Annette, the Metis Spy: A Heroine of the N.W. Rebellion

s hurried their ponies along a blind trail toward a distant range of pur

ir flanks were white with foam, and thei

of the sun from the horizon. "How red it is; and mark these blood-stains upon its face! It

the purple, crimson and garnet blooms, of vetch and wild pease. The tiger lily, too, rose here and there like a sturdy queen of beauty with its great terra cotta petals, specked with umber-brown. Here and there, also, upon the mellow level, stood

and proposed that both should leave the path and join the unknown fair one. Dismounting, they fastened their horses in the shelter of the poplars, and proceeded on foot toward the point whence the singing came. A few minutes walk brought the two beyond a small poplar grove, and there, upon a fallen

gazing beyond intently. On the naked limb of a desolate, thunder-riven tree that stood apart from its lush, green-boughed neighbours, sat a thrush in a most melancholy attitude. Every few

eard the ripple of little brooks. Here the leaves will soon fall, ah, me! and the daisies wither; and, instead of the delight of summer, we shall have only the cry of hungry wolves, and the bellowing of bitter winds above the lonesome plains. But could I go to the South, there is no one who would sing over my absence one lamenting note, as you sing, my bird, for the mate with whom you had so many hours of sweet love-

ad yearningly. The autumn wind was cooing in h

nd you would have me for a companion, your lamenting should not be for long. We should journey,

and clutched for her robe to cover her face, but she had strayed away among the flowers wit

ad addressed her. He drew closer, and she, in a very low voice,

ur, Mo

were saying to the bird, and I thin

auty all the more. But the gallant stra

urs is not left long to sigh for a lover. Believe me, I should like to be that

. He stepped up by her side, and was about to take her hand after delivering himself

ected, and the stranger and the songstress took their way along a little grassy path. The ravishing beauty of the girl was more than the amorously-disposed stranger could resist, and suddenly st

me insult. You have heard me say that I had no lover to sigh for me. I spoke the truth: I have no such lover. But you I will not accept as one." And turning with flushed cheek and gleaming eyes, she entered a cosy, clean-kept cottage. But she soon reflected t

z, Mes

lost its gloom, and, respectf

strangers, and then returned, going to the bars where the cows were lowing, waiting to be mi

table enough." Then, while he sat waiting for the evening meal, blithely through the hush o

laire f

lais pr

uve l'ea

me suis

rangers with her two flowing pails of yellow milk, Rie

petite

he would suffer the offence to pass. The persistent gallant was more crest-fallen by this last silent rebuke than by the first with its angry words. The first, in his vani

kindly attention from Annette; but this was all. He related with much eloquence all that he had seen in the big world in the East, during his school days, and took good care that his hosts should know how important a person he was in

n her musings on the prairie, that she had nobody who would sing a sad song if she were to go to the South. Stop! She may love, and not find her passion r

of the Hudson Bay Company, a man of wide influence among all the Metis people, and one of the most sturdy champions of the half-breed cause. Indeed he was aware that Colonel

not disclose to you who I am, even though the safety of my

r withholding his name, I pray that he will not c

ful daughter of a man so prominent in our holy cause as Colonel Marton. You thi

somewhat in awe. "Why, we thought that Monsieur was far

en every trusty Metis armed, and ready

As for poor Annette, she bethought of her outburst of temper and lack of respect toward the chief; and she trembled to think that

the leader had a wife and children in Montana, and if report spoke true, a half-breed bride in a p

dark, velvety eyes, the reflection of her thoughts as they came and went, plainly as

s companion had retired to his couch;

made to kiss and kiss, not to pout and cry a lover nay. Through this wide land there is many a maid who would glory in the l

ly lips; pray sweet lady of my heart

ero like Monsieur address such words to me? I am only a simple girl, living here upon the plains; bes

rt cries out. Do not deny me your love my sweet girl," and the villain once more seized the

t Monsieur Riel had taken his seat, and he lowered upon the girl who sat like a

he boy asked, leaning affe

ndow which was nothing more than my own, and s

e," her brother said, softly smiti

on, but in a very wretched and embarr

he morning, and as the girl passed on

y anything of the cause o

ll promise not to address any w

n; but I have to ask that you wil

r head from the pane; and at the same moment he heard a sprightly tune whistle'd. Looking down the meadow he saw a tall,

hat moment he hated with all the bitterness of his nature t

s" the newcomer said in cheery ton

the house treated him as if in some way he had been the benefactor of all. When he arose to go, Paul, who knew of every widgeon in the mere beyond the cottonwood grove, and where the last flock of quail had been seen to alig

e spot, and wait till we inhabitants of the plains come out and shoot them. Was it last week, or only the day before yester

the plains for the cows. It was then I saw them. I am glad, however, that you have pointed out the difference between

find several flocks, I shall bring you some coppers." With a world of mischief in his eyes, he disappeared, and

somewhat sneering glance at poor Annette, who was pretending to be engaged in examining the petals of the sun-flower, although she was all the while thinking of the mischievous, manly, sunny-hearted lad who had given it to her. M. Rie

very great favourite with our family. We are under an ob

e placed you under such an obligation?" Then, reflecting that he was showing a bitt

ed to see, and pretty lips to tell of, game for one sportsman in preference to another, the negl

tory, Annette" enquired P

nything out that can show the braver

e day, during the visit which I have mentioned, she went into a birch that swung in a little pond, formed behind her uncle's premises by the over-flowing of the stream's channel. Untying the canoe, she seized the blade and began to paddle about in the lazy water. Presently she reached the eddies, which, since a child, she has always called the 'rings of the water

e with me, Violette, ma chere. It is so delightful to go round and round." A little way bey

shet-flow, was always swept into the toils of the inexorable wheels. Yet, if she were reckless and without heed a few minutes before, I am told that now she was calm. Violette gave the alarm that Annette was adrift in the river without a paddle, and in a few seconds every body living near had turned out, and was running down the shore. Several brought paddies, but it took hard running to keep up with the canoe, for the flood was racing at a speed of eight miles an hour. When they did get up in line each one flung out a paddle. But one fell too far out, and another not far enough. About fifteen men were along the banks in violent excitement, and every one of them saw nothing but doom for Annette. As the canoe neared a point about two hundred yards above the falls, a young white-man-all the rest were bois-brules-rushed out upon the bank, with a paddle in his hand, and without a word sprang into the mad waters. With a few strokes he was at the side of the canoe, and put the paddle into Annette's hand. 'Here;' he said, 'Keep away from the mill; that is your only danger; a

. "He has excellent judgment, I perceive, or he would not so readily have calculated t

ed discounting of the generous, uncalculating brav

hief duty now is to keep watch over the assemblies held by the Half-breed people. I cannot suppose that Col

heek. "Thrice, since rescuing me, Mr. Stephens has been at our home, and I believe that, henceforth, his duty will

ettlement again, I shall see that he is cared for." Then as Paul and hi

me you shall hear again, and hear soon. Farewell." As the girl put out her hand, he drew

he wa