The windings of the river enabled these men to keep ahead of the boat, a feat which, from their pace and manner, seemed the object they had in view.  But there were other indications of difficulty lying ahead:  an individual connected with the working of our boat had been informed by persons at Pembina that my expected arrival had been notified to Mr. President Riel and the members of his triumvirate, as I would learn to my cost upon arrival at Fort Garry.

That there was mischief ahead appeared probable enough, and it was with no pleasant feelings that when darkness came I mentally surveyed the situation, and bethought me of some plan by which to baffle those who sought my detention.

In an hour’s time the boat would reach Fort Garry.  I was a stranger in a strange land, knowing not a feature in the locality, and with only an imperfect map for my guidance.  Going down to my cabin, I spread out the map before me.  I saw the names:  of places familiar in imagination—­the winding river, the junction of the Assineboine and the Red River, and close to it Fort Garry and the village of Winnipeg; then, twenty miles farther to the north, the Lower Fort Garry and the Scotch and English Settlement.  My object was to reach this lower fort; but in that lay all the difficulty.  The map showed plainly enough the place in which safety lay; but it showed no means by which it could be reached, and left me, as before, to my own resources.  These were not large.

My baggage was small and compact, but weighty; for it had in it much shot and sporting gear for perspective swamp and prairie work at wild duck and sharp-tailed grouse.  I carried arms available against man and beast a Colt’s six-shooter and a fourteen-shot repeating carbine, both light, good, and trusty; excellent weapons when things came to a certain point, but useless before that point is reached.

Now, amidst perplexing prospects and doubtful expedients, one course appeared plainly prominent; and that was that there should be no capture by Riel.  The baggage and the sporting gear might go, but, for the rest, I was bound to carry myself and my arms, together with my papers and a dog, to the Lower Fort and English Settlement.  Having decided on this course, I had not much time to lose in putting it into execution.  I packed my things, loaded my arms, put some extra ammunition into pocket, handed over my personal effects into the safe custody of the captain, and awaited whatever might turn up.

When these preparations were completed, I had still an hour to spare.  There happened to be on board the same boat as passenger a gentleman whose English proclivities had marked him during the late disturbances at Red River as a dangerous opponent to M. Riel, and who consequently had forfeited no small portion of his liberty and his chattels.  The last two days had made me acquainted-with his history and opinions, and, knowing that he could supply the want I was most