But he could not forget "The Forks"-- the Winnipeg of to-day--and so gave instructions to one of his lieutenants to stop with a number of his men at the Forks, cut down trees, and erect a fort for safety in coming and going up the Assiniboine.

The Frenchmen worked hard, and on the south side of the junction of the Red River with the Assiniboine, erected Fort Rouge--the Red Fort.

This fort, built in 1738, was the first occupation of the site of the City of Winnipeg.

The French Captain Verandrye, his sons and his men, made further journeys to the far West, even once coming in sight of the Rocky Mountains.

But French Canada was doomed.