On the 30th day of October, Mr. McDougall arrived at Pembina.  He was already aware that the country was seething with tumult; that Colonel Dennis had been turned out of the Territory; that Messrs. Snow & Mair had become hateful in the eyes of the half-breeds:  yet he felt disposed to do little more than laugh at the whole affair.  He had the assurance of his mischievous envoys that the matter was a mere temporary ebullition of feeling, and that his presence in the country would very soon calm the turbulent waters.  So he said: 

“I shall take no notice of this impertinent letter.  In fact it is impossible for me to recognise such a piece of presumption, and deal with a communication which would be the rankest insolence, but that it is so extremely ludicrous.”  So the gallant Lieutenant-Governor, with his officials, boldly crossed the line and proceeded towards Fort Garry.  But they were met on their triumphant march by a detachment of fourteen armed half-breeds whose spokesman said: 

“You received an order from the Provisional Government not to enter these territories.  When that order was passed it was the Government’s intention to take care that it should be carried out.  Yet you have forced yourself in here I give you till to-morrow morning to be clear of these territories.”  Mr. McDougall’s lip began to hang a little low.  The calm, even polite, tone of the spokesman of the party had impressed him more than bluster or rage.  With the next morning came the same party.  They made no noise, but quietly taking the horses of the Governor’s party by the head, turned them around, and packed the whole of them back.  In this way, and without so much as a loud word, was the Governor Designate turned out of the territories.

Every success, however trivial, was fuel to the courage and enthusiasm of Riel’s party.

“I have begun this matter,” the leader said to one of his followers, “and I do not mean to deal in half measures.  Without stores we can do nothing.  Fort Garry is worth our having just now, but we must move circumspectly in getting possession of it.”  So it was ordered that his followers should proceed in twos and threes, as if on no special mission, to the desired point.  Presently, Governor McTavish saw in the shadow of the fort the rebel leader and a number of followers.

“We are desirous of entering,” Riel said.

“Wherefore?” enquired the Governor.

“We cannot tell you now,” was the reply; “it is enough for me to say that a great danger threatens the fort.”  Without further explanation, the feeble-willed Hudson Bay officer permitted the rebel and his followers to enter.

“Huzza!” they all shouted, when they found themselves inside the stockades, and glanced at tier upon tier of barrels of flour, and pork, and beef, and molasses; and upon the sacks of corn, and the warm clothing, and better than all, upon the arms and ammunition.

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