What is usually called the “Portage la Prairie” Expedition was now organized, to secure the release of the remaining prisoners.  A body, varying from sixty to one hundred, marched down to Headingly, and were there joined by a number of English-speaking Canadians and others.  They then pushed on to Kildonan Church, where they were increased by a number of English half-breeds from St. Andrew’s and adjoining parishes.  The proposal was to attack the fort and set free the prisoners.  Alarmed at the movement, Riel released all the prisoners in the fort.  Their object being gained, the men of the Kildonan Church camp, who had grown to be six hundred strong, dissolved, and were proceeding to their homes, when Riel, by an unheard of act of treachery, arrested some fifty of the Assiniboine party.  Among them was Major Boulton, a former officer of the 100th Regiment.  Riel again sought out a victim for revenge, and intended to execute this prominent man.  It was only on the persistent request of Commissioner Smith and the urgency of Mrs. John Sutherland, whose son had been killed by an escaping French prisoner at the Kildonan Church camp, that Boulton’s life was spared.

Riel, however, seemed to feel that power was slipping from his hands.  He was criticised on all hands for his treachery and for his arrogance.  It is said his followers were dropping off from him, notwithstanding the luxurious lives they had been living on the Company’s supplies in Fort Garry.

He determined, though with a divided Council, to make an example, and despite the solicitations of Commissioner Smith, the Rev. George Young, and others, publicly executed, on the 4th of March, outside of Fort Garry, a young Irish-Canadian named Thomas Scott.  It was a cold-blooded, cruelly-executed and revolting scene—­it was the act of a mad man.

“Whom the Gods destroy they first make mad.”  The execution of Scott was the death-knell of Riel’s hopes as a ruler.  Canada was roused to its centre.  Determined to have no further communication with Riel, and feeling that he had done all that he could do, Commissioner Smith, on the 18th of March, returned to Canada.  On the 8th of March, Bishop Tache returned from Rome.  A few days after Chief Factor Smith’s departure, he was followed to Canada by Father Richot and Mr. Scott, and they shortly after by Judge Black, accompanied by Major Button.  The conflict of opinion was transferred to Ottawa, and the act constituting the Province of Manitoba was passed.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

Wolseley’s welcome.