, creating a per-
fect pandemonium. When tht^ pillageis 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 aisthetic patterns. The s([uaws got fineries enough
to deck themselves in for the next year ; and the amount
of brass rings that they carried away was enough tc
make glad the heart of all Indian-tiom. 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
projierUy 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 cf 1' out our young men from Halifiix, 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 handa 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.

-^•t .

wore

least

outed

CHAPTER XV.

FTER 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 T'anadian Gov-
ernment would send into the Held 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 hero
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 m 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 na-
ture 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 Middle ton, with his brave fel-
lows, had been making one of the most laborious marches
recorded in modem wars. Perhaps the worst portion of

162

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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F !

,; t

the march was around the dismal reaches of Lake Supe-
rior. I tako an extract from correspondence to the To-
ronto Afaii " 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 dark-
ness 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, obe-
dient to the order, but the march was anything but quick.
Then into the solemn darkness of the pices and liendock
the column slowly movod. 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 \\as a continuous down pour. The lake was reached
at last, tO the extreme pleasure of the corps. The wild-
ness 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. Tli<> officers strug-
gled 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 mai-ched. One brave
fellow had plodded on without a murmur for three days.
He had been sufifering, 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
re-jling 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 *?, boyish upturned face, until a
passing sleigh stopped behind him. The driver, flashing
his lantern in the upturned face, said he was dead. * Not

ji"

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

16J

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, aa
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-west-
erly 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 scat-
tering bluffs of stunted grey willows cluster along the
horizon, and 't one point along the trail, about aiidway
of the plain, is found a small, solitary clump of stuneberry
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 In-
dians, had been retreating slowly before General Middle-
ton's riixht column on the east bank of the river, their
sPOuts 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 be-
lief of the scouts, who saw some of his mounted men sig-
naling to him all afternoon on Thursday. However that
may be, he lay waiting for our men at the edge of a Lig
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

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164

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

the prairie could give him. So when he learnt that the
General himself, with his officers, were near at hand, his
eyes fairly gleamod with enthusiasm.

" My men," he said, as he went from covert to covert,
from blufi" to bluff, " you know the work that lies before
you ; I need not repeat it to you. Do not expose your-
self, and do not fire unless you have a tolerable target."
Then he arranged a system of signals, chiefly low whis-
tles 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 tall 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 liusht 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 blutfs, about five hundred yards apart, thickly
wooded on the top. Between these bluffs is a level o[)en
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 oi
April, General Middleton, who was still on the march to
Batoche's, was riding with his staff, well in front. Wit,h
him was Major Boulton's Horse, who acted as scouts. As
they were passing the two blufls named, suddenly the crack
of musketry rang out upon the piairie. 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

i \<y

THE STORY OP LOUIS RIEL.

1G5

bluffs the most diabolical yelling. For miles over tlie si-
lent prairies could these murderous yells be heard. Nor
were the rebel balls fired without etiect. Ca])tain 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 Win-
chesters, fired over a natural shelf or para])et protected
bv biff boulders. The column was divided into two winofs,
the left consisting of " B " and " F " Companies of the
DOth, with Boulton's mounted corps, and the right of the
rest of the 00th, "A" Battery, and "C" School of In-
fantry. The left wing, " F " company leading, came un-
der fire first. As the men were passing by him, Gen.
Middleton shouted out*:

" Men of the 90th, don't bend j'our heads ; you will
soon be there ; go in, and I know you'll do your duty."

The men were bending down, jmrtly to avoid the shots
an! partly because they were running over the uneven,
scrubby ground. Colour-Sergeant Mitchell, of " F " com-
pany (one of the famous Wimbledon Mitchells), displayed
great coolness, and afterwards did good execution with a
rifle when the troops had entei'ed 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 tidck, and as rain was falling, the
smoke hung in clouds a few feet off the muzzles of the
rifles.

166

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

i-', '' '■

Here the 90th lost heavily. Ferguson was the first to
fall. The bandsmen came up and carried off the in-
jured to the rear, where Dr. Whiteford and other sur-
geons had extemporized a small camp, the men being laid
some on camp-stretchers and some on rude beds of
branches and blauKets. " E " company of the 90th, under
Capt. Whitla, guarded the wounded and the ammunition.
General Middletc.i 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 rel^els, 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, how-
ever, the battery's fire had no effect, as from tlie elevation
on which the guns stood, the shot went whizzing over it.
Dumont had sent thirty men to a small blufi* 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

i^'

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL.

1G7

•

rebels saw that their sharpshooters were causins^ confu-
sion in this quarter, and about twenty of them ran clear
from the back of the ravine past the tire of "0" and "D"
companies to the bluff, and joined their comrade;] in a
rattling fusilade 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 ' i 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 tliemselves Hat 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. Mid-
dleton at once took advantaw 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. Dumorit was evidently
on the look-out for the appearance of Col. Montizambei't'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,

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168

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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 Douce t, of Mon-
treal, 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 nei-
ther 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 shoot-
ing 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 gal-
lantly, 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. Captijin
Forrest, of the 90th, headed the advance at this point.
Lieutenant Hugh J. Macdonald (son of Sir John Mac-
donald), 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 Ijy spent buckshot. For-
rest's hat was shot off". At 12.50 the rebels were far out
of range, goin^ towards Batoche's, and the Battle of Fish
Creek was practically over.*

During the battle, many instances of the greatest bra-
very are recorded. Private Ainsworth, of the 90th, was

* I am chiefly indebted to the Toronto Mail for the foregoing
account of the battle*

1 !

[Id

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

169

seen to leap upon the shoulders of a savage, who, in com-
pany with another, had endeavoured to cross the fiat land
and get shelter, wresting his gun and felling hini to the
earth with the butt of it, then securing the rifle firing at
and killing the other Indian. While doing this, he was ex-
posed 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 ambus-
caded 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 mus-
ketry fairly echoed for miles, as evidenced by the state-
ments 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 ail 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
y ^ung 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." 4,

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 07ie tnan in every eight had been struck by
the enemy's shot or bullets. Major Boulton had many

170

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

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narrow escapes, while lie was standing for a nioinent,
a hail of huckshot came whistling by his ear, buryin"
itself into his horse, which was killed instantly. Tlio
Scouts, known as Boulton's Horse, under this bravo
officer, bore very gallantly their portion of the battle's
brunt. Half-breeds and Indians had orders from their
leaders to shoot down horses as well as men ; and Du-
mont 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 to-
wards where sle[)t 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?" be cried, and raised his rifle ; but before
he could take aim, three shots rang out through the
still night, and he fell dead, pierced liy 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 bluti's, and down in the gorge. Th(!se came
from ]3umont's men, who jeered, and cried that they
hoped the soldiers enjoyea the pastime of watcliing their
dead.

On the following day, the bodies of the brave young
fellows who had fallen, after being decently, and decor-
ously 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 contem-

lit,
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172

THE STOTIY OF LOUIS RIEL.

I)latc ; but war is the trade of regulars, and tlioy expect
death, and burials in distant sod. But war is not tlie
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 sur-
roundings, 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 Datoche's, where the
Rebels' stronghold is located. Meanwhile the followiii<^'
sick and wounded 1 /e been left at the hospital at
Clark's Crossing undor the care of Dr. Orton : Captain
Clark ; Privates Hislop, Harris, Stuvel, Mattliews, Code
Jarvis, Canniff, Lethbridge, Kemp, Bruce; Captnin Gard-
ner; Privates Perrin, King, Dunn, McDonald, Cuminings,
Jones, R. Jones, Wilson, Morrison, Woodman, Imrie,
Asseline, Lailor; Sergeant Mawhinney, Private Wain-
wright.

The followinor is a list of the killed and wounded from
the outbreak of the Rebellion to the close of Colonel
Otter's engagement with Poundmaker, Big Bear and
other Indian bands : —

Killed at Prince Albert : —

Constable T. G. Gibson ; Constable G. P. Arnold ; Con-
stable Garrett ; Capt. John Morton ; W. Naf)ier ; C. Page ;
James Blakey ; J. Napier Elliott ; Robert Middleton ; D.
Mackenzie ; D. McPhail ; Charles Newitt ; Joseph Ander-
sc .1 ; 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.

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THE STORY OP LOUIS lUEL.

IV a

Killed ;it Frog Lake : —

T. T. C»)uinii, Irulian Agenfc at Frog Lake ; Father Fa-
fard ; Father Marchand ; John Dehiiiey, Faiiii Inspec-
tor ; J. A. Gowanlock; Mrs. Oowanloek ; Charles Gouin ;
William lilchrist ; Two Lav Brothers ; John VVillisoraft ;
James K. Simpson, and two Hudson Hay men mailc pri-
soners, and probably murdored by Frog Lake Indians.

Killed at Foit Pitt :—

Constable Cowan, N. W. M. P.

Wounded at Fort Pitt : —

Constable Lonsley, N. W. M. P

Killed at Fish Creek :—

Lieut. Swinford, 9()th ; Private Hutchinson, No. 1
Company, 90th ; Private Ferguson, No. 1 Company,
90th ; Private Ennis, No. 4 Company, 90th ; Gunner
Dcxnanolly, "A" Battery; Arthur \Vatson, 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. }). C. ; Lieut.
Doucett, A.D.C ; Lieut. Bruc , M. I. ; Capt. Gardner,
M. J. ; Private C. F. King, M. I. ; Private H. P. Porin,
M. I. ; Private J. Langford, ML; Gunner Asseline, " A"
Battery ; Gunner Emeye, " A " Battery ; Bombardier
Taylor, " A " Battery ; Sergeant- Major Mawhinney, "A"
Battery; Driver Harrison; Private H. P. Wilson; Priv-
ate 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 ; Uorj^oral Leth-
bridge, 90th ; Private Kemp ; Corperal Code ; Piivato
Hartop ; Private Blackwood ; Private Cannitt'; Private
W. W. Matthews ; Private Lovell ; Private Cane, 10th
Royals; Private Wheeeling, 10th Royals, knee dislocated ;
Private Hislop, 90th ; Private Chambers, 90th ; Corpora)
Thecker, 90th ; Private Bouchette, 90th ; Private Swan
90th; Corporal Brown.

174

TlIK STORY OF LOUIS III EL.

Killed at Battleford : —

Frank Smart, shot on picket.

Killed by Indians : —

John Walkinshaw and Albert Harkness.

Killinjijs and Woundinf's elsewhere : —

Sergeant Snyder, injured by exi)losion at Petcrboro' ;
Lieut. Morrow, accidentally shot ; Private Moberley,
broken arm; Kolsey, Midland Pjattalion, jumped from
train, probably lost ; G. H. Douglass, injured by fall from
horse; Marwich, Halifax Battalion, died from exposure;
a member of the 0th (Quebec) Battalion, died from expo-
sure ; Farm Instructor Payne ; Barnez Fremont, rancher ;
Achille Blois, Dth Quebec, died from fever.

Killed at Poundmaker's Reserve : —

Private Arthur J)obbs, 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. Pel-
letier, in the thigh, Sergt. Gaffney, in the arm, Corpoial
Morton, in the groin, and Gunner Reynolds, in the arm,
" B " Battery. Sergt. Winters, in the face. Private McQuil-
lan, 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, In-
fantry School.

Killed at Batoche : —

Gunner Wm. Phillips, "A" Battery, Quebec ; Piivate 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, 00th Winnipeg
Battalion ; Private Fraser, 90th Winnipeg Battalion.

«•■

THE STOUY OF LOUIS III EL.

17i

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Of tlio foregoing tho last six were killed on Monday, the
first on Saturday, and Private Moor on Sunday.

Wounded at J^atoclie ; —

Tenth Uoyai Grenadiers : — Major Dawson, slightly in
the ankle, able to limp about; Capt. Manley slightly in
the foot ; Ca])t. Mason tlesh wound in the thigh; Statt
Sergt. T. M. Mitchell, slight wound in the eye ; Private U.
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 tinger ; Private Scovell, slight tlesh wound ; Private
Stead, slight Mesh wound ; Private Cantwell.

The 90th Battalion :—Cor|). Gillies, Sergt.-Major Wat-
son, 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 Charpeiitier, Gunner Twohey.

Midland Battalion : — Lieut. Geo. Laidlaw, Lieut. Helli-
well, 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. Kiel must be captured at any
cost ; so, too, must Dumont. Men so strongly a menace to
public peace as Kiel 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 vil-
lains just named, Poundmaker, Big Bear, Little Pine,
Lucky Man, and those bloody wolves who perpetrated
the butcheries at Frog Lake.

176

THE STORY OF LOUIS KIEL.

ti i

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 mismanage-
ment 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-breeu 5, 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 END.