They were following down the Red River and Lake Winnipeg, in the very path which the fleeing Colonists had gone, but they would turn toward the "Grand Rapids" at the spot where the great river of the West pours into Lake Winnipeg, and by this way speed themselves to the great hunting fields of the North.

The departure of what was called the Grand Brigade was signalized by an artillery salute from Fort Douglas, which resounded through the wretched ruins of the houses burnt the previous year, and over the fields deserted by the Colonists and left to the chattering blackbird and the howling wolf.
Almost every race of people--however small--has its bard.

Among the Bois-brules was the son of old Pierre Falcon, a French-Canadian, of some influence among the natives.

This young poet was a character.

He had the French vivacity, the prejudice of race, the devotion to the Scotch Fur Company and a considerable rhyming talent.