98 MY NEW GUIDE. 



together ; but this they never would do, being always divided 

 into two parties, English and French, very jealous of one 

 another and frequently coming to blows. The settlement in 

 addition was so scattered that it was impossible to defend it 

 all, and many of the settlers were for bribing " Little Crow " 

 to go away, though fortunately these were outvoted, and a body 

 of rangers was raised, but this was not until I had left. 



Being anxious to reach a town and have my arm properly 

 attended to, I made enquiries as to the best way of going to 

 St. Paul's. The distance was about six hundred miles, and no 

 houses would be found on the way, everything having been 

 burned by the Sioux, who were scattered all over the first half 

 of that distance. 



None of the half-breeds to whom I spoke seemed willing to 

 act as guide, and I began to think of trying it without a guide, 

 taking Badger with me, when I heard of a French half-breed 

 called Isidore Maronde, who lived some ten or twelve miles north 

 of the Fort, who, everyone said, would face anything for money. 

 He bore a bad character, being rather 'too ready to use his 

 knife in a quarrel ; but this was a small matter, so I sent for 

 him. His appearance was not in his favour, his face being a 

 bad one ; but he was a very fine man physically, and was said 

 to have been in many fights with the Indians. He at once 

 said that it was only a question of money, as he was quite 

 ready to face the " Devil " himself if properly paid for it ; and 

 it was at last arranged that for guiding me to St. Paul's and 

 getting back the best way he could, he was to have 50 in 

 money, a fine double gun of mine, and the three horses which 

 we should use on the road. 



The next thing to do was to find the horses, for although I 



