of
prisoners was not an infrequent occurrence in the future life of the
Settlement.

CHAPTER XXI.

OFF TO THE BUFFALO.

Alexander Ross was a Scottish Highlander, who came to Glengarry in
Canada, quite a century ago, joined Astor's expedition, went around Cape
Horn and in British Columbia rose to be an officer in the Northwest
Company. He married the daughter of an Indian Chief at Okanagan, came
over the Rocky Mountains, and was given by Sir George Simpson a free
gift of a farm, where Ross and James Streets are now found in Winnipeg.
This land is to-day worth many millions of dollars. Ross was also fond
of hunting the buffalo, and we are fortunate in having his spirited
story of 1840.

BUFFALO HUNTING.

In the leafy month of June carts were seen to emerge from every nook and
corner of the Settlement bound for the plains. As they passed us, many
things were discovered to be still wanting, to supply which a halt had
to be made at Fort Garry shop; one wanted this thing, another that, but
all on credit. The day of payment was yet to come; but payment was
promised. Many on the present occasion were supplied, many were not;
they got and grumbled, and grumbled and got, till they could get no
more; and at last went off, still grumbling and discontented.

From Fort Garry the cavalcade and camp-followers were crowding on the
public road, and thence, stretching from point to point, till the third
day in the evening, when they reached Pembina, the great rendezvous of
such occasions. When the hunters leave the Settlement it enjoys that
relief which a person feels on recovering from a long and painful
sickness. Here, on a level plain, the whole patriarchal camp squatted
down like pilgrims on a journey to the Holy Land, in ancient days: only
not so devout, for neither scrip nor staff were consecrated for the
occasion. Here the roll was called, and general muster taken, when they
numbered on the occasion 1,630 souls: and here the rules and regulations
for the journey were finally settled. The officials for the trip were
named and installed into their office, and all without the aid of
writing materials.

The camp occupied as much ground as a modern city, and was formed in a
circle: all the carts were placed side by side, the trams outward.
Within this line, the tents were placed in double, treble rows, at one
end; the animals at the other in front of the tents. This is the order
in all dangerous places: but when no d