“No, ma Marie.  You shall never deck your nuptial chamber with daisies for Monsieur Thomas Scott.  You will find occupation for your sweet little fingers in putting fresh roses upon the mound that covers him.  For a feu-de-joie and the peal of glad marriage bells, I will give you, ma petite chere, the sullen toll that calls him to his open coffin, and the rattle of musketry that stills the tongue which uttered to you the last love pledge.”

For an hour did he pace up and down the floor gloating over his revenge.  Meanwhile I shall leave him, and follow the “adjutant-general,” as M. Lepine was known under the Provisional Government.  He proceeded to the private room of the military quarters, and entering found his subordinate officers assembled there.

“Messieurs,” he said, “We know what our business is.  We must lose no time in dispatching it.  But before commencing, let me say a few words.  Monsieur Riel is so overweighted with other affairs that the matter of dealing with the man Scott rests entirely in our hands.  I have just left him, after endeavouring in vain to induce him to be present at the trial; but he could not spare the time to come.  By skilfully sounding him, however, I discovered that his sentiment respecting the prisoner are exactly the same as those entertained by myself.  What these are, I need hardly say.  It is now a struggle between the authority of the Provisional Government and a horde of rebellious persons of which the defendant is the most dangerous.  The eyes of our followers are upon us; and if we permit the authority of government to be defied, its officers reviled, and insult heaped upon us, depend upon it we shall speedily lose the hold which we have gained after so many bitter struggles; and become ridiculous, and a prey to the conspiracy which our enemies are so actively engaged in promoting against us.  The very fact of this man Scott having leagued himself with our enemies, within a few hours after his release from confinement, is in itself an offence worthy of death; but I shall ask these persons who are here as witnesses to show you that since his capture he has merited death ten times over at our hands.  With your permission gentlemen, I will proceed: 

“Thomas Scott of Red River Settlement stands charged before this court-martial with treasonable revolt against the peace and welfare of the colony; with having leagued himself with an armed party, whose object was the overthrow of authority as vested in our Provisional Government.  He is likewise charged with having attempted criminal violence upon lawfully delegated guards appointed over him, during his incarceration; and likewise with inciting his fellow-prisoners to insubordination and tumult, contrary to the order and well being of authority as established in Red River.”

“Luc Lestang.”

This person came forward.

“Relate all you know in the conduct of the prisoner Scott that may be regarded as treasonable and criminal, within the past fourteen days.”