ent in the day's work to them. Sooner or later they would
bring these bullying half-breeds and yelling Indians to task for their
temerity.

But the volunteers were undisciplined in the business of receiving
insults. Hence they were for an immediate attack. The Superintendent
pointed out that the Commissioner was within touch bringing
reinforcements. It might be wise to delay matters a few hours till his
arrival. But meantime the provisions and ammunition would be looted
and distributed among the enemy, and that was a serious matter. The
impetuous spirit of the volunteers prevailed. Within an hour a hundred
men with a seven-pr. gun, eager to exact punishment for the insults
they had suffered, took the Duck Lake trail. Ambushed by a foe who,
regardless of the conventions of war, made treacherous use of the white
flag, overwhelmed by more than twice their number, hampered in their
evolutions by the deep crusted snow, the little company, after a
half-hour's sharp engagement with the strongly posted enemy, were forced
to retire, bearing their wounded and some of their dead with them,
leaving others of their dead lying in the snow behind them.

And now the question was what was to be done? The events of the day
had taught them their lesson, a lesson that experience has taught all
soldiers, the lesson, namely, that it is never safe to despise a foe.
A few miles away from them were between three hundred and four hundred
half-breeds and Indians who, having tasted blood, were eager for more.
The fort at Carlton was almost impossible of defense. The whole South
country was in the hands of rebels. Companies of half-breeds breathing
blood and fire, bands of Indians, marauding and terrorizing, were
roaming the country, wrecking homesteads, looting stores, threatening
destruction to all loyal settlers and direst vengeance upon all who
should dare to oppose them. The situation called for quick thought and
quick action. Every hour added to the number of the enemy. Whole tribes
of Indians were wavering in their allegiance. Another victory such as
Duck Lake and they would swing to the side of the rebels. The strategic
center of the English settlements in all this country was undoubtedly
Prince Albert. Fort Carlton stood close to the border of the half-breed
section and was difficult of defense.

After a short council of war it was decided to abandon Fort Carlton.
Thereupon Irvine led his troops, together with the gallant survivors of
t