320 TKAVEL, ADVENTURE, AXD SPORT. 



left bank of the river. It is a square enclosure, with 

 large circular bastions at each angle, the walls being 

 of substantial masonry and loopholed throughout. 

 There is a good steam-mill, where the Hudson Bay 

 Company grind all the flour they require in this 

 northern department. The stone used in all these 

 buildings is quarried from the bank on which the 

 Fort stands, which is there about forty feet high. 

 We discharged all surplus stores here, retaining only 

 enough provisions for a few days, so as to lighten our 

 boats as much as possible. A company of the 60th 

 Rifles was mounted on ponies and in carts, and ex- 

 tended as a line of skirmishers on the left bank, with 

 orders to keep well ahead, but always in communica- 

 tion by signallers with the boats. An officer on 

 horseback was sent to examine the right bank, so as 

 to protect us from surprise there, although there was 

 little chance of any opposition being attempted on 

 that side, even should Eiel intend fighting. That 

 bandit potentate, according to the news of the day 

 before from Fort Garry, was still in the Fort, await- 

 ing the arrival of his friend Bishop Tache, who was 

 hourly expected. Strict watch and guard was still 

 maintained by his armed followers, whose numbers 

 varied constantly. "We took every possible precau- 

 tion to prevent intelligence of our arrival in the river 

 from reaching Fort Garry. No one was permitted to 

 pass in that direction, although every one was allowed 

 to come within our line of skirmishers. This was 



