The Bois-Brules from childhood were familiar with the Indian pony, knew all his tricks and habits, began to ride with all the skill of a desert ranger, were familiar with fire-arms, took part in the chase of the buffalo on the plains, and were already trained to make the attack as cavalry on buffalo herds, after the Indian fashion, in the famous half-circle, where they were to be so successful in their later troubles, of which we shall speak.

Such men as the Grants, Findlays, Lapointes, Bellegardes, and Falcons were equally skilled in managing the swift canoe, or scouring the plains on the Indian ponies.

We shall see the part which this new element were to play in the social life and even in the public concerns of the prairies.
THE STATELY HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.
The last of the elements to come into the valley of the Red River and to precede the Colonists, was the Hudson's Bay Company--even then, dating back its history almost a century and a half.

They were a dignified and wealthy Company, reaching back to the times of easy-going Charles II., who gave them their charter.

For a hundred years they lived in self-confidence and prudence in their forts of Churchill and York, on the shore of Hudson Bay.