THE HUDSON BA Y COMPANY. 13 



persons who have travelled there, are almost the only 

 individuals acquainted with the physical aspect of the 

 country. For upwards of two centuries the Hudson 

 Bay Company have been virtual rulers of the land; 

 and in the prosecution of the fur-trade they have 

 established their posts in the wildest and most inac- 

 cessible districts. Their voyageurs and coureurs des 

 bois are famous in every country for hardihood and 

 skill in the prosecution of their calling. Fierce con- 

 flicts between them and the savage Redskins have fre- 

 quently taken place, as thrilling as those which render 

 attractive the pages of Fenimore Cooper. 



Not alone with the nomads of the plains have these 

 fierce hunters joined issue in deadly conflict. Another 

 company the North -West Fur Company many years 

 ago pushed its trade into regions over which the Hud- 

 son Bay Company assumed authority in virtue of their 

 charter ; and more than one pitched battle was fought 

 between the rival employe's. 



It is estimated that the population of the Hudson 

 Bay Company's territories is about one hundred and 

 flfty thousand of which number probably one-tenth 

 is resident at the Red River Settlement. The popu- 

 lation of that district, however, is now increasing with 

 such marvellous rapidity that it is difficult to state its 

 exact amount. The remainder consists of the various 

 scanty tribes of Indians and the employe's of the Fur 

 Company. Thus almost the whole of the country 

 north-west of Red River is a wilderness. Boundless 



