“Well, Messieurs, the case is made plain.  Now, with what authority do you endow me?”

“We authorize you to say to the Rebels, on behalf of the Government, that if they will peaceably depart to their homes, and submit to the authority of the Queen, as represented by the Government of Canada, no harm will come to them.  We authorize you further, to assure them that the Government will stand between them and the Hudson’s Bay Company, should the latter seek recompense for stores consumed, or property appropriated.  Finally, for the offences committed—­and which we have specified —­you shall, on our behalf, extend pardon to each and all.”

Armed with this authority, the bishop set out.  Before he reached Winnipeg the blood-thirsty president had murdered Scott.  I hope the reader has not forgotten that Monseigneur was the same divine who used to look with delight upon Louis Riel when a child, and stroke his glossy, black hair.  That he was the same gentleman who found for the lad a benefactress in the person of Madame Masson.

The stars were fighting for the murderer, and he knew it when he heard that his personal friend and warm admirer was coming.  His Lordship was not nearly as badly shocked as most humane people might suppose, when he heard that Thomas Scott had been butchered like a dog upon the snow.  Indeed, there is some authority to say that he was not shocked at all.  His good priest, Pere Richot, who got the bishop’s ear, took a highly moral and humane view of the matter.

“Shooting served the fellow right, Monseigneur,” [Footnote:  Captain Huyshe and several other writers of high repute, are my authority for this statement.] he said.  “He was a disturber, and it was good to make an example of him.”

In a little, we may be sure, the Monseigneur’s opinion did not differ very widely from that of the “crocmitaine” priest.

“Let the people all assemble,” the bishop proclaimed:  “I have important declarations to make to them.”  They obeyed his mandate, and he said: 

“I am authorized by the Government of Canada, to inform you that if you forthwith depart to your lawful habitations in peace, you will have nothing to fear.  Your rebellious deeds will be forgiven to you; the other unfortunate event will likewise be overlooked, and the Hudson Bay Company, whose provisions you have eaten and whose property you have appropriated, will be indemnified by government, if they take steps to obtain restitution for the same.”

One month later, years afterwards, this precious divine maintained that the authority with which he had been clothed by the Government—­and I have given that authority substantially—­endowed him with the power to grant pardon for the murder of Scott!  Without tiring the reader, let me say that it was by means of the discussion and the perplexities which subsequently arose upon this point, that the miscreant-fiend escaped the vengeance of the law. Monseigneur had not lost his interest or affection yet for the lad for whom he had procured an education!