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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, '1 est filmd 6 partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 r * 6 D( Li HU] DOT IT DOWN;" A SToPvY OF Life in the North-lilest. By Alexander Begg. , HUNTER, ROSK & COMPANY. .1871. fiCGG. ^^. Eiitcrt'il aoconliiif^ ti» tlio Act of (lio I'arlijiintiit of Ciinada, in tlio year owe tlmu ci^lit liuiulrua and scvcii(>-(HK', by IIuntkk, Kuhic iS: Co., in tlic otticu of the Miii of Agrieultiire. Hi;ntek, Kohk & Co., PRINTKRS, BoOKniNDEKH, KbKCTROTYPKKS i^C Debication. My Dear Km ends, III (ledicatiiif,^ to you this, my first literary effort of laiiy iinpoitance, I do so from a just appreciation of the iiiaiiy kindnesses you have shown me ever since I came to lied River. Arrivin^^ as I did in the country a perfect jstrani^'ei", I was deeply moved hy the very considerate iiiaiiner witli wliicli you took me by the hand ; and 1 must say, that ever since you have done everything in our power to make my residence pleasant and happy. It has cjiused me nuu^h trouble and indignation to see the kind-hearted people of Red River vilified by scribblers in the public press, and if T have done anything towards bonocting the unjust impression received abroad concern- ing the settlers, I will have my reward. Trusting that you may enjoy long happiness and prosperity, the just [hie of all who, like you, prove themselves sincere friends, I remain, Yours very sincerely, ALEXANDER BEGG. fo Mr. and Mrs. Bannatyne. Winnipeg, Manitoba. I 'I Lnival at \h: Meredi ilsdii liiiy C )r. Flyaway pirchasing a krtconiings — ' ice — Tom (le ^oiirch of Mr. Doctor. . riio Doctor's -Visit to J Bis—An iinex Icua— The Thi 'lie Start for ! piittlc run ov€ Cloud— The bcess— Mr. B( R jig— Mr. I flio start for arthorn— Cam the German Se incident — Jo feii Abercron: |re--Georgeto\ •ill River— Brid of the camp- CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. uiival iit St. Paul — (Iracc Meredith — Jack ami Tom Meri'ditli ^[f. MiTcclith — Mrs. Meredith — (ieorge Wade -Agent of tin; jdsoii liay Company — The Merchants' Hotel — Nor'-Wcst 'I'raders )r. Flyaway — Free Traders — The Doctor's Fura 9 CHAPTER IT. Purchasing supplies — Mr. K- 's opinion of the Doctor — Family ^rtconiings — The Ojjera House — Tetc-d-teto between (Jeorge and ice— Tom describes what ho saw at the Theatre — George Wade karch of Mr. Meredith — The Restaurant — Fire ! lire !— Flight of Doctor 21 CHAPTER in. The Doctor's Letter — The Freight Sheds — Immense ([uantities of Irs— Visit to Minneapolis — The Falls of St. Anthony — Minnehaha lis— An imexpected interruption — Strawberries and Cream — The feus— The Thunder Storm — The Lights extinguished, &c 31 CHAPTER IV. The Start for St. Cloutl — German Immigrants — Amusing incident L'attlc run over — A Clergyman in a basket of eggs — Arrival at Cloud — The half-breeds — The Red River Cart — The loading bcess— Mr. Bon — The Freighters and their canip.s — The Red ' ^'1' jig — Mr. Barron — Visit to the Mayor of St. Cloud 45 CHAPTER V. Die start for Red River Settlement — Red River trains — Mr. brthorn — Camping out — Thrifty appearance of the Farm Houses pe German Settlers — Sauk Centre — Fishing excursion — A hunt- incident — John Barleycorn at work, &c 59 CHAPTER VI. ^ovi Abercrombie — The Mosquitoes — Traces of the Indian Mas- N— Georgetown — Terrific Storm — Mode of crossing the ferry — 31 Kiver — Bridge building — Goose River — Frog Point — The Mise- of the camp — Turtle River — Little Lake, &c 71 t VI CONTENTS. ! , (HA ITER VI [. l'\)it rj.arry — The Tiuli.aii.s and the S(|naw.s — Winni|K;^' --TlKiy tiiUc (]iiiirt('rs at tlu; Jlotel - Appartjiit u.straiij^oinoiit IxitwtM'ii 'iraco aiul (Iciirgo — l'!arly hdtel closing — Mr. Kvorling, tin; landlord- I'ni ting up tlir lirst liillianl Talde — Indian ( 'onjnio/iy — I )runki'n Indians — Nlr. ( "ool on tlif carpft — Intcrviiiw with Dr. I'Myaway — AinuHing incident — lutcrpal arrangements of Kort (Jarry — 'I'lie < Jovcrnoi — lie knocks a man down — The tea party — Mr. Marron in love witli (Jracc — TIk! first I'illiard Match — Scene in a AVigwam CHAl'TEll VHI. The Sahhath— Mr Whirl— Mr. Cool and Mr. Whirl plotting how- to ruin Dr. I^'lyaway — "Character" — The liarrican I'^arm — Ceorgo AVade — Anti<:ii)ati!d changes in the Settlement — Self-Aggrandi/c- meut Ill CHAPTER IX. Mrs. Co(d and the little Cools — Cool and Whirl .iranging jilans for the ruin of Mr. Harrican — Jack .and Holter* Harrican — Mrs. Ilohert Harrican — Ail'ecting api>cal — Harrican ..iaari-on in love with (J race Meredith CHAPTER XII. The Harrican Farm — The Merediths take Possession — Muddiiig the Honses — Buying furniture — A W^igwam on lire — Mr. Mereditli in company with Mr, Cool goes to Annexation Meeting — Conversa- tion on the way — The Public Meeting — George and Grace plight their troth CHAPTER XIII. The Indian's Revenge — Mr, Mereditli asks Wade for explanations with regard to his past life, which he refuses to give— George AVade forbidden to visit Grace — The Jhifitey'ti report of the Annexation meeting — Mr. Barron starts for York Factory — The York boats CONTENTS. Vll CHAPTER XIV. I'litliiig— Cool and Whirl on Mr. Twaddle — Dr. I"'lyaway l»i'«)- iiiiiL,' for a start — Kosutte, tho I'laiu lluntor — Life in the 'l\'iit — iciinliarirtni — Tlic Plain lliintcr.s — 'I'lu; Portage- La- 1 'rairic (l(»v- hiiucnt— The .Sioux — 'J'hc Indians anil W'iii.sky — (!ruee and (ieorge. 173 CHAPTKK XV. JTom and Jack's conjecture with regard to (Irace and (ieorge — A :ttri' from (Jrace to (Ieorge — .Stock raising — 'i'lie i'rairie — (irosse L]( — Indians (iainltling — A SeriouH row — Murder — The Parish of lildduau — One of the Mrst .Settlers — Tiiriving farmers — Letter :im (ieorge to C race — I Jarron's Letter to (irace P.)'2 CHAPTER XVT. |Tlio Trip to York Factory— The Stone Fort— The (iuide and ,'irsnian — Lake Winnipeg — .Strange Apparation — Norway House [Portaging — 'J'hc Lob-stick — Immense Trout — York Factory 213 CHAPTER XVI r. JTlio llarrican-Cool trial — Administration of Justice — Conspiracy hreak Jail — .Success tif tho ])lot, and rescue of a prisoner — The >/'/• eating Hundde Pie — The reasons why the People Avere Krsc to the annexation of the Red River .Settlement to Canada .... 225 CHAPTER XVIIL [ieorge Wade leaves for Fort-a-la-Cornc — Sharp trading — Dog |vi)ig — 'J'rading with the Indians — George ruminating 240 CHAPTER XTX. I'reparing for "Wintei — Grace Mcredith'is health begins to fail — Theatrical performance — "Dot it Down" — The Jail on fire — i'luke" — Cool and Whirl discussing the situation 240 CHAPTER XX. pr. Flyaway — Rules of the Camp — Buffalo hunting — Preparing mnican — Buflalo runners — Dr. Flyaway's misha}) — Rosette re- us to the Settlement — Deceiving an Indian — St. Boniface 261 CHAPTER XXI. 11 r. Cool visits "Dot it Down" — How the Winter is spent in Red rer— Gay times — Weddings.—** Dot" and Friend go to a Party — lat happened— The Red River Jig— Twaddle's "Den"— A Din- ' party 273 viii CONTENTS. (JIIAP'I'KH Wll. ■ W^ Scarcity <>f lirowndd 'riiouHands ol iicns iviuly for tlic i»Inu;^li ^ ^ KcHairn of (icnrj^t; W.idtj Mr. Mcrcilitli'.s iiiti'rvicw with (Icorp^ (loorgc visitH ( invct." I George now began to find his patience wearing out, when the )ctor changed the subject, by asking him how he was going k and what he intended to do when he reached Red River ] [''It is impossible to say at present," answered George. "I 3pose I will have to make an arrangement with some one re- rning home, and when I reach my destination, why I'll tackle |y honorable work that turns up." I" All right," said the Doctor, " then you'll come with me. alone and will be going back in a day or two." I" I should prefer if possible," remarked George, "to travel [company with the Merediths, who came up in the boat with I'll wait for them," volunteered the Doctor. " So it is ail Ranged." ' I'll let you know this evening," remonstrated George. But Doctor was off in another fit, and now began on the subject furs. Without heeding the unwillingness of George to bceed, he almost dragged him up-stairs to his room, and Mng the door, he pointed to a lot of furs that lay scattered 20 "DOT IT DOWN;" on the floor, and which, even to Wade's unpracticed eye, looked a " hard lot." " There," exclaimed the Doctor, " you see I do my own busij ness. I unpack my fine furs up here ; I bring my customerj along, and we fight out our own bargains all alone, much betti than parading my stock in K 's office." " And how do you succeed 1 " asked George. " Well, you see they are not apt to bite immediately ; for ir,| stance, they are finding fault with this lot, saying they ar poor and so forth ; but I'll fetch them to-morrow. Now 1 us go down and take a drink." When they descended to the bar-room once more, theij friends had disappeared ; and George, who remembered hi appointment with Mr. Meredith, hastily excused himself froij joining the Doctor in his " refreshment," and hurried away the Hudson Bay Company's Office. Dr. Flyaway consoled himself with two drinks, instead one. •■'U- ' LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 21 CHAPTER 11. EORGE WADE, on reaching Mr. K 's office, found Mr. Meredith there with his two sons, as he had expected, and soon after they all sallied out in search of horses, waggons, and other requisites for their trip over the plains. They found Mr. K a valuable assistant in rocuring what they wanted ; and through his forethought 1(1 experience in such matters, they were induced to lay in a ipply of several articles which they found the necessity of (•e they reached the end of their journey. In this way the ilance of the afternoon was profitably spent. Before parting with Mr. K , George Wade mentioned him the offer of Dr. Flyaway, and that gentleman's willing- Bss to become one of the Meredith party. Mr. K — ' — thought it should be accepted, as it was the only knee of the kind that would be likely to occur ; " But," he [id, " you must make up your mind to be regularly bored hth a description of his experiences and complaints, and will [ost likely have to do his work as well as your own on the ly up, for he is not particularly considerate in that line." l"I don't object seriously to the latter," replied George ailing, " but I must confess the former is hard to bear ; how- [er, ril take your advice, and close with the Doctor." 22 "DOT IT DOWN;" Tlioy now shook hands with Mr. K , thanking liim x the same time for his kindness, and returned to the hotel, win- they found Mrs. Meredith and Grace in the parlor awaitii their coming. Mrs. Meredith, when thoy arrived, was deep in convers tion with a lady almost her exact counterpart in ai)pearaiR( and strange to say, the subject of their confab was the faiihBNo one enjo and shortcomings of their respective families. Each from luAscd him to h own story, had a weighty burd(!n of anxiety to bear. Grac in the meantime, had been doing her best to entertain tL husband of the lady above mentioned, a short stumpy ii dividual, with a decided nasal twang in his speech, and we ing a pair of large blue spectacles. Mrs. Meredith was in the height of enjoyment, while Gr,i hailed the return of her father and the rest of the party vf'w the greatest satisfaction, as an escape from her unpleas; position. Jack and Tom immediately beseiged her with a jumblMma, he too re up recital of their afternoon's proceedings ; a description m two boys the: their horses, waggons, and their other purchases, among whiwr treat at the Jack declared there was a night-cap for her to use when tlp.<> else, is reci rr.otci it(( .• were bad.' "And," said Tom, "George Wade has agreed to drive yi waggon all the way to Ked River, while I'm to ride with Doctor. Eh, George?" " First I've heard of it." . " I'll leave it to father," said Tom winking. "I've no objections, if George has'nt," quietly remarl Grace. Tom who had taken a particular dislike to Dr. Flyaway, ai" I do not kno^ had only uttered the speech to quiz his Bister, now began Jre that I ever think he had been a little hasty. iN^ot dislike," "Then," sai rgain." " Say it's all " I'll only b( "I've no dc Ictl his own least in Tc )le, for both 1 eir sister, anc Lfter tea, a ^ Donded stoutly IJ not be per fasure of relati fmed herself 1 Igo, and as Gee ce and George 'eated on a sc urbed tete-Ue [self addressing " yet I feel as i I certainly p] especially fro Then I may ii LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 23 him X I, wliLiJ iwiiitiiij ouversJ earanct Then," said Mr. Meredith, " if Ooorgo is agreeable, it is a ^rj^ain." " Say it's all right," whispered Jack to Wade. j " I'll only be too glad of the change," said George laughing. I've no doubt of it," muttered Tom, feeling that he had lied his own fate, he faiiltBNo one enjoyed Tom's discomfiture more than Grace, who sod him to her heart's content, — making up for it, however, least in Tom's estimation) by taking his arm to the tea- le, for both her brothers were not only fond, but proud of ir sister, and vied with each other for a place in her favor. fter tea, a visit to the Opera House was proposed, and onded stoutly by both Jack and Tom ; but Mrs. Meredith Id not be persuaded to leave her new friend, nor forego the asure of relating once more to a ready listener the trials she med herself 150 subject to. Grace therefore also declined go, and as George Wade declared himself no admirer of the jumlAma, he too resolved on staying behind. Mr. Meredith and ription m two boys thereupon set out, and while they are enjoying ir treat at the theatre, and Mrs. Meredith, oblivious to every- ig else, is reciting her wrongs, we will pay our attention to ce and George Wade. eated on a sofa, in the anticipated enjoyment of an un- urbed tete-h-iete, George said : " It seems strange to find self addressing you as Grace on such a short acquaintance, yet I feel as if I had known your whole family for years." f I certainly prefer my Christian name to stiif Miss Mere- , especially from those I like." Then I may infer that you don't dislike me after all." I do not know what you mean by • after all,' for I am not e that I ever showed any particular dislike towards you." Not dislike," said George, " but I have fancied that you from lui Grac rtain tlj Limpy ii md we bile Gr.i party wii iinpleas; ong wliii when tl drive y e with ■ remarM yaway began 24 "DOT IT DOWN;" • ill' nil 111! ii i! lip '.ill llilli : illli might have deemed me rather forward, and perhaps it wail imagination, but I did think your manner at times evincj little displeasure." "It was all fancy," replied Grace, "I can assure you, I was through out-spoken Tom that you first came to calll Grace. Had it been disagreeable to me then in the le;^ would have discountenanced it from the beginning." "I am glad to hear this," said George, "for I now caii| more at my ease when calling you by your Christian name i I did before. And I should be sorry to have given you re for displeasure towards me. I have learned somehow to on you all as old friends, and you yourself more in the lig| a sister than a friend." " I have almost enough of brothers in Jack and Tom,'' i| rupted Grace smiling, "but perhaps I could manage anotS "Since I can remember," continued Geojge, "Ihavel neither mother nor sister to confide in and love, and l| assure you, either is a great want in a young man's life, and many a time have I longed for the gentle words of ness that only a mother or sister knows how to bestoi?| have certainly been blessed with a kind and indulgent faj but all his kindness could not fill the blank in my her left home to go to sea when I was very young, and oft I've been on the yard, or keeping watch upon deck . , awake in my bunk, I have thought and thought pleasure of a mother's tenderness; and many a t« dropped over her miniature, which I carry next tc I used to chide myself for being eff'eminate, bu '* J con help it. My mother's sweet face is always before i ^®' I Grace, that a sailor, from the very hardships anr^,- -* ^oneJi endures, is more of a child in feelines than a ' '^'^ds don't suppose there's any disgrace in it however. • 01 )ar| LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 25 3ar I should think not," said Grace. " I respect a man all the re for being gentle in feeling as long as his acts are mailly ; now George, we are all going to a strange country, amongst mge people, and I hope you will regard us in the light of Ic friends to you, for I know that from what father has said, It you'll always find a ready welcome at our door." I am sure I feel grateful for your kindness," answered ^rge ; " and if half of what Dr. Flyaway has told me be treat, we'll not find many true friends up there. But I am [jlined to believe that we are amongst a frank open-hearted )ple. The traders I have met with here, with the exception Dr. Flyaway, seem to be a jolly set of fellows." " Perhaps too jolly," said Grace laughing. I'' Well," replied George, "I've always heard of the Nor'- [esters as partial to their creature comforts, but that's not ich of a fault as long as they don't 'splice the main brace' too ten." They continued chatting the time pleasantly away, finding uch to speak about in the prospects before them, and the long ening was far spent before they were aware of it. They re at last reminded of the late hour by the two boys burst- n upon them, exclaiming " Hilloh ! there you are." nd Where's your father, you good-for-nothings," cried Mrs. dith, suddenly interrupted in her tete-h-tete. Oh ! such a time," shouted both Jack and Tom. I tell you, Gracie," said Tom, " we've had the greatest old Did'nt you hear me, boys," again cried Mrs. Meredith, lere's your father ?" I" He's all right, mother," replied Jack. ["That's not an answer to what I asked you," angrily re- rned his mother. C 26 "DOT IT DOWN;" W: " Well now," said Tom, "just let me tell you the whole stonl and you'll see." "That's how I'm fixed," whispered Mrs. Meredith to heif friend. " You know we went to the theatre," continued Tom. " Better have stayed at home," muttered his mother. " And a man there they called Toodles was staggering abou;| — ^he was drunk, mother." " The beast ! " "So he was — for he was always making fun 'of his wife.| Well, Toodles had a white neck-cloth on which stuck up stiff on one side, and then he tried to knock it down, eyeing i.| sideways, like you do me sometimes, Grace." "Go on Tom," said his sister, "what about father'?" *' Well, old neck-cloth was making such awful faces at iisl that the thin chap. Flyaway, who was about as drunk m Toodles, roared oiut, ' Down with the rag.' Toodles seemed toi tret sober all of a minute, and Flyaway was chucked out intJ the street as quick as lightning. Then two or three of thel fellows from Red River asked father to go with them to trvl and keep Flyaway out of a scrape. Jimminy ! you ought tfl| have seen him kick when they were taking him out — eh ! Jack V " You have'nt told us where your father is yet," said Mrs.| Meredith. "Why he went off to look after Flyaway. Jack and ll stayed till the theatre was out, and father said he'd be homel as soon as us. I guess he'll be here soon." George Wade now observed a shade of anxiety pass over thel features of Grace, and having some idea of the cause, he arose! to take his leave, saying at the same time that he thought al walk before bed-time would do him good, and that he miglit] come across Flyaway, whom he wished to see. Is summons LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 27 You may see him, but I'll bet he won't be able to see you," id Tom. Grace gave George a look of gratitude at parting, and he set it fully determined to hunt up Mr. Meredith, and remain with n until he should return to the hotel. He had heard from Grace that her father had sold a good roperty in Canada to emigrate to Ked River, and that the heater portion of the proceeds of this sale he carried on his jrson. George knew that this was dangerous in one of Mr. Meredith's temperament, for, although not given to excess, he IS fond of good company, and were he by any means to lose id money he had , about him in an unguarded moment, it [ould place the whole family in a very awkward and trying )sition. This, then, was the secret of Grace's anxiety, and [eorge knowing it, departed at once upon his mission. He had not walked far up Third Street when he met his iend of the morning, the trader to whom he had been intro- iced in Mr. K 's office ; stopping him, he asked if he had ien Mr. Meredith? "Just left him," was the reply. ''You see where that jht is (pointing to a house a short distance off) ; go in there ^d you'll find the whole party. I'm tired and am going to ^d; good night." George proceeded as instructed, and when he had entered ^e restaurant, to which he had been directed, he heard loud |>ices in an inner room, the loudest of which he recognized as ^longing to Dr. Flyaway. " Hie ! Hie ! fill your glasses, no heel-taps ; here's how ! ^nfusion to all mo-mo-nopolies." When George had knocked at the door twice, and finding fs summons still unheeded, he turned the handle, and on itering found himself in rather riotous company. The in- I jS*.- 28 "DOT IT DOWN;" vincible Doc, who sat at the head of the table, around whicj were other eight persons, seemed in the very height of excitJ ment, but fast approaching a state of happy obliviousnesj The others in the room, although full of merriment, and shov ing evident signs of having spent a " cheerful" evening, weil not, however, so far "gone" as Flyaway. They had just drained their glasses when George entered and when they perceived him they gave him a hearty welcoraj to join them. " Hilloh ! who's there ?" cried the Doctor. " Why, its ml friend. Come along Mr. — Mr. — what's your name ? YeJ yes ! by the way, friend, what the d 1 is your name (here Doc nearly choked over an enormous sneeze). Bii what's the difference as long we're odd, eh ! B , waiter ! wait — er ! (on that functionary's appearance), a tui bier for my friend (hie), and a little (hie) — (hie), more waterl no, I mean more whiskey — the real stuff, eh, B— ! Noi boys (hie), take care of the new chap." " Say Doc, tell us how you sold your rats," said one. " Rats be ." "Give us a speech on the Hudson Bay Company, then,] cried another. " Gentle — men, you — you all (hie) know my senti — ^menti on — on (hie) that question (hie) ; but they'll never — ever- ever kill old Flyaway (hie)." " Hurrah," shouted two or three ; " go it. Doc." In this way they joked the poor man, until, at last oveil come by the powerful hand of John Barleycorn, he lay bacl on his seat and fell fast asleep with his eyes shut, but mout] wide open. One of the traders present, more mischievous tha the rest, now proceeded with a burnt cork to write H. B. on the forehead of the sleeping man, and otherwise adorn M 'iviii't^riimftif LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. [ountenance, until his most intimate friend could not have re- [ognized him. But as the finishing touches were being put to the Doctor's eaturcs, amidst the laughter of those present, they were tartled by the cry of " fire ! fire !" ringing clear and sharp on le night air. Each one in the room (excepting Flyaway), thought of his [aluables, papers, etc., left behind him in the hotel, the loss If which would have been a serious matter with some of them. Ir. Meredith thought at once of his family, and George re-. )llected Grace. A general rush was made for the street j ^here, to their relief, they found that the glare of the distant )nflagration was in the opposite direction from the "Mer- lants'." Their conviviality was broken up, however, and a separa- [on for the night being agreed upon, the question arose : [What was to be done with Doc?" That gentleman unex- ectedly settled the point on his own behalf, and in a manner 3t looked for. It appears, happening to awake from his leep, he chanced to perceive, in a large mirror opposite to fm, the reflection of his own painted features. The effect on him was as startling as had been the cry of pe on his companions ; and bewildered, no doubt, from the fects of his late debauch, he started unsteadily to his feet, id peered almost horror-stricken into the mirror ; then with lloiid cry he bounded from the room, nearly rolling over his fends as he swept past them into the open air. " The devil ! [e devil!" he yelled, as he tore from side to side up the reet, without hat or cap, and his hair like bristles on end. bse who had spent the evening with him were at first npified by this sudden appearance of one whom, only a few loments before, they had left sound asleep ; but quickly re- 80 "DOT IT DOWN;" collecting his painted face, and the probable predicament ii might bring him into, they set off in pursuit of the terrified Doctor. George Wade, however, drew Mr. Meredith's arm witliir| his own, and quietly said : " Let us go back to the 'Merchants" they'll be anxious about us." "Of course," said Mr. Meredith; "we've been too long away, 1 ■-.v LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 81 CHAPTER III. r!» n ^ HE next morning, George found on enquiring that Dr. Flycaway had left for St. Cloud by the early train. It appears he had been overtaken the pre- vious evening by his friends in his mad career up Third Street, and after a good deal of persuasion, ^v-. induced to return to the hotel, where ae had been imediately put to bed. George thinking this sudden depart. [re of the Doctor very strange, resolved upon asking at the [ffice Avhether he had left a letter or any word for him there. The clerk on being interrogated, replied that Dr. Flyaway ecmed when leaving to be in a great flurry, but that he had eft a note for the gentleman in room No. — . "My name is Wado," said George, "and you will see on Doking at the register that that is the number of my room — Jie letter therefore is intended for me." "All right, sir ; here it is." George took the epistle, and opening it read as follows : — " Dear Sir, — I have not had the pleasure of your name, or 1 ever heard it, I have forgotten it. I was so confoundedly Irimk last night that I felt it high time tcf 'vamoose,' so I liall leave for St. Cloud this morning. I'll wait a day for you lere, but if you don't make your appearance at the end of that ( 32 "DOT IT DOWN;" time, adieu till I see you in Red River. Who the d 1 blacil ened my face last night 1 I hope it wasn't you. I'm not a(| customed to such familiarities from strangers. Don't forget bring a bottle of grog with you. I'm awful dry this morning " Yours truly, "RuFUS Flyaway." ;i!i I ill George could not help smiling when he read this charactea istic document. Then, going in search of Mr. Meredith, I acquainted that gentleman with the information he had ji received, " We all leave in the morning for St. Cloud," said Mr. Mer dith, "so that you'll be in time ; but if you want to secure you man, why not go up by this afternoon's train?" " No ! " said George, " I'll remain and help you to get tt horses, waggons and other traps down to the depot. I supposj the doctor will be a man of his word." " Doubtful," said one of the traders, who was standing bjl " He's inclined to be tricky, and I'll wager if you went to Sj Cloud this afternoon you would find that he had left you ; hi you need not worry yourself; some of us will see you througlil " I'm much obliged," said George as they separated. During the morning Mrs. Meredith and Grace went oul shopping, to purchase a few articles which they thought woulj be of use in the country they were going to, as well as to pr vide some comforts that had been overlooked when leavicj Canada. Mr. Meredith, the two boys and George, in the meantimj went to work with a will and soon saw their horses, waggoE and baggage safely on board the cars, ready for the next mor ing ; and when finished with their labor, they strolled abou the extensive freight sheds on the levee. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 33 Boats were coming in and others leaving — some blowing off team or whistling, and loud above the din arose the hoarse louts of men. Altogether a scene of bustle and activity pre- ented itself to their wondering eyes. Piled up here and there in the sheds were large quantities of luffiilo robes, packed and ready for shipment to the east, feveral of the free traders were moving about superintending le dispatch of their goods to St. Cloud, or looking after their }YB, which were being landed from the cars. A great deal of rhat they saw was novel to them ; even George Wade acknow- edged that some of the sights were quite new to him an ex- erienced traveller. Mr. K met them in their perambula- ^ons, and laughed heartily when George told him of Flyaway's 1st move. "His leaving you behind," he remarked, "depends on how le spirit moves the man ; if he takes it into his head, he will lost assuredly consult his own feelings without respecting any romises made beforehand to you. The fact is, the Doctor has lade a fool of himself in selling his furs, and the others have een chaflSng him about it, so that to escape them, I should'nt fonder if he did leave you in the lurch. But I've no doubt 3u'll be able to make some other arrangement when you reach |t. Cloud, although you may have some difficulty in doing so." "If it comes to th^. worst, I can buy a horse and light- wag- in," said George. They now adjourned to the hotel, and after dinner the lerediths and George hired a couple of conveyances and drove Minneapolis, passing on the way a half-breed camp, being [portion of the last train of Red River carts that visited St. Mil, St. Cloud having been their destination since then. I Mrs. Meredith grumbled a good deal at what she termed the ttravagance of driving about in fine carriages, when the 34 "DOT IT DOWN;" 4 money could have been better spent ; but on the whole sh enjoyed the jaunt very much. The Falls of St. Anthony were first visited, and the nunitri ous saw and grist mills lining the banks on each side of tli river impressed them with the go-aheadism of the Americ people. Before returning to Ft. Paul, a pleasant hour ^v spent at the Minnehaha Falls ; and with the exception of Mri Meredith, all were delighted with the beauty of the spot. "After hearing the roar of St. Anthony," said Grace, "Iw soothing, if I may use the term, is the sound of Minnehaha laughing water ! How impressive and appropriate is the namt| I am sure Minnehaha is worthy of its place in Hiawatha." " It is, indeed," said George. ** It is the most romantic spot I think I have ever had the pleasure of visiting." " Let us explore a little further," suggested Grace, " and v may find fresh beauties." " I'm at your command," replied George. ** I'm not astonished at the water laughing at you," said Mi Meredith, " the way you talk ; but if you think I'm going break my neck down that bank for such foolery, you're inii taken. I'm going to sit under that tree, and when you co back you'll find me there." So saying the good lady left the Mr. Meredith had stretched himself at full length on tl grass in a shady nook with his handkerchief over his face, a was enjoying a nap. .' ; ; Jack and Tom could be heard in the distance, shouting an| scrambling over broken branches and fallen leaves, up ai down the banks of the stream. George and Grace being thei fore left to themselves, set out on their tour of exploration. Descending a narrow path, they reached the edge of t stream and passed quickly over the dilapidated bridge in fro of the Fall, getting a partial ducking from the spray as tin ■M LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 35 ^ossed ; then following the winding course of the brook (for is little more) they enjoyed their ramble to their lieart's con- ^nt ; but it must be said their own uninterrupted society was ic greatest charm to them. "George, you're a good fellow," remarked Grace, " for ybur lough tfulness last night about my father." "Why, I did nothing out of the common," replied George. 1 1 know from experience what landing in a strange port is, id I took it into my head that Mr. Meredith might get foul some craft that would do him damage. There's sharks on knd much worse than those in the sea. It was a bit of conceit my part, too, in fancying that I could detect a rogue better lan your father, but you sec I've been bit (as they call it) ^fore now." " The principal fear I felt when the boys told me father id left them at the theatre, was that he might be robbed, and ' he had been, I do not know what we should have done. I ive asked him so often to leave the money behind him when goes out, but he says it is safer with him. I'll not be sorry [hen we're once more fairly on our way to Red River." " Neither will I," said George, " and by the way. Master )m is likely to escape his expected torture on the trip, — for I \\\y look forward, from all I can learn, to find Dr. Flyaway )ne when we reach St. Cloud." " Tom will be sorry," said Grace, laughing. " You do not suppose, however," remarked George, that I leant to carry out the plan of changing places with Tom. I [erely acquiesced at the time to tease him." ' " Very flattering tome," returned Grace, feigning displeasure. " Perhaps," replied George, " you will find fault with me be- |re we reach Red River for tasking you too much with my ciety." "DOT IT DOWN;" -M t Tom's expen ihan all the Fa "Indeed tha ke to know wl ck is to do u y mind to tak( ** Wo are playing at cross purposes," said Grace, " and ha] better change the subject — besides, it is time to return ; have a long drive before us.'' "Just a little while," said George, his voice somewlia tremulous as he spoke — " I may not have another opportuniti like the present for some time, and Splash came something into the stream at their feet, sprinl J^ wash tub, ai ling them with a shower of water, — then followed a couple M ' ^^ ^ ^^'"^P shouts from the opposite bank. " Spoons !" cried Tom, thrusting his head out of the thickei George bit his lip, and tried hard to laugh, while Grao blushing deeply, vowed all sorts of vengeance on Tom for hi impertinence. " Perhaps," bawled out Jack over Tom's shoulder, "you we: out looking for us." " It's as well for both of you," replied Grace, " there's ii Grace and Ge coedingly. JV] d had her sauc at Tom at last hetlier he woul The afternoon eir carriages ai On reaching tl bridge here, so that I could get near you ; you've wet me froi«^^''^^P^^Posedb head to foot." " We'll swim over to you, if it will do you any good," criei Tom, " but good-bye, sis ! — we're off— and only called out t invite you both to some strti "^erries and cream up at tli house ; don't hurry, we'll wait ; and the two boys scampere off laughing heartily at what to them seemed a good joke, bu which, as will be seen, hereafter proved an important tuin i the affairs of the two would-be lovers. The opportunity loi ^^ ^^® foreseen ening, there is on remaining h As they were le approaching sto (Jing further; availed, and the^ « )le drenching tl was not regained for some time, causing as will be shown, good deal of misunderstanding between the lovers. George an Grace rejoined their friends at the refreshment saloon attache to the Falls, where they found Jack and Tom looking as di mure as two quakers. " Come along truants," said Mr. Meredith, "^here we have treat (pointing to a large dish of strawberries before him) attend the cii y, and was to j Mrs. Meredith em if they'd nc eorge pressing company them t e did not know LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 37 nd hai 1 ;— VI mewliaj )rtunil1 Lt Tom's expense, and which my good wife declares is far better Ihan all the Falls in existence." "Ini\-0 mc\ ^^W.^ aMI r^wpi ^^ ik a .« ^ ^\tti J itiiiA ^21 CHAPTER IV. \'^ l^ w-- J^ HE next morning, our frionds started for St. Cloud, by the early train, in conripany with a few of the ^ Red River traders, who having finished their busi- j!i^ ness in St. Paul, were bound for home, not to return till the following summer. After seeing the ladies comfortably seated, George jmd Mr. Meredith repaired to the second-class car to enjoy a imoke, where they found a number of German immigrants on [heir way to settle in the northern part of Minnesota. Those [luifty people seemed to be all well provided with the neces- iries, and many comforts, for starting in their new life. Quiet Ind orderly, they are by far the best class of settlers whom pncle Sam receives under his protection. Nothing apparently [oukl disturb their good nature, although they were often reated in a very rough manner by the men in charge of the rain and of way stations. It was strange to observe how well, their simplicity, they managed to deal with the customs of ^le country, nev/ and foreign as they must have been to them. funny incident occurred while our two friends were smoking, ^hich, although grotesque in the extreme, nearly resulted in ital consequences. The news-boy in passing along with a sket of "pop," offered a bottle of the beverage free of charge one of the German immigrants, on condition that he would 4G "DOT IT DOWN ;" agree to pull the cork out with his teeth. The poor maiij thirsty from the heat, gladly assented, not being aware of tlif effervescing power of the liquid offered him. The mischievoiijl boy on quietly removing the wire from the neck of the bottle, pressed his thumb in its stead upon the cork, and presented it to the gaping mouth of the unsuspecting German. A reportl followed, and then the astonished, and in fact terrified, victinl of the trick sprang to his feet, spluttering and gasping as if IdI an agony of torture. Loud roars of laughter sounded through 1; . out the car, which instantly, however, turned to expressions oi( ;!|/ dismay, when it was found that the man was actually chokingj i I the cork having lodged in his throat. George Wade, with great presence of mind, at once strucli| the unfortunate immigrant a terrific blow on the back, whicll was the means of making the cork pop out of his mouth ail 1 1 quickly as it had popped in. The uproar caused by this sini ij; gular affair had hardly subsided, when the train ran into | 'j herd of cattle which had strayed upon the track, killing foul animals and wounding three others. They hardly stopped tJ see the damage done, but the engineer whistling " off breaks,] they proceeded on as if nothing had happened. ; "It's a wonder," said Mr. Meredith, "that the railway coinl ' pany do not build fences on each side of the track, for if thej| commit this havoc often, it must turn out an expensive itemi the running of the road." " Our American neighbours," said George, " seem to look oij i such things as trifles ; while in Canada, I am told, they arf considered in a much more serious light than sometimes the^ deserve ; for instance, this accident would no doubt be reporteJ ■ far and near in the Canadian newspapers, while probably wj will not hear anything more about it in this case." They now stopped a few minutes at one of the way statioE LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 47 rhere Master Tom, having alighted to see a little of the coun- ry, nearly got left behind. The whistle had sounded, and the train began to move, and ^tili Tom remained stationary, quietly listening to a discussion ktween a long, lean and lanky clergyman and an elderly lady. 'he minister was laying down the law in a most emphatic lanner, when Tom, who was near him, suddenly perceived the rain in motion, and recollecting that he was a passenger [hereby, made u dart forward, upsetting the preacher into a irge basket of eggs that stood directly behind him. No pen [an portray the scene that ensued, but in the midst of the ^proar Tom managed to catch the railing of the car and was iragged on board by Jack. AVhen the two boys looked back, they saw the station agent, rith a most woe-begone countenance, assisting the clergyman rom his plight, xhe contents of the broken eggs could be keen dripping down from the once black but now yellow [lothes on the poor man's back. The elderly lady, who had |)een in conversation with the unfortunate victim, was holding b her hands in unspeakable amazement, while the last seen of Ihe station agent he was shaking his fist energetically in the lirection of the train, no doubt calculating in his own mind iow much eggs would be worth by the basketful. Nothing [Ise worthy of notice occurred until they reached St. Cloud. As they were entering the station they observed a number [f peculiarly dressed men standing in groups upon the plat- orm, many of whom seemed to view the approaching train nth wondering eyes. These, as they found out, were half- [reeds from Red River, engaged in freighting goods for the pee-traders and Hudson Bay Company. All of them had ishes round their waists, some of which were of the brightest liues. A few, spotted leggings highly ornamented with bead 48 "DOT IT DOWN;" work. One or two wore long blue coats, with bright buttons] while others were iti their shirt sleeves ; and the most of tlienil had moccasins on their feet. As a general thing, they shewert'8sc«l one at first sight as heing Liy much ot'tho genth'iiKin, hoth in apiu'urance and ninniicrs kjiiict, politi', allahh^, and very considerate towards tliose lie no in contact with. Ph\a8ant features, set off to advantage a long beard, ' e liad not the same ruthly, hardy appearance [.at characterized niost of tlie other Red Kiver men, — altliough was not, by any means behind tliem in endurance or tivity. Full of fun, iuhI even mischief, lie was nniversally |loved by the half-])reeds, "nd his patient, kind manner in laling with them, led them to place tlic greatest confidence his word and judgment. To his good qualities in these Bpccts he, to a great extent, ow(mI his success as a trader, for one in Ked Kiver was more generally liked or trusted in isiness matters than Mr. Bon. [As the trio were walking oi L in the direction of the camps, Borge who had been making diligent inquiries as to the lereabouts of Flyaway (so far without success), turned to r. Bon and asked whether he knew what had become of the Dctor ] I "He left for Red River yesterday afternoon, soon after^he rived from St. Paul," was the reply ; "and some of his men in a fix about their loads. I don't know what to make of le Doctor." Mr. Meredith burst out laughing at this, and said, — "No le else seems to be able to make him out either. He made arrangement with my friend Mr. Wade to take liim to fed River." "I am very sorry to hear this," said Mr. Bon, "as I am paid there will be some difficulty in getting such another mce. I would have been very happy to accommodate you, r. Wade, but I have already promised to take up a young iitleman who is about joining the Hudson Bay Company's 52 "DOT IT DOWN;" service. We will see, however, what can be done whon return to the station." "If you could direct me," said George, "where I could best able to look up a stout horse and light waggon, I tliid I will decide at once upon going up on my own hook, in coil pany with Mr. Meredith and his family." " That can be easily managed," said ^Ir. Bon. " It is rea too bad that Flyaway should have treated you in this waj", "I was more than half prepared for it," said George. "I intend starting to-morrow, and," suggested Mr. "if it is agreeable, we can all go together." "I'd like nothing better,' replied Mr. Meredith. "Wei strangers, and the road is strange to us, ^o that we will be on! too glad of such an arrangement." "I'll wager," continued Mr. Bon, "we will overtake Flyaway, and probably pass him before he reaches Red Rivei| They had now arrived at the nearest camp, in which men were busy re-arranging the freight on their carts, cov(| ing them up with dry cow-hides, and securing the loads cording the packages well together. A small canvas tent r'oi in the centre of the camp, at the door of which lay a stoutl built man at full length on the grass, with his face tow? jds ground. As they approached he looked up, and Mr. aad'-essed him, — "Well, Andr6, making ready for a start '?" "Yes, sir ; Frangois and I are off early in the morning." "Any one else going ?" asked Mr. Bon. "Baptiste may start with us," replied the man ; "but if 1 goes on drinking as much as he's doing, he won't get off for| month." ^ ' * " Try to bring him along with you," said Mr. Bon. "He| a good man, and it's a pity to see him th it way. — Bon jo LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 53 ^dr^, and a good trip to you. I'll let your old woman know I're coming when I get home." 'All right — ban jour" said the man, laughing. That is one of our best freighters," continued Mr. Bon, to orge aad Mr. Meredith, as they walked away — "careful, lest and steady — I never knew him to damage an article on rip. But in fact there are few instances where we lose |cli by this mode of transporting our goods. The men are aest, as a rnb, and although they hive every chance to make ay with things on a trip (for v ^ never take a receipt from [m), we seldom if ever find a single article missing ; and if re is any damage done, it generally turns out to have been ivoidable. They can say what they like about these poor |owS; but I'll wager should almost any other class of men placed in the same position, they would not prove so trust- thy. Many of them are fond of liquor, yet we never find casks tampered with, from the time they leave St. Cloud . I they reach Red River." 'We did not expect," said Mr. Meredith, "from the de- ptions we heard of the half-breeds of Red River, in Canada, ^nd them the people they are ; for instance, we had no idea they were so intelligent as they seem to be. The truth a few words, we were led to look upon them as a slight ree better than the uncivilized Indians. This is a strange unaccountable mistake, and how the impression has got Dad, I cannot imagine.'' \ I think," said Mr. Bon, " I can account for it in this way ; I few who have visited Red River Settlement have never pi the pains to learn the true character of the people in it, as it is natural for the half-breeds to be reserved before igers, this, no doubt, has given rise to the idea that they I wanting in intelligenco j but when you become properly "DOT IT DOWN;" acquainted with them, you find them quite the revera quick to learn, and sharp at making bargains, especia the French. They are, however, inclined to be suspicioi of strangers, and are wary in dealing with them, but those whom they know, they are confiding, and will nei suspect until they once find themselves cheated. In this lat they resemble the Indian character. The English half-brcij are more steady than the French, but not so much so asi .ocotch, who are a plodding, saving, canny class of men, little, if any, of the Indian character about them. When see a little of our school system in the settlement, you acknowledge, I have no doubt, that our Half-breed children i as apt at learning as those born and brought up in Canada." "I have no doubt of it," replied Mr. Meredith, "from w!| I have already seen." By this time they had reached another camp belonging] one of Mr. Bon's freighters, who had only arrived the previous. Already the wheels had been taken off from or three of the carts, for the purpose of repairing them ; axles were beingfittedon, andinjured parts bound up with soft ed strips of Buffalo-hide, which, when hardened in the sun, hd the parts together as if in a vice, and at the same time proj very durable. Harnesses, made of untanned leather, being mended, and a general overhauling was taking plj preparatory to their return trip. Mr. Bon addressed himse( one of the men at work — "When will you be ready to load up, Laboucan ? I to be off to-morrow." " This evening, sir, I suppose," was the reply, " but I vn start from here for a couple of days; my animals are out." LIFE IN THE NOIttLfl-WEST. 55 I" I don't care when you start," said Mr. Bon, " so long as I load you up, and be off myself." I*' I'll be ready after supper," said Laboucan. Lt the next camp the men were enjoying themselves, to Igp from the sound of the fiddle, and loud voices and ghter going on. ..j i. , couple of women were busy round the fire, cooking a late Jner for the men, who were playing cards in their tent, and a small trunk sat a young fellow playing his fiddle and eping time with his feet. [r. Bon now insisted upon having a dance with the ingest of the two women, and laughingly taking her by the id, led her out and giving the young fiddler a poke in the 3, said, ['Now, Joe, give us a good one." [he men in the tent as soon as they heard what was going scrambled out and welcomed Mr. Bon. )ne of them led the '^her woman from the fire. The ler was forgotten, and left to cook itself. The fiddler Jed up in earnest, and then away they went at what might called railroad speed. [r. Bon showed himself an adept at the " light fantastic," his partner was not behind. The step was a spirited jig [uliar to Red River, and easily learned. When at last Mr. became tired, his place was filled by one of the men iding by, who in time gave way for another, and so they kt on until at last the two women fairly gave in and cried Mr, Bon, you're always up to tricks," said one of the men, seemed to be the chief of the party. " Look ! you've lied our dinner." 50 ({ DOT IT DOWN; >» " That's your own fault, Pierre ; for you should have eat/ it earlier in the day," replied the trader. Our three friends soon after left, while the freighters down on the grass to their spoiled dinner, after haviil extracted a promise from Mr. Bon to give them sometliiJ stronger than water to drink in the evening, to make up i\ the injury to their meal. Mr. Bon as soon as he had made arrangements with tlj station agent regarding the loading of the, balance of his ca accompanied George and Mr. Meredith in their waggons acr to the town ; and afterwards went with George to purchase! horse and waggon for the trip. In their perambulations thij meet the young man who was to be Mr. Bon's companion i Red River, to whom George was introduced ; and after thtj business was completed, all three walked back to the hot< where they found the Merediths preparing for the start on morrow. Mr. Bon and his companion, whom we will know hereaftj as Mr. Barron, were introduced to the ladies and the two boj| Tom, on hearing of Dr. Flyaway's desertion of the pa vowed he would be revenged on him wherever he met him. "You may have an opportunity before you reach River," said Mr. Bon. "If I do," replied Tom, "he'll suffer, that's all." While they were laughing at the boy's vehemence, the bell rang, and all gladly obeyed its summons. After tea, Mr. Bon invited Mr. Meredith, George Mr. Barron to call with him on an old friend, who then he| the office of mayor in the town. They accordingly set out in search of that functionary, found him in his own private office, busily engaged over debits and credits of a large ledger. He welcomed the whil ^m'0Jiilli^tSSil&>4:-.«s^'iit LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 57 ity, and when he learned that Mr. Barron hailed from Hasf'ow, Scotland, he paid special attention to him as a Irother Scotchman. The mayor had lived in the United lltates for a number of years, but not long enough to forget is native land, old Scotia, so dear to her sons wherever in leir wanderings they may chance to live. In honor of the occasion, a bottle of old Scotch whisky, the eal stuff, was produced ; and the mayor closing his ponderous look for that night, prepared himself to enjoy a pleasant [veiling. Well ! old Bon," he said, " it's a pleasure to see your Duntenance at any time, but with all deference to you and [our good looks, I must say I hope you will bring along a rother Scotchman to see me every time you come. And now entlemen, tak' a wee drappie o* the barley-bree, just to the [oner of old Scotland, and at the same time we'll drink success Mr. Barron in his new life in the North- West." - All joined in the toast, and then came anecdotes, songs and bcitations from Burns, in which Mr. Barron excelled. The layer was in raptures on hearing in true Scotch style the |ivorite pieces — "Tam O'Shanter," "Death and Doctor Hom- [)ok," "The Cotter's Saturday Night," and others; and to bw his appreciation of the enjoyment afforded him,"lie drank the honor of Bruce, Wallace, and all the other Scottish eroes he could remember, invariably winding up, however ^th Burns. Thus the evening wore on, until at last John irleycorn began to assert his authority over the mayor and Ir. Barron, and things with them became rather muddled. [inally, to wind up the evening, Mr. Bon proposed that iey should repair to the hotel and have some supper. This eing agreed to, they sallied out into the street and meeting I policeman the mayor stopped him. E 58 "DOT IT DOWN;" " Oh ! that's you Tom, is it 1 Well, Tom, I suppose y.j observe I'm drunk ; but you must remember as mayor St. Cloud I'm not drunk. These are my friends, and they i under (hie) my official protection. Good night, Tom ; and i you see any more drunken rascals take 'em up." When they were near the hotel, the mayor remarked^ "Gentlemen, the humor of the hour moves me to propose short stave of the old song, * We won't go home till morniii but in my capacity (hie) as mayor of this town I would haJ to stop such a proceeding. Now, gentlemen, I believe if know myself this is your house. All you can get to eat inj to-night I'll pay for. As for me, I'll place myself in charge ^ the mayor of St. Cloud, and go home with him. My friend farewell. Mr. Barron don't harrow your feelings, I'll see yoi in the morning — good night — adieu (hie)," and with this worthy man suddenly left them, before they could even tha him for the hospitality they had enjoyed at his hands. Our friends found that the mayor had been perfectly safei his offer to pay for all they could get to eat in the hotel, for | was with some difficulty that they obtained an entrance at i everybody in the house having retired to their beds, repeated knockings, however, at the front door, they he footsteps on the stairs within, and soon after the bolt drawn and they were admitted. , • The landlord, a stout individual, had not taken time don his nether garments, but appeared before them candle i hand in the form of a good substantial ghost. "Gentlemen," he said, "this will not do." if-iiiii|i;t" LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 69 CHAPTER V. HE next morning our friends were roused out of their beds by Mr. Bon, so as to make an early start. Mr. Barron complained of a severe headache, the result of his late jollification with the riayor ; but with this exception, the party were i . the best of spirits, assisted a good deal by there being every pearance of a fine day before them. George Wade had procured his horse and light waggon, and soon as breakfast was over, all hands assisted in loading up. ere were eatables and drinkables, tents and cooking utensils, nks, and other baggage, besides a few bushels of oats for the of the horses on the journey. When all these werej)rop- ly stowed away, they found that it was nearly eight o'clock the morning. At this stage, who should come along but the yor, looking as bright as if nothing had been the matter th him the night before. He immediately apologized for his Tupt departure , sympathiz'^'d with Mr. Bairon in looking so 11 ; and then whispered to Mr. Bon to call at his office on leir way out of town, as he had something there for him, which, it turned out afterwards, was nothing more nor less than a ttleofthe " barley-bree," to use on the trip. When every- ng was arranged, and the ladies comfortably seated in their ;on, they started from the hotel, Mr. Bon leading the way, \ r^ CO "DOT IT DOWN;" and George Wade, with Tom as a companion, bringing i the rear. They paid a short visit at the mayor's office, as requested, aii then drove on without any furtlier delay. As they were pas ing through the outskirts of the town, they could not but oij serve the indications of rapid progress everywhere visible, i the shape of houses being built, streets laid out, and extendeij Where only a few years previously it was open prairie, sized town now stood, and from every appearance it gave proil ise of becoming a large city. Thus it is in the Western Stattj villages, towns, and cities grow as if by magic, and alraoi eVwTy year, new places of importance spring into existence. They passed a couple of Red River trains, consisting of twej ty-five carts each, leisurely moving along, creaking in such aii lightful manner, that hearing them would have made any not accustomed to it almost shiver on a warm day. They tra^^ led in single file, each ox being tied to the cart in front, a being at the head of the leading one. It is, therefore, a va unfortunate occurrence when an ox stumbles and falls in midst of a train, for before the poor animal can recover its fej or the carts be stopped, its neck will more than probably been broken. The Red River trains manage to travel fn fifteen to twenty miles per day, always stopping about nooni dinner. One would not imagine, however, to look at theiii| motion, that they could go half that distance in the same tii^ When our friends reached Richmond, at which place they sti ped for dinner, they were joined by a gentleman who wasj his way to Pembina, and who, being acquainted with Mr. immediately proposed forming one of the party. This gent| man held an important position in the United States ser and was considered a man of influence in the territory of Di ta. Possessed of sharp, shrewd, intelligent leatures, and al LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 61 )ut and well-formed ; his arms were marvels of strength, but was almost without legs, having only a couple of stumps in ie'iT place, the longest of which being not over a foot and a ^If in length. He was born with this deformity. In moving out he used a couple of short crutches, and it was astonish- Ig witli what rapidity ho could limp along on them. But it is still more surprising to see him without the slightest assist- ^ce from any one lift himself up at one spring into a waggon of le ordinary height. I As he sat in his conveyance, his bodily defects were not per- Dtible, but when he alighted on the ground he certainly as- lished our friends in discovering to them his dwarfish propor- jns. Mr. Bon introduced him to the party, as Mr. Shorthorn, (d immediately afterwards arrangements for dinner were pro- eded with. Tom was despatched to the river for a couple of ils of water. George Wade went to work with a will, cutting |)od for the fire, which he soon had burning briskly, while ck and Mr. Meredith attended to the horses. Mr. Bon had kervant with him, who attended to his wants, as well as those I Mr. Shorthorn. Grace, in the meantime, was not idle, but ied here and there in the preparation of the meal. Ham eggs were cooked ; tea made ; and then the whole party down on the grass around the table-cloth spread on the Bimd, and with hearty appetites, after their long drive, did |tice to the good things before them. ;• It was then proposed that for the future all should mess to- kher, each contributing his share to the general store of pro- [ions ; and Grace volunteered to do the whole of the cooking the trip. Ere they had finished dinner, the weather gan to look threatening ; and in fact they had not proceeded on their journey in the afternoon, before it began to rain. «» "DOT IT DOWN;" They halted for a short time at a place called New Munid where they partook of some fine lager beer, and laid in a fresi stock of eggs. Mr. Barron, not having recovered from his severe headacli procured from the store-keeoer a couple of dozen of pills, whiij in desperation, he swallowed cat once, but was afterwards hea to declare, while rubbing his stomach, that the lager did hii more good than the medicine. As they travelled along, thtj could not but observe the tidy thrifty appearance of the fan houses and buildings that lined the road on each side, aa which belonged nearly altogether to Germans. The rain mi became heavier every moment, until, at last, it was propos to camp for the night, which was finally agreed to, and imn diat ily acted upon. There were three tents belonging to party, and so soon as the horses were unharnessed, and let Ic to graze, these were pitched, and the ladies got under cover ^ quickly as possible, the waggons being ranged in a circle rou them, so as to keep the animals off. As soon, therefore, everything likely to be damaged by wet was taken inside tlj tents, and a large fire lighted by George, in the centre oft camp, all prepared to spend their first night in the open The tea was prepared with some difficulty by Grace, who, nij withstanding the rain, insisted upon fulfilling what she m considered as her part of the work. When all had partaken the meal, they immediatelv retired to try and sleep ; Mr. Boij servant making his bed of a couple of blankets spread beneal his cart. Mrs. Meredith grumbled a good deal during the nij| and succeeded by so doing, in keeping others as well as I self awake the greater part of the time. The next morning turned out fine, although the roads vi far from being good. They however managed to travel as as Sauk Centre in time to have a late breakfast. Hi ■ iiiitlMiiimiiiii iiiiiiiirfeio ' LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. rain they found a good sized town, where only a couple or jroo years previously a few houses stood. Such is the marvel' growth of places on and near the frontier. Beautifully sit- ited on the margin of Sauk Lake, a picturesque sheet of water, ink Centre presented an appearance of tidiness and enter- rise, creditable to its inhabitants. Mr. Bon had a good deal of business to attend to in this lace, so that after breakfast our friends concluded to make the Est of the day before them. Mr. Barron, in company with fom and Jack, having procured a small boat, started out with ieir guns and fishing-tackle to try their luck in the sporting 10, having heard that the woods in the neighbourhood aboun- 8(1 with deer, and that the lake itself could boast of a plenti- ideoffish. George joined Grace and Mrs. Meredith in a ilk through the town, and our friend, Mr. Shorthorn, visited ^e hotel to see some old friends. Mr. Meredith accompanied Bon, while the servant of the latter remained in camp to }k after things generally. In this manner they separated, fe will, however, leave the others to their fate, and follow ily the fortunes of the sportsmen. The surface of the water was as smooth as glass, and they ere congratulating themselves on the prospect of a day's fine ^ort, when they perceived that their boat leaked badly — such life ; with almost every pleasure there is a thorn, and so in (ed our three friends found out. Jack being busy rowing, Mr. irron and Tom taking off their caps, began to bail, but the 316 water they threw out, the more there seemed to come in, ^til at last Mr. Barron proposed being put ashore with his p, thinking tjiat by lightening the little craft it would not ilk so much. I Accordingly they made for land, and Mr. Barron jumped lore and proceeded into the woods, while the two boys put 64 •' DOT IT DOWN ;" out and began to troll. The boat, however, demanded ai| much of their attention as the fishing, so that between the tw they had no luck. In the meantime, Mr. Barron could \A heard firing away in the forest, and both Jack and Tom n\ pccted to see a large quantity of game for the amount of powj der expended. They were, however, doomed to total disa] pointment that day ; for the truth was, Mr. Barron was a \m\ shot, and had no knowledge of hunting whatever. With cvenl rustle he would imagine a deer, and to make sure of it, as m thought, he would, without waiting, fire into the thicket, kj invariably without any of the^results he expected. The \m had no better success, for what with bailing and hauling their line to find nothing but a string of weeds on the hoolt they found they day nigh spent, and still nothing to rewan them for iheir trouble. At last their patience could hold on no longer, and they had determined to land and hunt up MrJ Barron, when that gentleman made his appearance, in hot puil suit after an animal, whose species they could not at first glanc(| distinguish, but which turned out to be a young calf. As tl boat grazed the shore, Mr. Barron fired, and, perceiving Jad and Tom, roared out — " I be hanged, if I hav'nt hit the tail] The boys in astonishment shouted to him to know what he wa after. " I don't know, nor I don't care," was the reply from th excited man. " It's the first game I've seen to-day." " It's a calf," bellowed Tom. "The d— 1 !" answered Mr. Barron ; " its a lively one thenj but I'll be hanged if I don't have a shot at it yet. It'll something to bring to camp." The boys had some difficulty in persuading the persevf ing sportsman to stop in his career. " Hold," said Jack, " if you have hit the tail, you've don LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. G5 bettor thau wo'vo done in the fishing line. You must be a good hot to hit A tail when it is wagging." Mr. Barron laughed, 11(1 was joined heartily by the two boys, when they perceived iw unfortunate calf in the distance, still running and kicking ^p every now and then. They then returned to the boat, and rowed down the lake, ^ntil they came opposite the town, when they landed — their little craft being nearly half full of water by this time. When they reached the camp, they found all assembled for Ba, and the recital of the day's proceedings produced a good High at Mr. Barron's expense. In the evening, Mr. Meredith, [r. Bon, Mr. Barron, George and Mr. Shorthorn, took a stroll )ward8 the hotel, to meet some friends of the last named gen- ieman. There they met another Scotchman, who, however, ^ not prove such an enthusiastic admirer of his native land did the mayor of St. Cloud. Late in the evening, Mr. Bar- )n (who, by-the-bye, had brought with him the bottle of |barley-bree" unperceived by the rest) tackled this country- m of his on several points relating to Scottish history, and [e two at last came to high words. Mr. Barron finally wound by declaring himself the better man of the two ; which the ler immediately resented, by a challenge to test the point in practical manner. I Mr, Bon, who never lost a chance of a bit of fun, and feel- that John Barleycorn would prevent them from hurting ch other severely, suggested that they should settle the mat- at once. Accordingly all repaired to the yard of the hotel, the two would-be- combatants took off their cot.ts and M each other. Kound them were their friends. Mr. Short- 11, crutch in hand, acting as umpire. Mr. Barron succeeded [getting his back to the moon, and with the aid of it shin- brightly in his opponent's face, he gained the first round. i 66 "dot it DOWN;" w Little Mr. Shorthorn, who had written B. on the ground S ron, she tun with the end of his crutch, now made a stroke beneath the I what they W( letter, exclaiming, "Go it, Barron, time's up." H that young n It was exceedingly ludicrous to observe the earnestness with H " Hush !" which the two pugilists eyed each other ; at the same time, ■ you wouldn't there is no doubt both wished themselves well out of ii. At H " Feelings ! last after five rounds, A. failed to come up to time, and Mr, H could stand si Barron was declared* the victor. H " Perhaps ] "Hurrah for the Barrens," exclaimed that individual. **Pret-H "I don't su ty good for one day. Shot a calf's tail off, and killed a drunken H say he fell doi Scotchman." . r-j They now 1 The excitement and the " barley-bree," however, was toojtiful sheet of much for him, and both he and the vanquished A. succumbed, and on Mr. Bon's suggestion, they were both put into the same bed in the hotei. The next morning they were found sitting up looking at each other with woe -begone countenances, Ml. Barron sported a beautiful black eye, while the other had the skin pealed off the whole ridge of his nose. "The deuce take the whisky," quoth Mr. Barron, when he had risen and looked in the glass. " How will I make my appearance before Mr. and Mrs. Meredith 1" " You've made a pretty picture of me," said the other, look ing over Mr. Barron's shoulder. " You deserved it," was the reply. " Come, come," said Mr. Bon, who was present, the teams are waiting' for you, Mr. Barron, at the door ; never mind thefcnd laro-e poo eye ; we must try to make up to day tor what we lost yesterfcnees and in woods, where lost his breakf Grace, he said Idith." " Rather a I " I am sorrj I in defence of Idiih?" " Under the Mrs. Mered [whole party ri Soon after [the woods in day." Mr. Barron, therefore, hastily finished dressing, and biddinj| his late bed-fellow a cool good by, accompanied Mr. Bon dov stairs. When Mrs. Meredith noticed the appearance of Mr. ('ere obliged 3wn of Alexj Recount of thel There bein^ fumed out to LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 67 ground ith the ss with B time, it. At nd Mr, ron, she turned to Grace, and remarked, " There now, that's what they were up to last night — drinking again ; just look at that young man's eye." " Hush !" said Grace ; " he might hear you, and I'm sure you wouldn't wish to hurt his feelings." ' " Feelings !" replied her mother ; " do you suppose a man that could stand such a blow on the eye has any feeling 1" " Perhaps he didn't stand it," said Grace. *'I don't suppose he did," muttered the old lady. "I should say he fell down, and served him right." r^ They now travelled on, passing Osakis Lake, another beau- tiful sheet of water, and afterwards entered the Alexandria woods, where they camped for dinner. Mr. Barron, who had lost his breakfast, did justice to the meal. As he sat opposite Grace, he said, " My eye looks very disreputable. Miss Mere- dith." ' " Rather a black look out," she replied, smiling. " I am sorry to say it is," returned Mr. Barron, " but it was in defence of my country ; you'll excuse it, I hope, Miss Mere- dith f " Under these circumstances, of course." Mrs. Meredith was prevented from sajring anjrthing, by the whole party rising. *: - Soon after they proceeded on and found the roads through the woods in a very bad condition, and abounding with ruts mind theHand large pools of water, in which the horses sank above their »8t yesterjknees, and in some places almost up to their necks. They ere obliged to travel slowly ; and a short distance from the m\ of Alexandria, they were delayed a considerable time, on cconnt of the stage coach having upset across the road. There being only one passenger and the driver, all hands umed out to assist in righting the overturned vehicle. At •*Pret- Irunken was too cumbed, into the re found benances, le othei when he lake my ler, loot le teamsl d bidding! Bon do f Mr. 68 "DOT IT DOWN;" i 'iiliiii' ll«"ii: last, after a good deal of trouble, this being accomplished, the coach passed them on its way to Sauk Centre, the passenger, however, preferring to walk rather than risk his neck in it again, until it got through the woods. Our friends merely halted for a few moments in Alexandria, which at that time, was little more than a small village, and then passed on. Chippewa Lake is the next spot of interest on the route, and like all the small lakes on this road, it is very picturesque and beautiful. Here our friends watered their horses, and then pressed on to a point where the village of Evansville now stands. There was nothing then in the shape of buildings but a small log cabin to be seen. The point is a very pretty one, on the rising of a hill, with a clump of trees in the back ground. Mr. Bon decided upon camping for the night at this place, and accordingly the tents were pitched and the horses let loose. The mosquitoes troubled them here for the first time, but towards morning, they disappeared. They made an early | start the next day, and soon came in sight of Pelican Lake, which derives its name from a small group of rocks cropping out in its centre, and which, in the distance, resembles flock of Pelicans floating on the water. The deception | is so complete, that it is hard to convince some people that it is really not a flock of birds. The next place passed, was Pomme-de-Terre, an old dilapidated stoclcade, which at one time, was used to resist the attacks of the Indians ; but at the time of our story, it was merely a way station for the stages en route to and from Fort Abercrombie. Tom visited it to try and get some milk, in which he succeeded, and on his return, described the place as one of the dirtiest, filthiest, holes lie ever was in. We may say, however, that since then, it hiw| improved very much, both in comfort and cleanliness. George, LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 69 when they camped for dinner, remarked that they had not seen any Red River trains since they left St. Cloud. " There are two roads," replied Mr. Bon, " one called the plain and the other stage road ; the carts usually take the for- mer, while we have taken the latter. The plain road is by far the best, but it is so monotonous that I thought it better to stiind a little jolting and hardships, than travel where it is noth- ing but prairie almost the whole way. Our camping ground, to-night, is the point at which both roads merge into one, and probably we will overtake some carts there." Early in the evening, our friends arrived at Otter Tail River in time to see a train of caits crossing it in rather a novel man- ner. The late rains had swollen the stream to such a degree, I that fording it was out of the question, and when they came up, Ithe half-breeds were about building some rafts in a manner peculiar to themselves. Two wheels were first taken oflF a cart, laid flat on the ground, and strapped together, one overlapping the other. A large buffalo parchment skin was then placed under them, and four sides about two or three feet high, built with poles cut for the purpose, and fastened at each comer, one I on top of the other with strips of hide. The parchment was then drawn up over these, and tied to the top poles, and in this way, a good four cornered temporary boat was made. These rafts carried a cart load of goods across each trip, and after all the packages were over, the carts were floated to the other side, and the animals driven into the water and made to [swim to the opposite bank. Mr. Bon arranged with these freighters to have all the bag- [gage, traps and waggons belonging to the party, ferried over in this way ; and the gentlemen and ladies were taken across in a [Bmall boat, while the horses had to swim for it. As our friendi landed, they were accosted by a tall, thin 70 "DOT IT DOWN;" seedy-looking man, more legs than body, who addressed him self to Mr. Bon. " Wal, Squire, back agin 1 Kind o' hard travelling thiij time o' the year. Get some folks with you, I see. I guej I'm going to have a ferry here, next year." " I hope you will," said Mr. Bon. " Have you got anvi fishi" " Wal ! yes, I reckon I can scare you up one. Me and mvi son, Uriah, were trying our luck, and we did ketch one. Yoci can have it, for I guess we'll ketch another afore the stagt| comes along." This gentlemanly and obliging individual was the caterer fori the passengers by the coach to and from Abercrombie, and a pri>| fitable thing he made of it, for he used to feed his guests atl seventy-five cents per head altogether on the fish he caughil in the river before his door, and which cost him only thel slightest possible bit of exertion. But, in fact, exertion ofl any kind was this man's greatest abhorrence. When Mr. BodI had procured the fish, and paid well for it, the whole partjl proceeded a short distance further on, and camped for the! night. The next day, when within about twelve miles froml Fort Abercrombie, Mr. Bon pointed out a spot where, he saiil there stood in 1862, a fine saw mill and a large hotel, a joiml stock company affair. This was Breckenridge, where, duriD»l the Indian massacre in Minnesota, several lives were lost, andl at the same time, the mill and hotel were burned down, ami| they have not been rebuilt since. Breckenridge bids fair ' become an important place yet, it being at the present timel the proposed terminus of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroadj Early that evening, our travellers reached Fort Abercrombie, having) since they left Alexandria, passed few houses on tbj road. i LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 71 CHAPTER VI. ORT ABERCROMBIE, during the Indian troubles of 1862, withstood a prolonged attack by the sav- ages, and since then a iew companies of United States regulars have been stationed there. The Fort itself is an extensive stockade, in which are some good substantial buildings for the accom- ^oilation of the men, and for storing supplies. You have to 3SS on a ferry to reach it ; and on this side of the river are [few houses, comprising a hotel, post and stage office, as well some primitive looking dwellings. •..:.'.* Our friends camped about a mile from the Fort, and in the bming paid a visit to it. There they were introduced to bveral of the officers, and spent a pleasant forenoon in their pmpany. Grace, in particular, received a good deal of atten- )n from the military men, much to the chagrin of George Fade, who was just a little jealous. Since the unfortunate ^terruption to their tete-a-tete at Minnehaha, neither George 5r Grace had any opportunity of enjoying each other's so* ety alone, on account of the presence of Mrs. Meredith. George felt miserable, the more so, as Grace seemed to be served in her manner towards him of late, and in fact, ap- ^ared as if desirous of avoiding him. Stung by this, he solved at last on endeavouring to feel indifferent, and busied 72 "DOT IT DOWN; HM ii ,|IUjH|| himself more than there was any real necesaity for in the affs connected with the camp. After dinner, our friends started again ofi'»1?^eirtJ(p travelled nearly twenty miles that afternoon. The nld^qiiiti now began to be very troublesome, and this nightthej/* reiolv. on hobbling their horses, lest they might be drivt)lJ'x)ff ,b? ti flies during the night. ' Mr. Bon's servant, assisted by George and Tom, undeit the job, which was, first, to catch each horse, and with u m strip '^of untanned leather* fasten its front legs above thf lock, about one foot apart ; in tliis way the animal can oiuj at a short jump, and strange to say, will feed better hobl than when free. It was well they did this, as the next morj ing they found their horses three or four miles off, and they not been hobbled, probably they would have strayed to greater distance. An early start was made in the morning, Mr. Bon wished, if possible, to reach Georgetown that niglit As they proceeded along, several places were pointed out \ the trader, as spots where houses had stood previous to ti Indian massacre ; and about half way to Georgetown, ih passed an old abandoned stage house, which was in use befoi 1862, as the coaches at that time ran as far as Georgcto In fact, the Indian outbreak put the northern part of Mi sota back at least ten years. Nothing worthy of mentii occurred until they reached within a short distance of wb they proposed camping, when signs of an approaching stoi became visible. The roads were good, and every exertion made to reach Georgetown before the threatened tem should overtake them. * Some partien use straps with buckles, and others irons made like cuffs, with a sho*^ chain attached, these latter are fastened by means i key, to prevent Indians from unfastening them. uiFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 73 . ' said Mrs. Meredith, as they drove furiously oplieve every bone in my body will be broken at this J a deal to answer for, Mr. Meredith, for taking ' goosfe chase like this at my time of life." jrgct all about it," said Grace, " once you're com- d in your new home." " New home ! " exclaimed her mother, ** I liked the old ihtfuUB we left behind us." r1*)Well! well! good wife," said Mr. Meredith, "we're old, i'Ar'^'' ' mind it much ; it's for the sake of the bo/s I'm [dpu4"it- I'd like to see them fairly started in life before we [leave them." This silenced Mrs. Meredith completely, for she was in a ty a fond mother, with all her querulousness. > '- The sky became more and more lowering as they approached [Georgetown, and it was with some difl&culty, on account of the darkness, that they succeeded in passing over the rude bridge jleading towards the houses. Georgetown is simply a Hudson Bay Company post, used [for the purpose of storing goods in transit to and from Fort [Garry, and there are only four houses in it altogether, one of [which is occupied by the ferryman. Our friends had hardly [pitched their tents, when the storm broke, and a most severe [one it proved. Neither Mrs. Meredith nor Grace could be [persuaded to leave the party, and go into one of the adjoining louses for shelter. The horses cowered and shook, as they mddled together in a band, a few yards from the camp. bright flashes of lightning followed each other in quick succes- jsion, accompanied by deafening peals of thunder, and the rain jcame down in torrents. Mrs. Meredith was terror-stricken, land shrank into a corner of the tent, covering her face with 74 "DOT IT DOWN;" her hands, while Grace bent over her and soothed lier as well as she could under the circumstances. No supper was cooked that night, and the men sat silently listening to the violence of the storm, the only one who seemed ! really careless iu his manner was little Mr. Shorthorn, as he j sat quietly smoking his pipe. Mr. Bon, who lay stretched on his robes and blankets, fili some 'Vie ugging at his coat-sleeve, and then he heard ty voice tf lit. Barron at his elbow. " Take a drop of the 'barlpyj br*' ;■ .Here's lots of lightning outside, take a little inside it '11 do y.; i good." Tlie offer was too acceptable to be fused. George Wade about this time started out unperceivedi the darkness and rain, over to one of the houses, where hJ after some trouble, succeeded in getting a small tin pailful (■ hot tea, which he brought to Mrs. Meredith and T-race, anij insisted upon their drinking it. No one in the camp enjoya a good night's rest, even after the storm disappeared, and ail arose in the morning unrefreshed and tired out. This was not a comfortable feeling with which to start upoJ another day's journey, but when people are travelling over tM plains, they must make up their minds to bear with such vicissij tudes. The only remark Tom was heard to make during m raggons as tl iilled upon t le oj)posite n Some of til )iigli windla.* lilings, aroui: le l)oat, and mi liawser c m is by tw ^c Hat boat t( thus forced Biug diiven d |oiking a larg I Our travellc] ids very hea^ cordingly to They reach ec [iner ; and as morning's v Burning their [They occupie temporary I in a very d late storm was, " I wonder how poor Flyaway is gettinj^When usin along." On leavmg Georgetown, they had to cross a ferry, which is| worthy of description, as the method used in working it i peculiar to Minnesota and the North- West. It consisted of flat boat, about thirty feet long and fifteen feet broad, with railing on each side. At each end of this railing were t large blocks, through which a rope passed, being made fast a post on each bank of the river. When as many of t! or nply a misno lall brook lied rivers bet The bridges o Ked River f first felled ai i, over which 'es are taken j LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 75 ^BL'f'ons as the boat (.oiikl Jiold were driven on, the ferryman lUed upon the rope, and in this way propelled the boat to ic opposite siile of the river. Some of these ferries are worked in a different manner, — a )ugli windlass being erected about the middle of one of the lilinf^s, around this a rope is wound, and runs to each end of |e boat, and then attached by means of two blocks to the lin hawser connected with the land. The mode of piopul- )n is by twisting the windlass, and by that means obliging ^e flat boat to have a slanting side to the current, — the ferry thus forced forward, the main liaAvser pre v -ting it from Bing driven down the stream. One man only v • r essary for )rking a large ferry on this plan. Our travellers were now in Dakota territ...y r id found the ids very heavy, from the effects of the laf ^ storm, and had cordingly to proceed slowly along. [They reached Elm River about noon, and camped there for iner ; and as their horses seemed pretty well used up with morning's work, they remained about three hours before suming their journey. [They occupied the greater portion of this time in repairing temporary bridge over which they had to cross, and which in a very dilapidated condition. [When using the term river to the stream in question, it is iply a misnomer, it being nothing more nor less tlian a ^all brook — and the same may be said of all the other so- led rivers between Georgetown and Pembina. [The bridges over these creeks are built in a rude manner, by Red River freighters going to and fro. Two large trees first felled and laid across, and on these are placed smaller s, over which are thrown branches, and, in some cases, the les are taken from the carts and laid over all. So long as the 76 "DOT IT DOWN;" bridge serves the purpose for a train to pass over, it is left fotj others following to repair or rebuild it, as may be necessary. Our friends, under Mr. Bon's direction, cut down numeroml branches from the trees close at hand, and strewing them oval the logs, they filled up the gaping holes between them, :nade the bridge in a safe condition to pass over. Jack and Tom made themselves particularly useful in tk respect, by climbing the trees and hacking off the smalltj branches necessary for the work. As soon as the horses rested sufficiently, our friends broke camp, and continued thei journey ; Mrs. Meredith and Grace walking over the bridge,! case of accident. It was late in the evening when thfl| reached Goose River, the next stopping place, and on the wi| there they were troubled very much by the mosquitoes, as th rose from the long grass on each side of the road, and whole party began to realize the hardships of the trip. Goose River is a clear, running stream, with steep banks each side, and as the bottom is hard and gravelly : no bridge j ever built there, it being easily forded. The mosquitoes, wliij the sun went down, seemed to increase so much in numl: that a feeling of suffocation was felt by every one in the pa on account of their buzzing and biting in every direction. Bon's servant went off some distance from the camp, collecting a quantity of a peculiar sort of weed that grows i the prairie, he made a fire and covered it over with it ; result was a dense cloud of smoke, which lasted most of night. Round this the horses assembled, switching their t* and biting their flanks incessantly, while the myriads venomous insects tormented them ; the smoke, howe? served partly as a preventative, and on this account theij stinct of the animals taught them to hover round it. Little sleep was enjoyed by any one in camp that night, i MFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 77 . nigbt, he Merediths began to regret having left their comfortable ^ome in Canada. Grace, however, although suffering as much the rest, endeavored to cheer tliem up as well as she could lanage it. Fires, covered with the weed already mentioned, were kept louldering all round the camp, but to no purpose. Smoke id not seem to remedy the evil in the least. At last daylight roke upon them, and in the cool of the morning the mosqui- Bs seemed to disappear altogether. The horses began to ed as if forgetful of their late torture, and our friends, taking Ivantage of a few hours sleep, made a late start. Grace never relaxed her duties as cook for the party, and roved herself during all the trials of the trip, as indeed she a noble and heroic girl. Without her Mrs. Meredith )uld have sank under the hardships of this eventful journey. they were fording Goose River, they noticed a dead ox ing partly in the water, where, having probably met with an cident, it had been left by some freighter in the place where had died. Indeed at several places along the route, they Bsed the carcases of oxen and horses, which had apparently en abandoned by their owners on the road. |Tho forenoon of this day was more suitable for travelling in any they had experienced since they left Abercrombie ; [d shortly after noon they camped for dinner at a spot called 5g Point. When the water is low during the summer the idson Bay Company's steamer International can only reach far as this place, instead of Georgetown. A couple of iirs were spent here, when the party again proceeded on, sing Buffalo Coolie, Elm Coolie, and arriving at wtat is led the Grand Forks, late in the evening. 16 had just finished pitching their tents, when a train of 78 " DOT IT DOWN ;' rarts, wliirli tlicy liare on tlw| road, canu; up and caiupopos«% there are ^hose in the settlement unprincipled enough to evade it for ome reason or another ; Imt," he continued, " I have never sked your opinion of Mr. Cool : what do you think of him ?" "I think," was the answer, " that he is n most gentlemanly erson -frank and honourable, I should say, as far as I could idge from our short acquaintance. I am certaiidy indehted him for his kindness towards my wife." "Assuredly you are," replied George. "But, after all, who rould not have done the same as he did under the circumstan- es. I am sorry to say I cannot agree with you concerning Cool; I'm afraid he's a schemer." ** You certainly are inclined to give him a hard character," iswered Mr. Meredith. " I judge a great deal from first impressions," said George, [and there is a something about the man I can neither under- aiid nor like ; besides, he seemed too anxious — I may say for- ward — in pressing his services on you ; and I have heard you jsmark that you intend consulting him about your own affairs, efore you take any steps towards settling down here." 'Mr. Cool," replied Mr. Meredith, " kindly offered to give ke some information and assistance in obtaining a desirable ption in which to establish my new home, and I therefore fomistd to await his arrival in the settlement before doing dything ; and now, my dear boy, have you not allowed your- ^If to become prejudiced against this man ? Take your own !(iuaintance with me and my family ; it has been short so far, tt we are on the most intimate terms at presiMit. Might it k be said that you have been as pressing as Mr. Cool has George flushed to the temples at this speech, but he merely fiswered, " You are right, Mr. Meredith ; and still I shall not IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 7 ^ /. (/ :/. u. % 7a 10 I.I 1^ .. -,. m 2.0 1.8 1.25 III 1.4 111.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 i^? 4^ 5f^ ^ \ ^ ping the hairs from the Itail of the Doctor's horse. Neither of them could understand it lin any other light than a joke, Av'iich was being })layed on Fly- lawav, knowing him to be an eccentric sort of individual. There [being Avomen in the case, they were at a loss whether to reveal the fact to the unsuspecting Doctor, that his horse woidd be Qiiniis a tail in a very few minutes, at the rate the scissors in linible hands were going. " Zeru babel" — for such appeared to bo the name of the animal — each time an extra pull was given, could stamp a hind leg, and this called forth the repeated ex- blamation of " whoa" from its rider. Our two friends were certainly astonished at what they con- jrideied the audacity of the trick, and could hardly refrain from uighing in the Doctor's face. At last, however, they were re- ieved from the awkwardness of their position by the arrival ol Hyaway's waggon on the spot, and the consequent departure of lat gentleman. As he was leaving them, he turned in his saddle to make Dmo final remarks, when he happened to notice the condition his horse's tail, which had been actually reduced to a stump. " Hilloa ! " he exclaimed, in astonishment ; " Zerubabel, what lie d 1 has become of your tail. You had one when I last lioinited on your back ; where is it now V* Then, perceiving the two women hurrying off in the distance, immediately galloped after them ; and as Mr. Meredith and 94 " DOT IT DOWN ;' Geoi'go turn(3(lto outer the Fort, they saw him gesticulating ex. citedly, as if he was rating the offenders soundly for what they I had done. "That's a puzzler," said Mr. Meredith. "1 didn't knoJ what to do. I felt like telling the Doctor, but upon my woni] I was so dumbfounded by the impudence of the whole proceeil ing, that I felt regularly non-plussed." " I had all I could do to prevent myself from bursting ouij laughing in the Doctor's face," returned George. " But I won der what could have been the object of the two women 1 It was a queer way to persecute Flyaway ; the horse is the greater loser of the two." They now passed under the large gateway leading into Fort, and found themselves in a spacious court-yard, frontin^'l which was the chief trader's residence. On the right-hand sidsj was the Company's shop, around which were gathered a num1^ft| of half-breeds, and several carts were loading up from a war^l house on the left, preparatory to starting for the SaskatchewaD, as they learned afterwards. Fortunately, our two friends mei| Mr. Barron about the middle of the yard, and were by him m\ ducted to the offices directly behind the chief trader's hoiiMl and where they were introduced to two or three of the Con pany's clerks. On mentioning the circumstance that occurred to Flyawaj'J horse, they were told that it was quite a common thing foj the half-breed women and squaws to rob the tails of white ( grey horses, for the purpose of using the hairs in embroideri moccasins and other fancy work. The barefaced robbery question, however, caused a great deal of merriment among those who heard of it. They were told also that when a white horse or a grey oij with a white tail is sent out to pasture on the prairie, it inv LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 95 riably returns minus its tail, and that tl.ie women generally take care to clip the hair with scissors to ensure its gi'owing again, for if it is pulled out by the roots it will never grow, Hucl the stump will remain a "hairless" stump as long as the horse is a horse. This accounted then, for Flyaway suspecting the two women, and setting out in pursuit of them ; but av George remarked to Mr. Meredith, " it was only an example [of one of the peculiarities of the country." Behind the offices, stood the Governor's residence, a more hpacious and apparently better finished house than any of the lothers inside the Fort. As our two friends sat chatting with JMr. Barron and the clerks in the office, they observed a tall Ithin man walk slowly past, and on being told that it was the [Governor himself, they took particular notice of him. They aw a man having a care-worn look about him, his hair ; which [was of an iron grey color, had not apparently been cut for Bome years, as it hung long and bushy pver his coat collar ; his [face was rather of a sallow complexion ; he possessed a massive brow, under which gleamed a pair of dark piercing eyes, that plainly said, "although my body is sinking, my spirit will never |jiicciimb." A stoop in the shoulders, together with the slow pace at which he walked, gave them at first the idea that he kas feeble in health and strength. To a certain degree they »^ere right, for he had not at the time our story opens the same odily activity which he possessed a few years previously ; but bey there and then had an opportunity of judging that he aukl not be trifled with, even at that stage of his life. A out burly man met and accosted him a few yards from the kouse; and as he did so, one of the clerks, turning to Mr. predith remarked, " There will be a row between that man wl the Governor." The prediction proved true. The man eemed to be very excited, while the Governor remained cool, !)G " DOT IT DOWN ;" In the (liiViculty between the two, the man appeared to m getting the worst of it, and at last became abusive in M manner, and finally shook his fist in the Governor's face. Lib an arrow from a bow, the Governor's clenched fist was plaiito; in the half-breed's face, sending that individual on his badii the mud. Before he could regain his feer, two men who were standing near, sprang upon him and held him down. Ti.J clerks in the office as well as Mr. Meredith and George riishM] to the door in time to hear the Governor say, — "Let him rise." Then addressing the man as he rose, Id said, "Oderte, I've treated you more like a son than any tliini else since you began to trade. You now are in debt to Company over four hundred pounds. You will get no nioR| outfit from me ; and you must learn after this not to your fist in oiie face of a man twice your own age." The discomfited half-breed slunk away without utteriii2j| word in reply, and the Governor proceeded on. As he passed the ojffice door, he remarked to Mr. Banml " The boats will leave for York Factory in a couple of (layJ and as you go with them, you had better call upon me tcl morrow for instructions." Saying which, the old gentleniail continued his walk, no trace of the late trouble being percei>l tible on his countenance. Our friends and the clerks iio»l re-entered the office, and as it was near tea time, they wer(| invited to join the officers' moss, which was accepted. Before leaving, however, Mr. Meredith placed his money iij the care of the Company's cashier for safe keeping, an act tliaij George knew would i)lease Grace, and which he had strongljj urged upon her father to do. '•**•.., ^^. All the clerks in the Fort messed together in the Cliid Trader's house, that gentleman presiding at the head of th^ table. Mr. Meredith and George therefore found themselve LIFK IN THE NORTTI-WEST. 97 Lilting down to tea in company witli ciglit or ten individuals, and a lieai-ty lot they wore. The viands were plain and sub- htantial, and no effort was made towards show or luxury. Topics concerning the settlement and abroad were discussed in jii froo and gentlemanly manner, and our friends thereby gained good deal of insight as to the people and the country they hA come to live in. Flyaway's misfortunes, especially the horse affair, caused a ;rood deal of merriment around the table, and one venerable booking old man present, remarked, "The Doctor makes himself Dut our inveterate enemy ; but, poor man, he is very harmless, diile he thinks he is doing us a great deal of injury. If he paid more attention to competing with the Company, instead of hiining it, as he says, his pocket would be the gainer, no doubt. IVhy, sir," addressing Mr. Meredith, "we every year purchase jargdy from the free traders, and often pay them better prices ight here at their door, than they could obtain for the same firs ill St. Paul or England. It is true we are in direct oppo- ition to each other in trade, but we are not such fierce antag- bnists as it has been represented ; although we did endeavour or many years, as far as our power would allow, to monopolize [lie trade, and had many a hard fight over it, until we found lie outside operators too strong for us. But who would not Vfe done the same as we did, with the right we considered |iifselves possessed of in the country? The old Nor'-West Company, which afterwards became amalgamated with our- plves, gave us a troublesome time while it existed, and in some ses, blood was spilt over the fur trading business between the Diployees of the two companies. But those days are past and pne, and the oidy opposition that now exists between the free hders and ourselves is one of pounds, shillings and pence, and tat will continue as long as we are a Company." 98 ''DOT IT DOWN;' After tea, Mr. Barron proposed walking down to the hotei with Mr. Meredith and George ; and in connection with thii we may say he had an object in view in making the propositioi The fact was that during the trip he had fallen violently ii love with Grace, which, however, he had not revealed to an; one as yet ; but he was smitten without redemption, and tk nursing of the passion within his own heart only made it tie stronger. He liad observed the coolness existing between George and Grace, and had penetration enough to discovet thereby, that they were lovers ; but he waS' man enough at the same time not to endeavour to take advantage of the quarrel, When they arrived at the hotel, they found the billiard talle in playing order, and as much hubbub around it as would Lav? set Dion, Deery or Phalen mad in a very short time. Here could bo seen, one with his eyes and mouth wide open, watch- ing the proceedings, and wondering where the fun was in knocking four balls backwards and forwards. In another pan of the room were two in hot discussion over the rules to \ observed in billiards. One or two were shouting at the playen! to "go it while they were young," and a few knowing ona were standing with their fingers on their chins, observing to each other that no one else knew any thing about the game buij themselves. What with discussions, shouting, sarcastic m marks, and the broad grins of those who did not seem to app»| ciate the game, the players had a sorry time of it, and at gave up before they had finished their string. Mr. Everling flew here and there as well as his corpuleni would allow, but he was heard to remark "that if he had kno that the 'hanged' billiard table would have kicked up such row in his house, he would have left it in St. Paul." At last, to cap the climax, the two who were holding discussion became so hot and violent over the matter, t LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 99 indsonalities were exchanged, and Mr. Everling threatened to turn out tlie light and shut up the house. The two disputants thereupon agreed to adjourn to a neighbouring house, and play (a game of "poker" to decide the (piestion — and that game cost Iniie of them £25 sterling before it was finished. Thus ended Itlio first match in Red llivcr. Our tln-ee friends in the meantime had joined the two ladies, 111(1 found Jack and Tom keeping them company. All had a bearty laugh over the scene in the billiard room. The two boys told" their father that they were camped next ) a family of half-breeds, who lived on the prairie, and that they had left the waggons and tent in their charge, all the biiiall things being locked up in the boxes. After having spent a pleasant evening with the Merediths, Mr. Barron left on his return to the Fort, more in love with Grace than ever ; but when he considered the short time he bad to remain in the settlement, he felt that his case was bopeless, and at the same time he felt it wrong to take any (iteps towards declaring his passion, not only from a feeling of uncertainty as to how he would be received, but also on account pf the peculiar position George Wade held in the matter. While he walked along m\ising over his miserable condition, lie heard the noise of a drum and shouting in one of the rigwams alongside of the road. Curiosity induced him to ivestigate the cause of this, and accordingly he directed his Iteps to the spot. It was now dark, and as he approached, he mie suddenly upon an Indian, who however merely offered liim his hand and motioned him to enter. This Mr. Barron ^mediately did, and found about fifteen of the savages, male knd female, seated round the edge of the lodge, in the centre k which a large fire was burning. One Indian was dancing m\ whooping inside the circle, and keeping time with his feet U)() "DOT IT DOWN;" to the sound of the dnim, beaten by one of tlioso seated on tlif ground, [n the glare from the fire, witli their painted im«i made still more hideous by the grimaces they put on, tlict looked more like demons lot loose upon earth than luuna;; beings. As Mr. Barron entered ho was pulled down to tL* ground by one of the squaws, and motioned to be seated ner her; she then snatched the i)ip(! lie was smoking from ]m\\^», and taking a few whiffs from it herself, she handed it to Ik- neighbour, and so on it went, one giving it to the other untii it finally came round to Mr. Barron again. That gentleman felt himself in a predicament, as he could not make uj) liii mind to smoke the j)ipe again; so he refilled it with tobacco, and handed it back to the squaw, who had first taken it from him, and while it was going the round once more, he, iiiidin^ the smell and the smoke of the fire too much for him, (niietk slipped from the wigwam, and made his way to the Fon. glad to escape. When he reached the side postern, he found i; locked, but on knocking, the watchman, having first been ;iv sured who it was, opened it and let him in. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 10] CHAPTER VIII. C'^^P ^ HE next day was the Sabbath, and the weather \l' Leiug fine, the Merediths and George walked to tlie '^ English Cathedral, about a mile and a half from the ^jf A town, down the Red River, and listened to an elo- J*, quent sermon preached by Archdeacon McLean, ^- whom Mr. Meredith remembered to have heard once efore in Canada. But as we will have something to say Ibout the clergy of the settlement before we close our story, ^e will without dwelling on the subject at present leave our ieiids in the quiet enjoyment of this Sabbath day, while we ike a look back on a character whom we have already met ; h mean Mr. Cool. That gentleman, contrary to Flyaway's rediction, had hurried through with his business in St. Paul, nJ started for Red River only a few days after the depai-ture our friends from St. Cloud. About half way to the settle- bit he had overtaken a friend of his travelling in the same |ir:ction, and with whom he was on most intimate terms, for fact they were bosom friends. It is soon after this meeting |iat we again introduce Mr. Cool to our readers. He and his friend, whom we will know hereafter as Mr. [^hirl, had camped in the middle of the day, and after dinner, tliile lying at full length on the grass, they whiled away the ) n 102 "DOT IT DOWN;" time hy plotting iniscliiet' tliat ultimatrly nearly ruined tlnii;, and well nigh did the Humo tor many otiiers. Whirl was u man of large wtature, dark complexion, witl. eyes that showed him to be unscrupulous and mean in In. dealings, notwitlistanding he was possessed, like his tViciii Cool, of an alfahh; and courteous manner, lie however ilii not succeed as well as the other in making friends at first, k anyone being in the least a judge of character could not \\v\ suspecting him when looking into his eyes — the windows ofj man's soul. " I say Whirl " said Cool — " That confounded Flyaway k going to the devil as fast as he can, and I don't know wliat t*j do with him." " Let him go," rej)lied Whirl, " don't hold him back— an! you'll soon be rid of him." *' That is all very well," said the other, " but while I haves) much in my business belonging to him, I can't very well give him the cold shoulder altogether." " Why don't you lose the money," suggested Whirl, " there') nothing easier." " You beat the old gentleman," said Cool. '* Perhaps I am in reality His Santanic majesty " returned Whirl. " I shouldn't wonder," Cool replied, laughingly ; " but wk would you suggest about Flyaway, for he is a regular drag upon me at present ; and if you and I are going to play oui cards together, we must first get rid of him." " Then I tell you what it is," said Whirl. " As he i interested in your business to a certain amount, Td suggest him, if I were you, when you reach home, to take an outfit * An outfit means merchandise taken out amongst the Indians for purpose of trading with them for furs. TJFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 103 itm you tortile amount you owe him, wliicli you can sell him It good prices ; and on the plea of wishing to be free from the III hiisiiirsR, you can say that youM pivfi'r he would take the goods on liis own account and d»;rive any henefit there might r from tlieir .sale. Get him tlien to go to the plains, and I'll rager if he continues to be so fond of whisky as he is now, ^lie winterers will clean him out, stock, lock and barrel before lie comes back. You will be free from him, and probably rhcii he finds himself completely out of pocket, ho will leave iie country." '• Do you think he will agree to take an outfit for his debt," w\ Cool. "Butter liim well, and you'll manage it. It is your only Durst', unless you wish to show a sheet with the balance on wTong side." "I could do that, if I tried," replied Cool; "but I prefer [our first plan, if it will work." " Try it," said Whirl, " your character will suffer less by it bn it would by the balance sheet plan, for everyone knows [)u're making money." ' "Character!" sneered Cool, "how I despise that word — braoter forsooth as it is known in the nineteenth century is I myth. What is the difference between a pickpocket and a m who will swindle you in a trade. I can't see any. They Bth steal in an underhand way, yet the one will talk about character — will attend church — will give donations to the por— and will be received into society — and why ? Because has a character ! and the pickpocket, because he's honest ^ough not to hide his * profession,' is scouted at and hunted hn by the very society that receives the other thief. I tell |u what it is, character in reality is where a man tries in his heart to deserve a good name. As we know it, however, 104 "DOT IT DOWN;" it is bestowed upon the man who is smart enough to liide liis shortcomings ; and knowing this, 1 am careless about tlie csti mation others may form of my character. I will make all tli^ money I can, and in any way I can ; and the only regard I mean to have for my character is, that I'll steal or swindle in trade in as respectable a manner as possible ; and I have m doubt by sticking as close as I can to that rule, I will be accej^ ted into scciety, having a character as good as the usual run o! men now-a-days." When Cool had finished, Whirl lay on his back, and laugliei loud and heartily. "By Jove," he said, "I'll be liangei if you are not a first-class philosopher." Then, sitting up, lie continued, " what is this I heard you say about some familj you expected to meet in the settlement. Any money among?. them r " There is considerable, from all I could hear about them in St. Paul," replied Cool. " And how do you propose working them ?" asked Whir!. " Well you see," answered Cool, " in the first place the Mert diths (for that is the name of the family) want a farm in tlie settlement : and I've been informed they are going into stock raising as well. Now there is Harrican's farm. Eobert has livei on it for upwards of twenty-five years ; he owes me some money, and I think by a little manoeuvering I can get him to sign over to me his claim on the land, whatever it may be. I belien that when a man lives a certain number of years on a place it gives him the right of possession — at all events, if I once gel the thing signed, sealed and delivered over to me, I'll try it oi a point of law, and I'll give them some trouble to oust me." " But," interrupted Whirl, " Jack Harrican has the first rigliij to the land ; it was willed to him." " That makes no difference," answered Cool. * Robert, froii: LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 105 having occupied the place for so many years will have the pre- jcedence in law ; at least, its worth trying for." •'And what has all this to do vrith the Merediths 1" asked I Whirl. " Everything," replied Cool. " I sell or let one place to Ithem, and by doing so I will gain an intimate footing in the [family, — that once obtained, the balance is quite easy. I'll jat the least secure a good account on my books, and perhaps [will be able to get the use of some of the money the old man (has laid by. I'm in want of money badly just now." "I never knew you to be anything else," replied his com- panion. Without appearing to notice the remark. Cool went on to say I'Hhat there was a young fellow named Wade attached to the family whom he did not like, and who, if he was not greatly aistaken, returned the feeling with interest. This Wade," he j continued, " I must beware of, and if possible destroy in the opinion of the Merediths." " I wonder," said Whii'l, laughing, " what this Mr. Wade TOuld say if he heard your kindly disposed remarkf» regarding Umii " When I reach home," Cool remarked, " I'll set Mrs. Cool • work, and I rather think she'll settle his hash in a very short |ipace of time." " Bravo !" cried Whirl, " your resources are unbounded." " Of course I'll have to be guided a good deal by circum- ices," continued Cool, "but this I do know, that the old 1, Meredith, is a simple soi-t of confiding man that I can sily control, once I get him under my thumb." " You remind me of a spider, and Mr. Meredith of a fly," re- rked Whirl, " and if I may express my opinion, a deuced Wever'aort of spider you are at that ; and now that we have 106 "DOT IT DOWN;" discussed Flyaway and the Merediths to our benefit and their disadvantage, let us talk over our plans for the future. AVe are supposed to be working for a change in the settlement, hut j what the d 1 is it to be, and how are we going to be the j gainers by it?" " Well," said Cool, " I'm a little at a loss to know how to act | in the matter. We have taken one step forward in inducing the Buster to run down and abuse the H. B. C. Government, and as the newspaper is supposed to represent the people, it has given the public abroad an idea that we are intolerably ill-used I in Red River ] but whether the United States or Canada is going to bite, I cannot tell ; one or the other must take the matter up, I am sure." " In an undertaking such as we are going into," said Whirl, I "it is always well to look at the real state of affairs to enable | us the better to shape our course. Now how do they stand! In the first place, although the law is not powerful in its execul tion, and can be evaded by those who are inclined to do so (nothing personal. Cool), yet take it on the whole, it would be hard to find a happier or more contented people than the set- tlers. It is only men like ourselves who stir up things withal long pole, to bring fish to their own net, who preach dissatisfac tion and sow the seeds of discontent. Already we have suc- ceeded in making several believe that they are a persecuted people and so forth. But I am puzzled to determine how these same people will feel after they find themselves on the eve of a change. Will it be acceptable to them, and will they not look I back on the past and even present time, and at the last moment kick against the pricks 1 I tell you what it is, if they do, wej will not make the money you are counting on." . , ^ " I have thought of all that," said Cool ; " but as for tli»| people of the couritry, their opinion or feelings will not be cod-I LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 107 suited regarding any change that may take place in the North- West. The half-breeds are bound to give place to new people Icoming into the country ; like the Indians, they will have to Ifall back on the approach of a more civilized state of society. IThere is no doubt of this in my mind, Whirl ; their habits and Icustoms are so peculiar, and have become so much a part of Itlieir nature, that it will be impossible for them to keep pace [T^-ith the times. It is not what the people of the country may [think or do in the matter that troubles me, it is the uncertainty [we are in, whether we are to be Americans or Canadians, and Itliis perplexity makes it the more necessary that two having a Icommon object in view should be engaged in urging a political {reformation in the country." " May I ask," said Whirl, " what the common object is to which you refer V " Our two worthy selves, my dear Whirl." "Oh !" exclaimed the other, smiling, " I see — welH" " Then," Cool went on to say, " as we are in doubt as to how [things will nin, I would suggest that you take one side while I ake the other : publicly we will be in opposition ; privately we %i\\ compare notes and see how things are working." " This is all very well," said Whirl, " but where is the money all this?" "That is easily explained," replied Cool. "By being on riendly terms with the Buster, and inducing it to run the ludaon Bay Company, we are attracting attention abroad to ^his country. Canada has had an eye to the North- West for ame years past, and is only too ready to swallow anything liat is said against the Honourable Company, whethei* true or tot, and is willing to accept any statement that tends to show in the light of a down-trodden people, because it will assist [hem in their demands on the Imperial Government for the 108 "DOT IT DOWN;" country. At the same time, Uncle Sam has an eye towaixls the North- West as well, and it is at present a question who is going to get the country. Now suppose you go in and work for the United States, while I uphold Canada ; do you not see very clearly that the winning power is sure to reward the man who has assisted it. Fat contracts will be on hand, good offices, and a hundred other things, besides what they call pap." "Ahem!" interrupted Whirl, "and suppose Canada wins, where will I be ? " " We'll go in snooks, of course," answered Cool, " the winner to share with the loser." " In other words," returned Whirl, " we're going in for a big strike on a very small capital." " Pshaw !" interrupoed Cool, " it's as clear as day to me tha: there is to be a change very soon in the country, and I mean to say that the man who works to bring about that change will make his mark with the government coming in." " And I mean to say," replied Whirl, " that it is very doubt- ful ; but I'll think over it, and let you know when we get into the settlement." By this time the two conspirators found they had remained I in camp long enough, so they soon afterwards started on their | way, and in four or five days reached Foii; Garry. >'- LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 109 r3 CHAPTER IX. S they drove up to Mr. Cool's house, they were met by Mrs. Cool and three or four little Cools ; there- upon Mr. Whirl, who was a confirmed bachelor, and consequently disliked any family scenes, hurried on to the hotel where he boarded. Mrs. Cool met her husband in a very affectionate I manner, at the same time she expressed some surprise at his returning home so much earlier than she expected. The little Cools, who stood in awe of their father, kept a respectful dis- tance from him, and if the truth was told, they were not very pell pleased at seeing him home again so soon. They could manage their mother, but their father they knew to their cost I was not to be trifled with. Mr. Whirl became acquainted with our friends the Mere- Idiths at the tea table that evening, and soon afterwards he ipaid a visit to his friend Cool. In a small room, neatly furnished, sat the two worthies facing {each other. " I've met the Merediths," said Whirl. " You have, eh ! Well, did they ask about me ?" " Yes, the old gentleman enquired whether you had returned, »nd I told him you had. He felt rather inclined to come over 110 "DOT IT DOWN;" with me to see you, but I put him off, thinking, perhaps, that you'd prefer not seeing him just yet." " You were right," said Cool ; " and now I must go and set Harrican this very night j there's no time to be lost, and I want you to come ^fAh me." " All right," answered Whirl, " but, at the same time, I would like to know how you are going to manage things f "That is reasonable," returned Cool, "and very soon answered. In the first place, Harrican is not such a fool as to sign away his property in his sober senses, even if he owes me quite a sum of money ; and although I can scare him into doing almost anything I want, therefore, if he don't do it in his sober senses, we must get him to do it when he's drunk." Mr. Whirl whistled. " I see," he said, " but suppose it coraei out afterwards, where will you be then V " I don't care a mite as long as I can get his signature to the document I have prepared." " Let me see it," asked Whirl. Cool then rose from his seat, and going to a desk, he pro- duced a paper which he handed to his companion. Whirl read it, and re-read it, and then turning to Cool said, " You'd make a d 'd good lawyer. If you get Harrican to sign that, I'd not be afraid to bet my last dollar on yoiii| chance." " I should rather think not," returned Cool ; " but I thinil we had better start." Then going to a cupboard, he took from it a bottle of brandy, and placing it on the table, he remarked,| " There, that will do the deed." •^'* Whirl now asked for a tumbler, and proposed that theyl should take a drink before setting out. The two worthies thetl drank to the success of their scheme, and afterwards left tl«| house on their villainous errand. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. Ill It may be well to explain here that the property which Cool wished to get possession of, was willed to Jack Harrican by his father ; but his brother Kobert had built a house on it in which he had resided for upwards of twenty- five years, at the time our story opens. Robert Harrican was a thriftless sort of man, very fond of the bottle, and consequently he became deeply in- voh'ed. Jack, his brother, on the other hand, was plodding and care- ful, and from a good feeling towards his brother, he had never disturbed him in the occupancy of the farm. Robert was in- debted to Cool for a considerable amount advanced him chiefly I for whisky, and this gave the latter a good deal of influence I over the miserable man. For some three months previous to the night we are describ- I ing, Robert had eschewed liquor altogether, and his wife and family were beginning to feel the happy eff'ects from the change in the husband and father. Mrs. Harrican was a quiet and very worthy woman, and through her goodness of disposition, her children were being brought up in a creditable manner. But a deep thorn rested in the mind of this noble woman ; she could not trust her husband ; it was therefore like a new life [dawning on her, the three months experience preceding the night on which Cool and Whirl visited her house. Alas! what I a blow was in store for the poor woman. Robert Harrican was sitting in the midst of his children, [when the knock came to his door, announcing the arrival of his two visitors ; and as they entered, poor Mrs. Harrican, who knew the characters of both Cool and Whirl, felt her heart [oppressed with a dread of some evil threatening them. After some conversation Cool asked Robert to give them a [private interview, as they had something of importance to com- fmunicate to him. The unsuspecting man led the way to an 112 "DOT IT DOWN;" unoccupied room, and then Cool, placing the bottle of brandy on the table, said as they had come on business that was likely to take up some time, he had brought something to keep their spirits up ; and at the same time he asked for glasses. When Robert went out to the room where his wife was sit- ting, she went to him softly, and putting her arms round his neck, she whispered, so that the children would not hear her, "Robert, these men are going to tempt you; but you wont drink, will you, my husband 1 Oh ! think how happy we have been the last three months. Think. of your children and me, You have three tumblers in your hand, let me keep one, Robert; take in the two, and that will show them, if they are men at all, that you don't wish to drink. Oh ! Robert, you won't be angry with me, for you know your weakness, and you've been so strong of late." "Don't be afraid, wife," said Harrican, " I'll take the three tumblers in, but one of them is for show ; if I bring in only two they'll think me a coward, but I'll not drink if they offer me any. I don't know what their business is, but they say it will be late before we're done with it. You and the children had better go to bed soon." Saying which, he turned to rejoin his guests. The heart of the poor woman sank within her ; she knew the unscrupulousness of the men her husband had to deal witli, and she was aware that he owed one of them a large sum of money ; she however put her children to bed, and then sinking on her knees, she sobbed forth an earnest prayer for her erring husband. Then extinguishing her lamp, the anxious woman crept stealthily towards the door of the room where sat Roben and his guests. Was it wrong that she should thus doubt her husband, and play the eavesdropper on his conduct 1 Alas, no ! she knew the temptation he had to resist, and the power LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 113 of the two tempters over him, and she was detorminetl on [making an effort to save liim ; and as she stooped to listen at [the door, she prayed the Almighty to forgive and help her. She was too late ; as the sound of her husband's voice reached Iher ear, she knew that the tempter had succeeded, and that [Robert Harrican was already very much intoxicated. "My God ! " she exclaimed, " this is hard to bear." Unwittingly she had allowed her voice to go above a whis- Iper, and this called forth a remar^ from Cool that somebody rvas at the door. " It's all fancy," replied Whirl. " I'll go and see," said Cool. Mrs. Harrican instantly flew to her room, and when Cool [opened the door, no one was to be seen. When he hai disap- peared, however, the watcher regained her post, and overheard [the following conversation — Cool was speaking. "Now, Robert," he said, " you are in debt to me for a |oug time. I've never pressed you, and I don't mean to do so now, but here's a chance for you to free yourself at once, d you'.U not feel it. You have lived on this place for a long time ; the ho'^se and all the buildings on it belong to you, ^nd by right the land itself is yours, by having lived on it for so naiiy years." " It's not mine, I tell 70U," said Robert, "it is Jack's pro- erty, and I've no right to soil it." "Jack has a good farm oi^ his own," interrupted Whirl, ['enough for him. He's not golLoj to grudge this bit of land free you from debt ; besides he's i^ot able to buy your house |inil improvements." "You sign this paper, Harrican," sail Cool, "giving over me your house, and any light you have to the land, and I'll fix it all right with Jack. I'll then give you a receipt for 114 "DOT IT DOWN;" what you owe me, and you can move up to your place on tli» | Assineboine. It's a better farm, any way, than this one." " Jack has been a good brother to me," said Robert, " and I I'm not going to do anything to hurt him. This place belongs to him, and I'll see you d— — 'd first before I'll sign that paper You can lock me up on pemmican and water, if you like, for | what I owe you ; but you know well enough I'll pay you some day." " Well, take a drink, anyway, on it. Whirl pass that bottle; you needn't keep it all to yourself," said Cool. Mrs. Harrican had heard enough. Without a moment si hesitation she hastened away, and, throwing a shawl over her head, left the house, and hurried over to Jack Harrican's, a few rods distant. Finding everyone retired for the night, she knoclced loudly at the front door, and, on its being opened bj her husband's brother, she related to him, as well as she couli | the trap Cool and Whirl were laying for Robert to fall into, "But," said Jack, "the land does not belong to him, and | how can he sell it 1" " Cool is trying to convince him that his having lived oni so long, gives him the right of possession, and they are giving I him brandy so freely, that I'm afraid they will get him to sign the paper, when he does not know what he is doing. I wish you'd put on your coat and come over with me, fori] don't know what to do." Jack Harrican was taken aback completely by this uneil pected turn in affairs. As we have already mentioned, thel farm on which Robert lived had been willed to Jack by lii«l father, but he had allowed his brother to remain in undifrl turbed possession of the property, never dreaming that by sol doing he was jeopardizing his ^claim on the land. Fromtlif| hurried statement of Mrs, Harrican, he was at a loss to knofl LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. i\s what to do, but he immediately put on his coat and accom- panied her over to the house. As they hurried along they I perceived two figures walking quickly away by the edge of the river bank. There," said Mrs. Harrican, " I'm sure that is Cool and I Whirl, and I am afraid we're too late." When they reached the house they found that Mrs. Harri- I can's words were only too true. In the room they found Robert in a drunken slumber, seated at and leaning over the table, with his head resting on his arms ; near him were two sovereigns, evidently dropped on purpose by one of the two I men who had just left. Mrs. Harrican, when she perceived the state in which her [husband was, raised her pale face and said, " My God, I prayed Ifor the sake of my poor Robert, but it has been Your will not [to hear me." Then drawing herself up with a look of intense Ibittemess in her face, she continued. " I now pray that the Icurse of an injured woman may follow those two men to their I graves ; they have nigh broken my heart." Can it be wondered at that the otherwise gentle woman Bhould curse the villians who had robbed her home of its happiness ? Jack succeeded in dragging his brother to bed, and leaving his stricken wife seated by his side, he wended m way home, sad and sorrowful, more at the condition of his brotherj whom he loved so well, than any threatened loss of dis property. Cool and Whirl, in the meantime, had returned to the house Df the former, and were exulting over the success of their cheme. " That is one good thing done, at any rate," remarked Cool. " If the results turn out as well," returned Whirl, " which must say I am doubtful of." ilo " DOT IT DOWN ;" " Leave all that to nie," said the other. *' I think I cm, manage now, with thin paper in my possession. By Jo\>, Haf rican caved in suddenly. I think that last glass of brandj you gave him did the deed." " I was tired," replied Whirl, " of his obstinacy, and there | fore gave him a good stiff one." "And now," continued Cool, drawing his chair closer to | Whirl, '* what do you think of our political scheme ] Wil you go in V " I may as well, if it's to be all fair in war." " Honor bright," said Cool. " And, by the way, the amvall of the Merediths can be made use of, for I mean to stir up j public meeting. I have to see the old man to-morrow about the Harrican farm, and I will also open the subject of politia to him at the same time, by declaring how ill used we are, ami the necessity for a change. Then I will point outourdutj, as Canadians, and wind up by asking him to help me about | this meeting." " Go ahead," remarked Whirl. " What next !" " After we have passed a series of resolutions, censuriii{| the Company, and calling for a change of government, 1 get the Buster to come out heavy in its favour, of coural making special mention of the patriotic speech I intend tol deliver on the occasion." " Cool, you are invincible ; but what am I to do all tliii| time?" " You are to throw cold water on it," was the repljj " There are enough Americans in the town and settlement I you to form a party. If you do, then go in heavy for tlsj United States ; this Avill tend to get up some excitement ! least, which is necessary in this milk and water place. I h»^ a good deal of faith in the Blister, LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 117 " I have no doubt of that," said Whirl ; " but its more than luiiy one eUe in Red River has. I'll do my best and talk them (up. In this way they planned and schemed till near midnight, concocting several measures to bring about their purposes, the chief of which was the downfall of the Hudson Bay Company. [8 Cool was showing Whirl to his room for the night, it being late to obtain an entrance to the hotel, the latter worthy remarked, " I be hanged. Cool, after all said and done, it was shame to leave Harrican as we did, without notifying his Rife." " Pshaw !" replied the other, " she is accustomed to that sort (if thing." " Cool, by Jove," muttered Whirl, and so they parted. , t 1 ! I i 118 "DOT IT DOWN;" CHAPTER X. eP HE next morning Cool called on Mr. Meredith, m offered him the option of leasing or buying the Harrican farm, stating at the same time, that lie preferred to rent it, as there was some difficulty about the title to it. " You can drive down witl me," he continued, "and when you see the place, yon can judge for yourself." "When can I occupy the premises?" asked Mr. Mereditk " as I am under a heavy expense at present, and will be glaJ to get settled once more in a home of my own. My boys aif still camping out with Mr. Wade ; not that it will do then much harm, but I am anxious to see them regularly employed' " As far as I can judge," said Cool, " you could get int« the house in a day or two ; in fact, I will arrange that you do| so, if you conclude to take the farm." Cool, who had his horse and buggy at the door, then droT(| Mr. Meredith down to Robert's house ; and as they approachi the door, they were met by that gentleman himself, still suffer] ing from the effects of his late debauch. " Cool," he cried, going to the side of the buggy, " you are scoundrel ! you thought to make me a robber last night, you never will do that. Here is your two sovereigns you li LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 119 eliiiid you — and that paper you showed me. If I signed it, I id it when I was drunk, d n you." ■ Come ! come ! Robert," said Cool, apparently unaffected |)Y the words thus addressed to him, " I have brought this entleman down to see the place. He is a stranger in the )untry, so if you have any differences with me, let us settle lemby ourselves." Neither you nor that gentleman will set foot in my house, long as I can prevent it, — but I am going away from here, ad I will leave the keys with Jack, you can fix things with im. As for that paper, I'll swear I never signed it when I |ras myself ; for both my wife and Jack will take their oath liat they found me dead drunk, after you and Whirl left me, St night." Mr. Meredith felt very awkwardly placed during this con- ersation, and turned to Mr. Cool for some explanation of the iculty ; but that collected individual merely asked how he Ir. Meredith), liked the appearance of the place outside, and retted not being able to show him the inside of the house, account of the stubbornness of the person before them. "Stubbornness is it?" said Robert. "You may call it by ^y name you choose, but it is nothing more nor less than bat I have said. You will never enter the door of my house 1 long as there is life in my body to keep you out. And you, \" turning to Mr. Meredith, " I don't know you, but all I tell you is, that you are in bad company ; and if you are Dking after the place, I warn you that the man beside you as much right to it as the horse before you. I'm leaving I and it's time I did ; but. Cool, you'll never own it, if I have [stand in the court and tell my own disgrace, to show you 120 "DOT IT DOWN;" With this, the conscience-stricken and indignant man enteral the house, and shut the door in their faces. " I rogret this scene very much," said Cool, "on youracj count; but it is easily explained. The man who has just left us, has been indebted to me for some time for a large amount, and I saw no other way of securing it than by obtaining pos^ session of his property. He is a good-for-nothing fellow, whfJ is drunk more than half the time, and is seldom steady enougii to transact any business. On my releasing him from liii| indebtedness to me, he signed over this property in my but his brother, who professes to have a claim on the land, induced him to try and withdraw from the arrangement ^vitil me — and this is the difficulty about the title I referred to A the hotel. I will, however, see the brother, and probablj] arrange matters with him in a satisfactory manner, if there will be a necessity for a law-suit ; but in any case, yoil can rest assured, that you' will occupy the farm in 'a day or twoi " I would dislike," said Mr. Meredith, " having been in tta settlement such a short time, to become involved in aiif| trouble with people living in it." * You may rest perfectly easy on that score," replied Cod,] "as I would be the last one to lead you into anything of tk sort. I will see Jack Harrican, however, this afternoon, let you know in the evening." When they separated at the hotel. Cool mentally cu Robert for the scene that had occurred before Mr. Mereditl but he resolved upon putting the best face on the matter, fighting it out to the last. Mr. Meredith felt disappointed and troubled, notwithstaniil ing the assurance of Cool, that everything would turn well j and meeting George Wade, he explained to him wli had happened. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 121 "It is nothing more than might be expected from the man." "Which one ]" asked Mr. Meredith. " Cool, of course," said George. " Well, there are always two sides to a story, and Mr. Cool, |app Annexation to Canada. " The truth is," said Cool, " we must agitate this matter, is bound to come some day soon, and a few willing hands do much to farther it." "But is this quite fair or right to the Company thatgoven at present. Will not this action on your part be prematu and serve to weaken the hands of the Hudson Bay CompaDjj These public demonstrations are apt, at this stage especially,! the settlement is on the eve of a change, to create party feeli and strife. Now the fact is, I'm not very sure from all I ( learn that there are many settlers in Red River favorably i clined towards Canada or Canadians. And from my sli experience here, I should say the people are quite contente feeling over my heart j ' i 136 "DOT IT DOWN;" haven't you something strong, Wade, somewhere handy, per- haps it will give a little life to a fellow ?" George rose and took a flask of brandy from his trunl;, which he handed to Barron. There was a long pause in ik conversation ; at last George spoke. " I do not deny, Barron, that I love Grace Meredith ; but I am not so sure as you seem to be that she returns the fceliii": and as for my being deserving, I fear you over estimate my worth, for it is that very thing which deters me from speakiiij my mind to her. You have been so open with me, it is fair that I should be ir.Q same to you." George hereupon gave Barron sketches from his life while in the East India service ; amongst others, he described an inci dent that occurred in which he (George), innocently became involved, and which, for a time, brought disgrace upon his name, and was chiefly the reason for his leaving the service. "Now," he said, as he finished the story, "although I was to a certain degree blameworthy in that aflair, yet I got into it without any intention of wrong on my part. It has, however, been handled by my enemies to my detriment, and they may doj the same again." "I rather think they will," muttered Flyaway to himself. " And how can I explain it to Mr. Meredith," George c tinued, " so that he can understand it properly ? In fact if heard about it, I would refuse any explanation to him rcj ing the affair. You see everything does not run as smooti with me as you thought. The fact is, Grace Meredith is t good for me. I have never spoken to her about love ; althoii] one day I came 'pretty near to it ; and I cannot make out w ther she really cares for me or not ; besides, that unfortuni occurrence hanging over my head prevents me from urging suit. Barron, you have shown yourself a noble ^■:'llow tow LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 137 me and although it would almost break my heart to lose Grace Meredith, yet I would like you to speak to her about yourself." " No," said Barron, " I have struggled and struggled against it and now I am resolved to act like a man. I may leave tomorrow, or the next day, and when I do, I part from Grace Meredith for ever. But, Wade, the memory of her will re- main in my heart as long as I live." By this time the fire had smouldered out, and as it was too late for Mr. Barron to return to the Fort, the two young men, after a little further conversation, turned in under the same blanket. The last thing Mr. Barron did was to remind George to be careful of the package and to follow the instructions in the letter. In the meantime Flyaway began to find his position a very unpleasant one, and he was not sorry to see the two young jmen lie down to sleep. When he felt perfectly sure that he could move with impunity, he made the best of his way back in the direction of the town, and there we will leave him for [the present, knocking loudly at the door of Cool's house. In the morning, Mr. Barron having returned to the Fort, iGeorge went and saw Mr. Bon about the situation in the jCompany's service. "It is certainly a good chance," said Mr. Bon, "and I 11 only be too happy if I can be of service to you ; but I jfear Mr. Barron has placed too much importance on any ifluence I may have in the matter; however, I will do ^hat I can. I will go and speak to the Governor about fou, but the probability is he will wish to see you and judge or himself. He is not a man who places a great deal of wth in recommendations ; he prefers his own judgment to lything of that sort." 138 "DOT IT DOWN;" "Shall I remain here or go to the Fort with you?" asked George. "I think you had better remaii here, and I will let yoni know if you are wanted," saying which, Mr. Bon left on hiil mission. While George was waiting in Mr. Bon's store, he had ani opportunity of observing a faw of the peculiarities in M mode of carrying on trade in the North-West. At one m\\ and seated on the counter, were two half-breed plain hunters, busily engaged at a game of cards, orer which they weiei very noisy in a good-humored way. In another part of M store a young man was playing on a fiddle, Avhile a lialf| breed was dancing to the music. Behind the counter wen two or three men and women picking out and hantUing th^ goods as they felt inclined. They seemed to have unlimite carte-blanche to take what they wished. George was astonished at the freedom allowed them, iinJ asked one of the clerks if he was not afraid of goods IjeiDg stolen or taken by mistake. "Lord, no!" answered the young man. "Those are on winterers, and we can trust any thing with them. Ihere not one of them who will take a single article \vithou giving us an account of it. There are a few in the settld ment we would not allow behind the counter, but we knoij them well." "How do you keep track of your sales when you iillo^ them to help themselves ]" asked George. ■ "You see, sir," was the reply, "they £rst of all pick their outfit, and when they have finished doing that, they thtj choose what tliey will want for their own use, till they con back next year. As soon as they have chosen all ti require, we go with our book and take an account of LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 139 le had anj Bs ill tliel t one f-niij n hunters, they weiel •art of M lile a lialf-l anter wer incUing M ) imliniued you alld articles, and charge them up. The men then bale their outfits and pack them away in their carts, and they are ready for their trip, not to return to the settlement till next summer. Many of them stai*t without any invoice or account of their goods. When they are out on the plains they sell as they can, and get as much fur as possible for their outfit." "You can't keep your stock very regular, for when you allow them to choose for themselves, they may pick out the very articles you require most in the store, for your every day customers." We take care of that," said the clerk, laughing. "We hide lots of our goods until the winterers have left for the jplains." ■■'■'• ••' At the back door another clerk was looking after the un- iloading of several carts just arrived from St. Cloud. The hides were thrown oflf ; the half-breeds went to work with a [will, and soon had all their freight piled inside the door. During all this time there was a good deal of bustle and wise in the store, for it was a busy time. In the midst of it, however, some one announced that Pierre Gladieux was joing to run his horse against that ci' Urban Romain. Imme- liately men, women and children poured out of the store. le two clerks locked up the shop ; one of them asking George accompany them, and all went out on the i)rairie a short listance, where the two racers were ready for the start. The istance was a mile, and the t\^o hoi^semen having gone as far Fort Grany, a stake was planted at the end of the course to run, and then both liorses started fairly together. Pierre Gladieux came in the winner by about two lengths, lit there were no high words over it. The only results were iveral more races got up on the strength of the one just over. soon, however, as the first race had been run, customers 140 "DOT IT DOWN;" and clerks returnod to the store, and business was resuniej again. The card-players wont on with their game ; the fiddler took up his fiddle; and the customers commenced overliaidiiw the shelves where they had left off. Notwithstanding this apparent easy, careless mode of carrying on trade, which was peculiar to Red River, there was not as much loss by baddebu or theft as there would have been in any other place the same size in Canada or the United States. Shortly before the time of our story it was not customary to put locks on store dooR. latches being all that were necessary. This will be hardkl credited, but it is nevertheless true. Stealing at that time wail almost unknown in Red River, and was considered one of M worst of crimes. The confidence that existed between customerl and merchant facilitated things greatly in carrying on busine^gj and the half-breeds in their dealings are not difficult to pleasej nor are they given to gi'umbling and fault-finding. If aol article does not suit them they refuse it at once, and that is tiej end of it. Although everything in Mr. Bon's store seemed to be cairia on in confusion, it was far from being the case in reality, as ^ accounts were found to be invariably correct, and no one had^ better standing abroad than iie possessed. We will have more to say about the peculiarities of tin Red River trade before we finish our story ; in the meantii we may say, that on Mr. Bon's return George found that iij had been accepted conditionally by the Governor on a montij trial. If at the end of that time it should be to the mutu satisfaction of the Company and himself he was to rem The salary was small, but as George said it was a begins His duties were to commence a week from that day. Geoij thanked Mr. Bon for his trouble, and mentally blessed Banx)n ; and he felt his heart light as he stepjjed cheer ! I LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 141 along in the direction of the hotel, to let the Merediths know lof his good luck. While he is doing this, we will take a look in upon Mr. ICool, who is busily engaged with Dr. Flyaway. The latter, jafter repeated knockings, had succeeded the night before in lobtaining an entrance to the house, much to the disgust of iMrs. Cool, who could not bear the man. " A drunken, con- jceited rascal," she used to call him. Flyaway had retailed the conversation overheard by him between George and Mr? Barron, nil, if we may use the expression, Cool's heart "jumped with Buy," when he heard it. His wife was to visit the Merediths pt afternoon, why should she not use this as a lever to pry fir. George Wade out of the family 1 It needed caution as ^ell as time — but the lever was in his hands, and the unscru- pulous man determined to use it, for he hated George Wade rom the bottom of his lieart. Accordingly he laid his plans ^pen at once before his amiable dame, who, like a good wife, oncurred in them, and promised to assist him to the best of ker ability. When Cool mentioned how Flyaway had over- bid it, she remarked, " the cowardly, sneaking, little rascal, t's just like him, to pry about, listening to what folks say ; fut I'll let the Merediths know in my own way, what they Hay expect from this exemplary young Wade." " You're a trump," said Cool, laughing. "You shouldn't call me by such vulgar names," replied his [is wife, affecting displeasure. Cool now rejoined Flyaway, whom he had left in the office, being a man who made it a rule to strike when the iron [as hot, he intimated to the Doctor his desii-e to become free om the fur trade. " You," he continued, " are now accus- |med to it, and indeed, I am only a hindrance to your opera- ons, as my heart is not in the business. I think, as a friend, 142 " DOT IT DOWN ;" I would advise you to carry on tho trading, without any (Iraii or trammel being on you in any way. Besides, you ar«' leally entitled to the whole profits realized on the furs," (there liad not been a shilling made in that way by them since Cool and Flyaway entered partnership.) " Not at all," said Flyaway, " if you share the profits, yon also share any losses there may be." " Exactly," returned Cool. " But," he continued, " I am now anxious to confine myself to the business of the settlement altogether, and I would like you to take hold of the fur trade on your own and sole account." " In other words," said Flyaway, " you have made all the money you think you can out of me, and now you want to 1)i> rid of me. Very good. What do you propose ? " " You are too hasty," answered Cool ; " I have no reason for wishing to get rid of you, as you call it, it is merely a mattd' of business. There is so much money in the concern belonging to you, together with an equal share from my capital, to be in- vested in fur. Now to tell you the truth, it has not been a paying affair, and as I don't understand it, I'm anxious to (juit it. Is there anything wrong in this ? " "Mr. Cool," interrupted Flyaway, " you mentioned just noff I that there was an equal amount of your money with mine invested in the fur business. Alloiv me to remark that I have never yet obtained an outfit to come up to the sum of money | you have belonging to me. I'd like to know where your ca tal has been all this time ! " " Why," said Cool, " there are a hundred and one pxpensej| connected with the business, which you never dream of." " I should hope not, or else they would be sure to give the night-mare," replied Flyaway ruefully; "well, what do| you propose, Mr. Cool ] " LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 143 " That you take an outfit," .said the other, " for tlie wlioh' iimount of the balance of money belonging to you in our ))usi- iH'ss. I should then advise you to start for the plains, for, from all accounts, the buffalo are expected to be plentiful." " I wiUild prefer," said Flyaway, " to get the amount in tasli, as I can then return to St. Paul, and buy my own outfit, |.isl have done for you sometimes." "No doubt you could," replied Cool, "but the fact is, I have |ii(ittlio cash to give you. But after all. Flyaway, it is only a I matter of price, and I will see you all right in that respect. Voii just pick out the articles you want." "This is what I call a dirty kick out," remarked Flyaway ; I "but I'll think over it, and let you know soon, as [ feel now, I don't think you are treating me well. As for going to the plains, I don't understand that trade. Then, there are things I I will want that you have not got in your store." "I'll get them for you," said Cool. Flyaway then took his departure, muttering as he left the Idoor, "d n him, ho's made use of me, and now that he has lotlier fish to fry he leaves me in the lurch. There's no use [going to law with him ; he'll beat me on that. I'm sorry I [told him about the affair last night." In this mood the indig- nant man wended his way to the hotel, to take a drink over the matter. In the meantime, Mrs. Cool had called on the Merediths, arriving there just as George was leaviuj: on his return to icamp. Little did Wade think of the trouble in store for him. ^vnf \ 144 "DOT IT DOWN CHAPTER XII. HE Harrican farm was finely situated on the bank of the Red River, and commanded a view of tlio town of Winnepeg, St. Boniface, with its cathedral and convents, and Fort Garry. On a rising giound it was surrounded by maple trees, which added great- ly to the beauty of the spot. The house and bams were built of the same material as the generality of build- ings in Red River, namely, logs. Through the cjueless ness, however, of Robert, the place had been allowed to go to rack and ruin ; and the Merediths, when they finally secured the farm, found that a great deal had to be done to make it at all comfortable. Mr. Meredith had met Jack Har rican and come to a proper understanding with him, so that there was no unpleasant feeling felt on either side when the family moved in to the house. Jack Harrican, as we said, was careful and plodding ; but at the same time he was obliging and kind-hearted ; and Mr. Meredith felt when he first met him, that he would prove a good neighbour. George Wade, having a few days to himself before entering the Company's service, volunteered to assist the Merediths in j arranging things about their new home. His offer was accepted, however, with a certain unusual restraint on the part of Mrs. Meredith, which puzzled him exceedingly, but thinking it all ' I LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 145 imagination, he went to work with a will, assisting the two boys. Jack and Tom were as familiar with any work pertain- ing to a farm, and it was astoni.shing how quickly fences? were repaired and things generally cleaned up around the place. The walls of the house had been so neglected that wide seams gaped between the logs, and tv. fill this up was one of the first jobs undertaken. On the river bank they found a sort of white earth which they were told was used for the purpose of plaster- ing, or as it is called, mudding the houses. Hay is first cut or chopped fine, and mixed with the earth, water is then, added until it becomes like ordinary plaster. This preparation is then filled into the seams by means of a troweL^nd afterwards the whole wall is whitewashed, giving it aK*^ appearance of moothness and finish one would not expect to see in a log uilding. Jack, Tom and George ^Vade soon became initiated the mudding process, and in a day or two had the house and utbuildings looking very creditable. The roof was a thatch ne, and sadly in need of repair, but Mr. Meredith decided pon allowing it to remain as it was until the rest of the ork around the place was completed. Several improvements to be made on the inside of the house ; and as George t'ade had learned while on shipboard, to become an adept at rpenter work, he, as soon as the mudding was finished, com- enced putting up some doors, shelves and such like ; Mr. eredith having a set of tools suitable for the purpose. The Merediths had not cumbered themselves with furniture hen they left Canada, and now they felt the want of it, as it as next to impossible to get any in Red River. George and r. Meredith, however, succeeded in making a table and four steads, and while they were discussing as to how they were get along about chairs, Tom suggested that they should use eir trunks. 146 "DOT IT DOWN;" " Handy things to carry with you from one room to another,' said Mr. Meredith, laughing. Grace, who was standing by, busily engaged in unpacking crockery and so forth, now exclaimed that there was an Indian woman coming towards the house with the very thing they wanted. Sure enough when they looked out of the window they saw an old Indian stalking along, followed by his two squaws, one of whom carried a couple of rudely manufactured chairs on her back, while the other had a large roll of some sort of mat- ting. The old Indian had his blanket folded closely around him, out of which peeped his tomahawk and pipe. He never looked behind to see if his wiveb> were following, but kept steadily on until he reached thu door. When h( knocked, Grace received him, and as he entered the house, she motioned him to be seated on one of the boxes. As he accepted the proffered seat, he made signs to his two wives to squat themselves on the floor at his feet. He then handed one of them his " fire bag'' or tobacco pouch and pipe, and told her to fill and light it for him. Grace felt herself flush to the temples from indignation at this treatment of her sex ; but the two most interested seemed to accept the position as a matter of course. What a subject for a lecture on ." Woman's Rights !" When the old Indian received his pipe filled and lighted, lie i puffed a, "•ay in dignified silence, while the two squaws jab- bered away to each other, pointing every now and again towards Grace, as if they were speaking of her. At last Grace finding her patience giving way at the prolonged silence of the old Indian, and seeming indiff'erence of his two squaws, pointed to the two chairs in such a way as to show she wished to buy them. The chairs themselves were rough, but strong, and in- . stead of cane, they had used strips of buffalo hide for the seats,! twisted into a sort of network, which made it comfortablel LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 147 enough, but not very elegant ; the workmanship was very nule. but durable, and as Grace afterwards remarked, " they were better than nothing." George Wade now came in, and his services were called into action to try and find out from the Indians what they would sell the chairs for. Taking a shilling piece out of his pocket, lie offered it to them, signifying at the same time that it was to be considered as purchase money ; but the old Indian shook hi^ head and uttered a grunt ; then raKsing his hand he showed his five fingers twice, meaning ten jhillings for the two chairs. " Its a dreadful price," said Grace, " for these things, but I what are we to do?' and, she continued, "we must strive to let [them know ^hat we require two more." The matting was next examined and found that it would do I very well for the floor of a bedroom instead of carpeting. It was made of rushes that grew in the swamp, and looked very cool and durable. The Indians around Fort Garry make a [great deal of it, and sell it to the settlers. They also use it Ifor their wigwams. The old Indian showed eight fingers this Itime, and the bargain was closed. The next thing was to let [the savages know that two more chairs were wanted, and while Kieorge and Grace were discussi;ig the best plan to adopt for jthe purpose, the old Indian astonished them by sayingr— " Me understand English ; my boy make two chairs . next week ; pay ten shillings for 'em, eh ]" Here had George and Grace been perplexing themselves how fo explain their ideas to the old rascal, when all the time he *as quietly listening to and understand'ug their conversation, >nd could have saved them a good deal of trouble. The three [ndians laughed heartily when they perceived the looks of stonishment mingled with vexation on the faces of George and Jrace, and then the old fellow remarked — 148 " DOT IT DOWN ;" " Injin very hungry — something to eat, ehV pointing to his mouth. Grace said there was nothing in the house of the kind, upon which the Indian scowled at her. George who perceived this, and having heard about the character of the savages, proposed giving them a little tea and sugar ; and to pave the way lie took a piece of tobacco from his pocket and presented it to the Indian. Grace took the hint, and immediately procured the necessary articles, which she gave to one of the squaws. " Thank ye !" said the Indian, "chairs next week ; good-bye, Injin glad ; good young squaw " (pointing to Grace.) The three then left, after getting the money for the matting and chairs, and when they were gone, George remarked — " I have been told that it is always good when an Indian comes into your house to offer him a little something, and no matter how small the gift is, he is sure to appreciate it." " We really had nothing to give them," said Grace, " except tea and sugar, and I never thought of these." "Well, I am glad I did," replied George, "and these Indians apparently are more industrious and handy than the generalityof the tribe around here, and they may be of service to you. Tliese chairs are very strong, and although not very elegant, are good enough for the time being." The door leading into Mrs. Meredith's room now suddenly opened, and the old lady herself somewhat excitedly put her head out and shouted " Gracie ! Gracie I" " Here mother," said Grace. " Just look out of that window," exclaimed Mrs. Meredith. " I guess these pesky critters have gone daft. What on earth are they about 1" At this moment a scream was heard, and on Grace ai George going to the window, they preceived one of the LIFE IN THE NORTH-WE^. 149 squaws rushing towards the bank of the river, where she soon disappeared amongst the bushes. Immediately afterwards a dense volume of smoke was seen to ascend from the spot, which made the old Indian hasten on, and the remaining squaw to quickly follow in the footsteps of her predecessor. The Merediths and George, when they perceived the smoke and heard the cries of the Indian «?, ran out to see what was the trouble ; and from the brow of the lilll they saw that one of the wigwams located there had caught fire and was burning furiously. George and the two boys went down to find out how it had happened, and when they reached the spot they iound the two squaws sitting a little apart, surrounded by their children and rocking themselves violently, moaning all the time. They seemed to feel the loss of their lodge as much as if it had been a large and costly building. The old Indian was seated on a fallen tree, sullenly viewing the demolition of his " house," and all it contained. It was hi- il, his gun being in the fire with the rest of the things. He and his family were houseless, and without property of any kind, except what was on their persons. Who can wonder, then, that these poor creatures looked upon their misfortune in the worst light. George went forward and began to commiserate the old Indian on what had happened, but was rather startled when immediately afterwards a pair of black piercing vindictive eyes looked up into his and their possessor said, or rather hissed out — " Lying Tongue ; bad Sioux did that ; I will have blood for it ; travel — travel — will kill bad Sioux for that." Then turning to his squaws, he spoke to them in Indian, pointing in the direction of the Assiniboine river and afterwards in the I direction of the Merediths' house, then gathering his blanket I closely around him, he stalked quickly away without uttering 150 "DOT IT DOWN;" another word or noticing George and the two boys in the least, It will be seen hereafter how fearfully he kept his word. Grace did all she could for the two squaws and their children, and some of the neighboring Indian women assisted them in erecting another wigwam, which is done by means of poles put on end and leaning at or near the tips on each other until they assume the form of a sort of cone. On these are placed pieces of bark, dried hides, or anything else that will keep out wind and rain. A hole is left at the top for allowing the smoke to escape, the fire being always built in the middle of the lodge. The day succeeding the fire found the Merediths as comfort- ably settled in their new home as could have been expected under the circumstances. George Wade had to begin his duties the next day. The farm looked tidier ; the house more comfortable ; indeed, for the short time they had been at work a wonderful change for the better was perceptible in ever}- way. Jack and Tom on the day in question, were busily engaged mending the thatch on the roof, and while they were in that I exalted position, Tom, all of a sudden, cried out, "Here's Cool, or I'm a Dutchman, coming along by the river side." ('ool it| was sure enough. " I have heard," said George, before the expected gentleman I arrived, "that there is to be a public meeting of some sort toj take place this afternoon. I dare say Mr. Cool is coming oi that business, as I hear of his name figuring in the matter."' " I will go with him," replied Mr. Meredith ; " but I vil take no part in the proceedings." The prediction of George proved true. Mr. Cool had conietoj invite Mr. Meredith to the meeting. " What a change !' !«| exclaimed, as he drew near the house, and had saluted all pr»l iiifi LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 151 ent in his usual polite manner. " Here's enterprise for you. I tell you what it is, we want a few more like you in the coun- try. The people here are not fit to possess good farms, for they don't know how to take care of them." " I am not so sure of that," returned Mr. Meredith. " Con- sidering everything, my opinion is, that they deserve a great deal of credit for the advanced state the country is in to-day." " They have an able champion in you, at all events," replied Cool, laughing ; " but, notwithstanding, you will see them, ere long, giving place (especially the French) to a better, more thrifty, and more enterprising people." "Well! well! we'll s^^e," said Mr. Meredith. "Won't you come in, Mr. Cool 1 Mi-s. Meredith will be glad to see you." " I must ask to be excused," said Cool. " The meeting, of which I spoke to you some time ago, takes place this afternoon, m about half an hour, and I ran down here to ask you to come to it. We will require our time. What do you say ]" " 0, I'll go, of course," answered Mr. Meredith, as he enter- ed the house to put on his coat, and otherwise arrange his per- sonal appearance. While Cool was waiting, he approached George, and remark- ed that Mr. Barron was certainly going to leave the next day ; and then he complimented Wade on obtaining a situation in the H. B. C. service, adding, however, that he might have done better. " Perhaps," said George. Mr. Meredith now appearing, put an end to any further con- versation between the two, much to the satisfaction of George. We will accompany the two gentlemen on the way to the [meeting. As they left the House, Mr. Cool turned to Mr. [Meredith, and said, " That young man Wade seems to be a regular and constant 152 "DOT IT DOWN ;" visitor at your house. Do you know anything regarding his antecedents V " Nothing further than his being the son of a rich gentleman of high standing in England, and his having been in the East India Company's service. Since we met him (which was in | Chicago, on our way here), we have found him a very agreeable, quiet, gentlemanly person. In fact, I like George Wade." " I have no desire," said Cool, " to injure the young man in your estimation ; but, at the same time, I think you should Ije I careful how far you allow the present intimacy between Wmle j and your family to extend, until you know more about him." " Mrs. Meredith was telling me some story which she heard I from your wife about George, but I could not understand very well what it was. Do you know anything of it, and how far it j affects the character of the young man V " It is simply this," answered Cool ; and, as they walked j along, the unscrupulous, unfeeling man poured into the ear of Mr. Meredith a highly coloured version of the story overheard by Flyaway, and which, for the present, we will withhold fromj our readers. "This is very strange," said Mr. Meredith, "and, if tnie,j Greorge Wade is no fit companion for my daughter." " Besides this," continued Cool, " he has been heard speculat-l ing with another on the chances of obtaining the hand of Missj Meredith in marriage." " There is something very, very strange in all this," miisedj Mr. Meredith. " George has never shown the slightest approacli,| since I've known him, of being capable of such an act." " The best way," suggested Cool, " is to question the yoim^j man himself. Should he deny it, you will still be able to jud by his manner whether he's hiding anything or not " LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 153 '• Very true," rejoined Mr. Meredith. " I'll speak to him." "Just what I want," thought Cool. The two soon after arrived at the court house, adjoining Fort Garrv, and found there only five or six pei-^ons assembled, and no appearance of any more to come. Wlien Cool entered with Mr. Meredith, the latter was in- troduced to a gentleman lately from Canada, who was to give his views at the meeting on the condition of the country. A ver}' dandyish — sort of a positively "dem-me" individual he turned out to be — full of schemes, all of which bore a very good face in a theoretical point of view, but taken practically, they looked very uncertain. Salt, coal and iron mines were to be worked with astonishing rapidity ; railroads built ; manu- factories established and pushed ahead; and a hunc.-L-'d other \ undertakings started ; the only tiling r«quisite to bring all this j about being annexation to Canada. Mr. Meredith listened as well as he could to this gushing [individual, who represented himself as a particular friend of all the members of Parliament in LTpper and Lower Canada, and on intimate terms generally with every man of influence in the Provinces — so he said. Finding that there seemed to be no likelihood of any addition to the number of those present, Mr. Cool, on being appointed chairman of the meeting, for- mally introduced the gushing individual to the audience. A speech was the result, brimful of everything favorable to Can- ada and unfavorable to the Hudson Bay Company govern- ment. The people of the North- West were called upon to repudiate and crush the monopoly, in other words to kick it [aside and go in neck and heels for Canada. Mr. Cool followed in pretty much the, same strain, only a ptle more moderate in tone. He represented that the people of Red River had no right to respect the laws of the Company ; K 154 "DOT IT DOWN;" that the charter was not valid ; and that therefore any punish ment inflicted on offenders by the Hudson Bay Company was an infringement on the rights of British subjects. He tooj called out loudly for annexation to Canada. Two others spoke after Mr. Cool, one of whom wasverjl much like him in appearance, of a very determined character; cloaked outwardly, however, a good deal by an easy manner I peculiar to him. This speaker said he would defy the laws ofl the Company ; that he had made it a point to always fight against and hurt the H. B. C. to the best of his ability, and he would continue to do so. He had only that morning brought in his goods by force into the settlement without paying the 4 per cent, duty on them, and he dared the Company to collectl its revenue tax from him. He, too, shouted lustily for Canada. and proposed three groans for the Honorable Hudson Bay| Company. Mr. Meredith could not be prevailed upon to speak. Thel reporter of the Buster was present, taking copious notes, in which he was very particular to say that the meeting broke iipl in an enthusiastic manner, with three cheers for the Queen ad I six for Canada. Mr. Meredith was disgusted with the wholel proceedings, and told Mr. Cool so pretty plainly ; but the onljl reply that he received was, < that things would work rouDii| better after a little." And now that this precious meeting is at an end, we wil look back on something that happened not very far from thej Merediths' house. George and Grace had gone out together to the town on anl errand for Mrs. Meredith, and when they were returning iiome,! George took the opportunity to plead his cause with Gracfj It is needless here to mention all that happened during th interview. The many little endearments that generally pas] LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 155 on such occasions are more interesting to tliose directly engaged than to outsiders. It is sutHcient to say that George was suc- cessful in his suit. After the two lovers had plighted their troth to each other, George said : "We have had a long misunderstanding, Grace ; but it is all over now. I began to think you almost tried to keep out of my way." "And I," said Grace, "not understanding what was the matter, could not ask for an ex^^lanation." " We'll not speak of it," returned George ; " it is all over now, and amounted to really nothing after all. I will speak to your father to-morrow," he continued, " and ask his consent as well I as your mother's to our engagement." "I wish you would," said Grace, " for such matters ought never to be kept secret ; besides I must warn you that you I have enemies in the settlement, who will, I'm afraid, do all they can to injure you, especially with my parents. Already something has been said to try and lower you in their estima- tion. My poor mother is too ready to listen to stories, and she [has been worked upon." "I did observe a certain restraint," replied George, "when Imy offer of assistance to fix np the house was accepted, which I could not account for, and which I passed over as imagiua- |tion on my part." " I fear my mother did show a little coolness towards you i;? Iher manner ; although she always speaks very highly of you. [But an impression had been left temporarily on her mind un- favorable towards you. She cannot disguise her feelings ; she, jlioweyer, has forgotten all about it already. Whatever happens ^feorge, T will never desert you. You are my bethrothed, and Msuch, no power on earth will drive you from my heart." George was moved almost to tears at this devotion on the 156 "DOT IT DOWN;" part of the noble girl by his side ; although he was puzzled 1 1 know who his enemies were, and how they were trying tJ injure him. Suddenly he remembered his interview with Mr, Barron, but instantly dismis.^ed the idea of treachery counts t ed with it. He, however, thought it his duty to speak tJ Grace about his absent friend. Accordingly, he told her linwi Mr. Barron regarded her, and was a])out confessing his Sflfishj ness in not mentioning it to her before, when she stopped luinj " I like Mr. Barron," she said, "for his many good (pialitiesj but I never could love him." The two lovers had by this time reached the door of th^ house. George then bade his affianced a fond good-bye, and departed for the hotel, where he was staying since they had broken camp. He little dreamt what was in store for him oj the morrow. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 157 CHAPTER XIII. } n/". Vi HE old Indian, when he left his ruined lodge, passed quickly through the town in the direction of the White Horse Plains. Looking to neither one side uor the other he pressed on, his face wearing the same vindictive look it had when he perceived his wigwam in flames. The night was clear ; the moon shining rightly enabled the savage to keep on his way with rapid strides nd without stopping, until he reached the large Roman Catholic 'hurch, about twenty miles up the Assiniboine. Soon after- aids he passed Lane's Fort, H. B. C, and coming in sight of wigwam on one side of the road, he halted, and throwing off is blanket, he stripped himself of every other article of cloth- ng. Then, taking his long hunting knife between his teeth, ' stealthily approached the lodge, until within a short dis- iice from it, when he dropped on his hands and knees. Cau- iously he drew himself forward, listening attentively all the ; but everything seemed to favor his purpose, so he crept long until he was at the opening of the wigwam. Slowly and loiselessly he drew himself inside ; then regaining his feet, he pped to one side into the gloom and there viewed his in- iided victims. There were two women and three children, eir male protector being absent, or not having returned from IS trip to the town. Our old Indian now took his knife in 158 « DUT IT DOWN: his right liand ; liis fi-atures assumod an ahnoBt demoniacHl oxpression, wliiUi hia oyes ghired liko thoso of a wild Ixast, His revouge was about to bo accomplishod. Bending over one of the prostrate squaws, he quickly and surely plunged his knife into her breast, a low moan following from the lips of the dying woman, and then all was still again. Quietly with drawing the weapon from th«^ side of the first victim, the old Indian stabbrk l)uat> could hardly turn its own length in that river — pointiiii; li the Assiniboine — and now three of them can easily go al»ro;i>l in it, and in my early days no two boats could row side ]»y sid. even in the Ked liiver, where you see it so wide now. Ah there's great changes going on in the world now-a-days," laut tered the old man as he hobbled away. We will have occasion later in our story to follow the fortuiifi of Mr. Barron in his trip to York Factory ; in the meantime, however, our old friend Dr. Flyaway commands a little of our attention. iiiiremittini ^^ I MFK IN TIIK NORTH-WKST. i7n (Q^fMWWii^C '§f CHAPTER XIV. OOL anil A\'hirl sat in the office of the former, with a copy of the liuMer spread before them on the tahh', over wliiclj they were hangliing heartily. "By Jove," ^C Haid Cool, "little Twaddle has made a hit this time on his own account, which is very creditable to him. Listen while I read it aloud." "Among the passengei's to (Jeorgetown, on the Inttrmdioiml, was Mr. Rufns Twaddle, our indefatigable editor, who was givot('(l as the boot moved off ]>y three rousinp cheers, and the good wishes of those who had gone down to see him off. Mr. Twaddle has been with us for a number of years, and fliuiiig the time we have had the pleasure of being connected with liim in the management of this paper, he had enjoyed the unromitting hostility and persecution of the Hon. Hudson Bay Company ; but we are glad to be able to say, and assure both fri('nd.s and foes, that Mr. Twaddle has not deserted the land of his adoption, but has only gone on a visit to sonu; fiiciuls in the Ea.s, amongst whom he purpos(vs enjoying a short holiday, in order to train that n^cuperation of health which he requires so much after a long season of arduous litisrary labour. He will return in a few weeks to his post on the staff of the Bmter, and will continue to oppose oppression and welc'it le freedom as before.' 174 "DOT IT DOWN;" "Tliat is the biggest stretch of imagination I have ever heard or read of," remarked Whirl. " I understand old Potts and Ames went down to the boat with him, the former to get a drink out of the brandy flask, and the latter because he liad notliing else to do. Gad ! Twaddle, you've done it up brown this time ;" and Whirl leaned back in liis chair and laughed aloud. " There is more in it than you perhaps imagine," said Cool ; *' and I give Twaddle a good deal of credit for his penetration. The Buster you see has gone in heavy against the Company (in fact I think it over does it a little), and of late is coming out strongly in favor of Canada. Now, when this report of the edi- tor's popularity amongst the people is seen (shown, of coiirso, by the rousing cheers) the statements of the Buster are far more likely to carry weight than if it were known abroad that its opinions are not valued a straM' in the settlement. Twaddle is more clever than I took him to be." " I doubt very much," said Whirl, *' if he intv^nded your con struction to be put upon the paragraph in question ; ho is so confoundedly conceited that I think he did it to satisfy his own vanity." " Perhaps," returned Cool, " but it will answer our purpose all the same." " How did you manage with Flyaway," asked Whirl. "I had hard work to persuade him to take an outfit," answer ed Cool. " We had a regular battle over our account, but, ufttr a great deal of trouble, I succeeded in convincing him that his only course lay in accepting my proposition. He has l)t'('n all morning picking out the articles he requires ; and I believe he has made an agreement with Rosette to join lus l)and." " Had you anything to do with the latter arrangement 1 " en- quired Whirl with a smile. " A little," said Cool, " I spoke to Rosette." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. " I liave no doubt of it ; and you couhl not have placed Flyaway in better hands to have him Heeced and leguhirly done tor." " I have really no wish to injure the doctor," interruptcsd Cool ; " but as long as he is in tlu^ country, ho will bo a hin- (Iranco to my plans and operations. For it" ho is not against them, he will be so confoundedly in favor of them, that he will spoil tlie effect." " I don't believe," remarked Whirl, "that you will have much trouble with him after this, for if he doesn't come back from the plains pretty well ' strapped,' I am very much mistaken." '' I won't be surprised," added Cool, "when he doi's return to find that he has spent the greater portion of the proceeds of both goods and any furs he may have collected. I expect Flyaway this morning to finish up. You see (pointing out at the window) there is his tent, and there are his carts, — he has hired two of Rosette's men to go with him, one of them having ;i wife to do the cooking for the party." At this moment Dr. Flyaway arrived, and, on entering the room, he addressed Cool at once, without api>earing to notice the presence of Whirl. "I've been to the Company's store," ho said, " and have picked out the things. I had my cart there, ready to load tiiem up, but the clerk told me his orders were not to deliver Mr. Cool any goods without the ca.sh," " Confound it all ; there must be some mistake hen*," .said f'o'tl. '< I have a runnini;- account at the Fort." " It may have been running too long," interrupt*Ml Flyaway. "That's where the rub is, I expect." "Nothing of the sort," answered Cool. "I havt^ endeavor- ed to keep my account sfpiar(^ with the Company, more es}>eci- illy JUS in other ways I am not their particular frieiul. [Cool 176 "DOT IT DOWN;" had been indebted to the Hudson Bay Company over five hun dred pounds sterhng for nearly two years, without any exertion on his part to pay it.] I will go down and see about it my self," he continued. " The sooner the better," replied Flyaway ; " for Kosotto may start this afternoon, and I don't want to be left boliiiid. I •wish to stick to him." " The closer the better," thought Cool. All this time "Whirl had been busily engaged reading a news paper. He now looked up, and addressed Flyaway : " I say, Doctor, as you will be passing the Portage; on yom way, will you oblige me by taking a letter as tar as there, ain! delivering it to Dick Strong ?" '• I've no o])Jection," said Flyaway, " as long as you say it doesn't contain money, and make me responsible afterwards it I lose it." " I'm not so bad as all that," returned Whirl. " Bad enough," answered Flyaway, " when you sold mo tliat horse before I left for the States. You declared he was a Inif falo-runner, and liosette now tells me he's nothing of tli*' kind." " Perhaps Rosette wants to sell you a horse himself," said Whirl. " No, he doesn't, because I don't want to buy," "Then," said Whirl, "wait till you have returned from the plains, and if he is not accustomed to buffalo hunting, I'll ai range with you." "In other words," said Flyaway, " when the milk is spilt. you'll try to sup it up with a spoon." Whirl did not reply, but, turning to the table, he hastily wrote a note, which, when sealed, he handed to Flyaway, v^ questing him to deliver it as directed. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 177 The Doctor put the letter in his pocket. It would have been better had he refused to take it. Oool, in the meanwhile, had gone to the Fort to see about Flyaway's things, and there he found that there had been no mistake in the "non-delivery" of the goods, as he could not get them without paying for them. This he accordingly did with a very bad grace, and vowing at the same time, vengeance on the Company, for what he looked upon as an insult, but which any ordinary merchant would have done under the same cir- cumstances. When Cool returned to his house, he found that Kosette had heen there, and Flyaway in a great flurry to get away. The goods from the Fort were therefore hastily packed with the rest of the outfit, and all loaded on the carts. The horses were soon caught, the tent or lodge taken down, poles strapped to- nether, and then all was ready for a start. Flyaway, who was on liorseback, then rode up to Cool, and said, " When I came here three years ago I had some money, and here I am reduced to an outfit on the plains. You have taken most of it out of me. Cool ; and now that you've something else on hand, you desert me. I can see it all. I am not blind iiltogether. I'll go out and do the best I can ; but I'll be blessed if you and I have any further business arrangements together. I'm now free from you. I'm pretty well singed ; but I sup- pose the hair will grow out again. Remember me to my very particular friend, Mrs. Cool. Good-bye — good-bye. Whirl, I'll take care of your letter." "And it m\\ take care of you," muttered Whirl. The Doctor then rode off at full gallop after his carts out on the prairie J and when he reached Rosette's camp, he founu that an early start in the morning had been agreed upon ; I so he pitched his lodge and prepared to spend the night. 178 "DOT IT DOWN;" On the departure of the Doctor, Whirl turned to Cool, and said — " I've given Flyaway a letter to Dick Strong, and what do you suppose were the content? of if?" " Give it up," replied Cool. " Simply to get the spitfire drunk and exchange some goo(l> with him. You see Dick and I are in together, and Flyaway has a few things in his outfit that Strong requires." "You're the first then," returned Cool laughing, "to fltw the poor d 1." " The second, you mean," returned AVhirl. " I think you'w been ahead of me in that. If Strong commences, he'll ktcii Flyaway drunk for a week ; and Kosette will keep him com- pany. Together they'll make a fine pair." When the Doctor had fixed up for the night, Eosette llir plain hunter, invited him over to his lodge to have supi)f'r. which was gladly accepted, the Doctor having in view a jolly night afterwards. When he entered Rosette's tent, he found a numbei- of nioii seated round on the ground crosslegs, like so many tailoi-ji. and a bottle passing freely round amongst them. A ])latt\ tin cup and spoon lay before each of them, and as a placi' lial been reserved for Flyaway, he squatted himself in a similar manner to the rest ; and as soon as he had taken a pull at tlio bottle, the supper was brought in. It consisted (jf a large pan of wh.at is termed '' bouilli," a sort of hash made of peiiniiicaii. flour, water and any other fixings procurable to make it tasty. On a large dish were a number of boiled buftalo tongues, ami near it a large kettle of tea. A bag of sugar and some baked bannocks of flour made up the balance of the "spread." J^u'i mau helped himself to a plateful of the "bouilli;" stuck lii^ knife into a buflido tongue ; poured out a cup of tea, and tlieii e.i.ing commenced. During the meal, jokes, laughter, iuiii LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 179 stoiies of adveuture and trading wont the rounds; and when all had pai taken to tlieir satisfaction, the dishes were removed I by tiie women of the camp, pipes were lighted, and the men I jinpari'fl to take matters easy, while the women and childi-en wi're cnj(»ying their supper round the fire. Rosette said they were gouig as far as "White Horse Plains" on the morrow, wlioiv tlit*y were to meet several other bands of hunters, who [had agreed to form together In one large camp, for the purpose of travelling together to the hunting grounds. The bottle began once more to circulate fieely; one of the I men procured his fiddle ; cards were ])rought out ; cand a jolly time was evidently about to be enjoyed. Both Rosette and Flyaway indulged more than the rest, which resulted in putting tlu' latter aslec^p ; while the former grew more and more bois- k'loiis in his manner. The worst passions of Rosette now li^gan to show themselves. When drunk, he was a source of terror to the. o residing in and around the town ; and on several occasions, through his mad-like conduct, while intoxi- cattJ, ho had escaped stjrious injury from the hands of settlers, [oil account of some depredations on his part. The men that were with him feared him and disliked him at jtlit' same time. He was, however, p powerful and successful trader, and few had the hardihood to refuse joining r ps pvith liini when he asked them to do so. The more he < aik Ithe more he swore against several i)arties in the town uom rvhom lie considered he had received injuries, and at Ukst he pound up l)y declaring that Ixjfore dayln'eak he would > t fire jto the hay-stacks of a certain person whom he hatt i. The niin now finding him in such a state, qui(;tly slipped away one f}' one, until Rosetti^ was left with only Flyaway in tlie tent ; ihi interesting individual being sound asl»»ep in one corner of it. 180 "DOT IT DOWN;" The excited plain hunter now staggered to his feet, aiui jn-r ceiving his companions gone, he went out into the opm air, and catching a stray liorse, that liappened to he grazing do.' by the camp, he mounted without satUlle or bridh>, and (liwlinl away in tlie direction of the town. Soon after lie reached there, two shots were heard, dear an!i Rosette is intended to represent the generality of tlic K' River plain hunters. On the contrary, he was a man, as w~ have said before, both feared and disliked amongst them, a; his many mad-like and vicious acts were condemned by tlioeej who were forced by circumstances to associate themselves [at home is in tji. ■jw.jji.li .^.-.u ■ oa^ i»«g:3»y <|r, ■l yM'Tf*^"^--'- ' LIFE IN THE NOKTII-WEST. 181 him. The plain liunters, or "winterers," as tlioy are some- timos calk'd, are a fine class of men, simple and honest in their (Itiiiings, f life, hiuch as that of a plain hunter is. A difference in their stylo of dress is quite perceptible. The plain hunter is lavish and kl»rcle^?.s with his money Avherever he goes, while the half-breed I at home is more solicitous over a few shillings than he would [biover so many pounds. It is this extravagance in money I matters that prevents the ''winterers" from becoming rich as a iiwh. There are, however, some of them who are careful and I saving, and these invariably become wealthy, and frequently |l)i.^sses"^ m vestments abroad, botli in England and Canada. When Rosette's party reached "White Horse Plains" in the [moniing, it was deemed, advisable to secrete their leader, lest m inight be arrested, and thus delay the whole band ; and it hu well they did so, for during the day a couple of constables arrived with a warrant ior his apprehension. But on their p?ing unable to gain any information as to the whereabouts of 182 " DOT IT DOWN ;" the mail they wanted to fiiul, they soon returned to For. Garry. While Rosette was in his hiding phice however, the arrange ments for forming a large camp were entered into ; and a.s h. wiis not able to attend while they were going on, he found him self in a secondary position to the one he expected to fill. When a number of half-breeds assemble? for the purpose (,f going in a body to the plains, they first appoint a chief, ami those who are to be his advisers, during the hunting season. The camp we have to do with numbered a little over fifty men, many of whom hatl their families with them. They, then fun. found it necessary to appoint twelve councillors to assif^t their chief, who in turn nominated six captains, and these latter picked out the men whom they wished to have in their watchw. It was the duty of these captains to take turns with their miii in guarding the camp at night against surprise or any ap proaching evil. The chief and councillors regulated the move- ments of the camp, settled all disputes between the men, and p'Tnished all offenders against the established rules or laws of the plains. Rosette, who had been expecting the chief position in the band, was very much disappointed and enraged to find himself merely a councillor. For several days afterwards he remaineil sullen and moody ; and his friend. Flyaway, found hini any- thing but a pleasant companion. The band camped a few days at " White Horse Plains" be- fore starting on their journey, and then they travelled as far^l Portage-la-Prairie, where another halt took place. ' ' Flyaway presented the letter to Dick Strong, as he had pro I mised ; and, as Whirl had predicted, the consequence was a '*big drunk," in which Rosette joined heartily. The people ofl Portage-la-Praiiie not coming within the jurisdiction of tk] LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 183 (lovernor and Council of Assiniboine, and being therefore in a helpless state, as far as law und order were concerned, determined iijK)!! setting up a petty government on their own account, and wliicli they designated as that of Manitoba. The Buster, on one occasion, saw fit to poke fun at the movement, in the following jiiiragni])!!, which appeared in its columns : — " We had the honor of a visit from hi.s Excellency the Gov- ernor of Manitoba. We learn that he was down on official business with His Excellency of Kupert's Land. Wo trust they came to an amicable understanding on international af- fairs, and tliat there will be no cause of coldnes. between the two cunntries. But, if it be not impertinent, we would suggest j the most dignified manner of carrying on a diplomatic inter- course would be by the appointment of ambassadors accn^dited to reside near the respective governments. And we trust His Excellency of Kupert's Laud will at once see the propriety of appointing an Ambassador Extraordinary to reside near the (tovernment of St. Mary." In a couple of months afterwards, however, it seems to have dianged its tone for it came out with the following, probably having foi-gotten its previous " jeers ": — " We are glad to be able to announce that the Government hitdy formed at Portage-la-Prairie still prospers, and seems to >atisfy the minds of the residents there perfectly. We learn that a court house and council cluunber is in course of con- Istruciion, and bridges and roads have been niadt^ Notwith- standing the scoffs and jeers of the monop(jly party here, we are glad to be able to chronicle the success of this rude attempt at giving to all men in that district individual liberty. AV^e can only say to our neighbouring and more happily situated [colonists — keep on in your course. Avoid petty jealousies, 't 184 "DOT IT DOWN; »» and strive only for collective; benefit, and you will earn contftit ment for yourselves, and the respect of all your ncij^lilKmrs." Cool's hand was in that [>ie. 'i'he truth of the mutter w;i that a division existed amonjijst the p('o[»le at Porta^^c-la I'miri, on the sul>j('ct, some being in favor of admission mult r th, jurisdiction of th(! CJovernor and Council of Assiniboinc, wliil, others supported the independent movement. The (lovcnior aiul Council of Assiniboinc kej)t aloof from the matter alto gether, and put no obstacle (as it has been said they did), \u the way of the Portageda-Prairie people, to prevent ihm from framing their own laws, an»l appointing their own ofKccrs tor the enforcement of them. The monopoly party, as tlu Uusti'V described it, was a mythical creation of the inviiicilil. TwaddUf's brain, as the only "party" in the settleuu'iit wa.^ the small clique of the HusUr's own friends, — a set of inal contents and opponents to law and order, who for their own selfish ends, as we will presently see, thought proper to disturl) the public peace, and endeavour to upset tho only guiuanln to life and property then existing in the settlement. Flyaway was one of the first to feel that power of the law, a> administered by tho President and Council of Manitoba. For getting very obstreperous one evening, while under the intiiunw of liquor, he was taken care of for that night, being provided with bed and bedding free gratis on the occasion. The court house and council chamber referred to in tk' Buster J consisted of a log cabin, with (as Flyaway described it) a confoundedly dark hole as a jail. The chief offenders around the Portage were the Indians, amongst them being a portion of the Sioux who escaped from Minnisota, after the massacre of I 1866. A rascally thieving lot, steeped in human blood, their atrocities committed in the United States seems to have been like a curse hanging over them, for their numbers have de LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 185 crea.sey hunting, fishing, begging, and stealing, the latter l)('in^' their principal occupation. For some time after their arrival in Ked River, they were so troublesome, and their demands so insolent, that they became a perfect scourge to tltc settlement. One of the most respectable settlers therefore, actuated by a desire to remove dangerous characters, and at the same time with a sense of detestation at the horrible dcods committed by the wretches, determined upon capturing two of the leaders. Little Six and Medicine Bottle. For that purpose he contrived means while they were on a visit to his house to entrap them, and made his preparations accordingly. In every room he placed a bottle of either wine or spirits, and when the two savages made their appearance he endeavoured to show them every hospitality which an Indian prizes. At ihe request of Little Six, he showed him over all the apart- ments, in each of which the unsuspecting chief was persuaded to take a drink. After the inspection of the house, Little Six Silt down in one of the rooms to take a smoke, and while he was doing this, the settler sent on horses to a point on the river half-way between Fort Garry and Pembina, to act as a relay on the road to hurry the captives out of the country, and had sleds made ready with other horses harnessed in them at the door. He then procured the assistance of two friends, and rushing suddenly into the room where Little Six sat un- M # ^%. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I ■- IIIM |50 "' Hi 2.5 Z2 1^ 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 « 6" ► v2 <^^ / c^ .^ ^#^ ^'^ '/ /^, Photographic Sciences Corporation •SJ ^\ 1* ^^^ o^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 «> #, ^ A o\ 186 "DOT IT DOWN;" prepared for sucli au attack, they bound him hand and foot first disarming him of his long knife. They then tied him down on one of the sleds, and sent it slowly on, while thev proceeded to capture Medicine Bottle im a neighbouring house. The settler knowing that many of the Sioux tribe were lurk i^ig about the Fort, and fearing lest the two entrapped Indians might whoop or cry out, had given Little Six a dose of chloro form, to keep him quiet. As Medicine Bottle was leaving tlio house, they rushed upon him and threw him to the ground. the settler applying at the same time a handkerchief to the nos- trils of the fallen man, saturated with what was supposed to bf chloroform, but which was nothing else than whisky, taken by mistake from the wrong bottle. " Wash-tee-do ! Wash-tee-do /" cried the savage, whicli in English means good ! good ! Medicine bottle being bound on the second sled, he was driven off to join his companion, Little Six ; and after some narrow escapes from being discovered by several of the Sioux Indians, who were prowling about, the two i captured savages were delivered over to the United States aii >thorities at Pembina, and were only executed about two years | afterwards for their atrocities. The United States Government are very much to blame fori not punishing these monsters sooner than they did after tlieyl fell into their hands, for had either Little Six or Medicine Bottle escaped, the courageous settler and his family woiikll have most probably met with a dreadful death from the hamlsl of the crafty and cruel monsters, in revenge for having delivere(l| th^m over to a just punishment for their deeds. The H. B. C. Fort at Portage-la-Prairie is a small stockadfj generally in charge of an officer of the Company, and one two men under him. It is not a very important post. Flyaway, in the course of his drunken perambulations, stu LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 187 and foot, tied him hilc tlicy ^vere liuk ?d Indian^ of chloro- eaving the le ground. to the UO.S- posed to V' y, taken by i, which in 0- bound on mion, Little Lscovcred liy ,ovit,thetwoj 1 States :\u- 1 it two years! bhxme for after tliey )r Medicine imily wonVl the hanils |ing deUvereJI lall stockailfj and one [ost. lations, 8t\ bled into this as he termed it " Hudson Bay Company Den," and, seconded by Rosette, threatened to tear the wliole phice down on the devoted head of the officer in charge. But that individual took the matter very cooly, by asking the excited pair into the store to take a drink. This was gladly accepted liv both, and the consequence was^that the next morning, when the band of plain hunters were starting, they had to call at the Fort, and lift both Flyaway and Rosette into a cart, where they lay until they became sober, the brigaie jogging along the meanwhile. This is the last we will see of Flyaway, until we again meet him on the plains, a pleasure which we hope to have ere we dose our story. It is almost needless to say that the letter to Dick Strong had its effect, that worthy having fleeced the unfortunate Doctor out of some very important articles in his outfit while he was drunk, and palmed off upon him a lot of j worthless stuff in place of them ; a fact, however, which Fly- I away did not discover until he unpacked his goods out on the I plains. Rosette and Flyaway, in their drunken frolics at the Portage,' [were the indirect cause of a very serious and melancholy Incurrence, which took place soon after their departure. It [appears while they were in the midst of their carousal, they [visited the camps of some of the Indians in the neighbourhood, and not being at the time very particular as to who their asso- jtiates were, they shared the contents of their bottle with the sav- i^es. These, having experienced the excitement by the liquor, me seized with a craving tor more of the fire-water, and there fing only one place (a small saloon and store) in the neigh- ourhood where they could procure the article, five or six of [he band proceeded to tlu' house, and made a demand on the nan in charge fof Rome rum. This being refused, they at first 188 "DOT IT DOWN;" uttered threats, and finally one of them shot the poor felluw through the side. Some of the neigh])ours coming up soon afterwards, the wretches fled, leaving the wounded man on tlie floor of the house. The unfortunate victim of the outrago wa? afterwards conveyed to Fort Garry f(jr medical treatment. where he lingered in agony for a few weeks, until death at last put an end to his sufferings. Having bid adieu to Flyaway and his worthless companion for a time, we will turn our attention to the neighbourliofxl of Fort Garry, and will ask our readers to accompany us to tlic sitting-room in the Meredith farm-house. We will tliore finl Grace alone, with a letter spread open before her, over which she is bending her pale face. She is weeping. The letter is from George Wade, describing his late unfortunate interview with her father; but he wrote — " I am innoqent of the charge, andi have done nothing to bring dishonor on my name ; only hy a j solemn promise extorted from me some years ago, I am pn vented from giving such explanations as would free me from | the imputations that have been cast upon me. I hope en' long, however, to be able to clear up everything satisfactorily,] and I only ask that, until that time arrives, you will not m-\ demn me. Can you give me hope that I will not be forgotten.! my own dear Grace, and that you will think sometimes of onej who will never cease to pray for your welfare and happiness! George then went on to say that he had been forbidden an^ further intercourse with her ; how deeply he felt it ; ani^ begged for but one letter from her, to tell him that she least did not consider him the guilty wretch he had been (1« scribed. The letter was couched in the most endearing, y« sorrowful language, and brought a pang of pain to the heart ( poor Grace ; the more so as she had not been prepare*! for LIFE IN THE NOllTH-WEST. 189 and without warning, the hope of lier life seemed clashed to the ground, perhaps never to be regained. The poor girl sat for some time brooding over this strange turn ill affairs, and, as she thonght of her good, kind-hearted lover, and the crnel separation that threatened them, the tears tell fast, as a fnture of misery presented itself to her mind. George Wade was her first and only love, and it cannot be wondered at if the l)low was a severe one to the poor girl's heart. Alas! it proved a very serious matter in the end, as we shall see. Suddenly Grace rose to her feet. A gleam of hope passed across her features. " I will go to my father," she said, aloud ; '' his good, kind heart will not refuse me. I will ask him to allow me to see George, and then I am sure I will arrange this misunderstanding." Acting upon the impulse of the moment, she immediately i went in search of Mr. Meredith, whom she found outside in the garden. Going up to him with the open letter in her hand, [she said, "Father, what is the meaning of all this f " Of what, my darling V said Mr. Meredith ; although his [heart re))elled at the question. He knew full well what his daughter meant, but he almost feared to answer her. "Of this letter," answered Grace. "What has George done, [lather, to be treated so harshly 1 Oh ! surely you will not be so jcruel as to do what he says here you have threatened 1 Some picked person has belied him to you. You cannot, father, be- lieve anything evil of George Wade 1" "I do not wish to, my daughter; but he will not give me satisfactory answer regarding the accusations made against pirn." " Is it not enough that he denies them f asked Grace. "My dear girl," said her father, " you are my only daugh- VJO DOT IT DOWN; tor, and my pride — the comfort of my old age. ^\'ere any evil to befall yon, Grace, it wonld send me sorrowing to my grave. I must, therefore, watch over and guard you from any evil, and I cannot be too careful. I like (xeorge AVadc : indeed, so much did I esteem him, tliat I looked for^\'ar(l with pleasure to the day when I could call him son. Think you, thtn. that this has not been a severe blow to me ! I went to liim, without telling you what Id heard, because I did not hiA'ma it. When I asked him for an explanation, he refused at oiicf to give .any. I reasoned with him, but all to no purpose. And and now there is no course left open for me to take but to i)rt' vent his intimacy in our family from going any further. I coiiM not bear a single blot upon your fair name." " But father," interrupted Grace, " George denies having e\ui committed the wrong he has been accused of. Why won't you believe him 1 " Because my dear girl, I must have proof in a matter of so much importance — where the happiness of my only daughter j is concerned." " Father," said Grace, " if you will permit me to visit j George, I am sure he will listen to my appeal, and give you I the explanation required. Do let me go, father. Oh ! if you | knew how miserable I am you would not refuse me." " My dear child I cannot even do this ; but you may write to i him, and I pray God he will listen to you." " Oh ! Father, if you would only allow me to go and see liira. I am sure he would heed me. Won't you, father 1 Jackj could go with me." " Do not ask me, Grace. It is very hard for me to refiis«| you ; but I cannot give my consent to this. If you write earnest appeal to him, surely he will answer it." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 191 " Then I will write to him ; but I feel that I could do so much better if I saw him and spoke to him." » I do trust," said Mr. Meredith, " that he will explain this unfortunate affair, for I cannot think liim guilty." "He has not told me in his letter what he is accused of," .said Grace ; "only that he is innocent of the accusations made against him to you." " I cannot tell you either, my daughter. You will simply iwk him to give me the explanations I require." " I will do so, father, but if he should refuse, I will never yieve him guilty of any crime or dishonor ; neither can I change my great love for him." Father and daughter then separated, the latter to write the letter on which so much depended. Before doing so, however, Grace knelt down at her bedside and poured out an earnest prayer to God for reconciliation between her lover and her father. Alas ! eve\i the prayers sent from the heart do not always meet with the response poor mortals most desire, 192 " DOT IT DOWN ;" CHAPTER XV. HEN Grace had finished her letter, slic called hoi two brothers, Jack and Tom, and entrusted tin precious epistle to their care ; at the same tiuii asking them to be sure and wait for an answer. As soon as the two boys started on their ]ni.v sion, Tom said — "What is the matter between George and Grace ? There must be something when she is writing to him ; she never did that before." " I think," returned Jack, " there is something \\\), because, did you notice how anxious and carewoi-n Gracie seemed wlitn she gave us the letter ! If it's George's fault, I think you -ml I can lick him, eh, Tom ?" "Yes! and what is more, we'll do it," replied Tom; "Imt, perhaps George is not to blame at all, it may be some one else ; for I never yet found George Wade doing a mean action." " Nor I," said Jack ; " so we won't condemn him without hearing his story first." The two boys were at a loss to conjecture the reason for what appeared to them theii* extraordinary mission, for they were shrewd Enough to see tliat something unusual had occurred. So the moment they reached the Hudson Bay Company's store LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 193 at St. Bonifaco, thoy bolted in ui)on George, aiul witlioiit tlio slii'litcst hesitation tlioy ))otli blurted foilli — - '•What's u}), George, between you and Gi-jico'?" George was soniewliat unprepared for tliis sudden outbmst j but replied that ho hoj)ed there was nothing. "But there must be sonuthing, for Gracio looked so pale and — iiiid — she seemed as if she'd been crying." Poor George's heart sank within him, and he turned away to liule liis emotion. Come, George," said Tom, " tell us all that has hai)pened ; jtioth Jack and I don't believe you are to blame." "And you are right," exclaimed Wade; "for I am not to blame, but I have some wicked enemies." "Who are theyV asked both boys at once, "and we'll fix [tlicm; just tell us who they are." Jack and Tom now remembered for the first time that they Iliad a letter for George, Jack, therefore, took it from his ll^'ket, and handed it to Wade, saying that an answer was tx|)ected. George, when he received the letter, asked to be txcused, and went into his bedroom to read the contents, fear- ng to betray any emotion before the boys. Jack and Tom [ooked at each other, but said nothing. George remained some me in his room ; it was a trying moment for him ; a fierce iittle was going on in his mind. The api)eal of Grace went uect to his heart* and there arose a very strong temptation break his promise, so as to avoid the pang of separation pill her at last ; however, his better nature prevailed, and lie pt down to write his final answer on the subject. He de- plied the painfulness of his position, and how much he felt ^nngto refuse the desired explanations; but he wrote, "You, |.Vown dear Grace, would be the first to condemn me were I to crifice my honor in this matter, and I can assure you that I 1!)4 "DOT IT DOWN;" would be doing so were I to bi'eak the promise I gave some years ago. More I cannot say, except to reiterate that I am guiltless of any crime; ; and T ask you not to condemn nu; until I am permitted to explain all, which I trust will be ere long. J will once more ask your father not to enforce our threatened separation, and trust to his kind heart not to bo too liarsh upon me. Whatever hapitens, my own sweet Grace, I will never cease loving you, and will ever think of your great kind- ness to me. I will write to your father to-day, and I do hope for a favorable reply." The letter then went on to descriln! how he had fought with his inclinations in oi)position to his sense of what was right, and renewed his protestations of low and constancy. As soon as he had sealed the letter, ho went out to where Jack and Tom were waiting, and handed it to them. "Can't you leave the store," asked Tom, "and come over with us and see Gracie 1 Come along, George." " Oh ! how I wish to go," thought George ; but he replied, " I am sorry to say, Tom, that I cannot do as you ask, for your I father has prohibited me from visiting your house until certain matters in which my honour has been mixed up with arej cleared away." " Then why don't you clear them away?" asked Jack. " The story is a long one," replied George, " and one whichj I. cannot fully explain to you, but in a few words I may sayj that some years ago I became involved in an unfortunatej 'scrape, and foolishly pledged myself not to reveal certain facts,! which, although they would clear myself, would certainly impH-j cate another. By some means I have raised enemies in River, who have got hold of the circumstances of that unfortuj nate affair, and they have made use of them to poison the mil of your father against me, I am prevented by my proB LIFK IN TIIK NOirni-WEST. 11)5 fwux freeing myself, and yoiir ftitlier, until I tun able to rlo so, has f(»i'l»i(l(lon my visiting yonr house. I do not blamo Mr. MorwUth; but it is a sad l)low to mo who began to look upon voiir home almost as my own." "Do yon know who your enemies are]" askeogun to coniniit their drprcdations, olse, slid Mr. Mci't'ditir.s friend, " we mi^iit luivo to experionco a hot time of it driving' tlirough this tall ^'IUsh." In several places, where tlu; land was high, they found heaps (if stones piled one upon the other ; these had he<'n erected V)y Indians years before, for some pnipose peculiar to their trihe. At last they came to a small lake, ami tlu' •gentleman who was with Mr. Meredith alij^hted from th«' buggy, for the; purpose iif having a shot at somiMlucks that were within range. The long grass served as a good shield for the sportsman until ho reached the margin of the lake, ant thing he had to stake, and that, too, was about to disappear, when he made a clutch at it, and endeavoured to prevent tlir winner from taking possession of his gain. In an instant a long knife was drawn, the loser was threatened, if he would not desist. Quick as lightning the Indian who had lost, span' upon his more fortunate associate ; a dreadful struggle took place, in the midst of which the two Indians rolled down tlie river bank, and when they reached the bottom, one was deail. The winner had lost his life, and the loser had killed him. Th murderer did not return to the group, but walked quickly awav in the direction of the town. The avenger was on his track,! however, in the shape of the brother of the murdered man, aui next morning the murderer was found lying in his own gore. amidst the signs of a fearful struggle that had taken place diir ing the night. Such is Indian life. Mr. Meredith was very much shocked at what he had wit nessed ; but was assured by Mr. Lister that such scenes did m often occur in the neighborhood of the settlement. We will now pass quickly over several days which clap during which George Wadt; had again been refused adniissio to the Meredith family, witliout the necessary explanatioi Grace felt the position of her lover very much — so miicli, ii deed, that it began to prey upon her health. Still Mr. Mei dith held out, although his heart bled for both George ai Grace. « > Both Jack and Tom remained true to their word, and nii LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 201 i a sly visit was pcaid by the two boys to George Wade ; and each time they went to see him they always had a good deal to ! ,say about Grace, although not from her. In the meanwhile, Mr. Meredith had taken possession of Grosse Isle, and was pre- paring for his trip among the farmers. Before starting out, however, he set Jack and Tom at work to gather in as much I liay as possible. This was done by means of a mower and liorse-rake, both of which the boys understood ho^v to manage. Mr. Meredith gave instructions to his sons to go on cutting un- til lie returned from his search for cattle. And while the two boys are roving over the prairie, cutting the grass wherever they found choice spots, we will follow Mr. Meredith in his trip lamongst the farmers. By the direction of Mr. Lister, he commenced at the parish [of Ivildonan, and visited the several houses to which he had pen directed. In this way he became acquainted with many jof the Scotch settlers, and found them a thrifty, well-to-do, and [intelligent set of men. During his perambulations through the ettlement, Mr. Meredith collected a great deal of information regarding the earlier days of Red River, as well as a consider- able insight into the manners and customs of the people. The farm houses, as a general thing, he found to be built of logs, pry comfortably furnished. Indeed, he was quite surprised i*) find many farmers living in as good circumstances as any ^hom he knew in Canada. He found himself invariably treat- iwith the greatest hospitality wherever he w^ent, and enjoyed chat with some of the old inhabitants of the place. One evening he called at the house of a farmer, whose father ad. come to the country with the first brigade of Scotch immi- ants, in 1812, under the patronage of the Earl of Selkirk. p. Meredith was invited to spend the night at this house, fliich invitation he gladly accepted. As soon, therefore, as the N 202 "DOT IT DOWN;" dishes had been cleared away from the tea-table, and the pipes lighted, the following conversation took place between the o' ! man and Mr. Meredith : — " I believe," said the latter, that you were one of the first of the Scotch settlers who came to this country." " Aye, indeed, was I," answered the old man ; " and a hard time we had of it. It's mighty comfortable and fine now-a- days here ; but I can remember the time when there was neither comfort or safety around these parts." " I can easily imagine that," said Mr. Meredith. " So you may," replied the other. " It was in the year 1812 when we arrived at Hudson Bay, and a dreadful hard time wt had of it coming from York Factory to this place, We thought we had escaped our greatest danger when Ave left the ocean behind us, but we little dreamed what was before us. Eh, man, but we had to work hard to get along, and it was only through the mercy of Divine Providence that we got here at all." " I suppose," suggested Mr. Meredith, " it was a great re- lief when you at last reached your destination." " Not much of that after all," said the old man ; "for we had hardly set our feet in the country when a lot o' these daft deevils — the Indians — came and gave us warning to start at once out o' it. We thought they were Indians, but ve were mistaken, for they were nothing more nor less thau a lut o' scamps belonging to the North- West Company, dressed up for the occasion to frighten us." " And were they so cruel as to try and drive you out of the country after your long and dangerous journey ]" *' Deed were th'^y ; and go we had too. Oh ! it was hard ; I and the miserable deevils next thing to robbed us of every | thing we had ; only, I will say, that before they left us they j LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 203 treated us better, and I've always thought that it was'na of their free will that they used us as they did at first." " Where did you go then ?" " To Pembina, where we had to live all winter in tents, and hail to support ourselves as best we could by hunting." " How did you get on after that miserable winter T* asked Mr. Meredith. " We returned to the settlement the next summer," was the reply, " and commenced preparing for farming, having procured soiiie seed wheat from Fort Alexander. We expected some friends of ours that fall from Scotland ; but as they did'na come, we went away back to Pembina for the winter. Oh ! that was a hard time — much harder than before, for the deevils of lialf-breeds would'na let us hunt for a living ; so in the spring we went back to the settlement, vowing never to return to Pembina." " I have heard a great deal about the North- West Company troubles. I suppose you were through them 1 " " Certainly, I was, and it is only a wonder that I am here to tell you," said the old man. " It was first one thing and then another ; house burning, robbing and killing, until it was'na safe to be seen abroad. The Hudson Bay Company tried to k our friends, but they were not powerful enough ; and the consequence was when our friends arrived from Scotland, in- stead of a fine thriving country, they found nothing but ruins piiil desolation. Then came the killing of Governor Semple ; ut, oh ! the story is a long one to tell you ; the end o' it a' fas, however, that we spent a miserable time of it, between ghting and famine ; but I don't blame the half-breeds as lueh as I do the deevils that urged them on to it, for my ng experience amang the French tells me that they are not a <' 204 " DOT IT DOWN ;' blood thirsty 'nor quarrelsome people, unless they are driven to it by wicked deevils behind the bush." " How were those troubles ended ?" asked Mr. Meredith. " Lord Selkirk arrived in the country," said the old man, "in 1817, and after that things began to mend. It, was then that this parish got its name of Kildonan ; and, in fact, tlie plans of the settlement laid." " I suppose your trials were then pretty much over V '' As far as fighting was concerned we had little more of that ; but we suifered a great deal from famine during the t^o next winters. First, because we were too late in sowing, and the next summer the grasshoppers came and destroyed every- thing in the shape of vegetables or grain in the settlement. The sufferings we then had to endure were terrible, and almost as bad as the deevilish acts of the North- West Company ; and what made it worse, some French families arrived from Can- ada about the same time, which made so many more moutl.: to feed. In 1819 the grasshoppers again appeared, and ever since then they have been off and on the plague of Red River Settlement, although we have never been without seed in the country," " Well," exclaimed Mr. Meredith, " your way has certain- ly been up hill in this country." " That it has," sighed the old man, " but it is some consola- tion for me to look around and see my children a' sae liappy and comfortable. They havna had sic hard times in their Hfe- time as their auld grandfather ; and best of all for them, they I enjoy the pleasure of hearing a minister o' their ain persuasion — a blessing which I didna enjoy for many a day when I first came to the country, for they would na' give us a Scotch min| ister for a lang time." I have heard," said Mr. Meredith, " that the Hudson Bay! (( LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 20 and North-West Companies amalgamated ; how tlid things progress after that 1" " Aye," said the old man, " they joined hands in 1821, and from that time the settlement has been getting better and bet- ter until it is what you see it now, but it wasna a' plain sailing cither ; for we suffered a deal with grasshoppers and floods and sucli like, but we have now no reason to complain, an' you'll find a' the people in Kildonan well to do, and most o' them have money invested in Canada and the old country." Mr. Meredith, having spent a pleasant evening, now retired to his bed, as he had to make an early start in the morning. His conversation with the old man had shown him the hardy, persevering nature of one class of settlers in Red River, and gave him a favorable opinion of the people he had come to live amongst. In the morning, as Mr. Meredith drove along down the set- tlement, he found the words of the old Scotch settler fully veri- fied, for the houses of the farmers presented a thrifty, tidy ap- pearance, while their farm-yards indicated a flourishing condi- tion of affairs. About every mile he came across a wind-mill in active operation, grinding the grain for the neighbouring far- mers. These mills, although rough in appearance, answer the purpose very well, and prevent the settlers from having to car- ry their grist a long distance. The road leading from Fort Garry to the Stone Fort runs I along the Red River, about half a mile distant from the banks. The space between the road and the river side is generally di- vided into fields, while beyond is open prairie, neither fenced in iior cultivated. The cattle belonging to the settlers are al- lowed, during the summer months, to roam at will over the Iprairie, undisturbed in the enjoyment of an abundance of pas- [ture-ground. 206 "DOT IT DOWN;" After passing Kildonan, Mr. Meredith found himself in 8t. Paul, another flourishing parish, which also gave signs of pros- ptjrity and carefulness. The houses were more scattered tlian in Kildonan, but everywhere thrift and industry gave token of being at work. The next parish is St. Andrews, the largest in the settlement — both it and St. Paul being inhabited by Eng- lish half-breeds, most of whom earn a livelihood by farming. Mr. Meredith had now succeeded in picking up about tliirty animals, principally oxen, and, after having gone as far as the Stone Fort, he resolved upon returning home, intending to take a trip up the Assiniboine to finish his complement of cattle. In his conversations with several of the farmers, both English and Scotch, Mr. Meredith found out that all kinds of vegetabhs flourished well in the settlement, as well as barley, oats and wheat. At several places on the road he passed large numbers of sheep grazing on the prairie, and from their appearance, he was led to believe that wool-growing would yet prove a profit- able business in the settlement, a fact which is now admitted by all who are capable of judging. Mr. Meredith on his way home drove out to Grosse Isle, to see how his two boys were getting on, and found that they had cut quite a quantity of hay, which would have to be secured immediately, so as to escape the ravages of the prairie fires. The purchase, therefore, of the remaining twenty head of cattle was left over until the hay could be collected in and properly stacked. Mr. Meredith accordingly paid a short visit to tlie Harrican farm, and returned to Grosse Isle, where he remained with his sons and one or two men for several days, \intil a the hay was hauled into the yard. Jack and a couple of men were then left in charge of M stock, while Mr. Meredith and Tom returned home, where tlieT| found Mrs. Meredith and Grace looking anxiously for theirj LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 207 aniviil. Mr. Meredith now began to think sei-iously about purchiising the Harrican farm ; and on that account, before his (lo[»iirture up tlie Assiniboine river, he called on Jack Harrican to consult with him on the subject. It appears that Cool still insisted upon his right to the pro- l)erty, and Jack, therefore, could do nothing more than sell the fann to Mr. Meredith, subject to the decision of the next Court. This Mr. Meredith agreed to, pay'ig Harrican, at the same time, a small sum of money to bind the bargain. The night on which this agreement was entered into, Mrs. Meredith gave her husband a sound rating for what she con- sidered several delinquencies. In the first place, the trouble k'tween George Wade and Grace was expatiated upon by the good old lady. Her heai-t, as we have before said, was soft, altliougli her tongue, at times, uttered hard and unkind expres- sions. In this case the softness of her heart moved a feeling of jiity within her towards the two lovers, and the only relief she could find was in expressing her disapprobation of the course J taken by Mr. Meredith towards George. This she did in her usual style, by giving her good man a regular curtain lecture on the night of his arrival from Grosse Isle. But there were times when Mr. Meredith could listen to his wife's lemarks without allowing them to influence him in the least, and unfor- jtunately for George and Grace he received this curtain lectui-e Ivithout permitting it to alter his purpose in the least. " Look you here, Mr. Meredith," his good wife said, " sup- we anyone had stepped in between you and me before we we married, and our folks had listened to such nonsense, rhere would you have been now ?" " In Red River all the same, I suppose," returned Mr. Mere- [ith, "and you'd have been Mrs. Somebody else." "You wretch !" exclaimed the excited old lady, "is that the 208 "DOT IT DOWN;*' way you Hpoak to mo after all tlio years wc liavo spout to gotlier." " Well, wife, it's only a supposition after all, and can't do a gi'oat (leal of harm. We're too old to sejmrate now." " I've a great mind to start })ack to Canada to-morrow." " I think," said her tantalizing luisband, " you'd better go to sleep and dream over it." " You will have you own way, sometimes, Mr. Meredith. continued the old lady ; " but I would like you to know tliat you're Ijreaking your child's heart as fast as yo\i can. Gnicit can't bear such things easily. Haven't you noticed how piilc and miserable she is looking now-a-daysl" " Good wife," exclaimed Mr. Meredith, " you never fouiiil me a harsh husband nor an exacting father ; but in this ciisc I feel it my duty to forbid George Wade to enter our lious(> until j he can or will clear up the stories I have heard about liiiii. Gracie, no doubt, feels it very much now, but her good sense will soon teach her that it is for the best." " I don't believe any of the stories you have been told about I George, for I always found him good and kind ; and, in my opinion, it is that rascal. Cool, who has been trying to injure him. I can see through a millstone sometimes, should it be ever so thick. Yes, there is always a hole in the centre of iij Mr. Meredith, you are fast becoming a wretch." " So you say ; but, good wife, joking aside, all I ask ofl George Wade is to explain things. I like the young fellow ail well as you do, and am not inclined to believe anything againstj him. Why won't he speak V " Don't he tell you, because he has given some promise longago,j which he would have to break were he to explain things to you. " I do not think a promise of that kind should be kept, es cially under the circumstances." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 209 "Ocorgo Wjulo does not tliink so," said Mrs. Meredith, "and you ought, for Graciti's sake, to take his word that lie is inno- cent, and trust to his exphiining every tiling hereafter." "It is for Gracie's sake that I will not take his word, much as I like the lad." " You needn't let them get married," suggested the old lady, "and still not forbid him the house altogether." " Good wife, I feel I am doing everything for the best ; so there is no use talking any more about it." " You'll yet be son'v for what you're doing, you'll see," said Mrs. Meredith as she indignantly turned her back upon her sjwuse. Grace felt her separation from George Wade very much, slie liad learned to love him dearly, and love with her was no passing passion to be easily laid aside. Many a silent tear did she shed over her hard lot. Her usual buoyancy of spirits gave way to fits of melancholy ; and her mother saw with dis- may her only daughter pining away before her eyes. Mr. Meredith, who happened to be very much away from home looking after his stock farm, did not observe the change in Grace, and therefore saw no reason for altering his opinion abut the wisdom of the course he was pursuing towards George Wade. Jack (who was now at home) and Tom, however, saw the [change in their sister, and paid many a visit to George, not only to try and get him to explain matters to their father, but also to bring little messages (invented for the purpose) between the lovers. This although done with the best of intentions by [the boys, worked more harm than they were aware of. During one of these visits, while Mr. Meredith was up the |Assiniboine buying catcle, George handed Tom a package and ' letter which he desired the boy to give to his father first, to 210 "DOT IT DOWN;" b(3 then Imiulod to O race. Tom promised faithfully to p«>rf()rm the Korvice, but inwardly ho resolved that his fatlwr wouM never see them. Accordingly, on his return home, Tom went immediately i, Grace and handing the package and letter to her said that tluy were from (Jeorge. Grace seized tin; l(!tter, and with trembling hands i)roceedLil to open it, hoping that at least the desired explanations win- about to bo given. Alas, what a disappointment was in store for her. The letter read as follows : — "My Own Dear Grace, — In honour I was bound to first send this to your father before you could receive it. To think that I am thus separated from the one who is dearest to me upon earth, is dreadful. I cannot stand it any longer, and liavo written this to say farewell for a time. Although I never can forget you, yet the fact of my being so near you without being able ' ^ see your sweet face, makes me miserable. I have therefore accepted an offer from the Company to take charf,'c of a small post in the interior. There I will be away from tlio scene of so much unhappiness to me. I start from here in a week, and expect to return in a few months. I entertain ih' hope by that time to be free from my unfortunate promise, ami would ask until then to believe me true to our plighted faitli. Oh! my dear Grace, although the present is hard to bear, 1 hope the future will be fraught with much happiness fur ii<. You remember some time ago I told you of Barron's feelings towards you. Before leaving, he entrusted the small package which I send you to my care, asking me to give it to you after his departure for York Factory. I now fulfil his wishes, and hope there will be nothing in the package to cause you any further misery. Keep up your heart, my darling, in the hope that i LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 211 kind Providcnco will sen us through our trou])k'S, aud think of rae JW your ** Loving, devoted, " Although unhn,i)py, "Gfoikie." The letter scTVod only as another pang of sorrow to poor llnicc, when she thought of her lover going so far away, to be rxposi'il, perhaps, to dangers or siekness, with no chance of her liting ii))le to sec him. It seemed but an addition to hor tiuublcs, which were already gi eater than she could bear. Long and silently she sat with the letter crushed in her liaiul ; her pale face giving token of the deep distress she was ill. At last the package from liarron attracted her attention, ;is it lay on the table before her. "What can it be?" she thought. " I wonder if there could bo anything in it to unravel this unhappy mystery that hangs over poor George's head." Had she known that the solution of the mystery then lay lufore her, what a world of nusery it could have saved her. Ejigerly undoing the outside covering of the package, she •liscovered a small wooden box, inside of which she found a lliaiidsomely carved silver casket. The workmanship on it showed plainly that it was the work of no modern artificer or jiiii'xperienced workman — in fact it was a valuable little box. Grace opened the lid, wondering what could be the meaning jofthe strange gift, and discovered a small note lying at the |hottom of the casket. It read as follows : — " My Dear Miss Meredith, — Mine has been a hopeless Pw. Your image will ever be with me ; but I have a presen- timent that my life will be a short one. Farewell ! and think bndly of one who loved, but without hope. I have sent this a parting gift. Guard it well — it is more valuable than you 212 "DOT IT DOWN;" imagine. With this note, you will find in the casket a small sealed package. My earnest desire is that you do not opoii this until your marriage day. That God may bless both you and George, will be the last wish of " Frederick Barron." Grace took the small sealed package from the casket. Oh ! how she longed to open it ; but the wisli of Barron liad to h respected, and, with a sigh, she placed it back once more in its case. "My marriage day," thought Grace; "that seems along way off." Had she known the great value of the casket to her and her happiness, would she have obeyed the wish of Mr. Barron! Who can tell 1 . ■ K (0- LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 213 CHAPTER XVI. 2..,. look about as he foil -rooted mel- nd, and all B him from perhaps, ih The Fort it- learance and ) serve as the Garry after -^ernor of Ra- } in the set- lation. The )od abounds 3 wood. )wards Lake 3k at some of id steersman. yir. B?a"roii's| )rt in stature, ■arrowed fe.v ,nv a storm. I lon his lips; to encoiiragel is eye m sharp and keen, while his strong arm showed great dexterity in wielding the heavy sweep that served as a rudder for the boat. One, to look at his easy, confident manner, as he stood at the stern of the small vessel, felt little fear in trusting to his management. The guide who had charge of the brigade on this occasion, '.vas a tall, muscular man, who evidently had spent the greater portion of his life at the work he was engaged in. Unlike the steersman we have described, he was a man of few words, of a kindly disposition however ; well liked by the men, and, there- fore, having great influence over them. It is a noticeable fact that the French half-breed can be led by kindness to do what you want than by severity or roughness ; iliey will not be driven, but are easily led. The guide in a brigade generally has a tent for himself, although he- does not ahvays make use of it ; and when there are any Com- pany officers on board, they generally eat first, then the jj'uide and steersman, and the boatmen by themselves. Like the bands who go to the buffalo-hunt, the brigades engaged in freighting goods have their own customs, laws, and a certain [kind of discipline peculiar to themselves. On this occasion, the guide and Mr. Barron occupied the ame tent, and ate together, and, through the request of Mr. rron, Cadotte, the old steersman, formed one of their party. lis made matters more pleasant and comfortable on the jour- ey ; and old Cadotte, who saw that Mr. Barron was low-spii it- did all in his power to enliven him with anecdotes, descrip- ons), and jokes. Mr. Barron, however, could not rouse him- If, and gradually grew worse and worse, until at last he would rt with nervousness on the slightest occasion. As soon as they entered Lake Winnipeg, the wind being »r, they hoisted their large square sail. The rowers ceased 216 "DOT IT DOWN;" their labours, and lounged about the boat in all sorts of atti tudes. Old Cadotte, with his long sweep, seemed in his elo ment, and even Mr. Barron roused liimself for a while uiKltt the invigorating breeze and excitement of the boat plun^in' along over the waves. The wind, however, began to increase, until it blew a perfect hurricane ; but, fortunately for them, it was a fair one, and Cadotte decided upon keeping on their course, although usually, when it blows very hard, the York boats put into some of the harbours, generally to be found dose to the islands that dot the lake. Thus they flew before thi wind ; no jokes now escaped from the lips of the old steersman ; he became all attention to his duty, and nobly did he perform his task. Now and again, however, he turned his eyes in the direction of the heavens, as if to see whether the storm was abating or likely to become worse. Towards evening the sky became com- pletely overcast. A peal of thunder, followed by a briglit flash of lightning, told those in the boat that they had to prepare for j danger. The sail was shortened as well as it could be. Old Cadotte stood on the stern of the small vessel, his lips com- pressed, and his dark eyes with quick rapid glances taking in I as it were the whole position of affairs. " It can't be helped, ' he muttered, "we've got to run before it now; but," turning to Mr. Barron, he said, "I'm glad, sir, the other boats have| found shelter." Poor Barron did not seem to realize their danger, for he I remained sitting beside the steersman, his head resting on the side of the boat. Not a word did he utter in reply to old Cadotte. He seemed perfectly careless whether they sank orj not. The rain now fell in torrents, but fortunately the thuiulerl storm soon passed over, leaving the sky quite clear, altliougli| the wind continued to blow as hard as ever. ; LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 217 Night now came on — the stars glimmered in myriads over- head as they scudded along over the rolling waves. The worst was past, yet still Cadotte felt that all his attention was neces- sary to keep the boat from being swamped. At this juncture Mr. Barron suddenly raised his face, his eyes became riveted as if on some object. Slowly rising from his stooping position, his head thrown forward, he hoarsely whispered to Cadotte — "Do you see her 1 There ! there ! — away ahead. Look, she is beckoning to us to come on. Oh ! Cadotte can't you make this boat go faster. Grace ! Grace ! we're coming — we're coming. My God, Cadotte, shake out that sail and let us go faster." At this moment he gave a loud scream. *' She's gone — she's gone," the exclaimed, and then fell back at the feet of Cadotte. The latter, greatly surprised as well as alarmed, now called I out to Deschambault, the guide, who was at the bow of the boat— " Deschambault, come here, there is something themat- |ter with Mr. Barron." The guide immediately came to where Mr. Barron lay, and [taking his hat he dipped it into the lake and sprinkled water lover the face and head of the unconscious man. Mr. Barron slowly opened his eyes on being thus revived, [and the first question he asked was — "Did you see her, and has she really gone V "We didn't see anything, sir," answered Cadotte. " You've not been well since you started. It was all fancy, sir, there m no one near the boat." "There was I tell you," querulously answered Barron. Surely I'm not blind, and I saw her as plainly as I see you." " Saw who V* asked Deschambault. "Never mind," replied Barron, sinking back again. ['What's the use ; if it was a vision, it only proves that my presentiment will come true. I won't be a long liver." 218 "DOT IT DOWN;" Both Deschambault and Cadotte looked at each other ani shook their heads. They had learned to both admire and like Barron, and they felt very much pained to see him in the con-l dition he was. They knew, from there being no liquor in thel boat, that he could not be intoxicated, and the only other verJ sion they could place upon his strange conduct was that hel must be very ill and delirious ; they therefore paid every attcnJ tion to him, and as soon as they reached Norway House theji reported the matter to the doctor in charge. To their surprise, however, they saw Mr. Barron apparently in perfect health walking about, and the doctor told them that] he could find nothing the matter with him. The vision on tlie lake therefore remained a mystery to the two men. Norway House is an important post belonging to the Hudson Bay Company. The annual council of chief factors and cli traders is held there, and all the business of the Company in the North-West discussed, and such changes made as are deem] ed necessary. Norway House is built upon an island at tliJ mouth of one of the tributaries to Lake Winnipeg, called Jacli| Eiver. Opposite, on another island, is a small Indian vil of two hundred inhabitants. A Catholic priest resides there j and the Hudson Bay Company has a small store for the accoinj modation of the villagers, and still more so of the Compaiiyj who collect a large quantity of furs through it. Mr. Barron's boat remained at Norway House for a day anJ a night, to await the coming of the rest of the brigade thatlia(| stayed behind on account of the storm. During the evening of the night they thus lay over at Noij way House, Mr. Barron had another mental visitation tW started all the inmates of the Fort. It appears while Company's officers were sitting chatting with Mr. Barron tea, he suddenly rose to his feet, exclaiming, " Hist ! Wl LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 219 I't you hear that 1 There ! there ! (pointing round the room) don't you hear the rustling of a silk dress ; but I can see no one. There," sinking back upon his chair, the perspira- tion streaming down his pale face, he exclaimed, " My God what can it mean ; this is dreadful." All those present stood aghast at this strange freak, and a deep gloom seemed to rest upon the people of the Fort, as the story was retailed from one to the other. Nor were they sorry when the missing boats arrived. And the whole brigade start- ed on its journey the next day. The boatmen began to whis- per amongst themselves regarding the strange things that had occurred, and several of them began to look suspiciously on Mr. Barron. Both Cadotte and Deschambault, however, stood by him, and as there was no repetition of the supernatural visitations during the trip, the feelings of the men gradually calmed down, until the matter became almost forgotten. Soon after leaving Norway House the portaging began, which consists in hauling the boat alongside the shore, when practicabh^ and unloading it whenever they come to rapids, of which there are a large number, between Lake Winnipeg and York Faotory. As soon as the boat is made fast at the head or foot of the rapids, the men take out the packages of goods and commence carrying thera on their backs to the point below or above. The boat is then hauled across on land, or run down the swift cur- rent, light. Voyageurs, in carrying their loads, use a broad strap of leather, which they pass across their brows and round the package or packages on their backs. By this means, strange |to say, they can carry much larger and heavier loads than by jpassing the strap across their breasts. It is a very rare sight |to see one of these voyageurs walking across a portage with his [load ; you will generally find him on what is called a "jog trot," 220 "DOT IT DOWN;" iiraiifi consequently little time is lost at a portage. This soi't of work has sometimes to be done half a dozen or a dozen times durin;' the day, and, therefore, the travelling is often slow; l)iit, takiiii; everything into consideration, the difficulties of the routo, ic, the trip from Fort Garry is not so tiresome as might be sup- posed. Nothing occurred to our party of voyageurs until tluv came to what is called " White Fall Portage," which derives its name from the peculiar color of the stone in its vicinity. Shortly after they left this place, old Cadotte went up to Mr. Barron, and asked him " whether he would like to have a lob-stick cut 1 " "A lob-stick," replied Barron, " what on earth is tliat?" Old Cadotte pointed to a large tree, standing at a bend in the river, with nothing but a few branches at the top, all tlie rest having been cut off. "There," he said, "that is a h]y\ Btick. Every officer of the Company going up or down the | first time always has one cut, and it is then named after That one there is Dr. Eae's lob-stick." " How do you manage to do it ? " asked Mr. Barron. "Why," replied the steersman, "you climb up nearly totlie| top, and then bob off the branches as you come down. Yoi had better get me to make one for you»" " All right," said Mr. Barron. The boat was put ashore, and old Cadotte was soon losl Bight of in the branches of a splendid tree. Presently tliel Bound of his axe was heard, and then the branches began tol tumble down one after the other. In a short time the truiik| was clear, except the few branches left at the top. "There," said Cadotte, "you'd better cut your name uponj it now. No one will ever touch it after that." Mr. Barron then took out his pen-knife, and cut out letters — "GRACE MEREDITH." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 221 The old steersman looked on with surprise as each letter made its appearance. At last lie remarked as the word " Grace " was finished — " you're not cutting your own name, I" >ir! "lam aware of that," replied Barron, "But, Cadotte, I want you to christen that tree * Grace Darling,' and point it out as such to all your friends." And tliere to this day the " Grace Darling " can be seen by any one in the neighbourhood of White Fall Portage. About ten miles further on, the brigade came in view of " Hell's Gates." These consist of three passages in the solid rock, through which the river rushes at the rate of five miles an hour. The passages are not much wider than sufficient to allow a York boat to pass through, and on each side the rock rises in a perpendicular wall about thirty feet high. The boats are steered for the opening of the deepest passage, I and the greatest dexterity is required on the part of the steers- man, to prevent a serious accident. In ascending these rapids the men use poles, which they insert into clefts or steps, made for the purpose, on each side of the rock. It requires a great deal of hardy perseverance on the part of the boatmen to [to ascend these rapids, as the slightest giving way on their [part would assuredly result in utter destruction. It was while running through Hell's Gates that Mr. Barron [roused himself for the first and last time from his melancholy, and seemed to interest himself in the movements of the boat's crew. " I think," he remarked, when they had descended in safety, ' that Hell's Gates is an appropriate name for that place, for it * d h ticklish spot to go through." After Hell's Gates, the party passed through Rabbit Lake nd Windy Lake ; then they came to Simpson's Opening, and 222 "DOT IT DOWN;" afterwards stopped a day at Oxford House, another IIiulsoii Bay Company's post. Oxford House is situated on the lake of the same name. The boats discharged some bales at this place, and Mr. Barron had an opportunity of once more sleeping under a roof, as Deschambault decided upon not starting en their way till morning. About half a mile from the shore, on Oxford Lake, opposite the Fort, there is a hole which it is said has never hmi fathomed. The Indians have a superstitious fear of passim; over the spot at any time, and on no account can they be induced to do so during the night. The next lake on the route is Knee Lake, a sheet of water nearly one hundred miles long, and thickly studded with small islands. Here the voya- geurs caught a number of white and jack fish, and in the evening, having landed on one of the islands, a hearty supper was made. The nexi Jay they passed a large rock in Swampy Lake, rising high out of the water. This is called " Dram Stone,' from it being the custom for the men to expect a glass of liquor j at this point, from the officer in charge of the boats. Mr. Barron, however, was unable to keep up the custom,! for, as we have said before, there was no grog on board of the boat. He had, however, to promise the expected dram to tlie| men whenever they reached York Factory. Numerous port- ages were then passed without anything of importance happen- ing, until they reached Black "Water Creek. Here the trout,! averaging from three to four pounds weight, are so thick thatj at times one can kick them out of the water ; a great deal trouble than fishing for them. We wonder what " Waltou'l would say to that. When the brigade reached a place called Mill Sand, aboull LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 223 opposite iver been )f passint; I they be ie on the dred miles the voya- md in the rty supper Jand, aboul three quarters of a mile from York Factory, Mr. Barron and Deschambault perceiving a large wliito bear on the land, had the boat put ashore and immediately gave chase. Descham- bault being a crack shot, bruin easily fell a prey to the sports- men, and when killed, was found to measure {vbout the size of an ordinary ox. These white bears are very ferocious and dangerous customers to meet ; it is, therefore, no small under- taking to go out hunting such game. The carcase of the ani- mal was left where it was killed, until they could send out from the Fort to bring it in. York Factory was at last reached, the brigade having been sixteen days on the trip — a distance of over 800 miles. Mr. Barron throughout the whole of that time had appeared to bo suffering in mind, and both Deschambault and Cadotte were very glad that he had reached York Factory without any seri- ous illness. York Factory is the largest Fort belonging to the Hudson Bay Company, as well as being the most important one. To give our readers some idea of its extent, we may mention that there are some twenty-five buildings inside the walls, as well as about ten outside. These consist of stores, dwelling-houses, workshops, offices, a school, church and powder magazine, as I well as a lookout house 90 feet high. The number of employees about the place, ranges as follows : 160 men ; 6 officers ; 1 officer in charge ; 1 minister ; 1 doctor. To this point, the Hudson Bay Company's ship pays an annual hisit, loaded with wares for the trade, and goes back bringing [the furs from the previous year's catch. The ground on which fhe Fort is built, was originally a swamp, which has since been lied up, an undertaking which must have cost a very large fum of money. There are from fifty to sixty trained dogs kept continually 224 " DOT IT DOWN ;" about York Factory, for the use of the fur tradors in winter. During tho Hummer, these animals are allowed to roam at lurgc, where they feed themselves along tho shores of Hudson Ray on the whales and fish that are thrown by tho waves upon the beach. In winter, however, they are kept locked up, and on that account become very ferocious ; as an instance of wliicli we may mention a case, where they devoured a woman and child, the scull of the latter being the only part left to show how they had perished. On tho night of Mr. Barron's arrival, he had a repetitio!! of the mysterious vision. This time, it appeared outside his win- dow. He had hardly lain down on his bed, when he distinctly heard three taps upon the glass. Immediately he si)rang from his bed and looking out, he saw to his astonishment t\w form of Grace Meredith beckoning to hini in the bright moonlight. As he endeavoured to open the window, however, the vision disappeared, and poor Barron, uttering a loud cry, fell back on the floor of his room. The noise roused several of the clerks, whose rooms adjoined his, and they rushing in, found Mr. Bar ron lying insensible on the floor, and a small stream of blood trickling from his mouth and nostrils. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 225 ^^# C r^^> \S^zhrMt Wh ^>^^ ^ ^ CHAPTER XVII. OURT clay had come at last, and tho Harrican-Cool trial was about to take place. Before describing, however, how the matter became settled between the two parties, let us take a look at the Court it- self, und how it was managed, during the Hudson Bay Company's rule. Within a picket enclosure, outside tho walls of Fort Garry, stood the court house and jail — the latter consisting of two or three cells, while the former was little more than an ordinary- sized room, with a railing dividing it in two. On one side of this stood the judge's bench, a table for the clerk of the court, and a couple of long forms for the accommodation of the jury. The rest of the room was furnished with seats sufficient for about one hundred persons. Long before the hour for opening the court, a crowd* of peo- ple could generally be seen loitering about the door in small knots, some discussing passing events of the day ; others, the merits of the several cases on the list ; while some were holding independent courts on their own behalf. These latter frequent- ly, settled cases without the necessities for judge or jury, and thus did away with unnecessary expense and a great deal of hard feeling. In fact, it often happened that not one-half of the cases on the docket ever found their way into Court, the parties, 226 " DOT IT DOWN ;" through the instrumentality of their friends, agreeing between themselves beforehand. We may mention here that the law, as administered in Red Eiver, under the H. B. C. rule, savored more of equity than a mere regard for legal technicalities. It was, in fact, little more than a form of arbitration, where the rights of both contending parties were heard, and justice done as far as possible on the actual merits of the case. About ten o'clock, his Honour usually appeared, walking from the Fort to the court house, and immediately all parties hasten- ed in to secure their seats. On the bench were three magis- trates, as well as the sheriff, to assist his Honor; and generally the first act of the judge, on entering the court room, was to wish the magistrates all a very good morning. The next, to ar- range his books and papers ; after which he desired the sheriff to call out the names of the constables, and, silence being then proclaimed, the Court was duly declared open for business. The judge was a mild, pleasant looking old gentleman, with snow-white hair and whiskers. There was nothing very for- midable in his appearance to frighten offenders ; indeed his mildness of disposition, and great desire for fairness, often mude him the victim of men in the heat of argument, who, in any other court, would have been committed for contempt. On th^ morning we speak of, before any case was called, a long, thin man stood up, and addressed the judge, to the effect that one of the magistrates on the bench before him had charged him six shillings for issuing a warrant in a criminal case, and contended that " he had no right to do so." The judge thereupon remonstrated with the magistrate, but the latter thought, as he had possession of the six shillings, he would keep them. His Honour, therefore, turned to the lodg, thin man, and delivered judgment as follows ; LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 227 " The Court believes you will get back your six shillings." "Seeing's believing," muttered the unhappy loser of the money, as he walked away. And now, when the Court is going on with the cases before it, let us take a look at one outside, in which we are more interested. A group of persons, consisting of Mr. Meredith, Jack and Robert Hamcan, Cool and Whirl, stood together, and the substance of their conversation referred to the late transaction concerning the Harrican Farm. It appears that Cool and Whirl had begun to disagree, and that the latter threatened to "split" on the former. Cool, therefore, thought his best course would be to settle the matter without going into Court, especially as he began to find out that his claim on the farm in any case would be a verj' doubtful one. As we have said in a former part of our story, Robert Harrican was indebt.^d to Cool for a certain sum of money. Cool consequently offered to hand over to Jack the paper which Robert had signed, provided the debt which the latter owed him was paid beforehand. Jack had every desire to see his brother free from Cool ; and, although he could not well afford the money at the time, he agreed to the peremptory demand. The party then adjourned to Cool's house, and the business was finally settled, without the necf ssity for any legal cxpens cs. Whirl accompanied Mr, Meredith from the houce, after the completion of the bargain, and as they walked away together lie said : — " I very much regret having mixed myself up in this aLj,ir at all, but the fact is I did not at the time understand the real features of the case. It now appears to me as a rascally tran- saction altogether." " Very much that way," returned Mr. Meredith. 228 "DOT IT DOWN;" " I hope you will exculpate me from having had any share in it, after I became aware how matters stood 1 " " I really have nothing to do with it," coldly returned Mr. Meredith. Very little more was said between the two men until they separated. Mr. Meredith, however, saw through the dirty transaction, and his faith in both Cool and Whirl was wholly destroyed. We will now return to the Court, and watch the proceedings thijre. A hard case was being tried, the circumstances of which were as follow : — A trader in the settlement, by the name of Sharp, had purchased a quantity of buffalo robes from a plain hunter, for which he had given his note, payable in three montlis. The buffalo robes were sent to St. Paul for rale, and on their way they got damaged by water,, so much so that their value do teriorated considerably. When the plain hunter called on Sharp for payment of the note, he was coolly told that he would have to make a de- duction, as the robeb did not bring the price in St. Paul which they ought to have done. The plain hunter expostulated, but all to no p"rpose ; either the deduction had to be made, or the note would not be paid. The resait of all this was that the case came before the Court which we are at present describing, and judgment was delivered against Sharp. It was generally the custom for the party against whom a judgment was delivered, to state the day on which he would be ible to pay the amount, and if the length of time was too great, the prosecutor had the right to object to it. In this case the plain hunter insisted that the amount of the note, as well as the costs, should be paid that afternoon. During the day^ therefore, the sheriff visited Mr. Sharp, LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 229 prepared to execute the judgment, in case he did not receive the amount claimed by it. Mr. Sharp could not pay the sum required, and the sheriff thereupon proceeded to seize his goods and chattels, when, to his surprise, Mr. Sharp set upon aim, vowing that he would resist any such action, and dared the Hudson Bay Company to do their worst. The sheriff, not expecting any such resistance, immediately withdrew, but afterwards returned with two constables, by whom the in- vincible Mr. Sharp was tied hand and foot, and quickly carried to the jail. Now it happened that Sharp was a mutual friend of the two worthies. Cool and Whirl, and they therefore felt very dis- consolate over his trying position. On the night of the im- prisonment, therefore, Whirl paid a visit to his friend Cool. The latter sat ruminating over tht events of the day when the fui-mer entered the room. "Good evening. Whirl." " Good evening, Cool." "You played me a dirty trick to-day. Whirl." " You played me a dirtier one a week ago." " How so r' asked Cool. " I suppose you are aware of having secured all Morin's furs without giving me the slightest chance on my debt. I wouldn't think anything of that, had we not an agreement on such matters existing between us ; but are you also aware that you gave him a lot of old mink and marten of your own, which you advised him to mix in with some ot his good furs, and offer the whole thing to me, you making up the difference on his part of the transaction ? That was sharp of you, wasn't it ? But you overlooked the fact that I'm as old a trader as yourself, and that I could 'spot' your furs the moment I saw them. However, the only one who izAly suffered in the affair 230 "DOT IT DOWN ;" I m was Morin ; for, as sure as fate, I'll put him through a coiirsi of sprouts the moment I have the chance." Cool laughed aloud. " Whu'l," he said, " it's a common thing, and you ouglit to he proud of your sharpsightedness." " Oh, I do not care about it," said Whirl, " only I didn't expect it from you exactly ; honor amongst thieves, you kiioM —eh, CooH" " 'Pshaw !" said the latter, "I only did it as a trick to try you." " One, however, which I did not appreciate, you see ; but wi won't say anything moi'.j about it — I came to see you aliom something else." " Sharp, I suppose," interrupted Cool. *' Exactly," returned Whirl, "what's to be done about himf " One thing is certain," said Cool, " I can't help him in a pecuniary shape." " I don't suppose you can," replied Whirl ; " but is there no other way by which we can get him out of the scrape 1 "' "The only way I see," said Cool, "is by getting him out of I jail. What is to prevent our taking him out 1 The Hudson Bay Company could not help themselves. A few stout nieu can put them at defiance; and I know where these same men can be found. I have just been waiting for a chance of tliid kind to give the authorities at Fort Garry some trouble. De- pend upon it, were we to take Sharp out of jail to-night, they durst not put him in again ; and it will be only an opportunity to weaken them still more in the eyes of the people. Wliai| say you. Whirl V " It's a bold attempt," said the latter, " and I fear will not I bring much credit to the actors in it. Still, anything is better | than to allow poor Sharp to remain in jail." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 231 ,4,, ,-, " We have not much time to lose, then, so we had better make up our minds as quickly as possible. Are you game 1" " As for being game," said Whirl, " it does not require a great deal of courage to undertake the thing, since there are only a couple of men on guard at the jail ; and these will have no opportunity to sound an alarm, as they are unarmed, and at some distance from the other buildings adjoining the Fort." "Will you join, then, in the attempt to-night ?" asked Cool, '•for if so, I'll have the men ready by ten o'clock." "I'll join!" at length Whirl exclaimed, after a long pause, during which he seemed to have been deep in thought ; "al- though," he added, " my opinion is thatthe whole affair will do us more harm than the Hudson Bc»,y Company, or Sharp will suffer for it in the long run." " I don't care," said Cool, " so long as we can have a slap at the Hudson Bay Company." The two conspirators now separated, one to collect the men necessary for the undertaking, the other to think over the fix he had got himself into. About half-past nine o'clock, in one of the rooms of Cool's house, might have been seen a number of armed men collected together, speaking in excited tones, and apparently eager to start out on their expedition. Whirl had not an-ived, and Cool kept anxiously looking for his appearance. There was lit- tle confiflence between these two men, and Cool felt it just pos- sible that Whirl might betray them. It was, therefore, a great relief to him when the suspected man entered the room. " What has kept you ?" asked Cool. " Nothing," replied the other • " it isn't ten o'clock yet." "We've decided upon going down to the jail one by one, so as not to attract attentii 1, and we'll all meet together just hehind the building. As soon aa we are all there, we will 232 "DOT IT DOWN;" creep silently round to the door and knock at it. The keeper not suspecting trouble, will open it, and the moment he does so we will all rush in, and in the hubbub will release Sharj). I don't expect the whole thing will last over ten minutes. Eacli man has a piece of black crape to put over his eyes, and we have all agreed that not a word is to be spoken by any one in the party. Sharp expects us, so he will not be astonished at our visit." " You've planned everything to a nicety," said Whirl. " One would almost think that you've had this sort of thing in view for some time." *' So I have," answered Cool, winking. All the men had now left the house, so the two worthies followed their example, and in a short time the whole party of jail breakers were collected together beneath the couiii liouse walls. Cool then crept round the picket wall, followed by the rest of the men, and knocked at the front door of the jail. All held their breath in readiness for the rush. Presently the bolt was drawn, and a light appeared, and before the unfor- tunate keeper had time to ask who was there, he found himself ] thrown down and trampled upon by a number of men. His comrade, hearing the noise, rushed out, but was immediately met with a blow on the head, which knocked him senseless to the floor. The lights by this time had been extinguished, so that the jail-breakers found some difficulty in finding the room in which their friend Sharp was confined. The first door they burst in belonged to a cell in which a noted woman of bad character was a prisoner. She, not knowing what was the matter, began to scream at the top of her voice, which made the hubbub still greater. In the next cell, however, they found Sharp, and, fearing discovery through the noise of the woman, I 'M w^ LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 233 Whirl. "One they liastened away with their liberated prisoner iHc'n)K> of tho piisoiKU" In'oamo known to tin Governor, lu», :ih a ]>i'ocaiitionary nicasiin!, had a nmnlM'r of Hpocial constuliK's swoi-n in to guard against a i('i»(!titioii of such an outiagt' on l!u' public poaoo and safety. To avoid anv unnocossary trouble, tho CJ«>\t'rnor, wiio was in oveiy wiiv a good man, avors(^ to anything like Hov»>rity, saw lit to cull midn Siiarp and demaiul personally what \w, intondiMl to do in ili, niatti'r. The inttTview was a long one, and resulted in tli. Governor j)aying out of his own pocket tho sum due the plaiii hunter. This was done so that a })oor man should not .sutrti, Becaust* tlu^ Government liappened to bo weak at thc! tiiiic, the Governor tlierefore, desirous of allowing the public mind tore main undisturbed, paid out of his own privates fund a largo siim of money. Sharp looked upon the matter as a happy hit on his |iiin, never taking into consideration the meanness and unftdiiifss uf 1 of tlic whole proceeding. Cool thought it a grand success, aiul a great ^•ictory over the Company. AVhirl actually felt asliiiiiid j of the part he had jdayed in it. Twaddle had just returnetl from his trip, and the next issiw of the Buster came out with a long article U})on the populaij feeling against the injustice of tho Hudson Bay (■oini)auv rule, as exemplitied by the late attack upon the jail, and release I from prison of one of their most respectable citizens. No iiiiii tion was made of the reason why that respectable citizen was I imprisoned ; it was enough that he had been put in durance vOc by the H. B. C. authorities. Jail breaking was held upasd vii'tue, and the settlers were encouraged to set the laws at| defiance, and thus destroy their only safeguard to peace ai safety. The whole article was dished up in the endeavor toj show the outside world that the settlers of Red River wei"e groaning undei- an oppressive, tyrannical government. BuU LIKK IN Till-: NOllTII-WKST. 235 iiufortiinatoly, TwtuUllo did not Hulliciuiitly undci'Htand tli« iK'oplo h(' wjiH livini; amongst ; ho had goiio too far, aH lio founil to \\'\H cost ; for hooii uftcr a doputation of roH|)(!ctal>l(! litizciis ealh^l on liiin with tho following documont, and ro- (lUOHttMl liiiM to puhlish it. Ifu at lirst rrfuHud to do ho, but at last lit' was conipoilud to hwuHow thu l)itt. Taking advantage of the weakness of the government then] existing, a few men, to further their own interests, took up tlie cudgels in favour of annexation to Canada. Unfortunately fori their cause, which in itself was a good one, they resorted to lawless and unprincipled means to carry out their project, which, instead of giving the settlers a good idea of what Caca dians were really like, actually obliged people to dread auJ] fear having anything to do with them. And it was for this reason, because such men as Sharp and Cool were connectedl with the movement, and because they resorted to such basej and barefaced means, that the very idea of annexation td Canada became to be looked upon by the settlers with suspicion,! LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 237 if not aversion. And wliat made the matter still worse, these prove of those lawless acts. I am very glad to seej this," (pointing to the Extra). LIFK IN THE NORTH-VVKST. 239 " It's an ill wind that blows no ono goo«l," saM Tom. " OM liet not out of jug l>y it, anyway." " Voii had bettor go to bed, you .scanii*," exclainiod Mr«. Mcietlith. " What havo you to do with old Boti" 240 "DOT IT DOWN;" ^mF ^•sTV^ S^WSEBp^ '^O*'''' tH ^ i-f^'mm-^'i CHAPTER XVIII. EFORE leaving for his post in the interior, Goorgf Wade received a viait from Jack and Tom, wl]fn ilie latter told him how he had delivered the letter and package to Grace, without the knowled;^ of Mr. Meredith. " I am sorry you did that," said George, "for 1 fear he will think that I have broken faith with him." " You needn't fear," replied Tom, " for father will never know anything about it." Grace, when she learned from Tom that her father had not seen the letter from George, immediately went and told Mr. Meredith that she had received the communication from her lover, accompanying the parcel from Mr. Barron, begging, at the same time, that nothing should be said to Tom on the sub- ject. Grace also obtained permission to answer Wade's letter. and this was the last correspondence that ever passed between them. George started a few days afterwards for the post in the interior. We will now look a little ahead of our story, and visit the spot where Wade was sent to, namely, Fort k la Corne. The fall had passed, and winter had thrown its snowy robe over the j country. George, who had been some time at the post, wasj preparing for an expedition in search of furs. He and his two | ^' LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 241 men ^vere, therefore, busy at work mending both harness and sleds, A:c., &c. A short distance from the post there lived a free trader, who was running opposition to the Company. George mistrusted that this opponent had some scheme in view to gain an advan- tage over him. He, therefore, sent one of his men to reconnoi- tre, and, if possible, find out the movements of the free trader. This happened at night. Cautiously the man crept towards the log cabin in which Wade's opponent IVed, and when he reached the small window, he peered i^, and found there rea- son for suspicion. The free trader and his men were sitting before their larg? fire, apparently engaged in earnest conversa- tion. The spy S3nt to watch their proceedings put his ear close to the door, and listened. The following is what he heard : — " I want to fool that new chap at the Company's post," said the free trader. * " I think we can easily do that," said one of the men ; i "he's green." "He may be green," answered the free trader; " but some- times these green hands give us a good deal of trouble. Are you sure, Louis, that those Indians will be at the place when we reach there ?" " i am certain, sure, for I saw one of them this very day, and I he told me to come and see them." " Perhaps he said they had a lot of furs," replied the trader, I sneeringly. " You needn't sneer," retorted the other, " and you needn't I go unless you like ; but I can tell you, you y ill be sorry for it. The Indian I saw said they hadn't many furs ; but did you ever |liear one of them confess how many skins he had in his lodge V *' Of course not ; but one can generally tell if they have any lor not by speaking to them." 242 "DOT IT DOWN;" " Well, I tell you, my opinion is, you'll make a good haul if you go." " Then we'll go," replied the trader. " But how will wc manage to get away without being seen by Wade at the post ]" " I'll tell you," said the trader's man who had not as yetspo ken ; " I'll go over and pay a visit at the post. While I am there, you can be getting the sleds ready, and have the dogs harnessed, so that we can leave at a minute's warning. Tlio moment the lights are out at Wade's, we'll start." " Just the thing," said the trader. " You had better go on your visit at once, then." The listener was preparing to leave, when his ears caught a very important question, put by the trader to his man : " How far is it, and which way will we go ?" Hereupon the man gave a minute description of the place, and the best road to it. The listener had heard enough ; he bolted, and in five minutes af- terwards Wade received, the whole story. George immediately sent one of his men to an adjoining store. to collect such articles as he required for the trip. The sleds were put into the same house, to be loaded up and corded. Eight of the best dogs were picked out and harnessed ; every- thing, indeed, was pretty well in readiness, when a knock came to the door of Wade's house, and soon the emissary from the trader's establishment walked in, and sat down. " Dark night," he said. " Yes, it is," replied George ; " too dark for me. I Avisli tlii moonlight would come soon, so that we could go on long trips. There's no furs to be had for any price just now. Have yon heard of any Indians around anywhere 1 But I suppose I needn't ask you," continued George, "for you wouldn't t^U me]" " You don't know me," replied the man. " I'm not over fond LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 243 of La Ronde (the trader's name), and, if you wouldn't betray me, perhaps I might tell you something to your advantage." George pricked his ears. Treachery, he thought ; and he prepared to receive the information, astonished, however, to find so much falseness where he expected nothing but faithful- ness. He did not know his man, however, for he was still more surprised to find the man describing a place in altogether an opposite direction from the spot where the Ir.dianG really were. The trader's man chuckled at having, as he thought, complete- ly blinded the Company's man, and George Wade laughed in his sleeve at what had happened. He, however, thanked the man for his information, and promised faithfully to keep the secret. Soon after this, the trader's man left, and returned to his cabin, where both he and his master, as well as Louis, had a good laugh over what they thought such a good sell on George Wade. They laughed on the wronsj side, however, the follow- ing day. The free trader and his .. -n, as soon as the time ar- rived, quietly left the house, and, with two dog trains, set oif as fast as they could go. They had not gone far, however, when George Wade and his men left the post in hot pursuit. Now it happened that the Company's dogs were far superior to those owned by the free trader. It was not long, therefore, until the latter were overtaken by the former, and as they came up alongside of each other, George shouted out, — " Where are you off to so early in the morning 1 You seem to l»e in a hurry." "So do you," replied the free ti'ader, trying to laugli. " Well, good bye, old chap ; I hope you'll get along soon ; [ I m sorry I can't wait for you." So saying, George and his I men rushed past. The free trader whipped his dogs until the poor brutes 244 ft DOT IT DOWN; nearly gave in altogether ; but all to no purpose. Georcfo had the best dogs, so the free trader, cursing his fate, resolved to follow on and take his chances. And now a word or two about dog driving. In tlio first place, the generality of the dogs used for drawing loads (hiring; the winter in the North-West, are a species of cross between the dog and the wolf, and are usually called " huskies." Tlieie are generally four of these brutes harnessed to a sled, one in front of the other ; the harness consisting of saddles, collai-s. and traces. Each of the dogs has its own peculiar name, sucli as "Pomp," "Black," "White," "Grey," and such like; and if any one of those in the train show signs of lagging, the drivpr will call out " Black, marche !" and the brute, having a wliolc- some dread of the whip, will turn its head, and, with a yelp, bound forward. Dog driving necessarily entails a great deal of cruelty. We say necessarily so, because without a severe ap- plication of the lash at times, one could not drive dogs at all. The sleds are made of a flat board turned up at one end, and sometimes a cariole is used ; the latter being made of paicl>- ment skin very much in the form of a large shoe. These are very comfortable indeed, as most of the body is covered up from exposure. Attached to each sled is a long line or cord. which is allowed to trail behind. This is used in case the dogs should try to run away, as they often do. The driver, in that case, siezes the line, and by that means is enabled to bring the dogs up sharp. Were it not for this, the dogs would often get away from their drivers. A dog train is driven by certain calls. Tiiere are no reins used ; four words do the whole business. When you wish the leader to go to the left, you call out " chuck ;" to the the right, ** yeu ; " to go ahead, " marche ;" and to stop, " whoa." It often happens that a dog will become sulky or stubborn, LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 245 and in that case the driver has to beat the brute into subjection. Soinetimes thei'e is more cruelty practis(!(l in this way than ne- cessary, as the dogs are often knocked motionless, the blows in- \aiial)ly being directed against the head. The " huskies" are very much of the " Indian " in their nature, and will gorge themselves whenever they get a chance ; it is therefore necessary to keep food hid from them ; and when on tlie road they are never fed except at night. If train dogs are allowed to eat in the morning, or during the day, they will not travel far before they will lie down, and nothing will rouse them ; indeed, dogs have frequently to be let loose or abandoned on account of their having gorged themselves on the provisions of their masters during the night. A dog driver usually runs behind his train, jumping on now and then to rest. We will now turn our attention to George in his trip to visit the Indians. He soon lost sight of the free trader, and continued on his course till he came in view of the lodges. On reaching them his first act was to shake hands all round with the savages ; he then went into the principal wigwam and had a long smoke and big talk, and to ingratiate himself with the Indians he produced a few presents. All this time no signs of fui-s appeared to exist. George began to lose patience, but his men smoked and chatted, and at last one poor miserable mink skin was pulled out by one of the Indians from beneath the matting on which lie sat. This was offered to George for purchase, and he, being under the guidance of one of his men, offered a little tea and tobacco for it. Some further talking and smoking ensued, and another mink skin made its appearance, which was bai'tered off, and then trade began to get a little more lively. Furs now were produced from all sorts of imaginable hiding places, and 246 "DOT IT DOWN;' George at last found out that the Indians, instead of l)einf; poor, as he had first supposed, were in reality rich. One of his men had remained outside the lodge to guard the goods on the sleds from being stolen by the Indians ; and wliilt; he thus kept watch, he thought he might be employing lumself to some purpose. He therefore went to the door of tlie lodge, and made a sign to his comrade inside. This was immediatilv understood by the latter, and as we will presently see, acted upon at once. In the first place, the man inside placed liim. self near the matting from under which so many furs luni already been pulled ; and Wade attracting attention in anothei way, he managed to draw one skin from beneath the matting ; then by degrees he succeeded in pushing a part of it umler the edge of the wigwam, and the man outside being on the lookout, immediately drew it out altogether, and stowed it away witli the furs they had bought. In this way six or seven skins weri' secured without the knowledge of George however, who would not have permitted such a thing ; but most men engaged in fur trading do not consider it a sin to steal from an Indian. Tlie trading had gone on in this way for sometime, and at ast George found his stock of goods nearly at an end. About this time the free trader made his appearance, so Wade and his men took their departure in the direction of | home, leaving very few furs to be collected by their opponents. It happened soon after George left, that the loss of the mink stolen by the Company's men was discovered by the Indian:*, and the free trader came in for the blame of it. He protested I his innocence, but all to no purpose. The savages would not believe him, and further trading was out of the question; and, indeed, the unfortunate victims began to think it high time to leave the camp, as their presence seemed to be viewed | with a good deal of suspicion by the Indians. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WESf. 247 This short sketch of fur trading will give our readers some ulea of the means used for obtaining the furs, which to many of them prove so comfortable and warm during the cold winter months. The Indian suffers all the privations of the chase to secure the skins of the different fur-bearing animals, and the trader steps in to rob and clieat him out of his hard earnings. The free trader returned to his log cabin greatly disgusted with the result of his expedition, and very much puzzled to know how George Wade could have discovered the whereabouts ut'the Indians. He had no reason to doubt his two men, as ihcy were well tried, trusty soivants. George Wade in the meantime returned to the post, higfily pleased with his success, the more so as he had gained a complete victory over his op- ponent, the free trader. It very often happens, however, that the free traders are more successful than the Company's ser- vants. Tlie strife betv/een the two is a bitter one, and every means are used on both sides to defeat each other. George hkcd this rivalry, and although he took every opportunity to get the better of the free traders, he invariably endeavoured to keep on a friendly footing with them. He, therefore, became a favourite in the interior ; at the same time he was feared and I respected. George had every reason to believe that he would I receive promotion in the service, and he did everything in his [power to make his post a satisfactory one to the Company. The only drawback he felt to the mode of life he was leading ns tlie utter loneliness of his position at times ; then the thoughts of the past would crowd upon him ; and the image of lOrace Meredith was constantly before him. He never doubted Iher love for him, but his separation from her preyed upon him, |and often when alone he would bemoan his hard fate. Then [the circumstances of previous years would crowd themselves upon him, until at times he almost wished to remain shut out /^ 248 "DOT IT DOWN;' from the world, and blessed the very isolation of his position. Then again he would look forward to the day when he wouM be able to visit Fort Garry again ; and it may be said }> j enter- tained the liope that he miglit then be able to clear the stain from his name, and claim Grace once more as his own, Avitli tln' full consent of her parents. How the thouglit of such liaiij)!- nei^s gladdened the heart of the poor fellow in his lonely pu.^i- tion ! The life of a Hudson Bay Company officer in the interior is a very varied one. Sometimes possessed of comforts, some- times deprived of them, he often is cursed with idleness ; and at other times he is blessed with too much to do. George was no exception to the rule ; he, therefore, whenever an oppor- tunity occurred, took advantage of it to make a trip away fruui the post. On several occasions he went off for wood, but gen- erally his expeditions were in search of furs, in which he fortu- nately proved successful. We will, however, leave him in his j lonely position for the present, while we look back upon other | scenes connected with our story. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 249 CHAPTER XIX. • R. MEREDITH, as soon as he obtained a clear title to tlie Hairican Farm from Jack, began to improve the place ; and the first thing lie did in that way was to put it in order for the approach- ing winter. The hay-yard was well fenced in, and house and stables mudded and whitewashed. The fences nearest the road were pulled down, so as to prevent the snow from drifting, and thus causing an obstruction in front of the farm stables. Pigsties, and so forth, were made warm against the severity of the weather. A supply of vegetables was stored away, and everything done to make home comfort- able. He and the boys were, therefore, kept busy for several weeks. The stock farm, also, required a good deal of attention as he was determined to make it a model establishment. Jack, as soon as the work at home was finished, went out to take charge of Grosae Isle, and a couple of men were hired to assist him. Mrs. Meredith, now that things looked settled around Iter, became more reconciled to her new home ; and Mr. Mereditli would have felt perfectly easy about his prospects were it not for a blight that rested on his family circle. We have reference to Grace. Ever since the unfortunate turn m affairs with George Wade she had not been herself, and 250 **DOT IT DOWN;" her father saw, with dismay, a grtot change coming over his favourite cnild. Her manner, whic); naturally was buoyant and cheerful, became quiet and resej.ved. The healthy colour left her cheeks, and gave place to an unnatural paleness. Had George "Wade been in tht) settlement, we believe tliut Mr. Meredith would have gone and beseeched him to come and visit them as of wont ; but the lover "w as far away beyond communi- cation, and the unhappy girl could only pine for his presence. Mrs. Meredith did not fail to reproach her husband for his con- duct to Grace ; and, taking it altogether, the poor man felt very miserable as well as anxious. Since the affair of tlie Coui-t, he had paid very few^ viMits to Mr. Cool, as that gentle- man had on several occasions shown his true character. More- over, Mr. Meredith did not wish to mix himself up witli the l so-called Canadian part;| , especially as he plainly foresaw that nothing but dishonour was to be gained by it, so long as they followed the course they had adopted, t Mr. Meredith, having once lost faith in Cool, began to regret I having placed any confidence in his statements regarding George I "Wade. This feeling, added to his misery at home, brought a great deal of unhappiness to the pooi* man. Mr. Whirl had, I true to his agreement with Cool, formed his American \mi\, and then fore, did not trouble Mr. Meredith very much.! Sbarp never got over his escape from jail ; and when it became known that the Governor had paid the debt out of his om\ pocket, Sharp descended very low in the estimation of most people in the settlement. The Merediths did not care fori many acquaintances ; they preferred a few chosen ones whom they could depend upon ; the loss, therefor^, of Cool antil "*>Vhirl was not felt very much by the family. Grace could not| bear the sight of either of the two men. About this time a theaatrical company was formed, and anl LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 251 advprtisemont appeared in the BusteTy announcing a play for a certain evening. Mr. MereiUtli took tickets for himself and the rest of the family, hoping that the change might be beneficiul to Grace. Ijet us attempt a description of this nulo attempt at the drama in the North-West. In the first place, the hall was about forty feet long, twenty wide, and not over eight in height. Rough boards nailed together in the form of benches sen'ed as the seats, and the stage was so small that not over three or four could act at one time on the boards. The stage lights consisted of a row of tallow candles ; altogether the place I was roughly got up, but served its purpose for the time beinrj. When the Merediths arrived, they found the people crowd- j ing in already, although it was long before the hour advertised. They, therefore, had some difficulty in procuring seats. At last, however, they succeeded after some trouble, and soon aftei wards the curtain rose and the play commenced. Most of the actors looked as if they were frightened at the scrape they had got themselves into ; and a great deal of stammering ensued, which was made still more ridiculous by the stern tones of the excited prompter behind the scenes. The whole pair went off very well for a first attempt, and the worthy Imauager, at the end of the entertainment, stepped forward and laimounced another performance the following week. The Bus- wt had a glowing account of tl;e whole affair, and Twaddle jactually had the temerity to attempt a dramatic criticism, the jresult of -which was, that several of the actors declared openly it if ever Twaddle showecJ himself in the theatre again, they ^ould kick him out. Poor Twaddle, he was a much abused nan. During the performance a couple of strangers stepped in, id their unexpected appearance produced such a sensation, 262 "DOT IT DOWN;' that pooplo allowod tliom to i)i'ocuro good 8oats in IVom, altlioiigli, wljon they came in the play was about over. Hutli (,f the new comerH wore h)n;^ cloaks, and had an air of iiii|»()it;m(.v ahout them that said plainly, *' We know what we're al tout ;" *' Who are you ]" <^no was a tall, slim man, with rather i)I('ii.saiit features ; the othei', a stout dumpy little fellow, who appealed to think himself of more importance than the whole of tlioso in the room put together. Twaddle, who sat near them, imine- diatoly managed to edge closer, until, at last, his curiositv obtaining the mastery over him, he ventured a remark : — " Haw !" said the little man, " deuced rum little hole, tlm."| " Very," replied Twaddle. " It's a wonder the place doesn't break down ; see how thovi are crowded in the back part of the room." " It may break down yet," said Twaddle. " In fact, T tliink | it probably will." " The devil 1 " exclaimed both strangers. " Dot it down," whispered the taller of the two to the slioitj dumpy one. " Haw ; yes, of course," and taking out a memorandumj book, the necessary item was noted. " A newspaper man, if I'm not mistaken," said the Editor o^ the Buster, ** if so, I'm Twaddle." " Haw, and who the deuce is Twaddle 1" ; ''The Editor of the Buster, ^^ was the reply, "who will Ik happy to see you at his office in the morning." " Dot it down," again said the tall stranger to his com] panion. "Haw!" will be glad to see you as requested. Hilloaj deuced pretty girl that, eh ] " referring to Grace. " What'l her name, Twaddle ? " " That is Miis Meredith," was the reply. LIFE IN THE NOUTH-WEST. 253 •Haw! "said tlio stumpy iinlividu.il, whom wo will kimw liereat'tei* m 'Dot it Down ;' " .1 nat'VcV ''Xo," said Twaddle ; "she came from Canada." '•Haw ! indeed I Any pretty girls here, Twaddle 1" " Heaps of them," replied the latter. "You don't mean," exclaimed "Dot" ; " I never heard that U'forc." •'Yoiril see," remarked Twaddle. "Hope so," replied that gentleman; and, as the curtain now ritsc, lie added : "Haw! now for some Indian lingo, I suppose." The piece happ«3ned, however, to be a pantomime, nuich to the disgust of "Dot," who evidently expected an Indian war niance, or something of the kind. One thing was very noticeable in this rudo attempt at a [public performance, namely, the general orderly conduct of the audience. The performers, instead of being laughed at when a mistake happened, were encouraged to proceed, and [thus the affair passed off pleasantly enough. ■'Dot it Down," however, was an exception to the general Jnile, and by his loud remarks, and sometimes sneers, he made IliiDiself so disagreeable, that at last the door keeper was |obliged to admonish him to keep a little more quiet, else " Dot " did not allow him to finish, but rose to resent the [impertinence, as he called it, when his companion pulled him [down again with the simple advice to " dot it down." "That I will," said the invincible " Dot ; " " the people in panada will know how strangers are used here." Twaddle, who felt himself in honor bound to pay attention 'anyone connected with the press, now hastened to apologise [or the door keeper's rudeness, and invited both **Dot" and kis friend to a little oyster supper after the theatricals were fver. '' Dot it Down" happened to be an individual very fond 254 f. "DOT IT DOWN;" „ J of luxurious living, and, witliout hesitation, accepted tlie invi tation. " You'll meet a lot of the fellows connected with the theatre." •' Haw ! " indeed, most happy, said the now perfectly recoii ciled"Dot." Grace Meredith seemed to enjoy the entertainment, and it afforded her father real pleasure to see her smile at several comicalities in the performance. As they were leaving the theatre, at the close of the play, Mr. Meredith, happening to cast his eyes towards the Fort, discovered a bright light burn- ing on the roof of the jail, which rather startled him. At first he could not distinguish what it was, but soon made up | his mind that the building was on fire. The old gentleman j called the attention of several around him to the bright light, and then the cry of "Fire!" was passed from lip to lip.| Several (Mr. Meredith amongst the rest) mounted their horses and hastened away towards the Fort, but before they reached I there the fire had been "•ittinguished by the jail-keeper, hej having perceived it in time. It was observed by several that Twaddle seemed in rather I good spirits than otherwise about the affair ; and, in fact, he was heard to say that it was a pity the place was not allowed to burn down. This, in connection with the late jail breaking, looked very dubious, and seemed to throw greater odium on| the parties suspected of having participated in the outrage. When the Merediths reached home they discussed the state I of affairs in the settlement, all agreeing that the proceedings j of a few men were a disgrace to the settlement at large ; aJid all felt ashamed that the term "Canadian" was applied anyone connected with such lawless acts. The theatrical supper took place as intended, however ; th^ attempted incendiarism forming one of the principal topics LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 255 conversation at tlie table. Twaddle said very little on the subject, especially as he found nearly all against such a state of affairs. " Dot " paid very little attention to anything except the oysters, to which lie did justice, and when called upon to make a speech, he excused himself, upon the plea that the deliciousness of the oyster-soup had driven every bther idea out of his head. The proprietor of the house in which the supper took place hereupon thought that such a nice little speech deserved an appropriate answer. He therefore rose, and said that " Dot possessed the faculty of expressing himself better than any ;.vranger who had ever come to the country." "Dot" was overpowered by this flattering testimonial to his ability, and consequently proposed that the party should imme- diately repair to the Everling Hotel, where he would have much pleasure in standing drinks to the crowd. This was an offer too good to be refused, so it was at once accepted. Everling, the hotel-keeper, happened to be away from home, and had left a person to look after his house. The individual who filled this important position went by the nickname of "Fluke," originating, it is said, through his managing to always come out right in any undertaking, without any apparent exer- tioQ on his part. No one in the settlement took things easier than our new friend "Fluke' — ^nothing disturbed his equanimity —always good natured, and never prone to take offence at anything that was said to him. " Fluke" made a good bar- keeper, and never refused to join his customers in a social glass whenever he was asked, or when he thought it safe to ask himself. He used to boast that he had two pockets in his trousers — one for the use of Everling, the other for himself. If one hap) ened to be empty it invariably borrowed from the other, the balance being generally against " Fluke." He was. 256 "DOT IT DOWN;" however, honest enough to render an account of these two wonderful pockets to Everling on his return ; the result being, however, that the latter found himself a considerable creditor where he didn't wish to be. When the party, headed by " Dot," entered the bar-room they found no one there except " Fluke," and that individual sound asleep, stretched at full length on one of the benches. Twaddle thereupon undertook to tickle the nose of tlie slumbering man with a straw, when the sleeper awoke, and the tickler found every reason for rubbing a certain part of his body. " Dot " now called for the drinks, and then proposed saying a few words regarding his arrival among them. " A speech ! a speech ! " was the cry ; and then " Dot," steadying himself with another " cooler," as he called it, com- menced to launch forth in the most approved manner. He spoke of the dramatic treat he had enjoyed. Spoke feelingly on oysters in general, and those at the supper in par- ticular. He spoke in terms of the highest praise regarding the fair sex, whom he had seen in the audience that evening He was going on to expatiate on the excellency of the Everling Hotel and of everything else in Red River, when "Fluke," who could not stand so much blarney, quickly knocked tlie stool from under the orator, and the indignant " Dot " found himself sprawling on the floor. The shouting then commenced, until at last "Fluke" in- terfered by throwing Twaddle out of the door, and following it up by pitching "Dot " on top of him. The little editor of tlie Blister finding himself underneath, and in the dark, supposing that " Dot " was " Fluke" gave the unfortunate " Dot" a dot on the eye which dotted it for some days afterwards. The party finding " Fluke " upon his muscle, and not wishing V LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 257 to get into his bad books, left the house, but before their depar- ture, they struck up the song "We won't go home till morning." "Fluke," who really enjoyed a joke, immediately went and opened one of the upper windows of the house and there con- stituted himself the audience to this midnight concert. " Dot " thinking it high time to be heard, now struck up a :olo on his own account, as follows : •'Oh 1 my eye Betty Martin, oh ! " Some of our readers may ask the question — " Where were the police all this time ]" The reply is a simple one : In bed, of course, where all po- j liceinen generally are when they're wanted. Oq the evening of the performance at the theatre, Tom Mere- ith took a short cut home, preferring to walk than drive. As Ik hastened along the bank of the river, he heard voices near him, one of which he at once recognized as belonging to Cool. Now, Tom had no great love for Cool, and feeling sure that. home mischief was being hatched, or hoping to find out some- thing about the George Wade affair, he stopped and cautiously approached the spot without being discovered. As soon as he coukl distinctly overhear what was being said, Tom found that jtlie other speaker was Whirl. This fact confirmed the boy in his previous opinion that something bad was going on. It may mm strange that Tom entertained so much suspicion regarding |those two men ; but it must be remembered that he had heard pbout the Harrican Farm business, and also he suspected that pool was a secret enemy to George Wade. " I tell you what it is," Tom overheard Whirl say, " I mean pnvash my hands clean of this sort of business if you go on as ft)U are doing. Suppose that man had been caught in the act, t would have been the consequence ] No ! no ! Cool, this wt of thing won't do." 268 "DOT IT DOWN;" " 'Pshaw !" said Cool. " Things will turn out all right yet." " I should like to see it a little more plainly than I do at present. What have you gained by the Wade business ] Have you made anything out of the Merpditlis ? Then the Sharp af- fair ; have you done yourself or Sharp any good by it 1 Then here's that last affair. I tell you what it is, Cool, things won't work. Already the ' Canadian' cry is looked upon with sus- picion. In fact, if you want me to win on the American dodge you are going the right way to work." " I don't care a d n," replied Cool, " so long as I hurt the Hudson Bay Company. They've mistrusted me, and run me down, and hurt me in every way. I will be revenged on them." " You're doing them more good than harm," said Whirl, "by the course you are pursuing." " Perhaps, amongst a few of the fools here ; but depend upon I it, the influence of the Buster has great weight in Canada. It is there I want to hurt the Company. If the Buster was known abroad in the same light that it is here, it wouldn't be worth much ; but you see it isn't," said Cool ; " and, as long as I have any influence over Twaddle, I'm strong enough through thej press." " By the way," interrupted Whirl, " talking about the press, I see there is a bright representative of it lately arrived in thej settlement." '* Oh yes," said Cool, " that fellow who is continually dotting! everything down. Both he and his companion seem asses ofj the first water. But I must get hold of them — fool them— and! make use of them ; and, by the way, I'm going to see old Mr.l Meredith to-morrow, and try my hand with him again. I can'tj a£ford to quarrel with him. He'U be of use to me yet in Cafrj ada amongst his friends." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 259 Here Tom suddenly roso from his hiding-place, and bawled out—" No, he won't ; for I've heard all you said to-night, and I'll tell him when I get home." With this the boy scampered away as fast as his legs could cany him ; and true to his word, he immediately recounted all be had heard to his father. " The scamp," muttered Mr. Meredith. " Poor George !" " The deuce take the brat ; everything is up now between Meredith and me." " Ha ! ha ! ha !" laughed Whirl. " What are you laughing at f asked Cool. " Well, to tell you the truth, I was just thinking that I may 1)0 riding on the right horse and you on the wrong one." " How so 1" said Cool. " Don't you remember having said to me that I was to go in strong for the American, while you were to act the Canadian champion. Now you see every one of your schemes and plans seem to prove unsuccessful ; and your Canadian cause, instead of gaining ground, is rapidly becoming more and more distaste- ful to people. On the other hand, I am working along quietly, and I find a number of the settlers favor a union with the United States. Would it not be very strange if Red River, af- ter all, would seek to join hands with Uncle Sam 1" " It isn't possible," exclaimed Cool, " for Canada would never permit it. I tell you what it is, we are bound to become a part of the Dominion." " That may be ; but suppose the people of this country peti- tion to the contrary." " They wouldn't be heard," said Cool. " Perhaps so ; but this I do know, that many of the old settlers think that annexation to the States would prove in the long run most beneficial to Red River. However, a bargain is 260 U T-. ijyj OT IT DOWN;' a bargain. Whoever -Nvins is to divide the spoils with th. other. I'm open to fat contracts, let them come from Unci. Sam or Canada, I don't care which. It seems to me veiy doubtful at present who is on the right horse." " Deuce take that boy," thought Cool, as he and Whirl walk ed away. " I've lost the Merediths, anyway, and they could have been very useful to me." LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 261 CHAPTER XX. H plain hunters. Immediately after the hunt, the skinning and ciitting up |in)ces3 commences, and afterwards the women and children 264 "DOT IT DOWN;" do the rest. Tlio meat, when b»"-)ught into c«amp, is cut int.) strips, and dried in the sun. It is then pounded into fine l)it, or cnimbs by tlio women ; the tallow is melted down,— and meat and fat mixed np together. It is then packed away iiitu l)ags made of buffalo hide, and allowed to harden. Each bag holds from 90 to 100 pounds of this preparation, known Ity the name of pewmican m the North-West. The dried meat is simply large slices cut from the buffalo, and dried in the sun. Fine pemmican is made from the choice parts of the animal and instead of the tallow, only the marrow from the bnnoH is used. Sometimes a very fine article is made by mixing in a species of fruit known as the Pembina berry, with the mar- row and meat. This is packed away in small bags, holding | about ten or fifteen pounds each, and is called berry pemmican. When all the meat saved from a hunt is prepared in the way described above, the hunters continue on their journey until they once more encounter the buffalo, when the same routine' again occurs. One word more about the plain-hunters and their habits. I before we relate the accident that befel poor Flyaway. The plain-hunters carry what is called the Nor'-West trading gun. which is nothing more nor less than the old flint lock. A f('"v| possess breech-loading rifles, but the generality of them aivi unable or unwilling to use them. When in full pursuit of the chase, the half-breed carries the balls in his mouth, and ashe| rides along, he pours into the barrel sufficient powder, and then. as he is prepared to fire, he drops in a ball without raakingl use of any priming in the loading. Accidents sometimes occur from this mode of using firearms, as it happens occasionally that before the ball reaches half way down the barrel, it id pointed at and fired off. The consequence in such cases being an explosion, which not unfrequently maims the hunter fori rlH| LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 2G5 life. The half-breed is very quick, however, in liandling his gun, and he seldom misses his mark, especially in the bu£falo hunt. ♦' Tlie greatest snare in the path of the hunter, when he is in pumiit of the chase, is a badger-hole. It oft<;n happens that a rider will find himself thrown head formost to tlie ground, and bis horse lying behind him, with perhaps a broken leg. These holes are not easily distinguished, especially when at full galop after a herd of buffalo, consequently the f^^ll, when one does occur, is felt much more than if the danger could be foreseen. Our readers can imagine how quick the hunter nmst be in his movements, when we tell them that he does not fire at the buffalo until within three or four yards from it ; and this when he is aware that the slightest en*or may draw upon him an attack from the infuriated animal, as the buffalo can see bettei* sideways than straight forward, and therefore is prepared to take advantage of any mishap on the part of his pui-suer, and frequently will make a sudden thrust at the horse, goring it, and very often killing the rider. A buffalo will seldom turn on its pursuer unless it is wounded or pressed too hard ; but when it does, let the hunter beware. The horses used on the plains are generally trained for the puqiose, and require no bridle to guide them in the chase, as they will invariably turn with the buffalo ; and it seldom 3ns that they are surpiised. The hunter has only to I attend to his gun, for his horse takes care of itself. These use- ful animals are called buffalo runners, and sometimes command [ a high price. We have before stated that any meat left on the plains over I night, becomes a prey to the wolves, which invariably follow the herd in large numbers. They are the sharks of the plains, ^8 on the look out for a death to occur. A hunter there- ■« 266 "DOT IT DOWN;" fore to thnm is like what a pestilenco on board of a ship \voiiH| be to the numerous sharks following in her wak'\ The excitement of the chase often induces the hunters to I extend their pursuit of the buffalo to a greater distance than there is any necessity for, and thus a gn^at deal of good nuat is lost. Had hunters restrained themselves, and only killed what they could take care of, the buffalo would not have be-l come so scarce as they are now. Wo have heard, indeed, ()f| some going out and killing animals merely for the sake securing the tongues, leaving the rest of the carcase to rot or bel devoured. It is a pity that some check has not been put upon this wanton waste, as we may expect to find buffalo meat i great rarity ere many years have passed ; and robes not to had for love or money. We must ask pardon of our readers for having kept ther so long in the dark as to the fate of poor Flyaway, whom w^ left on the eve of his first buffalo hunt. When the riders moun^ ed their horses, the doctor straddled the back of the nag pur chased from Whirl. " Now," thought Flyaway, " I will tr the mettle of the beast." While the band kept on a trot, thj doctor got along finely, but as they began to go faster, hi found himself gradually being left behind. The more thj Unfortunate Flyaway kicked at the ribs of his horse, the slowej the animal seemed to go ; and finally, when the start wa made, he found himself left all alone on the prairie, while comrades were far away rushing along like mad. <«D n you, Zerubabel ; get up." Zerubabel pricked up ears and wagged his stump of a tail, that was all. At last bright thought struck Flyaway; pulling out a large pin N his coat, he managed to bury it nearly to the head in the sid of poor Zerubabel. xhe consequence was a sudden mcr of speed, which nearly left the doctor sitting on the LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 267 Away went Zerubabol until Flyaway found himself in closo proximity to the hnffalo. (iuiding his horse to the side of an old bull, which was leisurely galloping along, the doctor was in the act of lodging the contents of his gun into its side, when IZerubahel suddenly stumbled, his foot having caught in a I badger- hole. Away went the Doctor, and, unfortunately for him, he foxnid I himself lodgt^l between the horns of the niml old bull. A jecond more, and the astonished man was turning a Homersault in the air ; the next, ho was sitting on the grass, his legs at right angles, and his hair nearly on end ; the buffalo in the Leantime scampering off as if in great glee at wliat it had Idone. "Oh, L — d 1" muttered the terrified man, "what a bumi)." Zerubabel in the meantime had risen to his feet, and stood jwtching his master from a distance. "You're a horse, aint youl" said Flyaway ; '* you're an ass ! [guess I'll trade j no more hunting for me," thought the satis- ^ed sj)ortsman ; then taking a drink from his flask, which he lariablj carried with him, he mounted his hoi-se and slowly Dade his way back in the direction of the carts. When he ived there he was met with a titter from the women and the sts of the young boys. The plain hunters, on their return, had a good laugh at Fly- [vay's expense, and kept the joke up to such an extent, tliat at «t the poor man resolved within himself to show them that could hunt as well as i em, the very next opportunity. ^ow we may mention here to our readers that one of the rules the plains is, " That no person or party shall run buffalo ifore the general order ; " and any infringement of this regu- *ion is severely dealt with. The reason for this is that, [ere one or two to go out ahead of the rest, they would be the 268 " DOT IT DOWN ;" means of scattering the herd before the main body of liuntfrsl could come by, and thus spoil the hunt altogether, or inakf tli-J chances of the main body very poor indeed. Were the buftuli)| to scatter l>efore the hunters could reach within four or five Imii dred yards of them, there would be comparatively verv ttwj killed. Flyaway, who felt nettled at the jokes and sneers of lii^ comrades, made up his mind to break through the rults of tha camp in this respect, and determined, the very first opjioi-tuni ity, to got ahead of the rest. Unfortunately, however, for hiinj he confided this resolution of his to our old friend llossetuJ who, not to be outdone by the Doctor, went immediately to tlJ chief and councillors and made known to them the })hins of tli( unfortunate man. Nothing was said, however, to Flyaway on the subject, iiiitil the next time they espied buflfalo ahead. Then a coviicil wa held, and it was resolved that the Doctor should be taken anj bound to one of the wheels of a cart, in full view of the chii; Accordingly Flyaway was waited upon by a couple of the }>laij hunters, who made known to him the decision of tin- councj regarding him. The poor man expostulated, and vowed tliati was all a joke of his ; that he never intended to carry hispl?^ into operation ; but his protestations were unattended to, an he was dragged to the cart, where he was bound securely, i the council had determined. Rosette was in high glee, and capered round the unfortuu?.) man ; at times threatening to run away with the cai"*, thus lead poor Flyaway a nice dance up and down. Then 1 would put his fingers up to his nose and laugh in Fhiiwajj facoi 7.'hese unties, however, on the part of Rosette disgustj the otlicr hunters, and it was decided to let the doctor which was immediately done. The liberated man vowing vtj LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 269 ^etranger. You see a confounded fool of a fellow dropped upon me lost night." " Drop black, I should say," laughingly replied Cool. " Haw ! very good — yes ! but it is too bad, is'nt it 1 My first appefirance in Red River." "Oh! that is nothing," said Cool ; " I'll soon get your eyes painted, and nobody will know that anything is the matter I with you. You come direct from Canada, I believe ? Any- thing new going on there ]" ^ry little ; same old humdrum way as\isual." 274 "DOT TT D0¥^;" " It is a paradise to this place, my dear sir," interrupted Cool. '• Haw! I dare say," said " Dot." **We are working hard here, you see," remarked Cool, point- ing at the same time to the Blister. " Canada has many friends in Red River." I have come up here," said " Dot," " as a very great friend of Canada." " Indeed ! " exclaimed Cool ; " then allow me to shake hands with you on that. You are connected with the press, I be- lieve ?" ''Haw! yes, somewhat," replied "Dot;" "scribble a little, you see, sometimes ; not much of a hand though." " Too modest," said Cool ; "your appearance belies that state- ment. To tell you the truth, you are exactly the man we want." "Haw! indeed." " Yes," said Cool, " we want some one of influence to strike a death blow at that great monopoly, the Hudson Bay Com pany." " Then I am the mar," exclaimed " Dot ;" " for I know all about that from the tinie of the charter down to the pre.sent day. I've made it a study." " Capital ! capital ! ' said Cool, " just the man for us. Do you know Twaddle V* " A little," replied " Dot ;" " it was he who gave me these black eyes." " Impossible, surely." " You see the proof before you. Twaddle is the little fellow who does this, ehl (holding up the Blister.) Well, it was he who fell upon me." Cool laughed. "Surely," he said, " there must be som^ mis- take somewhere, Twaddle couldn't hurt a fly," LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 276 be som^ niis- " He weighs over a hundred pounds," remarked " Dot," "and he f«;ll upon me." " Well, we'll not say anything more about it. I'm sure Twaddle is sorry for it. But what do you intend to do with yourself this winter ?" " Haw ! take it easy of course. See the country and peo- ple, and then dot them down." " Well, sir, I hope you will command me whenever you see tit. I'm at your service ; I'll do anything for the sake of Can- ada." "Generous man," thought " Dot." Cool now rose to take his leave, after pressing a very urgent invitation upon " Dot" to come over and spend a quiet even- ing with him. " Dot" and Cool became fast friends from that day forward. During the winter in Red River, gaiety is the order '^f +.he day. There is so little going on in the way of busine&6, chat the settlers, to pass the time, enjoy themselves to the best of imv ability. Dancing parties are of nightly occurrence, and all the weddings take place during the winter months. Indeed, a marriage is generally delayed until a large hop can be given at the same time. Weddings in Red River aio no trifling af- fair.^. We have known them to be kept up for three successive lays and nights. The dances peculiar to Red River, are so >pirited as a general thing, that they make the parties, as a usual thing, very pleasant and agreeable. A few nights after the visit of ('ooi to " Dot," the latter re- ceived an invitation for liimself and friend, to a dance, to be given in the house of one of tlie most respectable settlers. Dot" took the liberty of accepting, not only for himself, but i&wo for his friend whom we met with him at the theatre. 'Hft " promised himself a great deal of fun at this party, as 276 "DOT IT DOWN ;" we can judge from a conversation overheard between liim jiml his friend. "We're in luck," said "Dot," "and will have a good clianic to see the natives in their social relations towards each other. I wonder what the girls are like 1" " You're always raving about the opposite sex," said the other; " you'll some day or other get yourself into trouble with thoni." "Haw! not I, my dear fellow; they adore me, the dear creatures. I have such a sweet manner about me, they .say," "Come! come! "Dot," none of that ; you're going ahead too fast altogether." "Haw ! do you think so ? Well, I've no dou])t I'll have little trouble in captivating some fair descendant of the rcdnian. There, that is'nt a bad way of describing a half-breed. Very good ; sending mean invitation, eh ] Never saw my wonldlx- entertainers ; heard about me, I've no doubt ; but, my dear fd low, I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves — lota to look at — lots to laugh at, — and lots to dot down." The dancing party was given by one of the most respoctahle settlers in Red River, and he had invited " Dot" and his frieml from a feeling of consideration toward a couple of strangers coming to a new country. Had it been known how liglitly " Dot" valued the kindness, it is very doubtful whether lie or his friend would have been included amongst the guests of the evening. However, " Dot" and his friend went, and we will endeavour to describe their behaviour on this occasion. About six o'clock in the evening, a party of pleasure seekers " Dot" amongst the rest, assembled at the residence of Mr, Bon, preparatory to starting for the house wht-rc! the dance wa.^ to take place. " Dot" was in his element, and without much ceremony, introduced himself right and left amongst the la- dies, in the hope of obtaining a partner for the drive. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 277 Bat alas ! he found that the fair ones did not value him as mucli as he valued himself They were neither impressed with the fact of his being a newspaper correspondent, ncr with the idea of leaving their friends for the sake of driving with a perfect stranger. " Dot" thought this very hard, and began to form the opin- ion that the ladies of Red River were not too susceptible as he had imagined them to be. He, therefere resigned himself to his fate, and instead of a lady, he drove his friend to the party. The gentleman who was giving the dance lived about ten miles from Fort Garry, so that some of the invited guests had to drive quite a long distance. "Dot," unfortunately, had a very poor horse, and was consequently left far behind ; and as it began to snow, he at last lost the proper road altogether, and found himself in rather an awkward predicament. " Dot this down," groaned his friend, from beneath the robes. " We'll never see daylight again." ' What a heathenish country," muttered " Dot," " going ten miles to a dancing party in a night like this. Oh ! L — d, I wish I was at home. Whoa ! you beast, can't you find the road ? There we go ! " And away they went at that moment, all in a heap, to the bottom of a ditch. ' " Where are you V cried " Dot," to his friend, as ho regauied his feet. " Here, what there is left of me," came in smothered tones from beneath the overturned sleigh. " Dot " immediately righted their conveyance, and dis- covered his friend, all in a heap amongst the robes. The horse, fortunately, had not moved after he fell, and no serious accident had occurred. " Dot's " friend; however, insisted upon returning home. 278 " DOT IT DOWN ;" " I wish you would show me tho way." This was a puzzler, and both the discomforted men were giving up in despair, when they heard the sound of sleigh bells rapidly approaching them. " Hist ! " said " Dot." " Do you think they will run into us ?" whispered his friend, " Keep quiet," said " Dot," " they'll hear you." " I wish they would," was the reply. "I mean," returned " Dot," " I want to hear them." " I'll make them hear uh," said his friend, and with tliat he shouted out at the top of his voice. Nearer and nearer came the approaching sleigh ; and, at last, when it was about passing them, " Dot " roared out, "Help! for God's sake." The stranger, who turned out to be none other than Cool, pulled up and replied, " Who are you ] and where are you f "Stranger in a strange land," shouted " Dot." " We're in a quandary." "You're more likely to be in a ditch." " You're right this time," cried " Dot's " friend ; " but can't you help us out ? We're going to a dance, • and a pretty dance we've had of it already." Cool now alighted, and, coming up to our unfortunate party goers, he recognized " Dot " at once. "Hilloa, here's where you are." " Yes ! " said " Dot," " we've been here some time." " Very unlucky," said Cool j " but we'll soon put you all right. There," he continued, after arranging matters for them, " follow me, I know the road, and we have not far to go." Thanks to Cool's guidance, our two friends at last found themselves at the party, where they both soon forgot their adventure in the hilarity of the evening. LFFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 270 In one apartment, in front of a large, open log fire, sat a number of gentlemen, old fogies chiefly, talking over the events of the day. This was the refreshment and smoking room, and to it Cool conducted " Dot " and his friend. A glass of what was thought to be wine was poured out for " Dot," which he immediately swallowed at one mouthful ; but, alas, it turned out to bo raw brandy, and the unfortunate man sputtered and gasped in an agony of torture. The old fogies started to their feet, thinking the man had taken a fit, until it was explained that he had taken brandy, supposing it to be wine. The tears streamed down "Dot's" cheeks. "Do — do — do you call — call that wine 1" he managed to say. "If so its — its dev — d h strong." Cool laughed heartily ; but it was no joke for poor " Dot," and, as it turned out afterwards, was the means of getting him into serious trouble ; the fact of the matter being, that the liquor went to his head. The host now presented himself, and led the way into the dancing room, when " Dot," who had partly recovered from his unfortunate mistake, began to ingratiate himself with the ladies. It was noticed, however, that his manner became very strange, and at last it became quite plain that he was slightly elevated. Now there is a dance in the North-West, peculiar to the country, called the Red River jig, which is as follows : A gentleman leads a lady to the middle of the floor, and at the sound of the fiddle the pair begin to dance to each other, in a regular break-down manner. This lasts until either the gentle- man or the lady is relieved by one of their own sex. The second couple continue until they also give place for others, and so on this almost endless dance continues until the fiddler gives in. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I il.25 IIIM IIIII25 2.2 - Ii£ IIIIIIP. JA II 1.6 V] vi / 'cil ^ /A y Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 873-4503 V iV #^ :\ \ % o'^ <> "<*. :^^ 280 "dot it DOWN;" U " Dot," evei ready to undertake anything that offered, man aged to get a partner for this description of dance, ami the gentlemen, for mischief, determined to allow him full scope for his legs. The fiddler, entering into the spirit of the joke, played his liveliest tunes. When his lady partner became tired, her place was taken by another, and so on ; still no gentle- man offered to relieve " Dot." The unfortunate man danced away in utter desparation, while the perspiration streamed down his face, until at last his legs begar to bend under him ; but to his credit, be it said, he did not give in, althougli to- wards the end of the jig he could hardly shuffle along the floor, Finally the fiddler, out of pity for the poor fellow, stopped, and " Dot " sank back exhausted to a seat. He was, however, highly complimented for his pluck, and the fair ones began to form a very favourable opinion of him ; but, as we will pre- sently see, his laurels were of short duration, as he got himself | into serious trouble and disgrace before bhe end of the party. It happened, unfortunately for " Dot," that he held a very high opinion of himself, especially so far as it concerned hi^ literary powers ; and he was not at all backward in fishing for I compliments. Finding himself, therefore, something in the light of a hero, after his jig, he took advantage of the impres- sion he had made, by showing several ladies a good deal otj attention ; one in particular attracted his particular notice, so] much so, that the lady in question felt annoyed at him. Uu-, fortunately " Dot " had partaken of several glasses of winej since th.^ mishap with the brandy, and the consequence was! that he began at last to feel muddled. About this time liej happened to be sitting in a corner of the room in close conj versation with the young lady to whom he had taken such violent fancy. , . ■ *' Haw !" (hie) he said, "what a lucky dog am I, to be LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 281 such an (hie) enviable position. "What pleasure it gives me to be able to sing the praises of the Red River belles in their primitive (hie) loveliness ! Ah me ! I will represent them on the banks of the winding streams — their wigwams beautifully (hie) sit-situated beneath the noble, spreading branches (hie) of the stately oak ; their (hie) flowing tresses will (hie) Haw ! my dear ! " Here followed a huge wink, and then the loud report of a hard slap eould have been heard across the room, and "Dot" realized, as well as he could at the time, that it was no joke making fun of the Red River ladies, for his cheeks burned and his eyes blinked from the effects of the blow administered by the indignant girl. " There," she said, as she rose from her seat, " take that for your pains. It may not be very lady-like of me to do it, but it is thoroughly deserved by you." " Dot " was amazed ; he had not bargained for anything of the sort, and as he slunk away from the room he muttered, "Haw ! sharp that (hie)." One of the greatest drawbacks to Red River parties are the j smoking rooms ; there the gentlemen congregate together, cards are indulged in, and drinking is kept up continually. The consequence is that the ladies very frequently find themselves neglected, and the gentlemen become more or less unable to I attend to their duties as the protectors of the fair sex. "Dot it down," on being repulsed in the dancing room, im- Inicdiately repaired to the smoking room, and there endeavoured to hide his injured feelings in the flowing bowl. He succeeded admirably, so much so that he persisted in talking a vast amount of rubbish, to the utter disgust of those present. His friend, therefore, finding him in this state, endeavoured to [induce him to start for home, but all to no purpose. " Dot" as now resolved upon having " a bully time," as he expressed 8 282 "DOT IT DOWN;" it. He therefore insisted upon giving the company a few choice songs, and wound up by endeavouring to show his activity in athletic sports. The latter, however, proved the finishing touch to his evening's performance, for in trying to stand upon his head, his heels came in contact with the table overturning it, and dashing wine glasses, tumblers and decaii ters in a heap upon the floor. This was too much for even Cool, and before " Dot " could recover from his surprise at what had happened, he found himself in his sleigh, on his road home, his friend, however, acting the part of Jehu this time. The next day Cool and Whirl met, and the former related to the latter the events of the previous evening. "That " Dot " is a deuce of a fellow," he said, in great glee. " He kept the party in an uproar during the whole of the evening. If you look upon him as an acquisition to your cause, then I don't envy you." " Just the man," said Cool. " He'll get himself into such disgrace with the people, before long, that he'll in self-defence cry them down abroad, and go in heavy for new-eomers. That is one part of my game, to advocate immigration to this country, and swamp the settlers by it We don't want Cana dians and half-breeds to go together; one must fall behind; and if 1 can help to do it, the people here must be the ones to give way." " Well," said Whirl, *• you are on dangerous gi'ound ; but you know your own plans best. We're on different tacks ; but | its no matter who wins after all." " Not a bit ; we'll make money out of it anyway." Whirl felt very much inclined to be disgusted at Cool, and j inwardly resolved to part company with him the first oppor- tunity. He had some little respect for himself; besides which, j he dill not see anything to be gained by Cool's wild schemes. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 283 pany a few bo show his proved the ill trying to th the table, s and decan ich for even 3 surprise at 1, on his road u this time. ormer related ing. " That it glee. "He f the evening. ' cause, then I ^self into such in self-defence eomers. That ration to this n't want Cana 11 behind; and be the ones to s gi'ound ; hut •ent tacks ; but my. id at Cool, and )he first oppov- besides whicb, ■ild schemes. We will now turn our attention to Twaddle's " Den," as he called his office. There we will find " Dot it Down " in close confab with the little editor. * Haw," said Dot ; " hard at work, my dear Twaddle. Any- thing fresh for the Buster, this time ] What are you up to diis week] The old story, ehl Hudson Bay Company ]" *' There's nothing else to talk about," said Twaddle. "Why don't you write up annexation ?" asked " Dot." " So I do," replied Twaddle ; " but I haven't made up my mind altogether whether it is to be in favor of Canada or the States. I favor the former somewhat, but you see it is well to have two strings to your bow." '' Haw ! yes, of course ; but you see I'm here to do all I can to upset the Hudson Bay Company, and bring in Canada ; so you must, if you wish to be friends with me, renounce all ideas regarding Americanism, and go hand and glove with the Cana- dians. " " Well, you see," replied Twaddle, " it is a very difficult I thing to edit a paper in Red River at present, especially when j you depend upon it for your bread and butter ; for if a fellow says too much against the Company, he offends the greater por- tion of his subscribers, and the trouble is, one has nothing else to write about in this blessed country. Then at the present time Canadians are not viewed with any great amount of re- spect in the settlement, so it is uphill work advocating their cause. It is also a useless thing preaching Americanism ; so Iwhat is a fellow to do 1 If he were to praise up the Hudson pay Company, people would, be sure to find fault with the [great monoply." " Haw I then why the d 1 don't you praise up the Com- ly r " I could'nt do it, for I hate all connected with it." 284 "DOT IT DOWN;" " My dear Twaddle," said ** Dot," " you are not made for an editor. Now, you see, instead of firing away helter-skelter at the Conn)any, you ought to butter theni up, now and a;,'aiii. until you tind them out ; then come down on them sharp. It will have an effect ; but when you keep pegging away at tlie same old thing, people get tired of hearing you. You will sec liow I will manage them. In the first place, I mean to I'u down and try to get on good terms with all the officers at the Fort, from the Governor downwards. Of course, at the same time I will show them that I know a great deal about tliein, and thus I will learn more. When I have got all out of tliem that I can, I will turn round and show them up. You'll see how I'll get along. Haw ! Twaddle, you've "got to learn ; but I'll help you sometiiues. You'll improve after a while." In this complacent way " Dot" talked Twaddle into the idea that the Buster v^-as going altogether the wrong way, and veiv likely to " bust" indeed ] and still the poor little editor couM not see his way towards any change for the better. The truth was, his inveterate enmity to the Hudson Bay Company stood in his way; and "Dot" was so far right in saying that hoj allowed this animosity to be too apparent, and the settlei-s therefore could not look upon it except as a personal afi'air he- j tween Twaddle and the H. B. C, and not as a matter that in- terested the settlement at large. "Dot it Down," after leaving the Buster office, repaired to I his room, and there he concocted a letter for his newspaper in | Canada, running down the Red RiA^er people, socially, morally, and politically speaking ; this, too, at the very time when hej was receiving attentions and kindness at their hands, Such Isl gratitude ; but we will have more to say regarding " Dot's"' correspondence ere we close our story ; and, in the meantimej we will turn our attention to another scene. LTFR IN THE NORTH-WEST. 285 Cool, having made up liis mind to make a friend of " Dot," extended to that personage the hospitality of his house when- ever he choose to accept of it. " Dot," on an occasion, having iml)ibed a little more than was good for him, ]>resented himself at the door of Cool's house, ami rai)ped loudly for admittance. Mrs. Cool, who happened to be alone in the house, answered the summons herself. " Dot," who was in a very jolly humor indeed, expressed the great pleasure he felt at seeing her, — " Haw ! my dear Mrs. Cool, I did not expect (hie) to have this (hie) pleasure." •' I cannot say that I am very glad to see you in you present state," replied the good lady. " You ought to be ashamed of yourself." "Not at all, my dear Mrs. Cool. All great men (hie) enjoy [the pleasures of the (hie) flowing bowl." " I hope you do not include yourself in the same category ?" " Of course," said the indomitable "Dot," " special cor-cor- I correspondent 1 Why not, eh ? (hie.)" " I think, sir, you had better return the way you came, for on account can you enter here." " My dear Mrs. Cool, think of the sorrows of a poor young jman. Just a few moments' delightful (hie) intercourse with |voiir delightful self, and — haw, (hie) dem me." The latter exclamation was caused by finding the door [quickly shut in his face by the indignant Mrs. Cool. "The beast," she muttered, " if Cool insists upon bringing puch wretches to the house I'll leave. I want to see my hus- and get along, but why does'nt he gather some decent people round him, instead of such characters as generally come here." ./Ah ! Mrs. Cool, birds of a feather flock together. Notwithstanding the behaviour of "Dot" at thtv party in 286 "DOT IT DOWN;' ^"S Red River, ho, continued to receive invitations from tlie liospit able settlers, who did (everything in their power to make lli^ stay amongst them pleasant and comfortable. We find liim thenifore one evening at a dinnerparty in a gentleman's lioiisf. Great pains had been taken by the host to prepare a crtMlitaMf repast on the occasion. Several of the prominent men \a thf settlement were invited to meet the correspondent and hi, friend, and there was every reason to expect a pleasant even ing. The dinner passed off very well, " Dot,'' however, carrying on the principal part of the conversation, chiefly in sounding his own praise, c^'c, &c. " Dot's" friend said very little, being j a man of few words, with, moreover, a great respect fori "Dot's" fund of learning; he consequently felt somewhat fluttered in expressing himself before the great correspondent. After dinner a quiet rubber of euchre was proposed, and een haunted with a presentiment of evil happening to her ; this, too, with no chance of obtaining any I news from the settlement." " My poor boy ! my poor Grace ! Indeed, George, I am a I miserable old man." Wade now sought to turn Mr. Meredith from his sad [thoughts ; but he could not succeed, and at last they separated. We will follow Mr. Meredith, and leave George to pass a I sleepless night of extreme anxiety and anguish of mind. Grace Meredith was sitting in bed, propped up with pillows, h'hen her father entered the room. . , " Well, my girl, how do you feel to-night ?" " I think I am a little better, father ; my spirits feel light- |fr. I am sure there is some good news in store for me coming ivery soon. Do you know I believe God often grants us a fore- jshadovving of either good or evil as it may be. I wonder if Imy prayers will be answered ? I have prayed so earnestly, pather." God has promised to give to those who ask and believe," aid Mr. Meredith. if '?^: " Then surely he will grant my prayer. Oh ! father, it* 296 "DOT IT DOWN;" George should return, wouldn't you allow him to come and see me r "Gracie, I would give worlds if he were here at this moment. "Will you ever forgive me for my cruelty towards you ]" " Do not speak in that way, father ; I never blamed you. Bad men poisoned your mind agaiiist my George. Do you think he ever will come back. I know this is foolish, and perhaps wrong, but he is so dear to me. You know, father, I love you all at home as much as ever, but I have you with me. George seems lost to me ; and oh ! it is dreadful to lose one whom you love." "But he is not lost," said Mr. Meredith, " he may return any day." "Alas! father, I have hoped against hope, and now when- ever I think of seeing him again, it seems like a dream never to be realized." " Do you think, ray dear, were he to return suddenly, would you be able to meet him without injuring yourself in your weak state?" " Oh ! father, it would make me strong," and the poor girl's face flushed at the thought ; but she added eagerly, " have you any reason for asking that question 1 Tell me, father, do you expect him ?" Mr. Meredith hardly knew how to answer his daughter ; he I feared the effect of a surprise; he however replied, "there is every reason to expect him at any moment, for it is very pro- 1 bable that he may be sent in from his post in charge of the j packet or some of the trains from the trading posts." " There again ! there again ! nothing but disappointment. I wonder if he ever will come back ?" "Well, Gracie, of course, I do not wish you to rai^e yourl LIFE IN THE NORTH- WEST. 297 hopes too high, but I have heard that George is likely to be licre soon." "Oh ! father, do you think it is true ] Surely you would not say this unless you had good reason to expect him. When do you think he will be here 1" '• Suppose he were to be here in a day or two," replied Mr. .Meredith, venturing a little more, " do you think you would be strong enough to see him ?" " Father, if I knew that George Wade would be here in the time you say, the very hope of looking on his dear face, would give new life to me. It is this weary waiting for his coming that is killing me." •'Then, Grace, my dear girl, he is hourly expected. It was intended^ when» he started, that he should return about this time." " My dear tather, I do not think that you would tell me this unless you had good reason to believe it true ; but it will be a dreadful blow to me if he does not come after all." "Now suppose, Gracie," said Mr. Meredith, "that George should come to-morrow." '"To-morrow? whispered Grace. Yes, to-morrow," replied her father. " Do you think he will V asked Grace. "I think he will," said Mr. Meredith. " Oh ! father you are not deceiving me, are you '{" said Grace iis she sank back on her pillows. " I am not," replied her father as he rose and took her thin white hands in his ; "George Wade will be here to-morrow." Grace Meredith pressed her father's hands as she whispered, Oh! how I have waited and longed for this moment." The next morning Mr. Meredith walked over to Jack Hani- an's house, and told George that Grace expected him. 298 "DOT IT DOWN;" TPSSv " Are you sure that she is strong enough to see me ?" uskwl Wade. " She seems much better this morning, and I think youi return will do much towards her recovery, if she is not too far gone already," he sadly added. Mr. Meredith and George now walked over, and when they reached the farm house, Mrs. Meredith met them at the door. " I am right glad to see you back, and if my good man hiul listened to me you would never have gone away; but come in. come in, and I'll go and tell Gracie you've come." George felt a strange excitement creeping over him ; an intense eagerness to see Grace; and it was with the utmost impatience that he awaited the summons to attend the sick room of her he loved so dearly. At last it came, and he was ushered in by Mrs. Meredith to where Grace lay propped up as usual with pillows. George could not prevent a start as he gazed on the wasted loveliness before him ; — he could hardly realize that Grace Meredith was before him. "George!" "Grace!" And Wade threw himself on his knees by the bedside and sobbed like a child. Grace drew her thin white hand across his brow and said, " My poor George, calm yourself ; do not grieve in that way. Oh! look up and speak to me. How I have longed for this hour." " Oh Grace !" Wade answered, "had I known this, no power on earth would have kept me from you." " Do not blame my poor father," said Grace. < J " T do not, Grace ; he was made the tool of bad men ; but it is hard, hard to bear." ' .• -^^ ^ - . " You won't go away again, George, will you 'i " LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 299 i men ; but it " No, Grace ; not at least until you are like your former self once more." "Alas I" she sadly replied, " I do'nt know if that will ever he." " Don't say that. I will nurse you now, my love, and you will soon get better." " God's will be done, George ; but I fear I have not long to live." " VAmer up, my darling ; there is many a happy day in store for us;" but his words belied what he inwardly felt, for his heart died away within him when he looked upon the wasted feat\u-es of the girl he loved so dearly. Mr. and Mrs. Meredith, and the two boys, allowed the two lovers an undisturbed meeting, and during that eventful fore- noon both George and Grace recounted to each other how much each had suflfered during their cruel separation. Not a word was spoken, however, regarding the unfortunate affair that had been the cause of it. Mr. Meredith having asked George to make their house his home, while he was in the settlement, he gladly accepted the proposition, as it would allow him to be continually near Grace to nurse and cheer her up. A mother could not have shown more gentleness nor fond- ness than did (reorge towards Grace Meredith, as he sat hour after hour by her bedside, either reading, talking, or attending to her many wants. The hopes of the lover and family were not to be realized, however, for Grace became weaker and weaker. For the first few days after George's return she appeared to improve, but after that she gradually sank lower and lower, until all hopes of her recovery seemed to die away amongst those who watched over her. Even George was obliged to despair [of ever seeing her leave her sick-room. About this time Grace 300 "DOT IT DOWN;" called her mother into her room one day, and the two remained closeted together for sometime. Mrs. Meredith was then ob- sei'ved to go to her husband and talk earnestly with him. Jack and Tom, who noticed all this, wondered what could l)e the matter, for both boys felt that something unusual had oc- curred. " I wonder if Oracle is worse," said Tom. " Oh, Jack, if she dies, what will we do without her ? It is dreadful to think about." " It is no use, Tom. I'm afraid our poor sister cannot live, for the doctor next thing to told me so yesterday. I am miser- able ; but while there is life there is hope. I wonder, thougli, what can be the matter V " Greorge has been away all morning, and that is another strange thing," added Tom. We will leave the two boys, however, and listen to tlie con versation, or a part of it, between Mr. and Mrs. Meredith. which may throw some light on the mystery. " She seems to have set her heart on it," said the old ladv : " and what harm can there be in letting her have her own way. She's not long for this world, I fear, good man." " What does George say about it ?" asked Mr. Meredith. *' They seem to have made it up between them, and George is as anxious for it as Grace, only he fears that you won't allow it." ** It seems a strange idea," said Mr. Meredith ; " but I liaM- suffered so much already by separating them from each otliei that I will never interfere with their happiness again. But I think I will see Grace herself about it." " I fear it will be a death-bed marriage, if it does take place," said Mi*s. Meredith, and her eyes filled with teari as she parted from her husband. ^. . TJFF. IN THE NOKTH-WEST. noi \t is another The latter went immediately to the bedside of Grace, and taking her hand in his, he kindly asked, — " This is a strange wish of yours, is'nt it, my dear girl ?" " Why do you think so, father ] Oh we've been separated so long, why should we not be united now 1 I feel, my dear father, that I have not long to live, perhaps not many days. Do not weep, father ; it is time now to look the truth in the face. It will not be many days ere I will be far away from you, but it will not be for long. You will join me in heaven. And now, before I go, I want to be united to Geoi-ge. Oh, father, do not deny me the last request perhaps I will ever make on this earth. George and I have spoken often about it, but he feared to ask you, lest it might be the cause of another separation between us. Poor George, he has left me this morning, because I wished him to do so in order that I might speak to you myself. You won't deny me this, will you, father?" " God forbid that I should do anything to mar your happi- ness, my poor child." George at this moment came to the door of the room, and when he saw Mr. Meredith by the bedside of Grace, he drew back, but the old gentleman, when he saw him, beckoned to him to enter, which he did. "George," said Mr. Meredith, "Grace has told me all. Why, my lad, did you not come to me and speak to me about it 1 But I can't blame you after what has happened. My poor children." " Mr. Meredith, do not think of that unfortunate affair. You have been very good. Remember the explanations you required have never been given, and — : . > " Never mention them, my dear boy, never mention them. That is all past ; I want no explanations ; I ought never to 802 "DOT IT DOWX;" Ijavo doubted you, never I nevor I F luive acted like a fool iiml a madman." ** Don't speak that way, Mr. Meredith ; it was (piite rif,'lit and natural for you to do as you did ; and I thought, perlin])^. that without the explanations, although you had kindly allowed nie to again visit youi- house, still you would not consent to a union between Grace and me." '* Well, well, my dear children, we'll try and forget the pa«t. I will not stand in the way of your union, only I wish God had Avilled it to be under happier circumstances ; my poor girl," and the kind old gentleman bent over and kissed his daughter. •'! will leave you now to yourselves." As soon as Mr. Meredith left them, George and Grace spoke long and earnestly about their approaching marriage, indeed so engrossed did they become in the subject that Grace overtasked herself, and George was alarmed to see her sink back on lui pillows in a fainting condition. George, with the assistance of Mrs. Meredith, however, managed to revive her, and had the pleasure of seeing her drop off into a slumber. George sat for hours watching the frail being before him, and the tears coursed down his cheeks as he thought of the true love she had shown for him, and how much she had suffered by it. The marriage was agreed upon to take place the next day, as it was the desire of Grace to have the ceremony over as soon as possible. Accordingly, George had the preliminaries arranged and the clergyman of the Church of England, who was to unite the two lovers, promised to be in attendance at the time ap- pointed. On the morning of her marriage-day Grace seemed flushed and somewhat excited, but as the hour approached at which the ceremony was to take place she became more calm. Mrs. Meredith did all in her power to cheer her daugh- ter. She busied herself about the sick-room, preparing it IJFE IN THE NOllTH-WEST. 303 like a f(X)l itin) tor the coming event, and making everything around the in- valid look pleaHRut and liright. At last the clergyman anived, and was ushered into the room ; Mr. and Mrs. Meredith and the two hoys being the only persons j)resent, hesiilcs (leorge and the ministei-. The latter spoke feelingly on the subject, and asked all present to join him in a prayer for the sick iliil before them. lie then in a solemn and impressive iiuinner read the marriage service ; the hands of the weak woman and the strong man being joined together, the minister liruiiounced the solemn words, — "Those whom God hath joined together, let no man j)ut asunder." At this moment Grace seemed to give way altogether, and Nink back exhausted ; and the clergyman, on this account, did not proceed with the rest of the service. As soon, however, as Grace revived sufficiently, the com- munion was .'i.dministered at her request to the newly married eoui)le. When this was over, Grace drew from beneath her pillow a parcel which she requested George to unfasten. When this was done, the casket from Mr. Barron was discovered. "This is my marriage day," said Grace, "and at Mr. Barron's request, I have kept this gem sacred, without trying to unravel the mystery attached to it. George will you please open the lid, and inside the box you will find a small sealed package. This you will please undo, and probably the mystery will be solved." George obeyed the instructions, and on opening the sealed package, he found within it a small ring studded with pearls ; attached to this, was a note in Mr. Barron's handwiiting, which read as follows : — " To Grace. "When you read this, I will probably be no more. You will have entered upon a new life. May God I 304 "DOT IT DOWN;" i| ble IS you, and may your future l)o full of happiuess. May In \vlu> lias won your love, prove a good guardian of tlic jrvsi I al»ov(' all prirc which he has ohtainod this day. Tin' lin- herewith belonged to my mother, and waa her last gift to inc. Keep it for juy sake. I would not have it fall into any but pure hands. On one end of this casket, you will, by looki-i;; closely for it, discover a very small hole, into this press tltf point of a fine needle, and a secret drawer will spring out. In this you will find a pa))er which will tell you its own tale. " Frederick Barron." (ieorge hunted closely for the small hole described in Bar ron's note, and after some considerabh^ delay, he at last found it. When lu; had pressed the needle into it, the secret drawor flew out, as had been foretold, and u crumpled paper fell upon the floor. George handed this to Grace, who having opened it, read it. As she did so, her manner became excited, and finally with tears in her eyes, she handed the paper to George The latter, on reading a few lines, started and looked wonder- ingly at Grace. LIFE IN THK NORTH-WKaT. non niAITEU XXIII. T tlic time <»f our story, tin- clmrcli of Kii;j;laii(l, in tlic settlrment, was in a v<'rv tlonrisliin^ rojidition, and possessed finionfi;st it clor^'y^ncn a good .| Meredith burst into the room crying — *' Oh ! goud man, our girl is worse. To-day's doings have beeii| too much for her ; come and see her. I'm afraiil she is dying." Both George and Mr. Meredith stood aghast at this news; and without thinking more about the strange papers so mm countably discovered, they hastened at once to the sick rooiii.l A great change had, indeed, suddenly come over Grace ; litij pale features seemed more pinched in their expression, and her breathing appeared to be more laboured. George sank on his knees by the bedside, and taking tin hand of the sick girl in his, he tenderly asked her if she feltl much worse. I'm afraid, he added, we have not been veiyj considerate towards you in your weak state. Grace turned her wan face towards him, and smiling loviiiglyj whispered — "George, I have been looking forward to tlii>J I have not many hours to live. I feel my strength passina away ; but my dear George I am happy now that I am yoiir^j It is God's will to take me ; do not grieve." " Oh ! my own Grace do not speak in this way," said thedis] ^isib.ii.'^^^'tii LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 315 strength passing that I am yourM consolate man. " You are wearied and worn out by the fatigue of to-day." " My poor George," replied the dying girl, (for dying she was assuredly) " do not deceive yourself I know that I have not long to live." George Wade covered his face, and the hot tears moistened the poor thin hand which he clasped in his. " Oh ! this is hard to bear," he murmured. " Grace, my darling, I am free this day. I hold the proof now that I am innocent of having done the deeds that were imputed to me. They have caused a sad blank in our lives, but all is cleared up now. Oh ! Grace tell me that you will live for my sake." "Alas !" whispered Grace ; *'it is not my will but the will of God be done. I never thought you guilty. Say no more about that unhappy affair." The exertions of speaking was too much for Grace. She closed her eyes, and for some moments she appeared unconsci- ous of the presence of those around her. At last her eyes slowly opened ; they seemed brighter than ever they had been (luring her illness. Holding out her hand to Mr. Meredith, she faintly said, " My dear, dear father, call Jack and Tom, I wish so much to see them." Mr. Meredith, utterly heart broken, silently left the room, for his two sons, and while he was away Grace stretched out her hand and smoothed the gray tresses of her weeping moth- er, who had lain herself on the bed beside her. "My own darling mother," she slowly said, " do not mourn for me in this way ; it will not be long ere we'll meet again." " It will not be long, my dear child. Oh, Gracie, do not leave us. Oh ! God, save her, and pity a poor mother. She's my only comfort. Heaven, hear me," and Mrs. Meredith sobbed bitterly. m]\ 810 "DOT IT DOWN;" It was a sad moment. Jack .and Tom now cann^ in and stood by the bedside. The tears coursed down the cheeks ot the hardy boys as they looked upon the sister they were so fond of. They could not realize that they were going to lose her so soon. Grace became so weak and hei* voice so low, thai it was with difficulty that her words could be understood. She however motioned the two boys to her side, and kisserl them. She then whispered so that George only heard her. " Father. mother, kiss me for the last time." Mr. and Mrs. Meredith then knelt down beside her, and Grace soon after passed quietly away ; her head resting on the arm of her husband, who appeared utterly prostrated at hk great loss. " My poor George, good-bye till we meet again," were the last words slowly and with difficulty uttered by the dying girl. The doctor, who ^ad been hastily summoned, now arrived, but too late. The soul of Grace Meredith had winged its way to that home whei^e there is perfect rest, and from which there is no returning. The blow was a dreadful out* to the family, although it had not been unexpected for some time previous. Long and silent ly they sat round the bed of death, each one loth to part from her they had all loved so well in life. It was with the greatest difficulty that George could be persuaded to leave the room. Kind neighbors offered their services in the arrangement of I the dead, which were thankfully accepted by the disconsolate parents. George, however, sat up all that night by the side of his lost bride, and as he watched, his thoughts went ba^k to the days when he first learned to love the one so still and i motionless before him. Then he traced in his mind the unfor tunate course of his love ; and is it to be wondered at if h«| LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 317 mentally prayed to God for just vengeance on the murderers of his happiness, as well as that of th(( loved one? by his side, now so cnhl in the embrace of death. Did he not during his long vigil reitroacli himself for acts committed in a hasty moment ; acts, which indeed were the prime causes of the sorrowful and untimely end of a lovely ;md gentle girl ! Who can tell 'I We will ])resently seo whether he had cause to blame himself. As soon as it became known amongst the friends and neigh- \m\TH of the Merediths that Graces Avas dead, a general feeling of pity and compassion was felt for the family ; and on the day of the funeral a large number attended to show their respect for the dead. It was some distance to the church-yard, and the eoffin had to carried on the shoulders of those who volunteered fir the purpose. This was done in the following manner, when the four men who acted as pall-bearers became tired four others trijin amongst those attending the funeral stepped forward and relieved them. In order to have no confusion, it was custom- ary for four others to step forward at the same time and walk immediately behind those who were carrying the coffin, so that the moment they became tired they could quietly change places. In this way there were always eight men acting as pall bearers. And before the procession reached the grave-yard almost every one attending the funeral had taken part in carry- I ing the coffin. This custom is a very beautiful one, as it shows a desire on [the part of the mourners to take a real interest in paying re- [spect to the dead. When the Cathedral was reached, a touching sermon was Idelivered by the Archdeacon, who dwelt feelingly upon the laffliction to the parents, relatives and bereaved husband. Mrs. Meredith, who had followed, and as the cold hard earth ;U8 DOT IT DOWN ; was thrown upon the remains of lier only daughter, eacli flull tlunnp upon tho coffin brouglit a sharp pang to her motherly heart. It was a mournful sight to see this family bereaved of tiuii pride, return slowly to their desolate home, for such it now api)eared to all of them. It was strange to observe George during the trying ceremony. How calm he looked ; not a tear m listened his cheek, but his face wore a haggard appearance, There were the signs of utter agony upon his features. He was too much stricken down to weep. Poor George, his soitow was unlik(! any other sorrow, as he went home to the Merediths' house, — all his hopes blasted, with his young life nipped in tlie bud ; for he never felt young again from the moment he realized that Grace was dead — dead, his love lost to him for ever. The only comfort he felt was that it might not be for- ever ; that there was a future — a heaven where he would try to meet her once more. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 310 &^tmM^^M ^^^ .^^^^^J^j^9!r^lL. ^Zs CHAPTER XXV. OR several days, (fforgo Wadt* let'used to be com- forted. His manner ))ecame absent and careless of , tlic presence of others. His health also appeared to be giving way, and tht; Merediths feared least he should hv laid on a bed of sickness. They had learned to love George very dearly, and felt a fiieat deal of anxiety at the continued depression of the young man's spirits. One day, therefore, Mr. Meredith pre vailed on him to take a ride out on horseback, thinking that the air and the exercise wouUl benefit him. George, strange to say, insisted upon mounting a very res- tive' and vicious horse, and it was with some misgiving that the Merediths saw him start for his ride. He had not gone tar before the horse became very unmanageable, and at last, taking the bit between his teeth, he bolted, and George found that he was beyond control. Wade was a good horseman, and kept his seat in gallant ^tyle, but, unfortunately for him, the horse suddenly shied at ^ome object on the road, and threw him headlong upon the hard, icy ground. George was found a few minutes afterwards lying senseless where he had been thrown, and on being carried into a house close at hand, it was discovered that his leg was broken above the knee. As soon as it was known who he was, ^■ miakKt » : . 320 "DOT IT DOWN;" word was sent to the Merediths, stating what had occurred but the doctor forbade his removal from where he lay. When Mrs. Meredith heard of this accident to George, it was like a death-blow to her. The poor old lady indeed felt this new calamity so deeply, that it prostrated her completely. She had begun to look on George as one of the family. Mr. Meredith and the two boys tried to comfort her, but the only answer tin y could obtain was, " Oh ! why did we come to this country ; there hat. been nothing but trouble ever since we left our home in Canada. Gracie is gone. My com- fort and pride has been taken from me ; and now that George had begun to be like a son to me, he is laid on his bed perliajis never to rise again. Oh ! dear, my gray hairs will surely go sorrowing to the grave." " Don't say that, good wife," Mr. Meredith would say, " let us be patient, it may not be so bad as you say with George, He's young and strong, and will get over it with care. ^V^■'1! go up and see him to-morrow." Jack and Tom felt the accident very nuich, for they, ton had learned to look upon him as a brother. The people, into whose house George was carried, were ver. kind iuid attentive, and spared no means in their power tu make the injured man as comfortable as possible. We will now leave the unfortunate man for a short tiiiit . until we pay a visit to other scenes. Cool, notwithstandini; the rebuff given by his wife to " Dot," continued to cultivatt^ the acquaintance of that interesting individual. Many were the ideas obtained by the correspondent from Cool, and sent to the newspapers in Canada, as coming du-ect from "Dot." But while the latter became more and more intimate, another per son became less friendly with Cool and that individual was our old friend Whirl. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 321 b had occurred he lay. it to George, it lady mdeed felt her completely. 3 family, comfort her, but h ! why did avc but trouble ever gone. My coin- now that George . his bed perhaps rs will surely yu would say, " let say with George, vith care. We'll ch, for tlu^.y, too arried, were ver} in their power tu jle. for a short tiuu . notwithstaiidinu nued to cultivate Many were the and sent to the )m "Dot." But Hate, another per t individual wm The latter was a shrewd, calculating man, and he plainly foresaw that the Canadian party in the settlement, even should they be successful, would bring little credit to the members connected with it, as the acts already committed and ascribed to Canadians were being condemned by most of the people in the settlement. Whirl was one whose main object in Red River was money- making, and he took part in politics only so far as they might prove conducive to the main chance — money. Now he formed the opinion that Cool was taking a very roundabout way to make money out of politics, and at tlie same time he felt that although thi acts of the Canadian party in Red River might tend to agitate the question of annexation of the North-West in Canada, yet they would not at the same time do any good to the actors in the settlement, lie, tlierefore, made up his mind to withdraw altogether, fetiling th:^t neither the Cana- lians nor Americans would prove successful in any of their Hhemes, on tlie plan that Cool seemed desirous of adopting — namely, *' rel)ellioii against the constituted government of the ttuiitry." It was easily to be seen that neither Canada nor the United States would sanction the attempted overthrow of a ;'overnment so as to allow either of tlieni to step iyto its lilace. Had Cool and his party t'udtnivoured to lead the settlers tu demand in a propter way annexation to Canada, without trying at the same time to blacken the character of the Hud- son Bay Company, it is very probably that Canada would 'nave tinnid more friends than it did in Red Rivei-. Then. A^as no "hjoetion to a union with Canada amongst the people, but when nun who represented themselves as champions of Canada de- fied the laws and endeavoured^ to bring mob violence into exis- tfiiee, then the settlers took fright, and without waiting to .^^rt'?i«lPWi??W?w*''»«.»*)»s^ 322 DOT IT DOWN; t7 judge properly, they denounced all Canadians on account of tht acts done by a few lawless men. Whirl saw that all this was not going to pay in the end. it was too risky a piece of business for him to engage in, fur, thought he, I cannot afford to quarrel with all my neighbours for a mere uncertain prospect of " pap," to come from a gov- ernment whose advent seemed not at all sure. He, therefore, took every opportunity to let Cool know that he did not intend taking any further part in the grand scheme of anti Hudson Bay Company. The fact was that the people of Red River felt that although the Hudson Bay Company government was weak and unsuitable to the wants of the country, still it was the only one in exisience at the time in the North-West, and therefore the sole protection to life and property. They con- sequently had no desire to see it ^erthrown in the way Cool and his friends appeare^^ to wish for, until another and better one was substituted in its place. There was no anti-Canadian feeling dominant amongst the settlers ; but there was a fear that if the generality of Cana dians should prove to be like the party who put themselves forward as the representatives of Canada in Red River, they would riot be a good or safe people to become allied to. Our readers must remember that all the Canadians in Red River, at the time of our story, are not to be included in the same I category, as there were many fine men hailing from Canada in the North-West, who looked upon the deeds done by their countrymen as a disgrace to their nationality. Mr. Meredith | was one of this latter elass. Whirl could see, therefore, that Cool's party were not de.v tined to succeed, and he, on that account, determined to re-; nounce them. The Americans, to whom he had allied himself, were few in number, and did not possess much infiaence; stilll LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 323 account of the he resolved to remain one of them from the very fact that they lid not meddle with the affairs of tlie country, and were con- «equently respected by the settlers. Neither did Whirl expsct that annexation to the United States would happen, but as both Canada and the United States appeared to run an equally poor chance in Red River, he made up his mind to stick to the party likely to cause him the least amount of enmity amongst his neighbours. When Cool observed that his friend Whirl was, to use a vulgar term, "going back upon him," he at once demanded an j explanation. This was the signal for a rupture, and Whirl immediately took advantage of it, and from that day the two iTonies trod a separate path. "Dot" in the meantime, however, had gone in hand and I ^'love with Cool. This proved a poor exchange for the latter, I as the correspondent about this time brought down upon his ilevoted head the just indignation of the Red River people, on account of the scandalous letters he had written to Canada about I them. He was welcomed by few as a visitor to their houses, and at last poor "Dot" having quarreled with the several hotel keepers in the place, found it a hard matter to find a spot on I which to rest his weary head. Even Cool found some difficulty in providing a refuge for I him, as Mrs. Cool had not forgotten the free and easy way in which he had addressed her at the door. These were hard times for " Dot," and he began to wish himself well out of the country. To think that he, the irrepressible " Dot" should come down from being the invited guest of dinner parties and balls to the social position of an outcast ! " Dear me," he muttered " this lis really too bad ;" but he ought to have remembered the old [proverb which says "the way of transgressors is hard." Cool Imdently cared more for the opinion of people abroad, especi- f ; VI 324 "DOT IT DOWN;' ally in Canada, than he did of those at home ; and it was on this account therefore that he cultivated the friendship of "Dot" to such an extent. He knew perfectly well that by a littlo flattery he could weld the little correspondent's ideas to suit his own ; and he spared no means to effect this object. When " Dot" was shown the cold shoulder by the neighbours, Cool stepped in with an overflowing amount of friendly protes- tations. When *' Dot" could not get a dinner elsewhere, Cool immediately asked him to dine. When "Dot" could not even get a stone upon which to rest liis weary head, Cool produced a soft feather bed. Thus matters stood when word came from Canada, that a deputation had gone to England for the purpose of making arrangements with the Home Government and the Hudson Bay Company for the transfer of the North- West to the Dominion. Cool's spirits rose apace, and •' Dot" strutted about as much m to say, " there you see what I've done." People in Red River, however, took little if any interest in the matter. The Buster not having altogether quarrelled with Whirl, mentioned in an editorial that while Cartier and Mc- Dougall had gone to England, with a view of uniting the North- West to Canada, Senator Ramsey was presenting a series of resolutions at Washington, for the purpose of annexing Eed River under Uncle Sam's juiisdiction, winding up the article by saying, which ever way the cat jumped, the North-West was bound to be a great country. Very cautious on the part of Mr. Twaddle, who not being at the time very sure of the direction to be taken by the cat, felt it to be the best plan to " straddle the fence," as it is called, until the jump was taken. It was very plain, however, to most persons in the settle LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 325 ment that unless the cat dia jump very soon, several of those who persisted in stroking its back would go to +!ie wall. Cool by hie actions had weaned the good opinion of some of his best friends. His persistent efforts to overthrow law and order and the consequent injury to his character as a good member of society affected his business, until the bad effects were seen in his loss of credit and standing as a merchant. AU this worked against him at home, while abroad he was looked upon as an enterprising man, as well as a victim of tyranny on the part of the Hudson Bay Company, " Dot" having published a long letter showing how Cool and his friends were kept down and abused by the Hudson Bay Company. Sharp, ever since the night on which he had escaped from jail, began to lose the friendship or good esteem of his neigh- bours, and he too suffered considerably on account of his evil ways. It would have required a big jump on the part of these men to bring them in safety out of the mire into which they had fallen. It was therefore good news for both Cool and Sharj) when they heard of the Oartier-McDougall mission to England; and mark the first steps t«,ken by those worthies 'on the receipt of the intelligence. A meeting consisting of Cool, " Dot" and Sharp, was held in the house of the first named gentleman. " Ha ! ha ! ha!" exclaimed Cool rubbing his hands, " I knew i it would come to this." " Hi ! hi! hi !" chimed in "Dot," "see what the efforts of a [proper man as correspondent can do." " Ho! ho! ho!" added Sharp, " mark what jail-breaking and [defying the laws have done for this country." " And now," said Cool, "of course one should always look 326 DOT IT DOWN; out for the main chance ; that is what I invariably do on all occasions." " Of course," remarked " Dot." " Certainly" said Sharp, " but how is it to be done." "Listen" replied Cool, ''for T see plainly that nothing could be done without me in this matter. Sharp as you are, Sliaiji. I'll wager you have no idea what I am going to propose," "I'll give it up," replied Sharp. " Hold," cried " Dot ;" " let me see, Haw ! T see — yes! go on Cool I've some idea of what it is." " Has it never occurred to your wise heads then that then' are hundreds of acres of land in this fine country going to waste; j and are you not aware that as soon as the country is handed j over to Canada, these hundreds of acres will be in great demam by persons wishing to come and settle here." "Exactly" interrupted "Dot," "Haw! a light beams u])oii| me. "What the deuce has that to do with us ?" asked Sharp. "What is to prevent our securing a large quantity of land be- forehand, if we lay claim and stake it off into lots. Will not| the Canadian Government be bound to respect our right to them I Certainly they will. My idea, therefore, is for us to form ai clique, (Twaddle might be allowed into it), and pick out suclij choice spots as we think will be most saleable. The more we| claim the more we'll get ; so don't let us be in any way fastidious about claiming too much." " Capital," said " Dot ;" " when will we commence?'' " As soon as possible," replied Cool. " I'm in for it," said Sharp, " for to tell you the tnith, it i^ about the only thing I have to look forward to. My busine.^ has gone to the dogs ever since I got out of jail ; but what aboulj Whirl — won't he be one of us 'i " LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 327 ably (;■. 'Jt'iAl LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 339 I :^ony of that mom«.'nt ! I cowered beside the taffrail as I heard the last shriek of the drowning man, and then I peered about I in the darkness to see if any living soul was near that could ' have seen the deed — I knew that the wheelsman was not in a I position to have witnessed it. He, however, heard the shriek and sung out, — ' Mr. Loving, did you hear a cry astern ; — some- body must be overboard.' *1 did not hear it,' I replied, going lip to him, and as I spoke I trembled, but, I continued : — ' I'll go and see if anybody is missing.' ' Will I keep on my course, Sir ]' the man asked. ' You can't do anything else in this sea.' I replied. 'All right sir.* "As I turned from the taCrail I suddenly encountered George Wade, but I did not know him in the darkness until he spoke. " * What has happened V he huskily demanded of me. " 'I am going to see,* was my reply, as I endeavoured to push pcost him. " * Stop,* he said, sternly, * Ralph ! I was only a few feet apart from you and Long. I heard you having words with each other. Now tell me what has happened. Where is Long ? somebody struck a blow. Who was it?' " * My God, Wade,' I replied, now completely terror-stricken. I never intended to knock him overboard. I struck him because he called me a liar ; and he was nearer the taffrail than I thought. What will I do 1 Surely you will not betray me. No one saw it done, and I am sure the man at the wheel coidd not tell what was going on. Oh ! Wade, think of our friendship ; think of my father and poor mother ; think of the disgrace to them; and think of the miserable end it will bring me to. I never intended to commit murder. I only struck a blow in anger and did not look at the consequences. Spare me, Wade ; oh ! promise me that you will.' I knew Wade to be a conscientious fellow, and one who never broke his word. mi 340 " DOT IT DOWN ;" There must have been a terrible struggle in my messmate's mind, for he walked to and fro some time before he gave me his promise. ' Loving,' he said, ' you have this night commit- ted a fearful act. You say you did not intend to kill the man. I am bound as your friend to believe you ; but if you have deceived me, you have but added to the fearful crime of mur- der — that of perjury — for your word to me at this moment I consider as sacred as an oath. I will never reveal without your consent what I heard this night between you and Long.' I was safe. I kissed Wade's hand ; I blessed him, and almost grovelled at his feet. Wade, however, seemed to shrink from me, although he had professed to believe me. The mark of Cain must have been upon my brow. On search being made for the missing man, Long was found to be absent, and an in- vestigation took place the next day. The wheelsman was first interrogated, and he stated that he heard angry voices not far from him shortly before he heard the shriek astern of the ship, but he could not swear whose they were. He thought one sounded like Long's voice ; he could not distinguish the other, I breathed more freely after the testimony of the wheelsman had been given. It having occurred in our watch, both Wade and I were examined. I was questioned first, and swore that I never heard any noise on the quarter deck, and had not seen Long during the greater portion of the watch. I fairly trembled when it came to Wade's turn. What will he say, I thought, for he will never tell a lie as 1 have done. On being asked what he knew about the affair. Wade answered * I refuse to answer any question that may be put to me on the subject.' He was warned about the consequences that would follow, if he did not speak, but he would not answer one word. I once more breathed more freely, but my guilty heart sank within me when I saw them put the irons on George Wade, and walk him oflf to close LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 341 confinement ; but coward that I was, I dared not free him from his position." "The quarrel between Long and Wade was now discussed to the disadvantage of the latter. When we I'eached the port of , Wade was placed on trial ; but as there was no evidence to convict him, he was set at liberty. Still the brand of murder rested upon him in the opinion of his messmates, and on this account he had to leave the service. Wade never asked me to free him from his promise, and I, coward that I was, allowed him to suffer. I now confess that it was I and not George Wade struck Loi:%' the blow which hurled him over the side of the ship. The devil tempted me, and I listened to him, and now the crime of murder is on my soul. I fear to die, and I fear to confess while there is a chance for me to live. George Wade has gone to America I am told. I have never seen him since he left the Nero, but I trust that some day this confession will be found, and that it will blot out the unjust stain upon his name. Whoever discovers this secret drawer, let him or her in mercy send this paper to Alexander Wade, ^q., Essexshire, England, and God will reward him. I am a miserable man, and have no hope for the future ; for this reason I cling to life, for after death I am lost forever. I pray the forgiveness of George Wade, should this ever be seen by him. " Halph Loving." " My poor boy, how you have suffered," said Mr. Meredith, when George had finished reading the paper. " Yes, Mr. Meredith, I have suffered," replied George ; " but that would have been as nothing, had it not been the death of my poor Gi'ace. I could overlook Ralph Loving's falsity to me; but oh ! it is hard to forgive him when I think of our great loss." The teara started to the eyes of the sick man, and his m'\ n\ 342 "DOT IT DOWN;" ml voice iirembled a8 he continued. " It was a fearful struggle foi me to refuse you an exi)lanation at St. Bonifjico of what liiul been told you. I never brok(5 a proniisi!, and that oi c was ;i dreadful one to break, for it seemed as if the life of a Iminau being hung upon my lips being sealed ; but Ralj>h Loving, poor miserable man that he was, has a dreadful accoinit in render at the judgment day." " Have you any idea how the affair became to be spoken about in the settlement 1 " " I have not," replied George ; " that has always been a mystery to me." " Cool told me," said Mr. Meredith, '' and he afterwards in- formed me that Flyaway overheard you speaking to Barion about it." " Ah ! I remember," said Ueorge ; " I did mention one night to Barron, while he was on a visit to our camp, bt4iinii the town, that I had got myself into serious trouble before I came to Red River. I mentioned that I had unfortunately got mixed up in an affair on board ship, for whi^h I had to stand my trial ; but anything further I did not say, except that I was innocent of the crime I was tried for, that was all." " Then," said Mr. Meredith, " that villain Cool has made ii handle of what was told him by tht t miserable creature Fly- away, to try and ruin you ; but it is all over now, and what I have heard to-day only shows me how hasty and wrong I was in condemning you so quickly." " Do not speak of it now, Mr. Meredith ; we must try to forget it. I will send this confession to my father, in England, for although he never doubted my innocence of the crime im- puted to me, yet the fact of my being unable to clear myself has been a source of great trouble to him." Mr. Meredith soon after left for home, as Nina Stenr entered the room to attend to her patient. LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 343 iit'toi'wards iu- Stonr entered CHAPTER XXVII. ^E will now pass over a period of some months be. fore we again revisit our friends. During that time winter had passed away, and the beautiful spring had given place to the wann yet pleasant summer. That scourge, the gi'asshoppers, so pe- culiarly destructive in the North-West, had vis- ited the settlement and laid waste almost every green field. It was a trying time for the farmers, for inhere were very few an^ongst them who received any return whatsoever from the seed sown in the spring. It is a noticeable fact that when the grasshoppers appear in the fall of the year they do not destroy the crops to the same extent as they do the following summer. The eggs are deposited in the ground just before the cold weather sets in, and remain there all muter. When spring time comes the young insects, about the size of a common house fly, may be seen in myriads hopping here and there, feeding on any green leaf they happen to light upon. The grasshoppers are always most destructive just before the time they take flight, and it was so in the case we are describing. Those pests of Red River were so numerous on the occasion we have refer- ence to, that in some places, especially alongside the houses and fences, they accumulated in one living mass to the depth of over a foot ; and around the walls of Fort Garry they wei-e so thick 344 "DOT IT DOWN;" that men had to be employed witli wheelbarrows to cart them away, an the stench which arose from them soon proved un- bearable. It is seldom, however, that they prove so utterly de structive as they did at the time w^ are writing about. It was a most disheartening sight, when driving through the settle- ment during that summer, to see field after field perfectly bare ; — not a green thing in the shape of herbage to be seen any- where. It is the general opinion, that as the country settles up, the grasshoppers will disappear in proportion ; and it is to be hoped they will, for at present they are a very serious detri- ment to the settlements. Mr. Meredith suffered equally with his neighbours, and it was a great drawback to his farming operations, as he lost his first crop in Red River. It seemed to the poor old gentleman that his sojourn in the North-West was bound to be unfortu- nate, and he at last began to regret ever having left Canada. Mrs. Meredith had taken a great deal of pains, assisted by the two boys, in planting a fine lot of vegetables around the house. For some time the grasshoppers appeared to have skipped over her favorite patch, but at last they came, and the old lady in despair hit upon a plan by which "vhe hopod to preserve her cabbages. Taking the blankets, quilts, sheets and even her pet- ticoats from the house, she carefully spread them over the plants. '■ There !" she exclaimed, " the pesky things surely will not get through that." But alas ! for human expectations, the next morning Tom burst into her bedroom, as whe was in the act of dressing) and cried out, " Mother I Mother ! come out and see your cabbages." " Bakes alive !" replied the good woman, " how you fright^ ened me Tom — what is the matter with you ? " *' Oh ! come and see/' LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 345 Mrs. Meredith, throwing a shawl over head, hurriod after her son, and as soon as she arrived in the garden, slic threw uj) lior hands in amazement, and something akin to horror. " Gracious ! goodness!" she exchiimed "this beats everytliing I ever heard about. The pesky things will run off witli the house next." And what was the matter 1 Why tho'grasshoppers had eaten large holes through her blankets, her sheets, and her petticoats, and had stripped her vegetables as well. Tom roared with laughter, which obtained for him a sound slap on his ear from the indignant old lady. "There you good for nothing, take that for your pains. What do you see to laugh at I'd like to know V "Ugh !" she suddenly exclaimed, as she clapped her hands upon her dress and rushed into the house. A grasshopper had got up her clothes. Many of the better class of farmers in the settlement had laid by for a rainy day, and therefore were not altogcjther made des- titute of gi*aln by this unfortunate year ; but otiiers, not so pro- vident, had either sold or used their previous crops, and were consequently placed in a very trying position for the approach- ing winter. Numbers of the settlers not having sufficient in their bams to feed their families till the spring. Mr. Meredith now found the benefit of his stock farm, for, unlike many of his neighbours, he had a supply of cattle to fall back upon. He could always sell his beef, and thereby raise sufficient money to purchase gi'ain, both for food as well as seed f'^r the spring. The stock farm wap progressing very well under Jack's care- 1 fill management. A large quantity of hay had been cut and stacked away ; new barns and stables had been built, and a large I quantity of stone hauled from the quarry, in case other buildings should be required. , • . I' 34G "DOT IT DOWN;" Mr. Moroon giving t)io most of liis attention to Htock-raising for the future; and few in tho .settleniont had a l)ett(U' opportunity to succeed in tliat line than he had. Wo will now turn our attention to an old friend of ours, whom we liave overlooked (but not forgotten) for Home time, wp mean Mr. lion. During the month of May, the idain-hunttis and traders jirrivo in the setthnnent with their robes ami furs. Outside the town of Winnipeg, every spring, the lodges of the plain-hunters cover the prairie in largo camps, and tin; town itself is a scene of bustle and activity. Mr. Bon's store was crowded from morning till night with people, most cf whom were his own traders and their friends, settling up the year's business. In the fur trade, although you credit a man for some- times over two years, yet when he comes in, he will expect tlic highest market price for his furs, and will not have the slightest idea about paying interest for the use of the money. Mr. Bon, as we have already mentioned, was a man very nuich respected amongst the half-breeds, and usually his word was taken in cases were other men would have had some difficulty in making themselves believed. This assisted him very much in his dealings, especially with the plain-hunters. It was a gene- ral custom with the latter, wiien they were indebted to Mr. Bon, to go to him and tell him how many robes they had. If he agreed to buy them, they would at once go and bring in | their carts from the camps, and deliver the bales of furs intoj his store, trusting to his giving them a proper value for them. The robes are pressed into bales containing ten each, and arei brought into the settlement in this manner. It is, therefore, aj very risky matter to buy without unpacking, as you may after- wards find out that out of the ten you may not have over four] really good ones. Mr. Bon, at the time we are writing about, <& r.lKK IN TIIK NOIITII-WKST. U7 rcceiviMl in, ;i very ^ootl collcctioii of aliuosb .'ill .sorts ot' tins (.'infill ill tlio Nortll-\V(^st, jiiuongst whirli were Huflalo rol»t!.s, lilark I'ciir, (!ri/,/Iy iJcar, (Jiunainori or Brown Hoar, Wolves, Wolverine, Mink, Marten, Ive«l Fox, Kitt Fox, Cross Fox, Silver Fox, Otter, JJcaver, Mu.skrat, Fisher, hai >uld be as well ae to pursue, hearted, gentle, and retiring, she won your good o})inion at first sight. She had learned to love George Wade soon aftoi- lie became an inmate of her father's house .; but she never re- vealed the state of her feelings even to her motlmr, Mr. Bon, however, who was very ({uick in judging character, discovered her secret, and he feared lest it might be the cause of heart burnings to the girl, fur Nina Stone was a great favorite with him. Mrs. Mereditii also became very fond of Nina, and in- vited her often to spend the day with her. " It reminded her," she said, " of the time when her Gracie was alive, to have Miss Stone near her." This in itself served to counteract what Mr. Bon had advised for the best, as Nina and George met very often in the More- iliths' house ; and it soon began to be evident that unless George Wade returned the attachment of the loving girl, that she would follow in the footsteps of Grace Meredith. It 352 "DOT IT DOWN;" CHAPTER XXVIII. (E will now skip over the summer and autumn months, and pass on into the winter, the most distressing perhaps ever felt in Red River. The grasshoppers, as we have already stated, de- stroyed all the crops in the settlement, and in consequence of this there was every reason to expect a lp"ge amount of destitution amongst the settlers. News, regarding this state of affairs, Avent abroad, and many kind friends stei)ped forward in Canada, Britain and the United States, to help the settlers. Subscription lists were opened in those countries, and money flowed in fast for the relief of Red River. A bout this time, Cool and his party, ably assisted by Twaddle and " Dot," thought it was a splendid chance for them to make a big strike, and, in fact, they required something to improve their sinking fortunes. Cool, " Dot " and Twaddle held a private meeting, at which they decided that if they could get the control of the relief supplies expected, they might make a good thing out of it. For this purpose, therefore, it was pro- posed to form a general committee from amongst the settlers, of which the aspiring and conspiring trio were to be the ruling members. But, alas ! for human expectations ; while the gene- ral committee was being formed, word arrived from Canada LIFE IN tHE NORTH-WEST. S53 and St. Paul, that it was the desire of those donating the relief supplies, that the bishops and clergy, in conjunction with the Governor, should form the committee in Red River for the purpose of distributing the relief amongst the settlers. This was a death blow to Cool, " Dot " and Co., but still they did not despair. The Buster, which had made a great ado about the general committee, now professed to recognize it as the only responsible authority on the relief question in the settlement. But as the most of the members of the general committee did not care about acting contrary to the wishes of those who sent the supplies, Cool, "Dot" and Co. rogan to feel that they had not made such a good thing out of the affair. They now tried to push themselves into the committee of bishops and clergy, but all to no purpose ; they therefore had liad to " back down," as it is called, altogether. The Buster now began to cry down the relief arrangements, but finding that a useless job, it finally did not refer at all to them. Cool felt very much chagrined at this most decid' a defeat, and did all in his power to retard the eff'orts of the committee. Tlie fact was, he and " Dot " had tried to make it appear in the settlement, that it was through their influence that the relief was sent at all. It was, therefore, a bitter mortification to them when they found tliemselves entirely unrecognized in the affair, by the people of Canada. Sharp had sunk so low by this time, that he was forced to close up his store, and leave the settlement for St. Paul, where he remained for a few years, until at last he was reduced to keeping a third rate boarding house near the levee. We will leave him in that elevating occupation, hoping that he made it pay better than he did scheming and law-breaking in Red River. Whirl, as we stated in a previous chapter, began to see the 354 "DOT IT DOWN;' i< > errors of his ways, for the simple reason that his keen foif;- sight taught him tliat it wouldn't pay to fight against law and order, and, also, that it was time enough to cry out for Cauiula or the United states, when either of them possessed some riglit to the country. "Whirl, therefore, settled down to business, and became noted for sharp, and sometimes not over honest dealing ; still he throve, and would, no doubt, have been a rich man, but, unfortunately for him, ho took to drinking, and one morning he was found dead by the river side, having, it is supposed, tumbled out of a boat, while endeavouring to rros.s over to St. Boniface, in a state of intoxication, during a dark, stormy night. Twaddle stuck to the Buster until it " busted " him, then he took to gi'owing cabbages and other vegetables for a livelihood, and he was often heard to remark that kitchen gardening was far preferable to trying to " bust " the Hudson Bay Company. One paid ; the other did not. Twaddle, just before retiring from the Buster, encountered an enraged Canadian, who pitched into the unfortunate editor, for having written such trash about the country, the result of which was a black eye for Twaddle. And there we will leave him alone with his cab- bages. Ah ! Canada, how your champions suffered for your sake. Ah ! Canada, how you have also suffered by their deeds. Cool and "Dot" were now left alone in their glory. The former was down as far as he could go in the estimation of the people. In fact he entertained serious thoughts of leaving the settlement altogether ; and the general wish amongst Ids neighbours seemed to be in favour of his departure never to return again. Had Cool shown any honesty in his political ideas in favor of a change of government, or had he pursued a j proper course in endeavouring to further them, it is quite prob- able that he would have now many friends both for himself I !*#!; LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 355 anil tlie cause he was espousing. But it was quite apparent [that his only object in preaching Annexation to Canada and Instruction to the Hudson Bay Company, was to promote his I own selfisli ends. He even went so far as to promise certain parties his influence in obtaining for them fat offices under the proposed change of rulers, thus endeavouring to show that he was an authorized agent of the Canadian Government and I therefore a representative man. This of itself did Canada's (aus(; a great deal of injury in the settlement, for people could I not but condemn a govr'rnment who would employ a man or men to undermine the only constituted authority in the country, instead of openly entering into proper negotiations for a transfer of power. Of cours(! many people saw through Cool's preten- sions, but there were otheis who believed him to be a Canadian agent, and therefore condemned Canada for the unlawful deeds eouimitted by the Cool party in the settlement. It is no wonder, therefore, that the settlers dreaded the future to a certain extent; and although there were persons like the Merediths who counteracted the evil influence of the Cool party, and to a great degree removed the erroneous impression left on the minds of the pc^ople regarding Canada, still a great deal of harm was done. It is satisfactory to know, however, that Cool and his friends suffered the most by their operations — and totally lost the respect of their neighbours. As we have already mentioned, Cool's business dwindled down to nothing ; — his credit abroad as well as at home became worthless, and at the time we bid him adieu, he was on the eve of his departure Vom the scenes of his many unenviable exploits. We pity tho community whom Cool favored with his presence after he lef:. Re«l River, for ivssuredly there was trouble in store for them from the moment they took that arch- conspirator amongst them. S56 "DOT IT DOWN;" As soon as "Dot" found that his friend Cool intended deserting the cause, lie began to think it liigh time also to leave. The unfortunate correspondent found to his cost that he had got into bad company, and felt that he was consequently a loser by the connection. His land speculations were frustrated hy the action of the settlers in the matter. His expenses while in Red River had been enonnous, through his extravagance, and he found that ^e n es^^d few friends on account of liis untruthful lettev;- tu V rada. He, therefore, decided to follow in the footsteps ot oi ; 'trdit is to be hoped when he readied Canada he tried to make soiiie reparation for the evil he d'd while in Red River. But we feav his malady, so far as speaking slightingly of the North-West people, was beyond redem))tion. Some unknown wag presented " Dot," on the day of his depar ture from the settlement, with a leather medal, on which were inscribed the words — " For Services in the North-West, " Haw ! " Dot that down." We may mention here that Cool had unsuccessfully endea- voured to obtain a loan of money on several occasions from ^Ir. Meredith. Mr. Bon and George Wade having been the means of preventing the old gentleman from being swindled. And now, that we have politely shown the unruly characters of our story out at the back door, we will return and pay a short visit to those for whom we have a more friendly feeling. But, before doing so, we will relate to our readers some of the dreadful sufferings endured by the settlers of Red River during the winter following the desolating visit of the grass-hoppers. In many cases whole families were forced to subsist on two and a half pounds of flour per week for each person. Horse flesh LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 357 jiii some instances was eaten, and wo remember hearing of one family collecting old fi.sli-hea| heart. He consequently felt uncertain how to act. Ilediil not wish to pain the young girl's feelings, and yet he Iclij afraid that he had unwittingly won her love, and that it wmild be cruel to cast it from him. At the same time he did imtl feel sure how far the memory of his lost (Jrace would interfere with Nina's happiness, should ho make her his wife. While in this uncertainty of mind, George Wade had n course to his two friends, Mr. Bon and Mr. Meredith. Jiotlii advised him to weigh the matter well, before taking a stej) tliat might afterwards cause him as well as the young girl a grtaij deal of misery. Said Mr. Bon — " I would, if I were you, George, go dirnij to Nina Stone, and tell her the true state of your fecliugs ; it] she will accept you as her husband on your terms, then, m}j dear fellow, I should say marry her at once." George followed Mr. Bon's advice, and it is needless to sn\j that he and Nina were shortly afterwards betrothed. About this time. Wade left the Hudson Bay Company's scrj vice, having received letters from England, asking him to return, as his father was failing in health. He, therefore, n solved upon leaving Red River early in the spring. A day oi two before his departure for England, a few friends gathenJ together to witness his marriage with Nina Stone. The M before the principal entrance ; fairy forms coidd then be seen alighting and skipping up the stone steps. The large hall door would open, a flood of light would suddenly be thrown upon the trees in the park, and then when the gay guests had entered amidst hearty welcomings, the heavy door woiUd be swung V>ack with a bang. A ball was evidently being given in this old-fashioned resid- ence, and although uninvited ourselves, we will take the liberty of asking our readei*s to accompany ns within. All except two persons are strangers to us in these large and sumptuously fur- nished rooms ; and who are they 1 may be asked. We will answer in our own way. The residence in question belonged to Alexander Wade, Esq., the father of George, and the ball we have observed as going on, is given in honor of the arrival of the young bride and bridegroom from America. The arrival of George and his young wife was the subject of I LIFE IN THE NOllTII-WEST. 361 |iiiuc]i H|>oculiition amongst thn noiglibourinsj gentry ; tho rumor if IjIh liiiving inarricd a lialf-hrood lady liad i>n'C(«d(«d him, and I grcMit deal of ourioHity waw felt aniongHt tlu; friends of tho |fiuuily regarding tho appearance of the expected Mrs. Wade. Tho idea ent<«rtained ahont a halt-breed was a very vagno lone amongst the people of that country place, and in fact it was liltogether a matter of uncertainty to many whether a young l;i(ly, just from the wilds of America, knew how to lx;have her- i^t'lf at all. On the arrival, therefore, of George and Nina, in Ussexshire, liiiost of the neighbors came to visit and welcome them home ; md old Mr. Wade, although feehlo in health, resolved upon .'iving a larg(^ hall in honor of his son's return. " You are like the prodigal," sailiaro no ])ainH to make it jileasant." invitations were thoreforti issued, and the hall i)as.Hed off to klio satisfaction of every one, and old Mr. Wade in particular. lOur readei's will now see that George and Nina were the only U'o present with whom we are at all ac(piainted. Nina at tii"st lit rather shy at having to ai>pear before so many strangers, [lilt George reassured her by telling her that she would find tho eople in England as jolly as those she had been accustomed to lied River, and that their mannei*s were also very similar. [ill the night of the ball, Nina entered the drawing-room hang- ng on the arm of Geoj, o, and her natural grace and winning Banner at once made h»r a favorite with all present. Her . less was simple and t{ist<^ul, and altogether there was not a Bore ladylike person in the room. George liad good cause to feel proud of his wife, and when le remembered " Dot " aiyd his lettena regarding tho Red River 362 "DOT IT DOWN;" people, and tho ladies of that country in particular, hv. couM havo pulled the little conceited correspondent by the nose, had he been near him. Old Mr. Wade became very fond of Nina, and she in turn showed him all tho attention due by a daughter to a jtarcut. George and his fv<,ther had m^u\y convei-sations regarding thf former's previous lite ; the unhappy alJ'air which caused him to leave the East India Company's Service ; the sojourn in I ltd Iliver, and niehmcholy end of Grace Meredith. The; did gentleman symi»athized deeply with his son. " Well, my dear boy, all is well that ends well. I am s\ii( you have reason to be thankful and proud for having gaiiiri the love and affection of such a sweet girl as Nina." Many invitations flowed in on the young pair, and wherevti' they went, the ''stranger wife," as Nina was called, made a lius of friends among the kind hearted Essex peo})le. But gaiety soon gave place to sorrow, for good old Mi Wilde fell suddenly ill one day, and it became the oidniou doctors that he would never rise from his bed agaiii. Nimi wjia unremitting in her attentions on the sick man ; indeed, .s( much so, that George at last became alarmed for her saki She looked so pale, and seemed so worn out with the fatigue still she could not V)e persuaded to leave the sick-chamber. Mr. Wade at last grew so childish in his attachment toward his son's wife, that he never seemed to r(?st easy when she wa away from his bedside. Death finally came and carried off tli weary soul to a home of rest ; and Nina, who had at last hegiiiMniade ; to sink under her continued confinement was saved from \)*'M " i' haps a dangerous illness. Bt-j ^^ j George fe't the death of his father very deeply, and as sooMof i|„. as the funeral was over, he hastened away with his wife IVoiBl-.tter. the scene of so much sorrow where shortly before there liaBwii^. .^ iH'eii I'iiaii his I n»mj \vai(i Th vulua to j)r( own I posse Oeor^ his 01 could iilthoi come Wli errant that t •stance comiu iiothii •VllUTi As Mr. A will hi! to ]je ; Jt'- LIFE lx\ THE NUllTIl-WEST. 363 jiilar, lu5 coiiM Y the nose, had i i\cl she in I mil] ar to a jniivnt. i regarding tln' I caused him to ■jojourii ill K'llj Llith. The ..l.l elh I am s\ir«3 :• having gaiiird ina." ir, and where v»ij [led, made a \w4 L" good oUl Mr ^e the opinion <> again. Niii;i man ; indeed, sti 5(1 for her sakt ■ith the fatigue ;k-ehaniber. ichment towunl sy when she wai id carried olV th lad at hist lit'gui saved from p'!^ ply, and as sue ,h liis wife tVeij before tlieve \vA been so nmch happiness. He felt that his wife recpiired a change of air to pri'^erve her health. He therefore arranged his business, so that he could leave the property in charge of a c<»n)i)etent agent, and started for Scotland with Nuiasoon after- waids. The pj'operty which Mr. Barrv4P had willed to Ui-ace was a valuable one, and George therefore ileterniined to look after it to preserve it, if possible, for the Meredith family. It was his own proposition to (h) this, as Mr. Meredith hau no desire to j possess the property or to claim it from Mr. IJarron's relatives. George perhaps had the best right to it, but he had sufficient for his own and Nina's wants, and he did not consider tiiat he I could fairly lay claim to what was never intended for him, I although there is no doubt l)ut that Barron wished him to be- jcome equally benefited with Grace by the be([iiest. When George visited the projierty, he made known his I errand to the person in charge of it, and from him he learned that there were several of Barron's relatives in poor circum- I "Stances who would be glad to obtain assistance from the rents coming in from the estate. George instructed tlu^ agent to do liiothing until he sent him word, as Mr. Barron's will was in America, and could be easily proved. As soon as he returned to Essex, he wrote on the subject to I.Mr. Meredith, and received an answer, saying that Bairon's will had been destroyed, and that, therefore, his relatives were to be allowed to have the property as if no will had t'ver ]>een I made against them. " This is just like the honourable old man," (Jeorge exdaim- Ici), when he read the letter, and accordingly he. wrote the agent |of the Jiarroii property, enclosing a co[»y ol' Mr. Meicdith's .'tter. Geoige found that the trip to Scotland had done iiis [wife a great deal of good, but at the same time he discovered 364 "DOT IT DOWN;" m that her heart yearned for Red River; and she often express(!(l a wish to return and see her relations and friends once more. On Miis account he resolved upon leaving England, and again visiting the North- West, and accordingly he left Essexshire in the fall on his return to America. During the absence of George in England, great changos had taken plac(; in Red River. Mrs. Meredith pined sadly after tlio d(!parturc of Nina and her husband ; it seemed as if the memory of Grace saddened her moments so much, that licr health suffered considerably in consequence. At last she was confined to her bed, and in a short time she too was laid in lici' grave by the side of her loved daughter Grace. Mr. Meredith began to fail fast, and the loss of his partner in life caused a deep-rooted melancholy to hover over him, Jack and Tom did their utmost to cheer up their poor old fatln'i) but it was evident to everyone that he would not live long. Tiie stock farm had succeeded beyond expectation, and l)otli the boys now owned and worked separate farms, besides lookini,^ after their father's property. Mr. Bon had increased his business, and was every day add- ing larg(;ly to his already considerable fortune. Our old accpiaiutance, Cool, having left the settlement, liis ])arty had dwindled down to almost nothing, and peace ai"' quietness reigned in tlie land. About this time the transfer of the North- West was s})ok(n about as likely to take place on the 1st of December, and a good deal of eontrovei-sy was going on amongst the settlers regaiding it. The t(5rm8 on which it was proposed to hand over the country were not received favorably by the Red River peoj)le, and murmurings were hoard everywhere in opposition to them. George, however, knew nothing about all this, until he reach- ed Pembina, on his way to the settlement. Tliere he metanolJ LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 365 rten expressed is once mf)re. ] ul, and again Essexshirt' in it cliangos had sadly aft(;r the ned as if tlic audi, that licr ,t last she was was laid in her of his partnov VGV over him. poor old fatlu'i) )t live long, ition, and both l)esides looking I every soon as they Ijcard of Wade's arrival, rushed up to see him: and then George retui-ned with them to see old Mr. Mereditli. The meeting was an affecting one, on account of sad memo- ries. Nina, the next day, went to see Mr. Meredith, and then she and George drove to th<; churchyard to visit the grav(N of Grace and her mother. The recollections were sorrowful ones, j as they sat for some time thinking over the \ydst. At last George drew his wife to his bosom, and whispered, " The living j and the dead will never be rivals." When they returned home they found Mr. and Mrs. Bon, waiting to see them, and tluj next evening a large party, consisting of the Stones, Merediths, j Bons, and several otlier friends assembled together to welcome Iho young coui)le back to Ked River. George soon after this bought a fiiu^ farm, and settled down. Viaviuu given up the ii'ea of living in England, as Nina prefer- r:d rr'miiniiig amongst the friends of her youth. There wel LIFE IN THE NORTH-WEST. 3G7 le work of dc- the so call('ast by the Government explorers and the ITudson J>ay factors ut th<' splendid crojts of wheat, l)arlev, oats, buckwheat, pota- toes, r.nd beets, 'i'urnips and cajrots are not generally raised. And while the yield far exceeds iu quantity per jicre that of the older )>oi*tions of British North America, the quality "is said iiot to bo inferior. These crop.s, lie it remembered, have tx'cn rai.sed year after \t^ar from the sauic land, farmed in whut iu ( )ntario would be 'idled a slovenly manner, anil without that attention to maiiur- I iMimi ■! -^ Y™»t nn^igijp^ T- 370 EMTORANTS OUTDK ing wliicli good Imslmndry «leinan(ls. Wc may add that almost all correHpondonts uiiito in saying that 30 to 35 himln'ls of wheat 1)61' acre is considered a small croj), 40 to 50 being tlic average. The land will, in fact, grow in ahnndance and to ])Pifecti(ni any spring crops that can be grown in Ontario. The c>dtiv;i- tion is very easily accomplislied, compared with that on tind»ered lands. ilie greater i)art of the country is prairie. The sides of the rivei-s and lakes are bordtsred with timb(;r, which, liowever, is not of so good a (piality nor so large as that further soutli. The prairie extends to almost an indefinite distance north an('ic(l sides of the , however, is nther soutli. ce nortli aiul liood of liaki' iiientlv fittctl 1, that on tilt' >tions, on the a black vege- leilies it at !i aurees of lai'gc helK, or at the Poplar Point, shels })er aciv. •e. This |»ei*so)i gives the average of barley tlins : — From 1 laislu'l of seed — 15 laishels. Oats. — Average : from 1 bushed — 15 to 20 bushels. BucKWHKAT. — From 2 (juarts — 7 l)ushels. Potato Ks. — 1, From 1 lb., early rose — 172 lbs. 2. Average : from 1 bushel of seed — 35 bushels. .T. From 5 bushels (beside.s feeding the family) — 250 bushels. The size of the potatoes is eepially remarkable. Thus by difft'rent correspondents we have 2 lb., 2 lb. 1 oz,, 2ilbs, 2 lbs. 13 oz., as the weight of single potatoes, and it is further averred that no sign of decay has been seen there. Cabbages ai'e spoken of as weighing 15 or 10 lbs. each ; turnips (Swedes), 1') to 10 lbs.; l»eets, 17 lbs.; and cauli- llowers, parsnips, onions, etc., ecpially splendid. CI.IMATK. The summer of the neighborhood of Fort Garry is fully as warm as that of Ontario, and the wintt;r is cohler. The ther- mometer goes down to 40° and 41° below zero, though that is unusual. This, to the greater part of tlie inhabitants of On- tario, would seem perfectly unbearable, as indeed woidd the milder days of 35^, 30°, and 20° ; but we are assured that the very bracing air of that healthy country, renders the cold ([uite endurable. One correspondent writes that he has driven, without discomfort, across the ])rairie all day while the mercury stood at from 30° to 40° below zero. Thei-e are seldom any very strong winds, and when tliere are, they do not last long. This calmness of the atmosphere, and the dryness and absence of change, will explain how the intense cold is borne with so little discomfort. Any one who hiis lived in Eastern Canada, and afterwards spent a winter in 372 KMIORANTS fJUIDE Toronto, or west of it, can readily assent to the probable tnitli of what the concspondcntH write. One writer says : — " Kvery thing here goes to extremes ; the Huniiiier is hotter, the winter cohh'r, the sun brighter, the light- ning and the Aurora Borealis more vivid, the thunder more tcrrifie, the vegetation more rapid, the sky clearer, and tin- birds sing sweeter." That the wt^ather is not so universally cold during the win- ter, and that the cold een a this n for su Th( a roa( then by 12 west and r boiwf goosti Croix From over It in 17 fumi Kmi^ carry TO MANITOHA. 373 )l»ablu truth tli.'it liai'dslnp.s woro Ruft'crod wliioli ]i inodonitcly rolitist wn laii Mii^lit not t!inlm«f without liability to injury. KiVcn if tlu? stt'annT.s and sta^r'H ar*^ not iniuuMliati'ly jdafc*! upon this routo, it yet oiWn'H nuiny advantage's for the class of travidlors w(« liavo indicated. One gonth^nian, who has gono to Kort Chirry I>y Dawson's route, says that a party of young mm coidd accom- plish the journey at a cost of $20 each. Persons travelling this way are also more independent aiul able to suit thems(d\cs as to the ))aggag(; tliey may taike with them. Whether the Uovernment will have Hteamei*s and stages ready in time to be of much service next year is «h)>ibtful, but they luive given contracts out for the steamboats to Messrs. Dick, wlio are doing their b(!Ht at the late hour th«,' contract has been awarded tlunn. There is not the slightest doubt that wlien this route is tlioroughly e(piipped, it will be by far the best route for summer travel. The route from Prince Arthur's landing is, for 47 miles, over a road represented as fairly travelled. Lake Shebandowan is then reached, and the water communication, interrupte .^3 O / >^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ iV ^^ :\ \ % V 4 <> ■<^ 374 EMIGRANT S GUIDE The portages are rei)reseiited as not being nearly so difficult as at first supi^osed, and it is to be hoped that the Government will have roads, if not tramways, at once constructed. In leaving this part of our subject, we suggest to enterpris- ing people the desirability of establishing a hotel or hotels on the line of road between Lake Shebandowan and Prince Arthur's Landing. There are several localities where voiy good land for farming exists on the line of road, and some of these localities are already taken up. The second, the only winter route, is by way of the Great Western Railway to Detroit, and thence to St. Paul's, Pem- bina, and Fort Garry. The thii-d route is by the Northern Railway from Toronto to CoUingwood, thence to Duluth by steamer, thence by rail to St. Paul's. It will be seen, therefore, that the two latter routes converge, and were it not that the Duluth route is not open ii winter, one would be as available as the other. The Duluth will be probably the cheaper in summer, as it affords more water travel. The ticket by this route to St. Paul's will be about $25. From St. Paul's in sunmier, whichever route is taken to get there, the next point to be gained will be Fort Abercrombie, on the Red River. This is the most difficult portion, as the journey is performed by stage. Some of the Canadian companies are making arrangements to perfect the connection at this part of the journey ; if they can do so, it is probable that the whole journey to Fort Garry will be per- formed at a cost of $50.. or $75 per passenger, including u moderate supply of baggage. Until some plan is perfected and announced at this point, it would be wrong to offer an opinion of the cost of the journey, as $50 and $60 have been demanded for this portion of the road alone. Once at Fort Abercrombie, TO MANITOBA. 375 arly so difficult tie Governmunt icted. st to enterpiis- el or hotels on 111 and Pi'iiict; es where very ,d, and soiiui of y of the Great ;t. Paul's, Peni- rom Toronto to ence by rail to the two latter ith rouie is not he other. The er, as it affords St. Paul's will chever route is d will be Fort most difficult Some of the to perfect the can do so, it is ry will be per- including a s perfected and ffer an opinion been demanded t Abercrombie, ?r a steamer will convey the passengers to Fort Garry. The fol- lowing miirite description of this route was given for the pur- l)Ose of enabling a lady to go to Fort Garry to meet her husband, and has l)een pronounced to be correct in all particulars : — The route to St. Cloud is by rail ; thence to Fort Abercrombio, 180 miles by stage, which is fairly comfortable. The first night is spent at Sauk Centre, where is a rather decent hotel. The second night is spent at Pomiiie de Terre station, where the accommodation is middling. The next night Fort Abercombie is reached. Here the most comfoi*^able place is said to be the establishment of James Nolan, express agent. His wife is a Camidian, and well disposed to Canadian emigrants. It is found ^necessary to procure a conveyance at this point, Nolan will make himself useful if written to in advance. After this point there seems to be some doubt about the stage, but it runs, at all events, to Pembina. From Abercrombie the next point to be reached by the land route is Georgetown, 52 miles across the prairie, and unless the stage runs, the worst portion of the way. There is, however, a night station at the 25 mile point, at the Jesuit mission. At Abercrombie or Georgetown it will be best to wait for the steamer a day or two in summer, which goes direct to Fort Garry, or if it is not raining, the stage may be on the route to Pembina, when a private conveyance must be taken — 55 miles to Fort Garry ; the resting places are not very good, but are half-breed huts. Only 501bs. of baggage, per person, is allowed by the stage on this route, and the best way to send extra baggage is said to be through Hill, Griggs (fe Co., forwarders, St. Paul. We subjoin a table of distances for winter travel, compiled by Dr. Schultz : — 370 emigrant's guide Miles. Pembina to 12 Mile Point llj 12 Mile Point to Grand Point 17} Grand Point to Little Salt 7 J Little Salt River to Big Salt Crossing 10 J Big Salt Crossing to Riviere Marais Camp... 4 Riviere Marais to Small Lake 8| Small Lake to Turtle River 3} Turtle River to English Centre 1 J English Centre to Elm Centre 7f Elm Centre to Point 2J Point to Running Creek 3} Running Creek to Young Bull Creek 5^ Young Bull Creek to 1st Point 10 1 st Point to Goose River Landing 7 .^ Goose River Landing to Camp Lake 7| Camp Lake to Elm River 5} Elm River to Georgetown 1 2 1 1C7 For the benfit of those travelling by winter or early in spring we may add that on the road from Benson to Alexandria, 47 miles, and from Alexandria to Georgetown, about 130 miles, there are plenty of comfortable houses to stop at for those wIk* prefer them to camping out ; and from Georgetown to Pembina houses may be met wiih at the following places : — At Goose River, 28 miles, the mail shanty ; at Grand Forks, 32 miles, there arc five or six houses ; at the point between the two Salts, 37 miles, there is a Norwegian's shanty ; and at Two Rivers (commonly called Twelve Mile Point), 30 miles, there is a wood-cutter's house a little off the road ; Pembina is 12 miles north ; a further drive of 28 miles will bring them to Scratch- TO MANITOBA. 377 Miles. ....113 1 73 n ....lOJ [>... 4 .... 81 .... O4 lOJ n n •'4 ^4 10 71 '? ''4 193 .... 1 w^ 1G7 early in spring- Alexandria, 47 out 130 miles, . for those who wn to Pembina !S : — At Goose orks, 32 miles, Dween the two ; and at Two miles, there is ina is 12 miles lem to Scratch- ing River, the beginning of Red River Settlement proper ; and from that place to Fort Garry, 39 miles, the road is thickly settled. In fact there seems to be no difficulty to a person driving 30 miles a day in finding a resting place by night. WHAT TO TAKE. This will depend on the route taken, and the manner in which the journey is conducted. It is safe to say that every- thing that will pack up in small compass is desirable. Tools, ^c, are high priced, and difficult to get in Manitoba. It is hardly safe to advise a settler to carry a stove, and yet a 10 inch " Commonwealth" stove, in Winnipeg, has been sold for $110. MERCHANTS will have the opportunity of making heavy profits with quick returns, literally. Even the influx already poured in has, if we may believe the accounts sent, exhausted the stock, and we refrain from pointing out any particular class of goods to be sent in, because all are needed, and a taste for the most expen- sive must be to some extent cultivated. LABOUR AND CHANCES OF EMPLOYMENT. There is in fact an opening for every class of tradesmen, and a few of the following would speedly find employment : — Black- smiths, carpenters, painters, bricklayers, plasterers, shoemakers, tailors, cabinet-makers, carriage-makers, tinsmiths, farmers, practical engineeers, (that is, men who understand the maiui- facturing of the steam engine) millers, masons and brickmakers. At present there is no cabinet factory in the country, neither is there a foundry, only one tannery, no brick manufactories, no 378 emigrant's guide woollen mills, no flax mills, no soap factories, no potteries, and no oatmeal mill. Tiie country can give emi)loyment to alxnit four watchmakers, two bookstores, one bookbinder, one fan-icr, six veterinary surgeons, a few land surveyors, conveyancers, teachers of music, bakers, confectioners, milliners and dress- makers. Good wages are paid carpenters, framers, plastc'rers, say s2 to $2 50 per day ; and board is not more than $4 50 per week. The manufacture of household furniture will, it seems to me, from the difficulty of carriage, prove very lucrative. Useful labourer's have obtained as much as a dollar a day and board, or a dollar and a half and board themselves. Of course in sudi a new country a great many business chances in the shape of manufactories are open, and we learn that breweries, giist mills, and saw mills are in course of erection. One writer sums up the present wants of the country in this respect as follows : — "There is a capital opening for two woollen mills, there being none at all at piesent. The country is a magnificent cour.try for sheep pasturage ; sheep farms I have no doubt would pay well. Our country is also well calculated for flax culture ; two flax mills, after the introduction of the cultivation of Hax, would doul>tless pay well. Portage la Prairie is much in need of a steam grist mill. There are also good openings for one or two soap factories, two or three tanneries, one or two potteries, two or three brick manufactories, two or three foundries, five or six waggon and carriage factories, three or four cabinet factories, and one oatmeal mill." Of course farmers will have excellent opportunities in tlit^ new colony. It is suggested ^hat any persons intending U settle in Manitoba should come without their families if possible, On such p It ma] imclai] land if to tlio Indian avoid marke( been h '' Til chain 1 insteac ho WGl a fact, of the iiothin from 5 not sel inents, "In for ins from t( miles i around We in the they h TO MANITOBA. 379 pottrricis, JUK 'in cut to about er, one fjinic'V. convcyanet'is. ers and drcss- isterei'S, say 82 4 50 per week, it seems to me, rative. Useful ilay and board, f course; in sudi in the sliape of jreweries, gi-ist country in this ills, there being lificent conr.tr) 3Ubt would pa) IX culture ; t\v( )n of flax, woultl di in need of ;i s for one or twa aro spcjken of as wondra-fiilly adapt(!(l for dairy farming, as one correspondent says : — " The lake is situated about sixty miles to the north-west of Winnipeg, and the country between is wooded prairie. At tlio present time tlie settlement at the lake consists of a small Hud- son Bay post, and the dwellings of about a dozen families of half-breods, but there are circumstances which combine to attract settlers to this point, and the lake is destined to be, I think, the centre of a thriving district. It is a splendid country for stock raising, and already the inhabitants of other parts of the; settlement commence to take up claims along the shore for the purpose of stock-farming." LIVING AND PRICES. As yet, as may be gathered from what has gone before, certain articles fetch very high prices. Lumber, for instance, brings from $60 to $70 per 1,000 feet, and not very good at that. The saw mills, which are projected, will speedily reduce this. It is said that McArthur & Martin are about building one on Lake Winnipeg, and Lynch Brothers another on Lake Manitoba. The prices of growing crops are less than in Ontario by one- half and farmers must take that into consideration when looking at the prices subjoined. Wheat is worth $2 25 ; Barley $1 30 per bushel ; Beef, per 100, $10 ; Pork, per 100, $17; Butter, ^racked, 38c. per lb.. Poultry, cheese, eggs, and vegetables of every kind, find ready sale at equally remunerative prices. Potatoes average 50c a bushel all the year round. Cattle are worth about the same price as in Ontario, an ox being worth £15 to £1G. Horses are smaller, but about the same price. TO MANITOBA. n8i r.anitoba aro ning, as one lorth-west of rie. At the I small HiKi- 1 families of ine to attract be, I think, . country for parts of the sliore for the efore, certain tance, brings it that. The e this. It is one on Lake klanitoba. tario by one- when looking » ; Barley $1 $17; Butter, vegetables of rative prices. ntario, an ox )ut about the The buildings are made of logs laid in mortar, of boards, and of brick. The latter kind will no doubt be more numerous hereafter as there is, we are informed, only one brick-maker in the colony.