He had been liberated on bail, and was to come up for trial in May.

The charge against him was of buying goods with which to go on a trading expedition to Lake Manitoba.
Possibly the case would be easily disposed of, and most likely dismissed with a trifling fine, although it was true that Sayer had made a stiff resistance on his being arrested.

This violent resistance was but an example of the bitter and dangerous spirit that was developing among the Metis.
A brave and restless man was now growing to have a dominating influence over the French half-breeds.

This was Louis Riel, a fierce and noisy revolutionist, ready for any extremity.

He was a French half-breed, was owner of a small flour mill on the Seine River, and he was the father of the rebel chief of later years.