A low moaning murmur ran round the circle and swelled into a sobbing cry, then ceased as suddenly as there stepped into the circle a stranger, evidently a half-breed, who began to speak.

He was a French Cree, he announced, and delivered his message in the speech, half Cree, half French, affected by his race.
He had come fresh from the North country, from the disturbed district, and bore, as it appeared, news of the very first importance from those who were the leaders of his people in the unrest.

At his very first word Jerry drew a long deep breath and by his face appeared to drop from heaven to earth.

As the half-breed proceeded with his tale his speech increased in rapidity.
"What is he saying, Jerry ?" said Cameron after they had listened for some minutes.
"Oh he beeg damfool!" said Jerry, whose vocabulary had been learned mostly by association with freighters and the Police.

"He tell 'bout beeg meeting, beeg man Louis Riel mak' beeg noise.