THE EED KIVEK EXPEDITION. 325 



Instead, therefore, of passing directly through the 

 village, we swept round to the west, leaving it on 

 our left ; and when clear of it, swung round our 

 right with the intention of taking up a position 

 commanding the bridge. The people in the village 

 assured us that Riel was in the Fort, and intended 

 to resist. Several were asked to go forward in ad- 

 vance of our skirmishers, to ascertain if the southern 

 gate was closed and the Avails manned ; but all feared 

 to do so. As we passed the village we could see the 

 guns in the embrasures bearing in our direction. 

 Some people in buggies were descried going off 

 from the Fort westerly, but were brought to a halt 

 by our skirmishers. They proved to be some of 

 Kiel's counsellors ; but nothing could be learned from 

 them. The atmosphere was so thick that it was dif- 

 ficult to make out, even with our glasses, whether 

 men were or were not standing to the guns which 

 we saw. We expected every moment to see a puff 

 of smoke from an embrasure, to be followed by the 

 whizz of a round shot past our heads. Every mo- 

 ment increased the excitement : the skirmishers 

 quickened their pace as they neared the place, as 

 if in dread lest others should enter it before them. 

 Everything remaining silent, some staff-officers were 

 sent galloping round to see if the southern gate was 

 open, and what was going on in rear of the Fort. 

 They soon returned, bringing word that it was 

 evacuated, and the gates left open. 



VOL. L Y 



