The second day of the Riel trial brought out sufficient evidence to incriminate the prisoner, and to lead the Crown prosecutors to waive the calling of other witnesses.  During the proceedings the prisoner, it is reported, manifested more interest than he did on the first day of the trial, and his dark penetrating eye restlessly wandered from witness to counsel, and from bench to jury.  “All day long a couple of medical men sat watching his actions, to discover, if possible, whether his mind was affected or not.”  His disagreement with his counsel towards the close of the day, caused an exciting break in the proceedings.

GEORGE KERR, of Kerr Brothers, BATOCHE, was the first witness sworn.  He testified that on the 18th of March, Riel, with some fifty armed half-breeds, came to his store, and demanded, and obtained, all his guns and ammunition.  His store was sacked, and later on he was himself taken prisoner, but was subsequently released.  Riel, he testified, directed the rebel movements in concert with Gabriel Dumont.

HARRY WALTERS, another storekeeper at BATOCHE, was then examined, and gave similar testimony as to the sacking of his store, and of Riel’s demand for arms and ammunition.  On his refusing to accede to the demand of the prisoner and the breeds with him, Riel said, “You had better do it quietly.  If we succeed, I will pay you; if not, the Dominion Government will.”  I refused, said Walters, and they forced themselves in and took the arms.  I was arrested shortly after.  Riel said the movement was for the freedom of the people.  The country, if they succeeded, was to be divided, giving a seventh to the half-breeds, a seventh to the Indians, a seventh to church and schools, the remainder to be Crown Lands.  I was kept prisoner three days, being liberated by Riel.  Riel said, God was with their people, and that if the whites ever struck a blow, a thunderbolt would destroy them.  They took everything out of my store before morning, the prisoner superintending the removal of the goods.

HILLYARD MITCHELL sworn, was examined by Mr. Osler.  He said—­I am an Indian trader, have a store at Duck Lake; heard there was an intention by rebels to take my store.  I went to Fort Carlton and saw Major Crozier on the Thursday prior to the Duck Lake fight; saw prisoner on that Thursday at Batoche.  Saw some people at the river armed.  At the village I saw some English half-breed freighters who had been taken prisoners by Riel, and their freight also taken.  Philip Garnot took me to the priest’s house.  I saw the prisoner there with Charles Nolin, Guardupuy and others.  I think this was on the 19th of March.  I told Riel that I had come to give some advice to the half-breeds.  Riel said the Government had always answered their demands by sending more police.  They were willing to fight 500 police.  He said he had been trampled on and kept out of the country, and he would bring the Government and Sir Jonn Macdonald to their knees.