COLONEL FIELDEN. Who commanded the Regulars-First Battalion Coh Royal Rifles. pedition could use the road, but for the purpose of misleading Riel with the idea that the troops were coming that way. The ruse was successful, and from this time until the soldiers were actually in sight of Fort Garry Riel seems not to have been aware of their movements. Having learned the condition of affairs in the settlement, Col. Wolseley speedily made his plans for the further progress of the expedition. The second section of the route was now entered upon. From Fort Francis the expedition proceeded down Rainy River, a large stream, 70 miles long. Its navigation is unbroken except by two rapids which were easily run without breaking bulk. In order to save time the men did not go ashore to camp, but slept in the boats, which were fastened together in twos and allowed to float with the current, two men remaining awake to steer and keep guard. The river forms the boundary between Canada and the United States. On the south bank it was heavily wooded; on the north there was a strip of fertile land, from half a mile to ten miles wide, bounded by a vast swamp which joins the shores of Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods. This strip has the appearance of English park lands, with scattered oak trees. Patches of potatoes and Indian corn, planted by the tribes which frequent the river, were to be seen. garrison which remained at Fort Francis had numerous pow-wows with these Indians, which always ended in a great feast, the expectation of which doubtless led to their being held. In some cases it was with no small difficulty that the natives were restrained from being troublesome. Had they been so disposed they might have offered serious opposition to the The THE OFFICERS OF THE 2ND (OR QUEBEC) BATTALION OF RIFLES, 1870. The only copy of this very rare photograph which The Canadian Magazine" was able to obtain was very much faded, and hence a satisfactory reproduction was impossible. This view is from the South Bank of the Assiniboine River. The pontoon bridge which Riel broke down when leaving is seen in the foreground, and beyond are the boats used by the both. St. Boniface Cathedral and Schools are seen in the distance. expedition, not on account of their numbers, but by their knowlege of the country, and by attack from ambush BISHOP TACHÉ. such as Indians know how to employ ; while to have pursued them over the lakes or through the woods would have been madness. Previous to Col. Wolseley's arrival they did hold a meeting to discuss the advisibility of opposing the passage of the troops, but Mr. Simpson, the Indian Commissioner sent by the Government, advised them not to do so. "Crooked Neck," a cunning old chief, was one of the most difficult to deal with. On one occasion he haughtily refused presents in the form of gaudy shirts, and coats and caps in which Indians delight, with the indignant remark: "Am I a pike to be caught with such a bait as that? Shall I sell my land for a bit of red cloth? We will let the pale-faces pass through our country, but we will sell them none of our land, nor have any of them to live amongst us." Rainy River empties into Lake of the Woods, at a Hudson's Bay post known as Hungry Hall, now Fort Louise. In the neighbourhood are some curious banks of sand, miles in extent, which guard the entrance to The the river. The lake is 75 miles long and averages 70 wide. The southern portion is comparatively open, the northern part is filled with islands, forming a perfect maze, in which several of the brigades lost their way. Even Col. Wolseley, with an experienced guide, went astray for two days. The water is lukewarm and filled with green confervæ. It is wholly unfit for use till strained. The mosquito The mosquito nets furnished to the men were turned to good account for this purpose. islands have become a favourite summer resort for the people of Winnipeg, and on some of them valuable gold mines have been discovered, the celebrated Sultana being here. At the north end the Winnipeg River has its beginning, flowing out of the lake by numerous channels, which do not unite for miles. Rat Portage, then a Hudson Bay post of some importance, now a flourishing town, is at the north end of the lake. The vegetable garden of the officer in charge supplied an agreeable variety to our bill of fare. There guides were obtained, and the expedition was met by Rev. Mr. Gardner and a party of loyalists from Red River, in Hudson's Bay boats, who had come at their own charges to pilot the leading brigades and encourage the little army. The passage of the Winnipeg River is attended with great danger, even to experienced boatmen, owing to the numerous rapids, whirlpools and eddies and the swift current. The river is 163 miles long and in that distance descends 350 feet. The volume of water is enormous and the approach to some of the portages dangerous. The banks are composed of rounded granite rocks where poplar and small pine find precarious sustenance. It is a marvel that the expedition passed through this dangerous stream without loss of life or serious accident, though there were many thrilling escapes. There are twenty-five portages in the descent, at one place seven within two miles. The rapids are grand in the extreme. Silver Falls and Slave Falls, two of the most beautiful, will compare favourably with any similar scenery in the world. No one who has made the trip can ever forget it. The descent of the river was accomplished by the leading brigade in nine and a half days, instead of twenty, which the Hudson's Bay officials, little knowing what British soldiers are capable of accomplishing, predicted it would take. Fort Alexander stands near the mouth of the Winnipeg River, and is an important Hudson's Bay post. After a brief rest there the expedition set out for the third section of the journey, through Lake Winnipeg. This lake is half as large again as Lake Ontario, covering an area of 9,000 square miles. It is 350 miles long and from 6 to 60 miles wide. The course lay for 18 miles north-west to Elk Point, then south for 20 miles to the entrance of Red River. The south end of the lake is very shallow, especially near the mouths of Red River, and sudden and violent storms frequently occur. For some miles after entering the river the country is low and flat. As the force proceeded up Red River it was greeted on all sides with demonstrations of joy. The church bells were rung, and the people turned out, cheering, waving handkerchiefs and firing guns. The Swampy Indians and their chief, Henry Prince, who occupied an extensive reserve, were specially exuberant in their manifestations. ENLARGED FROM AN 1870 PHOTOGRAPH. On reaching the Stone Fort, 26 miles from the mouth, it was learned that Riel still occupied Fort Garry. He was anxiously awaiting the arrival of Bishop Tache, who he expected would bring an amnesty for those who had taken part in the rebellion, in which event he hoped to hand over the reins of office as if he had an acknowledged right as president of the provisional government. But the temper of the people was such that no amnesty could be proclaimed then, though it came afterwards to all except Riel. The militia were still some distance in the rear, and Col. Wolseley determined to push on without them. All surplus stores were discharged so as to lighten the boats. One company of the 60th, mounted on ponies and in CAPT. ALLAN MACDONALD, OF THE QUEBEC RIFLES, AND SUBALTERNS. carts and a sorry looking lot of cavalry the mounted men were, with their trousers patched with pieces of canvas cut from empty flour bags-were extended as skirmishers on the left bank, with orders to keep well in front but in constant communication with the boats. Lieut. Butler was sent up the right bank on horseback to guard against surprise on that side. No one was allowed to pass through the lines towards Fort Garry and any coming from that direction were held. Being detained by the rapids four miles above the Lower Fort, and by a head wind, the force was obliged to bivouac for the night six miles from Fort Garry by road. Sentries were placed and scouts sent forward to the village (now Winnipeg. but then nameless) to gain intormation, for it was the intention to march on the fort at daybreak. Riel was still in ignorance of the whereabouts of the little army. It was afterwards ascertained that he, with O'Donoghue, his secretary, and Lepine, his adjutant - general, rode out that night in its direction, but on account of heavy |