diplomacy necessary for the problem with
which he had to deal. Another to arrive with the contingent was Elder
James Sutherland, who had been authorized by the Church of Scotland to
baptize and to perform the marriage ceremony.

The occupants of Fort Gibraltar viewed the replanting of the settlement
with baleful resentment. Their ranks were augmented during the autumn
by a wayfarer from the east who hung up his musket at the fort and
assumed control. This was none other than Duncan Cameron, returned
from Canada, with the plaudits of some of his fellow-partners still
ringing in his ears. To Colin Robertson the presence of Cameron at
Fort Gibraltar was not of happy augury for the settlers' welfare.
Robertson decided on prompt and radical action. In a word, he
determined to take the Nor'westers' post by surprise. His raid was
successful. The field-pieces and the property of the colonists which
had been carried away in June were recovered. {85} Cameron himself was
made a prisoner. But he was not held long. The man was a born actor
and a smooth talker. In all seeming humility he now made specious
promises of future good behaviour, and was allowed to return to his
fort.

The houses of the colonists were ranged in succession along the Red
River until they reached an elevated spot called Frog Plain. Some of
the houses appear to have been situated on Frog Plain as well. Along
the river, running north and south, was a road worn smooth by constant
traffic. The spacious residence for the governor reared by John
M'Leod, and the other buildings grouped about it, were surrounded by a
strong palisade. To the whole the name of Fort Douglas was now given.
In spite, however, of their seeming prosperity, the settlers found it
necessary to migrate for the winter to the basin of the Pembina in
order to obtain food. But again they found that the buffalo were many
miles from Fort Daer, and the insufficiently clad winterers suffered
greatly. They were disturbed, too, by frequent rumours of coming
danger. The 'New Nation,' as the half-breeds chose to call themselves,
were gathering, it was said, from every quarter, and with {86} the
breaking up of winter would descend like a scourge upon the colony.

The trouble brewing for the settlement was freely discussed among the
Nor'westers. About the middle of March 1816 Alexander Macdonell sent a
note to Duncan Cameron from Fort Qu'Appelle. 'A storm is gathering in
the north,' de