inS> .^a.

^^ ^^ -^-.o.

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^/ \4^^

1.0

I.I

■"IS

2.0

1.8

IL2I lllll_yL ill 1.6

^^'

>*v9

^.^^ ^w

>V /^

Hiotographic

Sciences
Corpordtion

33 WIST MAIt STRUT

WHSTIR.N.Y. I4SS0

(716) •7a-4303

4,^'

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICMH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques

The c<
to the

The Institute has attempted to obtain the best
original copy available for filming. Features of this
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the images in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checked below.

D
D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagde

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e

I 1 Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

Coloured maps/

Cartes g^ographiques en couleur

Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire)

r~n Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
ReliA avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La re liure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la
distortion le long de la marge inttrieure

Blank leeves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutAes
lors d'une restauration apperaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cela 4tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas AtA filmAes.

Additional comments:/
Commentaires supplAmentaires:

L'Institut a microfilmd le meilleur exemplaire
qu'il lui a 6td possible de se procurer. Les details
■iB cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la methods normale de filmage
sont indiquds ci-dessous.

I I Coloured pages/

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/
Pages endommagdes

□ Pages restored and/or laminated/
Pages restaur^es et/ou pellicul^es

Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/
Pages d6color6es, tachetdes ou piquies

□ Pages detached/
Pages ddtachdes

Showthrough/
Transparence

Quality of prir

Quality inAgale de I'impression

Includes supplementary materii
Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition disponible

r~T| Showthrough/

r~1 Quality of print varies/

I I Includes supplementary material/

I I Only edition available/

Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totalement ou partiellement
obscurc-as par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont et4 filmies A nouveau de faqon d
obtenir la m^illeure image possible.

The in
possit
of the
fiimin(

Origin
begini
the lai
sion, «
other
first p
sion,
or illui

The la
shall
TINUE
which

Maps,
differa
entirel
beginr
right a
requin
metho

Title page mining.

This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/

Ce document est film* au taux de reduction IndlquA ci-dessous.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

30X

lax

16X 20X a4X 28X 32X

The copy filmed h«r« has b««n raproducad thanks
to tha ganarosity of:

L'axamplaira filmi fut raproduit grdca d la
ginirosit^ da:

Glenbow-AllMrta Institute
Calgary

Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality
possibia considaring tha condition and lagibility
of tha original copy and in kaaping with tha
filming contract spacif ications.

Glenbow-Alberta Institute
Calgary

Las imagas suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec la
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
da la nattat* da l'axamplaira film*, et en
conformity avec las conditions du contrat da
filmaga.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover end ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated imprea-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
firat page with a printed or illustrated impree-
sion. and ending on the laat page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couvarture en
papier est imprimte sont filmts en commenpant
par la premier plat at an terminant scit par la
darniire page qui comporta una ampreinta
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par la second
plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont filmte en commen^ant par la
pramiAre pege qui comporte une empreinte
d'impreasion ou d'illustration at an terminant par
la darniire page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The laat recorded frame on eech microfiche
shall contain the symbol — ^ (meening "CON-
TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Uit dee symboles suivents apparaitra sur la
darniAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbole — »> signifie "A SUIVRE", le
symbols V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plataa. charts, etc.. may be filmed at
different reduction retios. Those too large to be
entirely included in one exposure an filmed
beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to
right and top to bottom, as many frames aa
required. The following diagrama illustrate the
method:

Les cartes, plenches, tableeux. etc.. peuvent dtre
fiimAs A des taux de rMuction diffirents.
Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atra
raproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* A partir
de Tangle supirieur gauche, de gauche * droite,
et de haut en bas. an prenant la nombre
d'imeges nAcesseire. Les diagrammas suivants
illustrent le mithode.

1 2 3

* *

10^

TI-TI-PU :
A BOY OF RED RIVER

13^53

CONTENTS

CHAP.

I. FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE NEW
n. AT ODDS WITH BRUIN

* • •

III. A COLD PLUNGE

* • •

IV. HECTOR ENTRAPPED
V. THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

VI. ORDERED OFF

• • •

VII. HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME
VIII. ON THE MOVE AGAIN

IX. THE BUFFALO HUNT
X. LOST ON THE PRAIRIE.

XI. THE LOSING AND FINDING OF AILIE
XII. THE MOOSE HUNT

PACK:

7T
88

108
ii6

TI-TI.PU

A Boy of Red River

CHAPTER I

From the Old World to the New

T^His is how it befell. Thomas Douglas,
1 Earl of Selkirk, thought that a
flourishing colony right in the midst of
the rich hunting-grounds of the Hudson's
Bay Company, in which he was interested,
would prove no less a benefit to the natives
than an excellent thing for the colonists.
Accordingly, he busied himself in per-
suading a number of his feUow-countrymen
to leave their hiUside farms, and, with
their famihes, voyage to the unknown
wilds of the New World.

6 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

Among those whose courage was equal
to this enterprise was Andrew Macrae,
accompanied by his good wife, Kirstie,
his sturdy son, Hector, then just on the
edge of his teens, his bonnie wee daughter,
AiUe, and his two splendid sheep dogs,
Dour and Dandy.

The dogs' names were not given them
at random. They just fitted their natures.
A more serious creature than Dour surely
never stood upon four legs. He bore
himself as if he were responsible, not
merely for the occupants of the sheep-cote,
but also of the cottage as well. He was
never known to frisk or gambol, or to
bark without due cause.

Dandy was the very opposite, as black
as a raven, save for a superb snow-white
shirt-front, which he managed to keep
marvellously clean, and a few touches of
golden-brown on his shapely head. He
was only a little slighter than Dour, and
as lively and froUcsome as the other
was impassive. Although not quite the
equal of Dour, Dandy was an excellent

FROM THE C LD WORLD TO THE NEW 7

sheep dog, too, and many a cotter envied
Andrew the possession of the two fine
creatures.

Hector loved both dogs dearly, albeit
he stood a trifle in awe of Dour. The
dogs were as much members of the family
as Ailie and himself. He would have
shared his last bit of bannock or sup of
* parritch ' with either of them, and they
fully returned his affection, each in his

own wav.

•J

Hector was a ' brav laddie,' in very
sooth. From his father, he got the straight-
ness and strength of body, the deftness of
hand and foot, and the rapidity of thought
that made him an unquestioned leader
among his playfellows, and from his mother
the hght, crisp hair, the laughing blue
eyes, and the happy turn of speech that
made the other boys love as well as obey
him.

He stood in much awe of his father,
who was as strict as he was just, but his
mother had his whole heart, and many
a time did he go to her for comfort, when

8 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

reproved by Andrew for some little bit
of heedlessness.

With little Ailie, a dark-eyed, dark-
haired sprite, not like either parent, to
protect and pet, the Macraes made up a
notably happy family group, and were
the recipients of many attentions from
their fellow passengers, on the long voyage
on a slow sailing ship to the bleak shores
of Hudson's Bay.

That voyage out proved far from being
a pleasant holiday. Cooped up in an
over-loaded vessel, whose accommodation
was scant at best, fed upon pork and
beef that was Salter than the sea itself,
and hard biscuits that became alive with
weevils ere the ship reached its destination,
all the colonists suffered more or less
severely. It spoke well for the stamina
of the Macraes that they bore the priva-
tions of the passage better than the
majority, and landed at York Factory
in fairly good trim.

* Eh, but glad I am to put my feet
upon the solid ground again ! ' exclaimed

'■^

h )

r i

FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE NEW 9

I -t

Andrew Macrae, with heartfelt emphasis,
as he sprang out of the boat and strode up
the beach, and, in io saying, he spoke
for every one on board the vessel.

Hector's legs wobbled under him in so
absurd a fashion that he tumbled over
several times in his first attempt at running,
and even Dour and Dandy, for a little,
seemed hardly to understand that they
were free to bound away in any direction
they pleased.

But presently all the colonists were
landed, and, having been kindly welcomed
by the Hudson's Bay Company's employees
at York Factory, made haste to bestow
themselves as best they might among
the buildings of the fort.

The Macraes were fortunate in getting
a snug room to themselves, and there,
with their two children and faithful dogs,
they settled down to await the beginning
of the next stage of their long journey.

On the following morning. Hector, ac-
companied by Ailie, and having Dour and
Dandy, went down to the beach, where

lo TI-TI.PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

there was much going on to entertain
them.

The sailors were busy unloading the
vessel of her very miscellaneous cargo,
comprising tea and tobacco, sugar and
salt, blankets and muskets, knives, hatchets,
and all the varied articles required for
provisioning the forts, or trading with the
Indians, while Indians and half-breeds
lounged near by, watching them with half-
contemptuous interest. The Hudson's Bay
officials moved briskly about, giving sharp
orders, and, in and among them every-
where, were dogs of all ages and sizes, but
alike in resembling wolves or foxes, for the
Huskie breed was predominant.

The sheep dogs made no attempt to find
favour with the others. On the contrary,
they kept close to Hector, their gleaming
eyes, curling lips, and bristhng necks ex-
pressing in the clearest way what they
thought of their new acquaintances. The
latter were not long in showing their
feelings in the matter. No sooner did the
collies draw near them than they rushed

•^

'■J
i

»4

FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE NEW n

to meet them, snarling and growling so
ferociously that Hector began to feel a
little alarmed, while Ailie shrank closer
to him, clasping his hand tightly in hers,
and murmuring : * I'm frightened. They'll
bite us.' * They won't dare to,' responded
Hector bravely, albeit his heart was thump-
ing at a lively rate. * I'll drive them off
with my stick,' and he flourished gallantly
a slender cudf^el that he had picked up
at the gate of the fort.

But the graceless Huskies had small
respect for a stick when not in the hands
of a man, and they closed in about the
little group in a very menacing way. At
last they got so close that Dour and
Dandy, in their love and loyalty to the
two children, could restrain themselves no
longer, and, at the same moment, they
flew at the throats of the two foremost
assailants.

Instantly, there was a terrific uproar,
the dogs barking and wrangHng furiously,
Hector slaouting : * Away, you brutes ! '
while he laid his stick stoutly upon the

12 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

\U!

\ '

backs and heads of the Huskies, and poor
little Aihe shrieked pitifuUy at what she
believed to be the imminent peril of all
four.

The collies fought superb^^ Fearfully
outnumbered as they were, their superior
sagacity and speed of movement for a
while enabled them to hold their own.
Keeping close together in front of the
children, they struck to right and left
with their keen white fangs, slashing the
Huskies on head and shoulder, so that one
after another slunk away, howling dolefully.

But for each one thus driven off, two
others rushed to the attack, and, in spite
of the splendid play Hector made with
his stick, at the risk of being badly bitten
himself, the issue must have gone hard
against the galJant collies, for the Huskies
would not have stopped until they had
torn them to pieces. But, in the nick of
time, a stalwart figure came charging down
the beach with mighty strides.

Into the thick of the melee plunged
Andrew Maciac, using, with unsparing

i>;

FROM THE OLD WORLD TO THE NEW 13

energy, not only his heavily booted feet,
but his tightly clenched fists. On this
side and that fell his tremendous blows,
and every one meant a disabled or dis-
heartened dog, until, presently, the whole
pack had fled out of reach, and the wrathful
Scotsman stood panting but triumphant,
Aihe cHnging sobbingly to one knee, and
Hector standing breathless at the other,
while Dour and Dandy, after a brief greet-
ing, made haste to take stock of themselves,
and see what damage they had suffered
at the teeth of the evil-tempered Huskies.

CHAPTER II

:i'i

I )

At Odds with BruiA

CH, bairns ! * exclaimed Andrew,
putting a calining hand upon the
head of each of the agitated children,
* but they're an ill lot of curs to set upon
ye in that unmannerly fashion. I'm richt
glad I heard the row they were making,
and thocht that maybe Dour and Dandy
might be glad o' my help. I'm sore mis-
taken if those snarhng beasts/ and he
indicated with a sweep of his hand the
Huskies now hovering at a respectful
distance, ' will be ettlin' to feel my foot
verra soon. They're nae fules, though
they don't know how to be decent to
strangers.*

By tills time Aihe's tears were stayed,

• i

[.., '4 \

AT ODDS WITH BRUIN

and Hector had recovered his wind, so
they continued alone the beach, the collies
keeping close to Andrew's heels, giving
vent to triumphant little growls whenever
a Huskie ventured within earshot.

As the sailing vessel had to lie out in the
deep water, her cargo was being brought
ashore in big boats, with high bows and
sterns that could each carry a wonderful
load. The process of discharging inter-
ested all the little party, and they were
standing watching it, when one of their
fellow-travellers came up, and, pointing
to the boats, said : * It's in those barkies
that we're going to the Red River. I
canna say I like the look of them ower
much. They're right clumsy things, in
my opinion.'

Before Andrew could make reply. Hector
broke m with an eager * Oh, are we truly
going on those boats ? Eh, but that will
be fine 1 — won't it, Aihe ? ' And he gave
his sister a hearty hug, just by way of
expressing his joy.

His father smiled with grave indulgence.

ii' I

III

• }

lli

'I I

i6 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

' I would think ye'd had mair than enough
of the water for a spell, laddie. I wonder
ye're so eager to take to it again.*

* Eh, but that was in a big ship, father,'
responded Hector, defending himself, ' and
a boat will be different, and we will go
along the river instead of on the ocean.*

* We'll see, we'll see,' said Andrew,
sagely, * the river may not be sae guid
to us as you think.'

As the season was slipping by, and as
it was important for the settlers to reach
their destination in good time before the
long winter came, the preparations for the
remainder of the journey were hurried as
much as possible.

Yet there seemed so much to be done,
that September was at hand ere the little
brigade of ' York boats,' with their precious
freight of humanity and goods, hoisted
their big sails, and moved slowly off up
the river, amid a parting volley of cheers
and good wishes from the people of York
Factory, many of whom would have been
glad enough to accompany them.

AT ODDS WITH BRUIN

Hector was in the highest spirits. This
method A travelHng was altogether to
his hking : no longer the cramping con-
finement of the saihng-ship, but the free-
dom of the roomy boat ; no more tumbling
about among the rude billows, but smooth
gliding on the bosom of the river ; no
dreary waste of chill, gray water, but on
either hand the well-wooded banks glowed
with varied colour, the light yellow of the
fading poplar contrasting with the dark
evergreen of the spruce, while the willows
of an intermediate hue seemed to shade
the two tints into each other. Here and
there the bright purple of the dogwood,
the sombre brown of the dwarf birch, and
the gay yellow of the shrubby cinquefoil
gave richer notes of colour, while, to the
keen-eyed, restless boy, there was ever
the hope of some wild animal — a fox, a
deer, or perhaps even a bear — being sighted
as they advanced.

It was not all plain sailing, however.
In some places, the current was so strong
that it became necessary to resort to

i)i

ii'

i8 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

tracking. Only the women and children
remained in the boat, while the men,
taking hold of a line fastened to the foot
of the mast, tugged and toiled along the
river bank, one-half their number working
at a time, and then being relieved by the
other ; thus dragging the clumsy craft
forward at the rate of about two miles
an hour. • '

Andrew Macrae did not shirk his share
of the hard work, but of course Hector
was not expected to join the trackers,
and so, accompanied by Dour and Dandy,
he scampered freely along the top of the
bank, being bidden by his father not to
roam out of sight.

For some time he obeyed this injunction
implicitly. But, on towards mid-day, the
collies caught a glimpse of something
that caused them to dart off into the
woods, barking furiously. Carried away
by excitement. Hector followed them,
running at top speed straight away from
the river.

He could easily hear the dogs when

^ ^1 '

AT ODDS WITH BRUIN

he could not see them, and so, recking
nothing of what might happen, he raced
after them, until presently the change
in their barking announced that whatever
animal it was they had been chasing,
they had brought it to bay.

A moment later, he came out into a
little glade at the farther side of which
a big black bear stood upon its hind legs,
in front of a great tree, and made furious
efforts to seize Dour and Dandy with
its forepaws, or to deal them such buffets
that they would never bark again.

It was a thrilling spectacle for the most
experienced hunter, but for Hector, who
had never seen any kind of a bear before,
and whose generous heart was at once
filled with anxiety for the dogs that were
so dear to him, it simply made him forget
himself entirely.

Rushing forward, l.e shouted : * Leave
them alone, you brute ! Don't you hurt
my dogs ! *

Considering that the dogs must have
started the row, by finding the bear in the

■'■ .' J

20 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

. iii

'I;
' I >

1 \

I i

' I,

I t

first instance, this was rather unfair to
Bruin. But Hector had no thought for
the exact justice of the case. His one
concern was for the dogs.

He had picked up a stout stick in the
course of his ramble, and this he now swung
above his head in threatening fashion,
little knowing that, if he should venture
within striking distance, the bear would
not only parry his blow, but knock his
ineffective cudgel out of his grasp as easily
as though it were a feather.

Still shouting he hardly knew what, the
fearless boy ran right up to the combatant
and, so engrossed was Bruin with his two
lively assailants, that he did not notice
his coming until he was within a couple
of paces of him.

Then he caught sight of his two-legged
enemy, stared at him for a moment with
manifest amazement, let forth an ominous
growl, and, dropping upon all fours, made
straight for him with open mouth.

Well was it for Hector that Dour and
Dandy were not less strong than they

■ii
,1)

AT ODDS WITH BRUIN

were active and brave. They sprang upon
the bear, one at either side of his head,
and before he could shake himself free,
Hector, not needing to be told that his
only safety was in flight, had darted off
at the top of his speed in the direction of
the river.

In hot pursuit, the bear followed, with
the dauntless dogs hanging to his flanks
and greatly impeding his movements.
Otherwise, clumsy creature though he
seemed, he would soon have overhauled
his quarry.

Happily, Hector was no less sure than
he was swift of foot. There are few smooth
places in the Highlands, and he had learned
to race over the roughest ground without
a stumble.

On he went, exulting in his own speed,
even though deeply concerned for his own
safety, and after him lumbered the bear,
as fast as the faithful dogs would suffer
him to move. Yet, hindered and harried
as he was. Bruin steadily gained on the
boy, as the latter could not help noticing.

; V r

■!■

»2 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

' I maun climb'^a tree ! ' he panted. ' The
creature will na get me there. Eh, that's
a grand tree yonder. Til rin for it.*

Changing his course slightly, Hector
made for a stately pine that held out
welcoming branches at a friendly height
from the ground. If he could reach it
and spring into them, he would be able
to laugh at his fierce pursuer's futile efforts
to reach him. Summoning all his fast
waning strength for a supreme effort, he
dashed towards the tree.

;!i

;t '

: : y

1 1

■i

CHAPTER III
A Cold Plunge

HECTOR had all but reached the pine.
In fact, one more stride would have
brought him to its trunk, when his right
foot slipped upon one of the outspreading
roots, hidden under a carpet of smooth
brown needles, and he pitched forward,
narrowly escaping striking his head against
the massive trunk.

He was Httle hurt by the fall, but he
was very much dazed, and the bear might
have had him in its deadly hug ere he
could have recovered himself, had not a
new actor appeared upon the scene. The
boats had come to a halt to rest the men
just about the time that Hector ran off
after the dogs, and Andrew Macrae, noting

}: I

24 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

;i'

1 •

V 1

I '

the boy's disappearance, snatched up a
gun and climbed the river-bank to see what
had become of him.

* He's na here/ he exclaimed in surprise,
as he stood looking all about him. * Where
can the feckless bairn ha' gone to ? '

Just then his keen ears, trained not to
miss the slightest sound, caught faintly
the sharp barking of the two dogs. ' Eh !
eh r he muttered. * They've started up
some creature — maybe a squirrel or the
like. I'll just run and see what they're
doing.*

So, gun in hand, he set off at a long easy
lope that was little slower than a 1 worse's
trot. As the barking came more strongly
to his ears, he realized that something
serious was taking place, and quickened his
pace, until he had reached the limit of
his powers.

But a few minutes of such exertion
were required to bring him to the scene
of action, and swinging around the pine
tree, he arrived at the very crisis of his
son's peril.

.^.

A COLD PLUNGE

Throwing the gun to his shoulder, and
not waiting to take careful aim, he fired
just as the great black brute reared to
strike at Hector. The whole charge of
heavy buckshot took effect full in the
bear's breast, and down he pitched almost
upon Hector, but incapable of further
harm.

Mr. Macrae's feelings were so mixed that
he hardly knew how to express himself.
He had been angry with Hector for straying
away from the river-bank, but now he was
naturally hugely proud of his own success
as a bear killer, and this rose superior to
his anger. Raising Hector to his feet,
he said, mildly enough : * Ye didna heed
ma word, laddie,' and then added with
swelling voice, ' eh, but it's a grand
creature ! Rin now to the boat, and tell
the men to come and help me with it. I
canna carry it back alone.'

Relieved beyond expression at his escape
from the bear, and from his father's de-
served reproof. Hector darted off, and
presently returned with several of the

I Ti

al 1^1

i:!i ;!

H' 1

26 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

men, who were all greatly interested in
the big game Andrew Macrae had bagged.

Andrew was anxious that his * gude
wife ' should see his noble prize, before it
was skinned, and so he persuaded the
men to help him take it down to the
river.

The little party made quite a triumphal
procession, with Hector proudly leading
the way, the four strong men bending
beneath the weight of their trophy, and
the two dogs frisking and barking about
them, evidently quite aware of the impor-
tant part they had played in the business. ,

Of course, Hector's mother both scolded
and coddled him, and little AiUa gazed
with startled eyes at the motionless mon-
ster, and Dour and Dandy came in for
unlimited praise and patting, which they
accepted with their wonted dignity. Among
the boatmen were those who knew exactly
what to do with the bear, which was in
superb condition, and the splendid skin
having been carefully removed, the best
part of the meat was saved to provide

A COLD PLUNGE

juicy steaks and cutlets for the travellers*
table.

From the Hayes River, the boats turned
into the Stool, and then into the Fox
River, and later into the Hill River, which
was the most rapid of all, and very difficult
to work up against its opposing currents.

One of the worst places was Rock
Portage, where the river, pent in by a
range of small islands, formed several
cascades, none of which could be ascended
by the laden boats. It was, therefore,
necessary to take out all the cargo, portage
it across one of the islands, and then, by
dint c f tremendous toil, drag the big boat
across the island, and launch it again
above the cascade.

This sort of thing went on day after
day, until at last, to the infinite relief of
the tired toilers, they reached Oxford
House, an important post of the Hudson's
Bay Company, where a rest of several
days was allowed for them to recuperate.

During all this toilsome progress, Hector
never had a dull moment. He helped

■ {|

iii

? ,

i(( .

I !

I'll
I

28 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

whenever he could, and when not required
for this, found plenty to occupy his atten-
tion. He was the best of brothers to
Ailie, taking her to play upon the bank,
picking flowers for her, and pointing out
the birds in the trees, and the tiny creatures
that rustled through the dry grass. Often
his mother would join in these little
rambles, and then Hector's happiness was
complete. He felt himself the man of
the party, and assumed an air of import-
ance that greatly tickled his shrewd, fond
mother.

The halt at Oxford House was enjoyed
by everybody. Here both ducks and trout
were to be had in plenty and most of
the men went either shooting or fishing.
Andrew Macrae preferred the former, and,
having succeeded in securing the loan of
a canoe, with a half-breed to paddle it,
took Hector off with him for a day's sport.

The weather was favourable, and Cross-
Eye, the half-breed, who got the name
from his eyes being on the bias, promised
them plenty of ducks. They paddled up

A COLD PLUNGE

the lake for several miles until they came
to a kind of enclosed bay, whose shores
were lined with a thick growth of under-
brush.

* In there we go/ said C;oss-Eye, in his
queer guttural tone, and the canoe was
directed to a good landing-place. * Hide
him,* grunted the half-breed, and the h* '^.t
craft was lifted out of the water, and
concealed among the trees.

They next proceeded to put themselves
out of sight, there to patiently wait the
appearance of the ducks. Mr. Macrae and
Cross-Eye settled down comfortably. Not
so Hector. He had absolutely nothing to
do but search the sky for the black specks
that would grow into the toothsome birds
they sought, and, as none of these were
visible, he naturally grew restless. He
fired questions at Cross-Eye, in spite of
the taciturn half-breed's surly responses,
and he bothered his father with proposals
to do this or that, none of which were
approved.

At last he gave a cry of delight, at the

* W < ■ 1^

30 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

ii I

same moment that Cross-Eye grunted in a
relieved way. Far to the west, a thin
black line showed faintly above the horizon,
and rapidly grew more distinct. The ducks
were coming at last.

Crouching close to the ground, and
hardly breathing in their excitement, the
three hunters awaited their approach.
When the orderly array of winged voyageurs
had come within reach of the sound,
Cross-Eye proceeded to imitate their cries
with a marvellous fidelity.

Hector was amazed at the sounds which
issued from him. They were so perfectly
bird-like.

Instead of flying over, the ducks hesi-
tated, returned the cries that attracted
their attention, and then, with much
flapping of wings, dropped down upon
the still surface of the little bay, right in
front of their hidden enemy. The moment
they were well within range, at a signal
from Cross-Eye, the report of two guns
rang out like one, and two ducks gave
their last quack.

A COLD PLUNGE

With wonderful quickness the half-breed
had the canoe launched, but Hector was
no less quick in springing into it, and off
they went after the birds. A few powerful
strokes brought them to where they lay
upon the water.

* You get them/ grunted Cross-Eye, as
he held the canoe steady, and Hector
leaned over the side to pick up the ducks.
It was not a difficult thing to do, but the
sudden excitement after the wearisome
waiting had flustered him. He was so
eager to do his share of the work that he
overdid it, and upset the canoe, throwing
the half-breed and himself into the water.

Now there was nothing of the hero in
Cross-Eye. He was both angry with
Hector for his awkwardness, and alarmed
about his own safety. So, without one
thought of the boy, he made for the shore
as fast as he could, in spite of Mr. Macrae's
indignant appeals to him to help Hector.

As for the latter, he had not been born
and bred beside a Scottish loch without
learning to swim. Indeed, neither Dour

U-

32 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

I . h

nor Dandy could get faster through the
water. But the ice-cold lake into which
he had been so suddenly plunged was a
different thing from the sunny loch in
summer-time.

Before he had taken a dozen strokes
towards the shore, the deadly chill laid
hold upon him, and numbed his arms
and legs until he could scarce keep his
head above water. Indeed it did go under
once, the water smothering the cry for
help that his peril had wrung from him,
ere his father, throwing off his coat,
plunged in to his rescue.

CHAPTER IV

Hector Entrapped

BEFORE Mr. Macrae had reached Hector,
he, too, felt the paralysing effect of
the glacial water. But he was a man of
enormous strength, and, wallowing through
it like a whale, grasped the boy firmly
with his left hand, while he struck out for
the canoe, which rocked upon the water
in supreme indifference to their struggles
for life.

' Keep up, laddie, keep up,' he panted.
'I'll get ye safe ashore.' Reaching the
canoe, he drew down the side until Hector
could seize it with his stiffening hands.
* Noo, then, laddie, ye'll just haud on
there, and I'll push the thing to the land.'

Hector held on with the strength that

33 3

i
1

1. 1 1

i I

ill II

34 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

his terror gave him, and Mr. Macrae,
grasping the canoe at the other side,
pushed it through the water with all his
might.

In this fashion they made the shore,
where Cross-Eye stood shivexing and
glowering at them. Mr. Macrae's first
impulse was to warm his skin pretty
thoroughly for his cowardly desertion of
the boy. But before his hand fell, he
checked himself, saying : ' Ye feckless
loon ! — ye ken nae better, nae doubt.
Yer only thought was for yer ainseF. Well,
we'll say nae mair. Come, let's make a
fire and dry our things.'

The half-breed, who had evidently ex-
pected some rough usage, looked immensely
relieved at the quick turn of affairs, and
set himself to the building of a big blaze,
with such skill and energy, that the chilled
duck-hunters were presently basking in
its welcome warmth.

As soon as their clothes were dried, they
recovered the ducks, which were still
floating on th 3 water, and then hid them-

HECTOR ENTRAPPED

Ley
itill

selves to await another flock. Their pa-
tience was rewarded by the securing of
some half-dozen more. Then, feeling well
content with the day's bag, they paddled
back to Oxford House.

A few days later, the boats resumed
their journey, crossing Holey Lake, ascend-
ing a little river to Hell Gate — a very
difficult place to pass — and so on by
way of Echenamis, and Sea River, and
across the Play Green Lakes, to Norway
House at the north end of Lake Winnipeg.

Here all difficulties with rocks and
rapids ended — the exhausting labours of
the portage were over. With broad sails
hoisted to the wind, the big boats ploughed
through the turbid waters of the shallow
lake, traversing it from north to south,
and without any mishap, reached the end
of their voyage. The colonists, heartily
weary of being cooped up in the boats
so long, were only too glad to be put out
upon the solid land.

They were now actually in the Red
River country, for which they had ventured

1'/

36 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

■ 1 .
' 'I

I
! !

SO much, and it was with eager, anxious
eyes that they looked about them.

The Red River itself constituted the
central feature of the landscape. Having
its source in the elevated land some
hundreds of miles away, it flowed in a
muddy, sluggish fashion into Lake Winni-
peg. On its west side the country was
one boundless level plain of rich, deep loam,
whose fertility would presently amaze the
newcomers, accustomed to the grudging,
niggardly soil of their native land. On
the east the scene was more varied with
hill and dale, and skirted at no great
distance by what were called the pine
hills, covered with timber, ard running
pc^rallel to the river all the way.

* The gude God be thankit ! ' ejaculated
Andrew Macrae, as his keen gray eyes
surveyed the fair prospect, all glowing
beneath the splendour of an unclouded
sky, and, removing his bonnet, he offered
a brief yet fervent thanksgiving. * Eh !
but it's a fine land ! * he continued.
' Why, ye scarce can see a stane on it, and

HECTOR ENTRAPPED

where there are sae mony flowers, there'll
be nae lack o' fat crops in the comin'
year.*

Thus speaking, Andrew gave voice to the
first impression of all the men, while the
women, with glad eyes, noted the soft
beauty of the country, and said to one
another that it was a bonnie place, and
they were glad they had come to it.

As for the children, they could hardly
contain themselves. The thick, soft grass
in which they could roll and tumble
without let or hindrance was a pure delight
to them. Oh, what a romp they and the
dogs did have ! and how heartily Hector
and Ailie entered into the merriment !

There were somewhat primitive carts
to carry the heavy baggage, but the
colonists all had to walk ; and it was,
consequently, at no hurried rate of pro-
gress, that they moved southward to
their final destination.

It was in the beginning of October that
the weary, travel-worn colonists, with their
families and possessions, reached the tract

,(1

I i ii W *»»» , »iii . i!> iiii 4 .>fci ■ * I •; n < fn ^ nw^ i ^ -J

! i'

38 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

of land beside the Red River which their
lordly patron had selected for their settle-
ment.

Their very first proceeding was to gather
together and offer thanks to God, for His
providential care of them through all the
perils of the long journey. Never before
had the clear sweet air of the prairie bpcn
stirred by the strains of sacred song, and,
as the solemn beautiful music of the Psalms
rose heavenward, there hurried to the
wondrous novelty a motley crowd of fur
hunters, half-breeds, and Indians, who re-
mained to listen in gaping curiosity, if
not in reverent appreciation, to Andrew
Macrae's dignified reading from * the Book,'
and to the lengthy prayers that followed
from other men of the party.

The instant the praise service was con-
cluded. Hector, accompanied by Dour and
Dandy, started out to inspect their new
horie. The boy was in high spirits, which
his four-footed friends shared. At least,
Dandy did, for he frisked and barked with
great vim, thereby attracting the attention

HECTOR ENTRAPPED

of the suspicious, snarling curs that
belonged to the residents, who had never
seen so handsome a member of their
race before. Dour bore himself with more
dignity, yet it was evident that he under-
stood that they had arrived at the end
of their tiresome travelling, and that he
rejoiced thereat.

Naturally Hector turned his steps to-
wards the fort, wliich was the most
conspicuous feature of the scene. This
did not belong to the Hudson's Bay
Company, but to their bitter rivals, the
North-West Fur Company, and, liad the
boy only known, was the stronghold of
those who were to give the settlers many
miserable days.

It was not a very imposing affair,
simply a stout stockade in the form of
a square, having one gate protected by
short towers, and enclosing a cluster of
buildings, only one storey in height, built
in the same rough fashion.

Hector, drawing near the gate, which
stood wide open, looked curiously in.

40 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

i',1

'! 1

The whole thing was entirely novel to
him, and, boy-like, he greatly longed to
understand it. Dour and Dar ^y, feeling
ill at ease now, kept very close to him.
They did not altogether like the look
of things, and would have preferred re-
tracing their steps, but of course they
had not the shghtest notion of deserting
their young master.

As Hector stood hesitating, a young
man, coming from the interior, beckoned
to him in a friendly fashion, saying :

* You want come in. All right, you come.'
He was clearly a half-breed, and had a
dark, evil face that was far from pre-
possessing.

Hector instinctively disUked him, but
could not very well refuse his invitation,
even though the shrewd coUies sniffed so
suspiciously at his legs that the fellow
shrank away lest they should bite him.

* Nice place, eh ? * he asked, with a sly
ingratiating smile. ' Plenty good furs in
there,' and he pointed, with a very dirty
finger, to the largest of the buildings.

i I

HECTOR ENTRAPPED

* You stranger, yes ? Come I show you
the store.'

Hector had a premonition of trouble,
but was not sufficiently strong-minded to
beat a retreat, as he should have done.
The half-breed certainly seemed courteous,
even if the expression of his face were
sinister.

Following his guide, the lad entered
tho trade-house, which contained the
goods used in bartering with the Indians
for their furs, and was astonished at
the quantity and variety of the stock
displayed. Here were guns, pistols,
knives, hatchet? blankets, shirts, caps,
mitts, tobacco, tea, sugar, smoked and
salted meats, handkerchiefs, sashes, snow-
shoes, moccasins, coats and trousers, and
so on, piled upon the floor according to
a rude, but no doubt effective system.

' Plenty goods here, eh ? ' said the half
breed, with a crafty leer, as if his object
were to arouse the boy's envy. * Company
very rich — very strong — have many forts
all about *•. — and with a sweep of his arms

1 <

{

•mm

iti

IH i

''■ll

ill

42 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

he indicated a wide stretch of territory.
Hector certainly was much impressed by
what he saw, and felt free to say so, whereat
his guide seemed much gratified.

' Come now see furs — oh ! fine furs I *
he cried, and, taking hold of Hector's arm,
led him off to m-^ther building, even
more solidly bui than the trade-house.
A single door was both the means of
admittance and of hghting the place.
Inside were ranged bales of furs, the pelts
of marten, mink, otter, bear, fox, wolf,
and beaver, which had been trapped by
Indians and half-breeds in far-away places,
and brought in to exchange for the goods
they coveted.

Some of the skins were loose, and the
half-breed drew Hector's attention to a
particularly fine blue fox, which he ex-
plained was worth * heap money.' Hector
was examining this, passing his hand
over the soft, rich fur, when suddenly he
was tripped and thrown upon the floor
by his scoundrelly guide, who, before the
boy could regain his feet, dashed out of

^ i

i'li

HECTOR ENTRAPPED

the door and slammed it shut, setting
the great bar across it.

In perfect darkness and bewilderment,
Hector picked himself up. Can you blame
the poor lad if his first feeling was some-
thing very Hke panic-stricken terror ? He
had been taken so completely by surprise
and felt so utterly helpless. Through the
thick door, he could hear the angry barking
of Dour and Dandy, who were evidently
defending themselves against assailants of
some kind, and he shouted with all his
might: ^Help! Help! Let me out!
Let me out ! '

]

:fil

CHAPTER V

.i(

, . )

I. >i

r^ll

The Search for Kector

AGAIN and again Hector cried out for
help and deliverance from his prison,
but, even had there been any one near,
they could hardly have heard him through
the thick walls and solid door of the fur-
house.

Pressing his ear against the join of the
door, he heard the fierce barking of the
collies growing fainter and fainter, until
presently he heard it no more. Evidently
they had been dragged off by the half-
breed, and confined somewhere.

The truth of the matter was that, to
the dogs, Hector owed the alarming situa-
tion in which he found himself. While he

THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

le
le
:il

hung about the gate of the fort, the half-
breed had noticed the splendid creatures,
and, at once coveting them, set about
getting them into his possession. Extra-
ordinary as his conduct may see.i, the
subsequent experiences of the settlers
showed only too clearly that he really
was not running any great risk of trouble
to himself.

The faithful collies, knowing that their
young master was shut up in the fur-
house, stayed close at the door, and this
enabled the rascally half-breed, with the
aid of another whom he called upon, to
fasten thongs around their necks, and
to drag them off, in spite of their frantic
opposition.

Hector shouted and kicked at the door,
until, at last^ exhausted and despairing,
he threw himself down among the furs,
and burst into futile tears.

' What are they going to do to me ? '
he sobbed. ' Oh, I wish I'd never gone
near the fort ! How can father find out
where I am ? '

46 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

How, indeed, was the question. Mr.
Macrae had many things to engross his
attention, and Mrs. Macrae was so used
to Hector's roaming about on his own
account, that she would not be apt to
miss him until sundown. As it fell out,
it was from a most unlooked-for source
that the clue came. Having made the
best arrangements they could for shelter,
and these were very scant at best, the
settlers gathered together for their evening
meal. Then did the mother-heart of Mrs.
Macrae begin to feel concerned for her
son. * Where is Hector ? ' she asked her
husband. ' I have na seen him these
many hours. Was he no with you ? *

* He was no with me at all,* answered
Mr. Macrae, turning his keen glance in
every direction. * He went aff with the
twa dogs a gude while ago, and I didna
see just which way he went.*

* God grant he's na got into any harm ! *
sighed Mrs. Macrae. * 'Tis a strange place
this, and there's na telUn' what may
happen to the laddie.'

J:S

THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

' Oh, he's a* richt,' responded her hus-
band, cheerfully. * He'll be wanting his
bannocks, and that'll bring him back
soon.'

But when night fell, and still no sign
of Hector, the Macraes grew very anxious.
Andrew set out to make enquiries, and
went through tne party of settlers,
asking if any of them had seen the
boy since mid-da3^ Several of them
had noticed him strolling about, accom-
panied by the dogs, but no one could
say definitely in what direction he had
gone.

When the mystery was at its height,
and the whole party was aroused to con-
cern for the missing boy, suddenly Dour
appeared, and rushed up to Mr. Macrae,
barking joyfully. The remains of a
raw-hide thong, which he had bitten
through close to his body, hung about
his neck, and, with all the means of
expression at the command of the most
sagacious of his kind, he strove to tell
his story.

( ■

Niii'

' i\

I ,

II i i

48 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

' Gude dog ! Gude dog ! ' murmured
Mr. Macrae, patting the clever creature
fondly. * There's been ill wark, nae doot.
Come with me, friends, an' we'll sift it to
the verra bottom.*

Slipping pistols into their pockets, for
there was no telling what might happen,
half-a-dozen of the men signified their
readiness to accompany Mr. Macrae in
the search for his son. They were stal-
wart, stern-look:.ig men, with shaggy faces,
and piercing, fearless eyes — not the men
to be trifled with by ?ny one, and now
deeply intent upon their purpose, for
their hearts beat in sympathy for the
anxious father and mother.

' Lead on, Dour, gude dog,' said Andrew ;
' ye dootless ken the way. We'll keep
close ahind ye.'

The intelhgent animal, fully grasping
his master's meaning, set off at once
straight for the fort, the men following
at a rapid jog-trot, m order not to be left
behind. When they arrived at the fort
they found the gate closed, but, as Doul

THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

iw;

LTlg

Lce
)rt

was insistent about entering, Mr. Macrae
did not hesitate to rap loud and long
upon the stout timber with the butt of
his pistol.

For some time there was no response,
for although those inside had not yet gone
to bed, they were all so engrossed in
drinking, smoking, talking, or gambhng
that they did not hear him. At last a
rough voice was heard demanding in a
surly tone : ' What do you want ? Who
are you ? '

' I want to see the Governor of the
Fort,* replied Mr. Macrae, in a tone that
had no uncertain sound about it.

* He no see you now. He busy,' was the
growling reply, as the speaker turned to
go away.

' But I maun see him, and that richt awa,'
retorted Mr. Macrae, and at his signal
the whole party fell to smiting the gate
with their heavy pistol butts. This thun-
dering tattoo evidently impressed the man
inside, for he came back to the gate, and,
in a slow, sulky fashion, proceeded to

50 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

unfasten the stout bars that held it.
Opening it a couple of inches, he peered
suspiciously at the importunate callers,
but the latter gave him no time to scru-
tinize them ; for, led by Mr. Macrae, they
threw themselves upon the heavy gate,
forced it wide open, and charged through
ere the bewildered Metis realized their
purpose.

There was no difficulty in distinguishing
the factor's residence, for it fairly blazed
with light, and thither the group of stern,
stalwart men directed their steps. Dour,
satisfied that they knew what they were
about, keeping close at his master's
heels.

The door of the house stood wide
open, but Mr. Macrae did not attempt
to enter without first rapping in a
proper manner. His summons brought
out a young lad, evidently from Scot-
land, who showed a very different spirit
from the surly half-breed at the gate.
' Ye wad hae a word wi' the Governor,
eh ? * he asked, with a pleasant smile.

; "t.

THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

' Just bide ye there, an* Til gie him yer
message.'

He disappeared into the room at the
right, and Mr. Macrae prepared himself
to address the important official he had
asked for. But he was not to have that
privilege in a hurry. The minutes went
by without the Governor appearing, or
the young Scotsman returning, and, in
rising wrath, Andrew Macrae was just
about to knock on the inside door, when
suddenly it opened, and there stood before
him a thick-set, shaggy-haired personage,
whose deeply flushed features showed that
he had been dining not wisely but too
well. ' What is it ? ' he demanded
brusquely. ' Why do you bother me
now ? Why can't you wait until the
morning ? '

In a firm, yet respectful, tone, Hector's
father stated the reason of his coming.
' Tut ! Tut ! ' growled the man. * I
can't attend to that to-night. Come
back to-morrow,' and he was about to
close the door, when Mr. Macrae, with

'- 11

li.

!l '

52 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

a quick movement, thrust his foot
against it, and at the same moment he
laid his hand firmly upon the factor's
arm.

' It's ma ain bairn I'm seeking, and I
shall na leave here until I find him.* As
he spoke, his companions pressed close
behind him, shoulder to shoulder.

The factor's bloodshot eyes went
from one stern, intent face to another.
Manifestly, these were not men to
be trifled with. Obscured by strong
drink as his brain was, enough sense
remained to understand that. With an
oath he flung the door open, and said
sneeringly : * Do ye expect to find him
in here ? '

Through the cloud of tobacco smoke
that filled the room, Mr. Macrae saw several
men sitting at the table with glasses
before them.

' Surely not ; ' he replied, an accent
of fine scorn in his deep voice. ' But
with your permission, I'll search the
fort.'

THE SEARCH FOR HECTOR

' Do so, and ' here followed rough

words, but Andrew, having gained his
point, took no notice of the man's gross
rudeness.

iV t

lU;'

*'i-

1 1

CHAPTER VI
Ordered Off

'/^^ OME awa', men/ he said to his com-

V-^ panions. * We'll na give o'er till
we've searched the place throughout. Lead
awa', Dour, gude dog.'

The clever collie needed no second
bidding. He had been very impatiently
awaiting the conclusion of the colloquy
at the factor's, and now bounded across
the open space between the different build-
inj2:s, making straight for the fur-house.

By this time, several of the inmates of
the fort had gathered, curious as to what
was up, and, had Mr. Macrae been alone,
thsir sinister looks might well have made
him anxious concerning his own safety.

But liis only thought was for Hector,

•

ORDERED OFF

and the grave, sinewy men by his side,
though few in numbers, were not the
kind to invite hasty attack ; so, paying
no heed to threatening looks or menacing
utterances, the Httle party reached the
door of the fur-house.

Upon this, Mr. Macrae struck hard
with his pistol-butt, calling out : ' Hector,
laddie, are ye there ? '

Instantly there came back from the
interior a muffled cry of joy, and the
faint words : ' Father ! oh, father ! is
that you ? '

There was a stout padlock fastening the
door, but Mr. Macrae quickly prised this
off, and tore the door open. Out ot the
interior darkness rushed Hector and flung
himself, half-sobbing, into his father's arms.

Andrew returned the embrace warmly,
and then asked in a tone of surprise and
concern : * Was no' Dandy with you ? '

* Why no, father ! ' replied Hector. ' The
man that shut me up took both Dour and
Dandy away with him.'

* Then we maun find the dog,' was the

'"^'N^',

i !

II'

56 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

resolute rejoinder. ' Here, Dour, gude dog,
call Dandy/ Without a moment's hesi-
tation, the well-trained creature poured
forth a volley of barks that meant as
plainly as possible, * Dandy, where are
you ? Tell us/

* Now listen, friends, for the answer,'
said Mr. Macrae, with a grim smile.

There was no doubt about the response,
for out of the surrounding gloom burst
a chorus of canine music that fairly made
the welkin ring, and how Dandy's par-
ticular contribution could be distinguished
seemed a hopeless problem.

But Mr. Macrae waited silently until
the commotion had somewhat subsided,
and then, pointing to the northern end of
the enclosure, said confidently : ' There's
whaur they've got Dandy.'

Dour evidently approved of their going
thither, and presently, turning the corner
of one of the most remote buildings, they
found the object of their search, half-
strangled in his frantic efforts to break the
thong that held him fast.

ORDERED OFF

if.

)

' God be thanked — we've found all three,
and they're nane the waur of it,' said Mr.
Macrae, in a tone of fervent gratitude ;
and then, his voice changing to righteous
indignation, * by the morn we'll find out
why this was done to ma laddie, and who
did it.'

With the morn, however, came strange
and startling events, that caused Hector's
peculiar experience to be entirely forgotten.
To understand these aright, a little ex-
planation is necessary. Although the great
Hudson's Bay Company claimed full owner-
ship of the North-West, their right to this
vast wilderness was vigorously disputed
by a company formed in Lower Canada
and called the North- West Fur Company.
The rivalry between the two companies
for control of the fur-trade was intense
and unscrupulous. They resorted to all
sorts of stratagems to injure each other,
and wherever one built a fort, the other
soon established a second within sight.
Often their employees, made wild with
strong drink, broke out into open violence

; n

i'
I*

58 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

I '

I' ii

and many lives were lost, and a number
of forts sacked and burned in the course
of the bitter struggle.

Now, the Nor- Westers, as they were
called for short, regarded the advent of
the Scotch folk with lively animosity.
They suspected it to be a shrewd device
of their rivals to get a firmer grip upon
the country. The new-comers would not
be rovers like themselves, but settlers,
who would build houses, and till the rich
soil, and multiply in numbers until they
became a power in the land.

This far-seeing scheme must be nipped
in the bud, and forthwith they set them-
selves to do it.

The strange part of the whole affair
was that they ran slight risk of interference
with their nefarious design from their
hated rivals, for the employees of the
Hudsor/s Bay Company, although, of
course, the}' would take no part against
the immigrants, were little more in favour
of their coming than the Nor-Westers.
They did not want the country settled.

' I

ORDERED OFF

tair

ince

leir

the

of
Inst

>ur
;rs.
led.

They had much rather it should remain
a hunters' paradise, and they were not
disposed to lift a finger on behalf of the
newcomers.

The first morning after the settlers*
arrival seemed full of kindly promise.
Summer was just giving way to autumn.
The prairie air was clear and bracing
without being too cool. The sun shone
from an azure sky upon a vast expanse
of golden-hued turf almost as level as a
floor, that only required to be turned over
by the plough to be ready for fall seeding.

The hardy Scotch folk, accustomed to
the rocky uplands and stony meadows of
their ' ain countree,' looked with wonder
and delight at the rich inheritance into
which they had come.

* Eh, mon ! but it's grand, grand ! '
ejaculated Saunders Rowan, in a tone
of unqualified appreciation. He was the
senior member of the party, and had
been rather given to ' croaking,' but this
glorious morning his doubts and fears
were all dispelled.

/ /

'i: : t

i. i!

* '?

60 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

The women busied themselves preparing
the morning meal, while the children and
dogs romped and rolled joyously in the
rich, soft grass. It was altogether a pretty
picture, that seemed to be a happy augury
of the good times in store.

Suddenly, like a bolt out of the blue,
this scene of gladness and peace changed
to one of terror and strife. With no more
warning than if they had risen out of
the ground itself, there charged down
upon the defenceless settlers a band of
Indians in full war paint, mounted upon
their piebald ponies, armed with spears,
bows, arrows, and guns, which weapons
they brandished fiercely, while they gave
their awful war-whoop with all the power
of their lungs.

Crying to their children, and gathering
them close, as the mother hen does her
chickens at sight of a hawk, the women
huddled together in a panic-stricken group,
while the doughty dogs faced the enemy
with flashing teeth and threatening growls,
and the men rushed to snatch up their

ORDERED OFF

guns, or anything' else that might serve
as an effective weapon.

For a moment it seemed as if blood
must be shed. The Indians seemed ripcj
for mischief and the stalwart Scots were
determined to defend their dear ones to
the last extremity.

But before a blow was struck, the band,
at a signal from their leader, brought their
horses to a halt, and ceased their hideous
bowlings. The leader then ^rew out from
his mob of followers, and holding up his
hands in token of his wish to parley,
asked in broken English for the chief
man of the strangers.

There was at first some hesitancy among
the Scots at replying to this. They had
never formally chosen a leader, although,
naturally, some of the men had shown
themselves stronger and shrewder than
others. Presently all eyes turned towards
Andrew Macrae. No man was fitter by
appearance or sagacity to be their spokes-
man, and, in response to their unmistak-
able choice, he stepped forward.

Ill

LV\

J '''

m ' I

62 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

' Fm but one of our little coTipany, yet
if ye'll tell me what ye mean by a' this
claverin' and scarin' peaceable folk, I'm
ready to talk wi' ye.*

The Indian leader straightened up in
his saddle. The stern, stalwart Scotsman
was no antagonist to be trifled with, and
his first intention of using the ready wit
for whicii he had a reputation, to bait the
strangers for the amusement of his followers,
before proceeding to rougher measures,
underwent a change. Such a man needed
to be dealt with in a different fashion.
Accordingly, assuming as much dignity as
he could command, he began to explain
what the alarming demonstration meant.

His speech was a strange jargon com-
pounded of English, French and Indian
words that would have sorely puzzled poor
Mr. Macrae, were it not helped oui; by a
vigorous pantomime, that enabled him
to follow the drift of it, after a fashion.

The purport was serious enough, and
his normally grave countenance grew graver
still as the meaning became clearer to lam.

ORDERED OFF

In brief, it was an order to quit ! Having
at last reached their haven, after so long
and perilous a journey over sea and land,
they were summarily commanded to .de-
part, and that without delay.

•y .^mHitsv-^nmttiBn

■W

? ^

CHAPTER VII

11 ■ I

!;l II

I i.

How Hector Got His Nickname

AT first, Mr. Macrae refused to credit
his own intelligence. The idea was
too appalling, and in his slow, deliberate
way he made the Indian leader repeat and
reiterate his sinister communication.

Then, calling aside the seniors of his
party, who had all been watching the
parley with intent, anxious faces, he told
them the startling truth.

Naturally enough, they likewise were at
the outset incredulous, and stirred to
righteous wrath. What had this howling
mob of painted and befeathered Indians
to do with them ? They were not the
lords of the land now, whatever they might

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 65

his

at
to

Lns
he
Iht

have been before the coming of the white
man. Lord Selkirk was the rightful owner
of the broad, rich acres to which they had
made so painful a pilgrimage, and they,
the settlers, were the possessors in his
name. Not one step would they budge.
They had come to stay.

All this, and more, Mr. Macrae repeated
to the Indian leader with the utmost
emphasis, but he might as well have
spared his breath.

' Non — no — non ! * the fellow responded
in his hybrid jargon. * Must go way.
No stay here. No food, no fire, no tepee.
Go way down there/ and he pointed due
south.

While this parley was proceeding, the
other members of his party had been
quietly forming a circle about the band
of settlers, drawing steadily closer until
they were almost within touch of them.
As it happened, little Ailie, her first
fright having passed off, grew interesteu
in the gay trappings of the Indians, and,
ere her mother noticed, sidled towards one

> <

! 1

rr-

(1,.

91 ii

lis.' ;!'!

ii! ;

• M

i t;

I i ri

66 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

of them, in order to touch the feathers that
adorned his leggings.

She was just beside his stirrup, when,
with a quick movement, he reached down,
grasped her under the arms, and swung
her up before him, saying, in what was
meant to be a soothing tone :

* Ma joUe petite. You Uke ride — eh ? '
AiUe gave a scream of terror, that reached
the ears of her mother and Hector at the
same moment. The former stood trans-
fixed, but Hector, whose position was
somewhat behind the Indian, with the
spring of a panther reached the pony's
withers, and the next moment had the
Indian's throat tightly clasped in his
strong young hand.

The pony, frightened by the sudden
addition of a second rider, at once began
to buck and rear, so that even its expert
owner could hardly retain his seat, doubly
hampered as he was, holding Ailie, and
being held by Hector.

Noting his predicament, his companions
closed in upon him to give him help, and

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 67

)ly
Lnd

>ns
lnd

just at that moment Mrs. Macrae, her
comely countenance aflame with maternal
anger, darted into their midst, and reaching
up, caught AiHe in her arms, crying : ' Ma
bonnie bairn ! Are ye hurt ? ' The Indian
let go his burden readily enough, and
turned to attack Hector.

But the latter was too quick for him.
He had see.i his mother's action, and the
instant Ailie was safely in her arms, he
let go of the Indian's threat, and threw
himself to the ground, narrowly escaping
being trampled upon by the ponies of the
nearest Indians.

The whole thing happened so quickly that
many of both parties saw nothing of it
but the excitement it occasioned, and,
for the moment, there was a complete
break-up of the parley between Mr. Macrae
and the Indian leader.

When order was in some measure
restored, and Mr. Macrae had assured
himself that neither of his children
was in any wise injured, he once more
gave attention to the serious situation

I »

ll»l

(

*T"'"L. „ r

rr"

'»■

68 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

which had so unexpectedly presented
itself.

With considerable difficulty he made
the Indian understand that he must have
time to consider his astounding com-
munication, and to consult with the other
men of his party. To this the fellow, with
much show of reluctance, at last consented,
and a gruff command sent the whole
cavalcade cantering off to a little distance,
where they dismounted, and, squatting
upon the turf in a sort of circle, proceeded
to light their pipes, and talk in guttural
tones of what had happened.

The Scots, that is to say the older
men of the party, now gathered in a little
knot, their countenances grown suddenly
haggard, for they all realized that they were
face to face with a crisis more menacing
than anything they had previously en-
countered.

* Tis unco strange. I canna understand
it at all,' said Mr. Macrae. ' Noo that we
are come here after sae great trouble
they say we canna bide, but maun gang

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 69

ilder
little

nly
ere
ing
en-
land
we
ible
lang

away doon to the States, where we dinna
want to be/

* Let us gang ower to the fort there,*
suggested Saunders, pointing to the Hud-
son's Bay fort, which stood on the bank
of the river, about a quarter of a mile
distant. * Surely the Governor will take
our pairt and winna let these savages have
their way with us.* This suggestion met
with instant approval, and three of the
party, including Mr. Macrae, were ap-
pointed to carry it out.

They at once set out across the prairie,
while the other men rejoined the women,
to await the result of the embassy.

But no sooner had the three got well
started, than with whoops and yells the
Indians sprang on their ponies and came
cantering towards them, waving their
weapons in a way that meant only one
thing — the Scotsmen must go no farther.
Baffled and disheartened, the latter, after
a futile attempt at parley with the Indians,
walked slowly and in silence back to their
companions.

A iM

J-

*'r

70 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

The situation seemed as desperate as
it was bewildering. They were utterly at
a loss either to understand it or cope
with it. Lord Selkirk had given them to
believe that they would be warmly wel-
comed at Red River, and afforded all
necessary assistance in settling down, and
this was the way in which his promises
were being fulfilled.

In their extremity they sought guidance
and strength from God, and, to the amaze-
ment of the Indians, who had again
drawn closer, the stately music of the
Psalms rose from their midst, followed
by the sonorous voice of Saunders, laying
before the Lord of all the anguish of
their hearts.

When their prayers were over they all
felt more composed in mind, although no
light had come to them concerning the
crisis.

The Indians again withdrew a little
distance, and Hector, who was as curious
as he was courageous, and wliose eye had
been taken by the gay feathers and beaded

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 71

mg
of

ad
led

buckskins of the Indian leader, which
certainly made a brave show, went over
towards him for a closer inspection, Dour
and Dandy following at his heels.

The Indian, noting the movement, ad-
vanced to meet him with an amiable grin,
and, just before they came together, threw
himself off his cayuse, as much as to say :
' See, I'm willing to be on even terms
with you.* He was rather a fine-looking
fellow, and Hector, little as he yet knew
about the red men of the plain, somehow
felt that this was no ordinary one.

He towered above the boy as they
stood side by side, and, smiling mis-
chievously, he lifted the latter's thick
cap from his head, and went through the
motion of scalping him. The next instant,
his teasing expression changed to one of
lively admiration, he thrust his hands into
Hector's curly locks, exclaiming : ' Ti-ti-pu !
Ti-ti-pu ! '

Hector, for a moment, was somewhat
startled, but he did not betray it. Dour
and Dandy, however, did not quite like

1 1

ili

1,1

i.t

72 TI-Ti PU: \ BOY OF RED RIVER

the proceedings, and growled menacingly
through their glistening teeth. The fact
of the matter was the Indian had never seen
such a poll of golden curly locks before,
and, accustomed as he was to the straight,
black, limp tresses of his own people, they
seemed to him something almost super-
natural. Thenceforward he would call
Hector nothing but * Ti-ti-pu,' and the
nickname stuck like a burr, until only the
gravest members of his own party hardly
ever thought of calling him anything
else.

In sore perplexity the Scots took counsel
together as to what they should do. Their
stock of provisions was nearly exhausted,
and although they had amongst them all
a good deal of money, of what use was it
if the hostile residents would not sell
them anything ?

' It wad seem as though we maun go
ewa* doon south for the winter at any
rate,* said Mr. Macrae, in a tone of pro-
found despondency. * The ways of Provi-
dence are beyond our ken. We maun

VI-

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 73

just trust that the Lord will guide us,
and provide for our necessities.*

The Indian leader was then informed
that, if they were allowed to obtain a supply
of provisions, and such other things as
would be necessary for the journey, they
would obey their orders and go down to
the United States.

This was assented to, and, after some
further parley, most of the Indians went
away, leaving the rest of their number on
guard. The settlers, with heavy hearts,
made preparations for the night.

Among the older members of the little
band of pilgrims, to whom the promised
land stemed about to prove so bitter a
disappointment, there was not much sleep
that night, and the morning found them
haggard, weary and depressed. But after
they had all, like one great family, united
in prayer and the singing of the Psalms,
they became more composed. They were
in God's hands, and dark as everything
now looked, He would send light in
the end.

■*«r^-

r.>'

If '

V I

« If

; I
i I

< ,

74 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

Soon after sunrise, the Indians reap-
peared in force, this time in quite good
humour, the settlers having already agreed
to obey thei- or^ ts and Mr. Macrae
had little difijculty m making arrange-
ments with thera tc conduct the party
to Pembina.

Under other circumstances, the settle-
ment of the terms would have been very
amusing, for on the one side the language
employed was a mixture of Gaelic and
English, and on the other of Indian jargon
and mongrel French, so that a great deal
had to be made out by means of signs and
gestures, and contortions of countenances.

Hector watched the proceedings with
intense interest. To tell the truth, after
his first fear of them had passed away,
and he realized that they were not going
to kill and scalp his people, he was quite
taken by the Indians, and eager to get
upon friendly terms with them.

By the leader he was particularly at-
tracted, and, in exchange for the nickname
the Indian had given him, he, on his part.

)

"v.

ith
ifter
ay,
>ing
ite
get

at-
Lme
trt,

HOW HECTOR GOT HIS NICKNAME 75

got the red man to give him a name
whereby to call him, namely, Wikonaie,
which he presently shortened to Wikon.

His friendship with the Indian, Hector's
father looked upon with approval. He
himself was perhaps of too unbendirq: a
nature to make any advances towards i
more amiable footing, but he war /ery
glad to see Hector accomplish it i) his
frank, boyish way.

Word was given that the start for Pem-
bina would be made early the next morning ;
and one of the bitter things the settlers
had to endure was being deprived of all
their arms. Poor Rob McEwen had to
part with his greatest treasure, a flint-
lock that his father had carried and used
to good effect in the battle of Culloden,
and who can blame him if the tears stood
in his grey eyes as, after fondling the
firearm as tenderlj^ as if it were a baby,
he let it go from him never to get it back ?
But even harder perhaps was the case of
Jeanie Sinclair, who had to part with her
marriage ring, whose glitter caught the

■\

t .'

I !

If;

i;i

76 TI TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

eye of a big Indian, who would not be
denied the gleaming treasure.

In spite of all their troubles, the settlers
did not forget to sing their Psalm and to
join with one of their elders in earnest
prayer, ere they sadly turned their faces
southward.

\ ■

i •

lers
I to
lest
aces

CHAPTER VIII
On the Move Again

THE procession that set forth for Pem-
bina certainly presented a curious
sight. It might have been intended to
represent the triumph of savagery over
civiUzation.

Decked out in their gayest garb, fully
armed, and mounted upon spirited horses,
the Indians pranced about in lordly style,
giving orders to the unfortunate folk
from over sea, who, although they were
really so much superior to then), for
the time being were^ completely in their
power.

Mr. Macrae h td succeeded in making
an arrangemen with the Indians that

*#^-.

78 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

li !

i ' ■

they should carry the young children upon
their horses, for, of course, it would be
out of the question for the little ones
to walk, and this gave the riders the
chance to have a good deal of amusement
at the expense of the mothers of the
children.

No sooner had the strange cavalcade got
well under way than the rascals galloped
off ahead, and were presently out of sight
on the boundless prairie, while the be-
wildered, anxious mothers ran crying and
pleading after them, until they fell ex-
hausted upon the turf.

Ailie Macrae was among those thus
carried off, and Hector pursued the Indian
who held her until even his stout legs
could not take another stride, while Dour
and Dandy, barking fiercely, continued
the chase a mile or two farther.

But, as he lay panting upon the grass,
his first excitement having passed away,
he began to reason the theory out. ' That's
just a trick tuey're playing on us,' he said
to himself. * They'll bring the bairns back

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

ex-

"ass,
^ay,
lat's
iaid
)ack

nae doot, but it's a mean trick, and I'll
tell them so.'

And the boy was as good as his word.
When the horsemen, having had their
fun, came back to those on foot, with
the children unharmed, and in most
cases having greatly enjoyed the wild
gallop, Hector made straight for his
new friend, Wikonaie, and with high-
pitched voice and vigorous gesture, made
plain to him what he thought of the
performance.

Wikonaie smiled at his passionate earnest-
ness, and took no offence at his fearless
scolding. * You talk big words,' he said,
in a tone of good-humoured admiration.
* You be big chief some day. Me like
you.* This soft answer completely turned
away Hector's wrath, and, in spite of
himself, a smile took possession of his
flushed features.

' Ha ! Ha ! Wikonaie,' he cried, * ye're
a canny chiel. Ye ken right well how
to get out of it.'

And so the matter ended between

I -rf I

«!

1 1

M jl

80 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

them, but it was a noticeable fact that,
although some of the other Indians re-
peated the foolish trick, Wikonaie took
no further part in it, and that hence-
forth it was little Ailie that rode upon
his saddle, and was so happy there that
she was always sorry when she had to
dismount.

The procession could make but slow
progress. The settlers were no less heavy
of foot than of heart, and both women
and men alike had to carry, up to the
limit of their strength, such of their be-
longings as they could not possibly part
with. Moreover, their English-made boots
were not at all the riglit thing, and their
poor feet swelled out and blistered inside
them, until some could scarcely stand
upright.

How they envied the Indians their soft
moccasins, and how they vowed to them-
selves that they v/ould put off their clumsy,
uncomfortable boots for them at the first
opportunity !

So they struggled on over the prairie,

iiir

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

iric,

the weather, fortunately, continuing fine
and warm, so that they could sleep in the
open air at night without inconvenience.
At last footsore, weary, and sad of heart,
they reached their destination. — Pembina,
a frontier settlement of the United States,
where they were now to pass the long,
cold winter.

Hector was rather sorry when the journey
came to an end, tiresome as it was to his
seniors. They went so slowly that he
had plenty of time to roam at his will,
and never without the company of Dour
and Dandy. He would make excursions
to the right and left of the line of march,
and generally manage to find plenty to
amuse and interest him.

* Eh ! but ye're grand friends to have ! '
he would cry to his faithful tour-legged
playmates after a wild scamper over the
prairie, which set all three of them panting.
* Ye ken as much as most ordinary folk,
and ye can run faster and farther than
the best man that ever lived. Indeed, I
just wish I could run about half as fast

■t,\

frr

n,|

I ^:

i* '

<»

'If

S2 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

myself. It would be a fine thing to be
able to do/ and then he would take
their hairy heads between his hands,
and rub his own face fondly between
them.

At Pembina, they were well received by
the residents, who seemicd glad to have
such an addition to their numbers, and,
with their aid and advice, th^y at once
set about getting ready the huts or tents
that would be their only homes for many
months to come. With all who could
help lending a hand, these simple habita-
tions did not take long to put up, and
in the course of a few days, each family
had their own little dwelling, such as it
was, and the whole party felt in better
spirits than they had done for many a
day.

Mr. Macrae's hut was one of the best
of the httle group. Taking the Highland
cottage as his model, he constructed out
of sods, wood, and canvas, the latter
serving for the roof, a really snug affair
with a * butt ' and a * ben,' that gave

ill,

i! ' ' I

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

gave

him much satisfaction, and of which
Hector was immensely proud, as it was
the only ' residence * in the camp having
two rooms.

Shelter having thus been secured, the
next thing to be taken into account was
the food question. Happily the answer to
this lay right around them. The country
was rich in game. From the frisky rabbit
to the lordly buffalo, the prairie or the
woods offered the hunter rich reward for
his skill and patience.

To Hector's vast delight, his father
bought a gu:i for him as well as for
himself.

* Ye're a big laddie now,* said Mr.
Macrae, his grave features lighting up
with a rare smile of love and pride, as
he watched the boy fondhng the fire-
arm as a mother would her baby,
' and it is right you should learn to
use the gun. Be verra careful with it,
laddie, and dinna forget that powder and
bullets are very scarce, and maun na be
wasted.*

1 n

i'N

(

1 i

84 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

Hector, of course, promised to be as
economical as possible of ammunition, and,
having thanked his father over and over
again, rushed off to show his gun to the
other boys in the party.

Naturally his first essay as a hunter

was against the rabbits, that were quite

plentiful in the clumps of trees which

were a feature of the country. With Dour

and Dandy bounding and barking beside

him, and a young half-breed with whom

he had picked up an acquaintance as his

companion, he set off very proudly and

confidently. Baptiste had promised to

guide him to the best places for the bunnies,

and Hector said confidently to his mother,

as, with no small anxiety in her eye and

voice, she was warning him to be careful

in handling the gun : * To be sure, mither,

to be sure ; I'll take the best o' care o"

r»-iyself and the gun, and, mither, I'll

brip.g ye back as many rabbits as I can

CJ^riy/

ir wa? a boyish boast, for he had yet
to shoot his first rabbit ; but Hector had

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

I as

and,

over

the

inter

][uite

^hich

Dour

eside

^hom

ls his

and
d to
mies,
)ther,
and

reful
ither,

re o*

. I'll
can

yet

Ir had

that happy quality, ' a gude conceit of
himself,' and it was a great help to him
in life.

Reaching the woods, the dogs, with
the fine intelligence of their noble race,
ceased bounding and barking aimlessly,
and, with lowered heads, ran silently
hither and thither seeking for game. Tliey
were not long in picking up a brace
of bunnies that gave a fine chance
for a shot ere they leaped away out of
range.

* Shoot 'em — queek ! ' cried Baptiste
excitedly.

Hector threw the gun to his shoulder
with all speed, and pulled the tr ger
without stopping to take aim. Nal ally
the charge of shot buried itself harn ossly
in the side of a tree, and the panic-stricken
rabbits vanished unhurt.

* Bah ! ' cried Hector, in disgust at his
miserable markmanship. ' I did na touch
them ! Eh, Baptiste, but they're awfu'
smart ! '

Baptiste, considerately doing his best

I! !

i' ;

86 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

to smother a smile, nodded in assent
and muttered something about trying
again.

Another chance soon came, but Hector
had no better luck, and he began to realize
that shooting the long-eared, long-legged
little creatures was not so easy as he had
at first imagined. Having failed for the
third time, he handed the gun, in disgust,
to the half-breed, saying : * Here, Baptiste,
you try.'

Baptiste eagerly seized ti.e fire-aim,
and the next rabbit that was started he
tumbled over neatly. Another and an-
other was shot in quick succession, and
then, returning the gun with a grateful
smile, Baptiste said : * Now you shoot.'

Hector's next attempt, happily, was not
a miss, and encouraged by this, he kept
on with varying success, until, between
him and Baptiste, nearly a dozen rabbits
had been bowled over. Then, satisfied
vith their bag, they hastened homeward
to proudly exhibit the results of their
day's hunting.

(i, !

• - ' ' III'

ON THE MOVE AGAIN

' Weel done, laddie, weel done ! ' ex-
claimed Mrs. Macrae, patting Hector fondly.
' Ye'U be getting us mony a gude dinner,
I'm thinking.'

>
^1

'^1 1

> ii

M ^i

! I;

"1 (I

i I'

! -

CHAPTER IX
The Buffalo Hunt

SOON after the arrival of the Selkirk
settlers at Pembina, the people of
the place set about preparing for the
great fall buffalo hunt, and they cordially
invited the Scots to join them.

The latter accepted the kind invitation
eagerly, and all the men who had a little
money to spare purchased guns and am-
munition from the store-keepers.

For days the settlement and the Scotch
camp were full of bustle. Ponies had to
be provided for all the hunters, provisions
prepared, as they v/ould be away probably
for ten days or so, and a number of other
things attended to.

Mr, Macrae, having decided to go him-

THE BUFFALO HUNT

self, at first wanted Hector to remain
behind with his mother, but the boy
pleaded so earnestly to be taken, and the
loving, self-sacrificing mother, though she
dreaded some mishap, so warmly sup-
ported his plea, that, to his abounding joy,
his father consented.

It was an odd-looking cavalcade that
set forth from Pembina on a bright, bracing
October morning. The Scotsmen looked
very awkward as, mounted upon Indian
ponies, some of which were so small that
the long legs of the riders almost touched
the ground, they strove to carry their
guns and keep their seats with some sort
of dignity.

The Pembina folk, whether white or
half-breed, were all good riders, and, having
taken the pick of the ponies, as was only
natural, looked remarkably well, while
half-a-score Indians who were to act as
guides galloped hither and thither, whoop-
ing and brandishing their guns by way
of showing off.

Hectoi- was delighted with the pony

I ]r

i i i

:1 i

' I!

n A

•i'

^ (1:

■f

-^^ :

.'{ li

!t ■

vl'll

i Hiliilii

TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

..::;'i;

that fell toTiim, a sturdy, piebald creature,
in quite good condition and full of life,
but not at all vicious. No knight of old
sallying forth in full armour could have
felt prouder than did the Scotch laddie,
as, with Dour and Dandy barking and
pretending to bite the pony's nose, he took
his place in the motley procession.

* Eh, father, but isn't this just grand ! '
he cried, enthusiastically, as he cantered
beside his father, whose stalwart frame
looked bigger than ever as he rode solemnly
upon a steed that, assuredly, had never
carried so weighty a rider before. * See
what a fine horse I have, and he's that
good, too ! Oh, but I hope we'll be sure
to find the buffalo ! '

* Ye need na fash yersel', laddie,' re-
sponded Mr. Macrae, with one of his
wise, kind smiles. ' Ye'U have plenty of
riding upon your little horse, and we're
likely enough to find the buffalo, for these
folk ken just where to look for them. So
be patient an' ye'U have your desire.'

They travelled for two days due west,

THE BUFFALO HUNT

and then made camp on a lovely spot beside
a clear flowing stream, where a clump of
trees afforded them both shade and fire-
wood. Farther west stretched the prairie
where roamed the noble animal of whom
they were in quest.

Soon after dawn the next morning the
whole camp was astir, and after a hurried
meal everybody got ready for the day's
business. The weather was all that could
be wished, and spirits ran high.

* Ye'U keep as near to me as ye can,
eh, laddie ? * said Mr. Macrae to Hector.
' There'll be mony ways o' getting hurt,
e'en though ye may be careful.'

* Yes, father, I'll try,' answered Hector
promptly, but in his heart he felt that
once the chase really began his speedy
pony, with only his light weight to carry,
must soon run away from the scarcely
larger animal that had his father's two
hundred pounds upon his back.

A veteran hunter, nick-named Buffalo
Carter, took entire charge of the hunt,
and under his short, sharp commands the

I ,

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-S)

,v^

1.0

I.I

^M I

" 1^ 12.2

^ Its,

1.4

1.6

Photographic

Sciences
Corporation

93 WIST MAIN STRUT

WiBSTIR.N Y. MSaO

(716) a73-4S03

-^^

i: i ?i

i :! ^

! : ! il

. 'It

92 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

party was divided up, and sent off in
different directions.

There were six in the party to which
Mr. Macrae and Hector were assigned, and
their captain — so to speak — was a shrewd,
good-humoured half-breed, Narcisse by
name, who had killed many score of buffalo
in the course of his career. He had taken
a liking to Hector, and he greatly admired
Dour and Dandy, who, having vented their
superfluous spirits, were now trotting
quietly along beside Hector's pony, and
he said to him in a sort of aside : * You
keep close to me, eh ! mon petit ami. Kill
big buffalo for sure, eh ! '

Hector responded with a grateful smile.
' I will that if I can, but your fine horse
will likely run away from my pony.*

* Non-non — that's all right,' laughed Nar-
cisse, pleased at the comphment to his
steed. * You keep so near me as possible.'

The different groups of riders being about
a quarter of a mile apart, the whole party
covered a pretty wide stretch of prairie, as
they steered due west at a leisurely lope.

THE BUFFALO HUNT

The leader's plan of campaign was that,
on a herd of buffalo being sighted, every
effort should be made to surround it
without stampeding it, and to this end
instructions had been given to the captains
of each band that not a shot should be
fired until the signal was given by Carter
himself.

On they loped over the billowy prairie,
the tensity of eagerness growing with
each mile covered. Suddenly, Carter, who
was a little in advance of all the others,
pulled up on the hither side of a swale,
and gave the signal agreed upon for a
general halt. It passed from band to
band almost instantaneously and the
hunters became as motionless as statues.

Carter, slipping from his horse, went
forward cautiously on foot some little
distance, and then, dropping on all fours,
peered over the top of a big swale beyond
which, perhaps, was the big game they
sought.

' He see 'em 1 Buffalo near now I ' ex-
claimed Narcisse to Hector, as he tightened

I ^

Ir 'I

94 TI-TI-PUiA BOY OF RED RIVER

rein and grasped his gun more firmly.
' You be ready, eh ? * Hector was too
excited to do more than nod assent, as he
kept his eyes following every movement
of Carter.

The latter, evidently satisfied with his
scrutiny, made haste back to his horse,
and, having remounted, by making a sort
of semaphore of himself, waving his arms
in rapid fashion, signalled to the captains
of each band.

They caught his meaning, and the next
instant, all were in motion closing in
toward their leader. When they were near
enough he signalled for them to spread
out in a single line, then, waving his gun
above his head as a final signal for them
to do likewise, he dashed forward at the
full speed of his swift steed.

As they swept over the swale, the
buffalo came in sight — a fine herd, number-
ing several hundred, grazing on the rich
grass in utter unconsciousness of the human
cyclone rushing upon them.

The wind blew from them towards the

THE BUFFALO HUNT

hunters, thus giving the latter, whose
ponies' hoofs made scarcely any sound
upon the thick turf, the opportunity to
get quite close ere an old bull threw up
his head, caught sight of the charging
cavalcade, and instantly gave vent to a
thundering bellow of warning, that caused
the whole herd to cease grazing and
huddle together nervously.

Only for a moment did they thus hesi-
tate. Then, moving as one huge black
mass, they were off in full flight, with
the hunters not a hundred yards behind.

Hector was amazed that such heavy,
clumsy-looking creatures could get up such
speed, and his excitement rose to its
highest pitch as, urging his pony on by
voice and heel, he strove to reach the rear
of the panic-stricken herd.

Dour and Dandy, in no less a state of
excitement, were already snapping at the
heels of the buffalo, and enjoying them-
selves immensely.

Little by little Hector's clever pony, to
which, by the way, he had given the

IH ^-l

n,. i

96 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

appropriate name of Joseph, because his
coat was of many colours, caught up to
the herd, until, at last, with an extra
spurt, he charged right into it, and Hector,
not altogether to his comfort, found him-
self wedged in between two great shaggy
animals, whose bloodshot eyes made them
look very fierce, even if they were fleeing
for their lives.

He did his best to check the speed of
his pony, puUing upon the reins with all
his might. But Joseph had got the bit
in his teeth, and being in a regular frenzy
of excitement, all Hector's efforts were
fruitless. Not only so, but as the tre-
mendous pace began to tell upon the
buffalo, and their speed slackened, Joseph,
who showed no signs of tiring, made his
way deeper into the herd, until presently
Hector was co.npletely surrounded by the
huge animals.

His situation was one of great peril,
for, although the buffalo were too intent
upon flight to pay him any attention, yet
if by chance his pony were to stumble or

I J!l

;e his
ip to
extra
ector,
him-

^aggy
them
leeing

led of
th aU
le bit
irenzy
were
3 tre-
1 the
3seph,
ie his
sently
)y the

THE BUFFALO HUNT 97

put his foot in a gopher hole, bringing
down himself and his rider, they would
both infallibly be trampled out of all
semblance of life under the hoofs of
the mighty creatures.

But not for a moment did the boy lose
his wits. Holding hard to the saddle he
watched keenly for his chance of deHver-
ance.

peril,
intent
n, yet
ble or

fir^

1 ■ 1

! ''ii

: ^ 1

CHAPTER X

1^ I

(!■ &

Lost on the Prairie

NOT until he had become embedded as
it were in the panic-stricken mass
of buffalo did Mr. Macrae observe his
son's peril.

At almost the same moment Narcisse
caught sight of the boy, and, with a
characteristic exclamation of horror, at
once drove his horse into the herd, that
he might, if possible, get to Hector's
side.

' Take care ! Take care ! he shouted
with all his might, not recking that his
voice was utterly lost in the thunder
of the countless hoofs. * Keep hold,
eh!'

LOST ON THE PRAIRIE

99"

led as

mass

^e his

trcisse
ith a
)r, at
that
ctor*s

outed
it his
under
hold,

Mr. Macrae followed his example, and
the two men plunged into the mob of
terrified monsters, steering as best they
could for the imperilled boy.

Meanwhile, Hector, who had kept both
his head and his seat wonderfully, not
forgetting the purpose of the whole affair,
pointed his gun behind the shoulder of
a fine fat buffalo and fired.

The muzzle of the gun was so close to
the buffalo that the discharge burned the
animal's hide, and the recoil almost knocked
Hector out of his saddle.

But the bullet found its way to the great
creature's heart, and, a moment later,
down it went, to the delight of the young
huntsman. The loud report was not with-
out effect upon the buffalo that hemmed
in Hector. They swerved off to right
and left, giving him more room and
thereby enabling Narcisse and his father
to reach his side.

* Ah, laddie ! ' cried his father. * I
was in great fear for ye. Ye should
na have gone into such danger. Be

! i\

If !

I|f

n ■' 'I'

:,1

1 ■ ' I

li.: I

.,.,'t'

TOO TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

carefu' now, for ye're not yet out of
harm's way.'

Hector nodded gaily in reply. He was
so exultant over his success that he could
think of nothing else for the moment.

As neither Narcisse nor Mr. Macrae had
yet bagged their buffalo, they left Hector
to stay beside his prize while they went
on after the fleeing herd, upon whom
the tremendous pace was beginning to
teU.

The reports of the guns followed
fast upon each other, as the different
members of the hunting party, choosing
a fine fat cow, or a prime young bull,
brought down their victim with unerring
aim.

At last the piursuit of the herd ended,
and the hunters returned to take stock
of results. These were certainly satis-
factory : nearly a score of buffalo, all in
the best of condition, had been secured,
and a supply of food that would keep the
whole settlement for many weeks was
ensured.

LOST ON THE PRAIRIE

lOI

Very proud and content was Buffalo
Carter, and all the other members of the
party, particularly Hector, whose buffalo
was as fine a specimen as any of the
others.

* Eh, but it was a warm, stirrin' ex-
perience,* remarked Mr. Macrae, with em-
phasis. ' I never expected to see the
like of it. 'Tis a wonderful country,
this, and there's a powerful lot to be
learned. But I'm right glad I've come,
laddie,' he went on, laying his hand fondly
upon Hector's shoulder, * and with the
favour of God we shall yet do better
here than e'er we could in the land we
left.'

This was a good deal for him to
say, but the excitement of the hunt had
for the time swept away his reserve,
and he was in almost as high spirits as
Hector.

So soon as they had rested a little, the
buffalo hunters set to work to skin the
buffalo, and to cut the rich meat into
long strips, which, after being dried in

til I' iflif^

III I if;

! 11

li^i''%i

102 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

the sun, were then minced as small as
possible, and so made into ' pemmican,'
which was then packed away for use in
the winter.

Of course, there was great feasting
meanwhile, and the special tit-bits, such as
the tongues and the humps, were cooked
and eaten with the keenest relish.

Dour and Dandy were so well supplied
with bits of juicy steak, or well-covered
bones, that they were in danger of over-
feeding, and Mr. Macrae had to limit
their allowance.

It took several days to prepare the
pemmican, and then, laden with it and
with the buffalo-skins which would at
leisure be made into the warmest of robes,
the whole party moved slowly back to
Pembina.

' Eh ! but Vm glad I killed one my-
self,' said Hector to his father as they
rode along together, ' for now I'll have a
buffalo robe of my own, and that will
be fine when the winter comes, won't
it, father ? '

LOST ON THE PRAIRIE

103

the
and

at
)bes,

So inc eed it proved. There was many
a night during the long cold winter at
Pembina, when Hector, lying snug and
warm under his buffalo-robe, had reason
to be thankful for the success of his
shot

The reception of the hunting-party at
Pembina was a royal one, and the feasting
that followed was shared in by all. Then
the remainder of the meat was stored
away for the winter.

As already mentioned, Mr. Macrae
had taken more pains and spent some-
what more money upon the hut that
sheltered his family, and now, having
got everything fixed to his satisfaction,
with that fore-thought which was one of
his distinguishing traits, he resolved to
secure a supply of firewood for the
winter.

A fine ' bunch of timber/ as it was
called locally, stood not more than a
mile away, and, hiring a horse and cart
from one of the residents, Mr. Macrae,
accompanied by his whole family — ^for it

I04 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

!i i

[1 '

I /

was beautiful weather, being the so-called
Indian summer — began his attack upon
the trees.

* ril cut them doon, laddie/ he said to
Hector, * and ye' 11 chop off the branches,
and so we'll just divide the wark between
us. '

Thic arrangement suited Hector, and he
did his part faithfully, lopping off the
branches so that the trunk itself could be
cut up into suitable lengths.

None of the trees were large. The
country is not favourable to forest giants,
and the wood was fairly soft, so that
Hector's task was by no means beyond
his powers.

The work went on steadily from day
to day, and Mrs. Macrae viewed with
the approval and satisfaction of a good
housewife the growing pile of fuel that
would be right at hand through the long
winter.

' Ye always were a good provider, An-
drew/ she said, giving her stalwart husband
a look of ineffable love and pride. ' Nana

LOST ON THE PRAIRIE

105

o' yer charge will ever want while ye're
aboot.'

From under his shaggy brows, Andrew
Macrae returned the look of love and pride ;
for to him there was no woman so bonnie
or so wise as his gude wife, but he pre-
tended to make light of the compliment,
saying he was but doing his duty.

The wood-pile at the hut had grown
big enough, and they were making their
last trip to the timber. Mrs. Macrae had
not accompanied them, but little Ailie
would not be left at home. She enjoyed
too much the ride out on the empty cart,
and then back again, perched triumphantly
on top of the load, to lose the last chance
for it. So father had to yield to her
pretty pleadings, although he would
have preferred her remaining with her
mother.

The father and son worked very hard
that day, and during the afternoon got
so engrossed in the completion of their
task, that they quite forgot the little
girl.

io6 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

Then, left to her own resources, Ailie,
as sturdy a child for her years as ever
stepped, wandered off over the prairie in
the opposite direction to home, her little
head filled with some foolish notion of
getting nearer to the sunset.

On and on she went, forgetful of every-
thing but the beauty of the western sky,
which had so fascinated her, and it was
because her blue eyes were intent upon
this, and not upon what was under her
feet, that she did not notice the coulee, or
break in the prairie, into which she fell
with a sharp cry of fright.

Happily it was soft earth at the bottom
of the coulee, and Ailie was not injured in
the least by her fall. But she was terrified
beyond measure at her situation, and
screamed for her father and brother with
the full strength of her lungs.

But, lying as she was at the bottom of
the coulee, a dozen feet or more below
the surface of the prairie, her most vigorous
efforts could not have been heard many
yards away.

VER

LOST ON THE PRAIRIE

107

Ailie,
> ever
trie in

little
on of

svery-
1 sky,
t was
upon
r her
lie, or
e fell

)ttom

ed in

rifled

and

with

There the poor little lonely frightened
girl wept and wailed and cried out for her
father and Hector, until at last, in sheer
exhaustion, she lapsed into a sort of
stupor and knew no more.

j ,*

!i^l

m of
)elow
Drous
nany

1: i

■J, '.

li i

CHAPTER XI
The Losing and Finding of Ailie

IT was not until they had completed
the day's task and the wood was all
ready to be loaded into the cart, that
Mr. Macrae missed Ailie.

Not seeing her about, he called out :

' Ailie, Ailie, my bairnie, where are you ?
Come ye here noo ! '

Then, getting no response, he began to
call louder and louder, and to go this
way and that among the trees, looking
anxiously for the golden-haired lassie, while
Hector ran out on the prairie calling with
all his might :

' Ailie ! AiUc ! come here/ Still no
answer, and as the sun had set and it
was already beginning to grow dusk, the

xo8

A >

LOSING AND FINDING AILIE 109

father and brother became

pleted

as all

that

t:
you ?

;an to
) this
loking
while
; with

11 no
nd it
z, the

anxiety
intense.

Little Ailie was^iost— lost on the prairie
— and in a short time night v/ould
be upon them. Oh, what was to be
done ?

After the first hurried rushing hither
and thither without avail, Mr. Macrae,
reahzing that it would be necessary to
carry on the search on a larger scale,
called Hector to him and said :

* We must have help. I'll go and get
our friends. Ye bide here. Maybe AiUe
will come back of herself.*

So saying, Mr. Macrae set off on foot
across the prairie at a swift pace, far
faster than could have been made by
the heavily-loaded cart.

Thus left alone. Hector, in spite of
himself, began to feel nervous. Snow, the
first of the year, began falling softly and
silently.

For some time Hector sat waiting, then
the happy thought came to him to set
the dogs on AiUe's trail. He took from

<'{|

no TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

I V i

I :

his pocket a ribbon the child had dropped
the day before, and showing it to the
clever creatures, told them to ' find AiHe.'
They seemed to understand at once what
was expected of them, and set out on the
vanishing, whitening trail. Hector keeping
up with them as best he might.

Soon after this, Mr. Macrae and his
party arrived, each man bearing a lantern
or torch. They were greatly dismayed to
find Hector also missing, and doubly
hastened their preparations for the search.
Under Mr. Macrae's directions, the party,
leaving their horses tied to the trees, until
they had first made search on foot, spread
out in a long line, ten yards or so separating
each man from his neighbour, and pro-
ceeded to make a thorough search of the
prairie.

It was a weird night, and one such
as never before had been seen there
— the long line of hghts bobbing about
as the searchers moved through the
darkness.

Meanwhile, Hector's search was being dili-

;■'

VER

LOSING AND FINDING AILIE m

ropped
to the
Ailie.'
5 what
on the
eeping

id his
antern
yed to
ioubly
search,
party,

until
spread
rating

pro-
of the

such
there
about
the

ig diU-

gently made. Dour and Dandy hesitated
once or twice as if puzzled, but in a moment
trotted on again, and before very long
they led Hector to the coulee. The excited
boy fell rather than climbed down, and
made straight for a sort of pocket in
the bank where he could hear the dogs
snifftng.

And there loy AiUe ! Curled up like
a kitten, and so motionless that, for a
moment. Hector's heart stood still with
fear. Then a quick move forward in the
dim light, and his hand was among the
clustered curls, and touching the warm,
soft neck.

Ailie was alive I hurt, perhaps, but
alive, and in the greatness of his joy
the boy sent forth a shout that caused
Dour and Dandy above to break forth
into an * exposition of barking * that
attracted the attention of several of the
searchers, making them wonder if the
wise dogs might not have discovered
something.

Hector picked up Ailie with the utmost

'\\

I'ft

■ I

112 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

tenderness. The child, aroused from her
stupor, gave a little cry of fear, then threw
her arms about her brother's neck, and
burst into tears.

He hugged, and patted, and soothed her
with loving words. ' And are ye no hurt
anywhere ? * he asked her, half in wonder,
half in joy. * Just to think of it. Oh,
but the good God took wonderfu* care of
you. Now just you bide there a minute,
and I'll try to let them know I found

ye.'

AiHe, puzzled but obedient, stood as
she was directed, and Hector began to
shout with all the vigour of his healthy
young lungs. * Hi there 1 Come here !
I've found her ! She's not hurt.'

The clear strong voice rose out of the
coulee, and was first heard by those who
had noticed the eager barking of Dour
and Dandy. * Ah ! ha ! ' exclaim.ed one
of them. Black Rory Macdonald, his shaggy
face lighting up eagerly. ' Come awa',
there,' — and off he went as fast as his
mighty legs could carry him. He had no

'ill

ill

m her

threw

c. and

Led her
hurt
wonder,
;. Oh,
:are of
ninute,
found

Dod as
jan to

ealthy

here !

of the
who

Dour
!d one
>haggy

awa* -;
as his*j^
lad no

LOSING AND FINDING AILIE 113

trouble in locating the dogs, and holding
his lantern over the edge of the little
hollow, he at once caught sight of Hector
and Ai)ie.

' The gude Lord be praised ! * he cried fer-
vently. * The bairnie's found, and there's
nae hurt upon her/

His joyous shouts rapidly brought the
other searchers, Mr. Macrae being among
the first to reach the spot; Without loss
of time, the boy and girl were lifted out
of the coulee, to be overwhelmed with
demonstrations of delight and affection
from men who ordinarily kept their feelings
very strictly under control.

* And noo awa' tae yer mither — yer
poor distracted mither,' broke in Mr.
Macrae, gathering up Ailie and starting
towards the place where the horses were
tethered. With long impatient steps he
swept over the ground, and, taking the
first horse he came to, put Ailie upon the
saddle before him, and galloped oif for
the encampment, where, with brimming
eyes and trembling Hps, he placed the

ill.

1 -I

114 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

child in the mother's arms, saying softly :
' Praise God, Mary, oor bairnie's given
back to us.'

The winter came soon after this, and it
was well for the Highland folk that they
had at home been inured to the cold,
for Jack Frost certainly did not spare
them at Pembina.

The clear, dry atmosphere misled them
at first. They would not realize how
cold it really was, until nose or cheeks
were nipped. And more than one of
them had a narrow escape from being
frozen to death.

Yet, upon the whole, the winter passed
quite comfortably, albeit the question of
food sometimes became a pressing one,
when the hunters had been unsuccessful
for a time.

One day, Narcisse, who took a Hvely
interest in Hector, rushed to tell him that
a great moose had been seen in the woods
to the north, and that he was going out
next day to hunt for him. He invited
Hector to go with him.

IVER

softly :
given

and it

it they

2 cold,

spare

1 them
e how
cheeks
)ne of
being

passed
ion of
I one,
cessful

LOSING AND FINDING AILIE 115

Of course, the boy jumped at the invi-
tation, and, his father not objecting, for
he had considerable confidence in Narcisse,
arrangements for the enterprise were made
at once.

lively
a that
woods
ig out
ivited

• ^ ,1'

CHAPTER XII
The Moose Hunt

■' f

ill.

\ii

w;i

1
i 1

MR. Macrae allowed Hector to take
Dour and Dandy, and, as Narcisse
had two good dogs of his own, they were
we^^ provided. The only other member
of the party was Narcisse's half-brother,
Baptiste, not equal to him in intelligence
and experience, but a strong and good-
natured fellow, who would take his share
of work or danger.

They took a horse apiece, not to ride,
for of course they travelled on snow-
shoes, but to carry their blankets, buffalo-
robes, cooking gear, etc.

Hector was a very happy boy as he
set forth on a superb winter morning
clad in the warmest of clothing, and

THE MOOSE HUNT

take
'arcisse
y were
lember
rother,
ligence
good-
) share

ride,
snow-
•uffalo-

as he
orning
and

striding along upon his snow-shoes, in
the use of which he had become quite
expert.

His mother watched with eyes in which
there was anxiety as well as admiration
and love, but all she said was : ' Be verra
carefu', laddie, and do whatever Narcisse
bids you.*

They steered north-east from Pembina,
and travelled all day without interruption,
except for the necessary mid-day meal.

The country now appeared to change
somewhat. The deep woods had given
place to rolling prairie, broken at the
sky-line by low poplar bluffs. By night-
fall they had reached the frozen marshy
borders of the Roseau River. East from
its waters there stretched hundreds of
miles of spruce forest, home of the moose,
caribou, and the great timber wolf. A
rough camp was quickly made, and in
the morning the hunters pursued their
way again through the deep evergreens.
In a short time more they would have
reached the hunting-ground, when an acci-

f tl

'*' i

M I

ii8 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

dent occurred, that almost caused them
to turn back empty-handed.

Narcisse, on his snow-shoes, in stepping
over a half-burned log, fell forward, wrench-
ing his knee so badly that on rising he
could scarcely walk. All thought of the
hunt had now to be given up, but as
they were sadly retracing their steps, they
espied the smoke of a tepee at the end
of a small clearing.

A few minutes later, and to their joy
they were in the broad tepee of their
former friend, Wikonaie, who was himself,
at that moment, preparing to start on a
hunt.

Failing Narcisse, nothing would have
suited Hector better than to have Wiko-
naie accompany them. Narcisse was left
in Wikonaie' s tepee in charge of the young
Indians, and the horses were also left
at the camp, as well as Narcissc's two dogs,
who answered ill to orders from any one
except their master. Then the party
eagerly set-out.
The hours were passing without any

THE MOOSE HUNT

119

any

sign of game, when Wikonaie gave a cry
of joy. * See I * he cried, * you know
what that means ? Eh, I will show you
a great moose soon.*

Their eyes followed the direction of his
finger, and there, plainly printed in the
snow, which was softer here, was the
great footprint which, from its size, could
be no other than that of the quarry they
sought. They exchanged exclamations of
surprise and delight, and then Wikonaie,
bidding them tighten their belts, for there
wouJd be no dinner that day, gave out
his plan of campaign.

The moose was ahead of him, perhaps
only a mile or two ; they must push for-
ward with utmost speed and at the same
time utmost caution. For this purpose,
Wikonaie would lead the way, Baptiste
follow, and Hector bring up the rear,
keeping Dour and Dandy at heel until
their services should be required.

Thus, in Indian file, they went on for
quite another mile, when Wikonaie, with
a low exclamation of warning, suddenly

i- I!

ilir

■1

120 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

sank to his knees, at the same time pointing
to something under the tree that his sharp
eyes at that moment caught,

Coming up to him, the others imitated
his attitude, and peered in the direction
indicated, until presently they also made
out a great dark mass, half-obscured by
the tree-trunks, but manifestly not motion-
less.

* We come up to heem behind,' said
Wikonaie, in a dramatic whisper, ' not in
front, but on de side. You follow me ! '

With the infinite care of the experienced
hunter, Wikonaie made his way in a sort
of semi-circle which, at the end, brought
him within firing distance of the moose,
and almost straight behind him. As the
wind blew straight from the moose to-
wards the hunters, things seemed very
much in their favour.

* Ah, now, we must be ver' careful, ver'
careful, not make no noise,' whispered
Wikonaie to his companions, who nodded
eager assent. Yard by yard they crept
upon their unconscious prey. The giant

!iH

THE MOOSE HUNT

121

:iant

creature had struck a small bunch of
particularly young and juicy trees, and
he was enjoying them to his heart's
content.

When Wikonaie deemed they were suffi-
ciently near, he gave the signal for them to
be ready to fire. The next moment the
woods rang out with a strange wild shout,
which would have startled anything in
the way of man or beast : and the moose,
thus rudely interrupted in his rich repast,
flung up his head with a snort, partly of
fear and partly of defiance.

This was the moment for which Wikonaie
was waiting. ' Now fire ! * he cried, draw-
ing the trigger of his own gun as he spoke.

Almost as one, the three reports startled
the echoes of the woods, and the moose,
suddenly wheeling round, the incarnation
of fury and of fright, was met by the two
dogs, Dour and Dandy, who sprang gal-
lantly at him, barking and leaping for
his great nose. Bewildered by this novel
attack, he thought flight the best thmg,
and sped off into the woods at an amazing

; 'i

I- ■

if 4

ri;

I ■

:.;♦

* i

122 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

pace. Indeed, he went so fast that Hector,
who had fully expected to see the great
creature drop instantly, began to fear
lest he might not be mortally wounded
after all, and they should lose him in the
woods. Wikonaie's countenance showed
no such anxiety. True the moose had
disappeared with the dogs at his heels,
but he left on the spotless snow the sure
sign of a stricken animal — great splashes of
red, which told that he could not go
very far.

* We follow heem now, eh ? * cried
Wikonaie, rapidly reloading his gun, the
others doing the same. Off they set along
the blood-marked trail, and, about the
end of a mile, Wikonaie gave a shout of
joy, for there, just ahead of him, fallen
at the foot of an unusually large tree,
was their quarry, to all appearances dead.
Now, for the first time, Wikonaie showed
a rashness which he had not before ; for
dropping his gun, and drawing his hunting-
knife, he went triumphantly up to the
fallen monarch, and waved the keen steel

THE MOOSE HUNT

123

above his massive antlers in token of
victory.

The next instant, with a roar of startling
ferocity, the moose sprang to his feet,
hurling Wikonaie over on his back, right
in front of 'dm, where a single stroke
from one of his tremendous forelegs would
have made of the Indian a bleeding hfe-
less hulk.

Fortunate indeed was the presence of
the dogs, Dour and Dandy, as they, realizx.ig
the crisis, sprang at the moose's head with
utter fearlessness, and one of them suc-
ceeded in securing a temporary hold upon
the thick neck. This bewildered the mon-
ster for a moment, and that gave Hector
an opportunity, to which the boy, all of
a tremble as he was, happily proved
equal.

To free himself from the dogs the moose
tossed his head high in the air, thereby
flinging Dour to one side, but at the same
time exposing in the completest way his
magnificent breast. Hardly pausing to
take aim. Hector fired, and the bullet

» f

,'' t

'?'!

i <

!(:^

124 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

went straight to the heart of the noble
creature.

With a despairing bellow, almost like
a great human groan, he once more sank
at the foot of the tree, this time to rise
no more.

How those three rejoiced over their
great triumph, Baptiste claiming that his
first shot had been fatal ; Wikonaie proud
of his Httle Ti-ti-pu, now a strong young
brave, skilled in the chase, and a man
to be feared in war : and Hector, thankful
for the opportunity which had enabled
him to save his Indian friend.

Late as the hour was, they decided to
return to Wikonaie's tepee, where half the
night was spent in extolHng Ti-ti-pu' s
prowess and further cementing the friend-
ship so strangely begun.

And not alone was Hector benefited,
but Wikonaie was able to promise that
the settlers could return unmolested to
their farms in the summer, partly because
of his own feeling, and partly because
the North- Westers had ceased to bribe the

THE MOOSE HUNT

125

Indians to make trouble, and they required
little persuading to follow the leadership of
Wikonaie, their chief.

But the settlers still had a desperately
hard time of it, sometimes being reduced
to no other food than the wild turnip
found in great quantities in that locality,
and at the end of the second summer,
nearly all of them returned to Pembina
for the winter.

This sort of thing went on for several
years, until finally, having received further
reinforcements from Lord Selkirk, they
really began to take root, and a comfort-
able, self-sustaining settlement grew up,
which in large part realized the hopes
which had drawn them from the Old World
to the New.

Through ^'t all. Hector was a loyal,
obedient son. He shared in all his father's
toil, did his best to brighten little AiUe's
play hours, and altogether bore himself
with infinite credit.

None of the Scotch settlers struck deeper
roots into the country than did the Macraes,

■;

126 TI-TI-PU: A BOY OF RED RIVER

but this story cannot follow them any
farther. Suffice it to say, their descendants
are some of the finest men and women,
not to mention boys and girls, in the
Canadian North-West.

1 'f

'.Jk

PrtHttd by HoMllt H^atson *• Viney, Id., London and AyUtbury,

rER

L any
idants
omen,
n the

iijlMbury,