82 



SIOUX INDIANS. 



crops had escaped the ravages of the locusts. 

 When cheered by this prospect, the information 

 reached us, that a party of Sioux Indians were 

 on their way to the Settlement. As their inten- 

 tions in visiting us were not known, and being 

 apprehensive that more blood would be shed 

 by the Saulteaux if they came down to Fort 

 Douglas, it was resolved that two boats should 

 be manned to prevent if possible their proceed- 

 ing any farther than Pembina. It was far 

 better to present an imposing force to them on 

 the borders of the colony, than to suffer them to 

 come down amongst us, where we should have 

 been completely in their power, in our scattered 

 habitations. At the request of the chief officer 

 I accompanied the boats, and set off with him 

 for the Company's Post at Pembina, about the 

 middle of May. We arrived on the Friday, and 

 soon after divine service on the Sunday morn- 

 ing the Sioux Indians were seen marching over 

 the plains, with several colours flying, towards 

 the Colony Fort, which was immediately oppo- 

 site to that of the Company. When at the dis- 

 tance of about five hundred yards from us, they 

 halted, and a Saulteaux Indian who happened to 

 be at Pembina, immediately stripped himself 

 naked, and rushed towards them as a proof of 

 his courage. They received him with a cold 



