You will soon be poor and miserable if the English stay.

But we will drive them away, if the Indian does not, for the 'Nor'-West' Company and the Bois-brules are one.

If you (turning to the chief) and some of your young men will join I shall be glad." But the taciturn Indian Chief coldly declined the polite proposal.

As the party passed Brandon House Pambrun saw in the North-West Fort near by, tobacco, tools and furs, which had been captured by the Nor'-Westers from the Hudson's Bay Company fort.

When Portage la Prairie was reached--about sixty miles from "The Forks"-- the Bois-brules cavalcade was organized.
The half-breeds were mounted on their prairie steeds and formed a company of sixty men under command of Cuthbert Grant.