In order to supply food at Fort Douglas Pambrun started down the river to reach the Fort by descending the Assiniboine with five boat loads of pemmican and furs.

At a landing place in the river Pambrun's convoy was surrounded and his goods seized by Cuthbert Grant, Pambrun himself being kept for five days as a prisoner.

While in custody Pambrun saw every evidence of war-like intentions on the part of the half-breeds.

Cuthbert Grant frequently announced their determination to destroy the Selkirk Settlement; in boastful language it was declared that the Bois-brules would bow to no authority in Rupert's Land; in their gatherings they sang French war-songs to keep up the spirit of their corps.

There was a ring of growing nationality in all their utterances.
A start was made late in May for the scene of action.