Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XVIII. Contents.--Half-breeds in Red River--Parents and childrenCompany's policy--Relative position of the Company and half-breeds--Steps against interlopers--The French half-breeds change--The cause--The English half-breeds join them-- Influence of Papineau's rebellion--Mob-meeting--Half-breeds demand an export trade--Governor Simpson's reply--Foreigners at the buffalo-hunts--Influence of buffalo-hunting on the colonists--The outfit and start--Pembina camp--Number of carts--Dogs--Anecdote--Camp regulations--Honesty of the half-breeds--Officials--Council--Stroll in the camp--Two sides to the picture--First sight of the battle-field--The half-breeds in their glory--Sky darkened--Casualties--Fruits of the chase --Comparison--The risks--The duties--Valle and the Sioux-- Speedy revenge--Pleasures of the chase--Question and answer --Chamois hunter--The melee--Perplexing scene--Remarks-- The conflict--The waste--Camp raised again--Descent to the Missouri--Tariff--Uncertain travelling--The Sioux chief-- Indian telegraphs--The fatal storm--The battle--Loss of life-- Sioux warriors--Reflections--Expedition arrives--Effect--Provisions--Result of expedition. We have already had frequent occasion to allude to that portion of our community called the half-breed class, and have given a somewhat particular account of their social relations and domestic habits. We now come to regard them as an integral part of the community, whose pursuits affect, more or less, all the great interests of our colonial life. We shall describe, in short, their hunting expeditions while in the plains, their mode of carrying them on, and the general result, both as regards themselves in particular and the settlement at large. The unceasing succession of whims and...