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

s while pacing up and down his

it is you,

on pres

tidi

ound the prisoner guilty; and he is cond

ed about delirious with his gratification. Then he came over to where his adjutant stood, and shook his hand;

he again shook the hand of his infamous lieutenant. Then wi

resident bestows upon me." The news of Stephens' sentence spread like fire. Some

l must be aware of this; therefore Stephens is likely to suffer the full penalty." Several persons called u

l is the only tribunal to which serious offenders can be referred. This young man Stephens has had fair trial, as fair as a British court-martial would have given him, and he has been sentenced to death. I assume that he would not have received such a sentence if he had not deserved it. Therefore I shall not interfere. There is no

his young man, whose only offence is resistance to insult fro

ant was lord and master of the situation. When Riel was alon

ll. Perhaps he may tell me

rdon; then I will spit upon his face and say, 'Die, dog; I'll not spare you.'" So

iness is, let it be dispatched quickly; for your presence st

ou to revile me. Yet have I sought to serve you;-y

ar what it is tha

er, that you are to be shot at one o'clock this day? It is now just forty-fiv

ropose? I ask the question out of a curiosity to

revilings, but make my proposal. I simply ask you to sta

er. That's my answer, villai

carried out. I ask you to choose between life and l

ne." Then the ruffian turned round, rushed at the chained prisoner, and

lf, raised both arms, and was about bringing down his manacled hands upon the tyrant miscreant-and that blow would have ended the rebellion at Prince Albert,-when Luc burst into the room

shed the hope that the miscreant would be induced to commute the sentence to lengthy imprisonment. But the diabolical vengeance which he had seen

tor Dicken had taken up his abode for the nonce. They soon learnt that Captain Stephens and his

aken for his rescue, m

nd expect an attack hourly. I would surrender the fort and hasten to the rescue of my friend

f God!" she exclaimed, "surely they will not permit le chef

note to the Colonel. He is an officer whom I much admire. He is quick at conceiving, and prompt and firmhanded in achi

der the terms in which he should address the Colonel. "Let it be simply an introdu

gone, and speedily upon their horses' backs. They had not ridden far before they espied a mounted party, evidently reconnoiterin

ll not detain us. They judge, I

them that we are n

e from guile as you. They might not believe us. But

uted the officer of t

to see Colonel De

now," the officer said, fitting ve

ficier take us straight

ee that officer," the st

should see him as speedily as possible. We were riding at a mad pace before you joined us,

ned it slowly, and cast

en or not," he said, "as I have never seen his writi

passport to Colonel Denison's att

in why he had retained it. Now, all the while the party was at a h

utmost importance that I should reach Colonel Denison without delay. T

e with the name of

een made prisoner by the person

nworthy; "and it seems to me, if the thing occurred word must hav

hat you have any right to detain us. If harm comes to Captain Stephens you will remember that his blood must be upon your head.

ed the numb-skull, putting on an air of severe dignity; n

er the word "W a-a-a-lk" came, the heart of the girl sank; but despite the

ught in?" The Colonel was intently reading the faces of the little s

, and declares a profuse interest in the affairs of that officer. I have

the girl said, touching the br

at you have to say." Then turning to Unworthy,-"He looks no

am a spy. He has no ground for such a belief, but he has proof which must have taught him otherwise. Inspector Dicke

officer did so, Colonel Denison, knitting his brows, s

elieve it is

d lad, I have already heard of your brave and noble deeds, and of yours, too," turning to Julie. "I am extremely sorry th

to him for a force of twenty men; that if he gave these, she could take

owninge," he shouted, calling to a clerical looking officer who was standing among a gr

and went speedily t

ents," the Colonel asked in a kindly ton

uld not mind if she ate something. She was hungry now because she had not taken much breakf

information about that scout," looking towards Annette, "and this other one as well," meaning Julie. "These boys, trust my word, are no more Crees than I am. Note the fineness of their features,

nto the saddle; and while her mouth was yet half full of meat

ply waved his hand, and wished the party bon voyage. Then striking spurs into her horse, A

nison said, as the horses disappeared over a knoll; "the

ossi

obligation. Ha, truant," he said, turning to one of his staff who had come from a nigh tree-clump, where he had been writing, "you should have been here to see the beautiful Metis maiden. She was in disguise, but her beauty was not less divi

ower amongst

now? In deepe

re the Sumach

lendour, its

odious with t

y some still s

here the sinewy

thirst, and nev

ging waters,

r wild wa

e is from the pages of

ama, "Tecum

hasty approach of a coureur du bois. The

mned to be shot. Le chef has only a few braves and bois-brules about him;

ched he rode away again. And we shall likewise bid goo

e at your bidding to-day. Are you certain (a) that Captain Stephens is at Chape

ement, m

y can we approach the den unperceived. We are now within three miles of the place."

o the others to leave the room; and then, with his hands folded before him, aske

thin the bounds of the laws set for his kind. But he had a message to lea

God. We have been only two days

for you, and you must tr

y love." After he had passed his hands across his temples, as if

e a note to my sister, Aster

ot pray wit

s right; the re

with a harsh scream the bolt flew back. Then the evil-looking Luc ente

young man," Lestang s

s be j

clergyman, and to one or two prisoners detained for minor offences. H

p a firing party; and midway between these and one of the bastions of the

with the most devilish cruelty tied the cord far tighter than might be needed for the most refractory culprit. Indeed, his arms were almost

rt long. Shou

rified cry went up from a score of throats gathered about;

en upon the earthworks, the eyes of her horse gleaming, spray drifting from his open jaws. Cl

shing the scurrying enemy in such a fashion

ried like rats at the first cry. Most of them carried their arms with them, but Luc perceived a musket lying in a corner of the drill square. This he seized and levelled at Stephens, pulling the trigger, after careful aim. The rusty weapon missed fire, and the intrepid half-breed began hastily to chip the flint with the back of his sheath-knife; but while he

some seconds unable to realize it, and his eyes and brain swam with a sense of happiness that reached delirium. But gradually it all began to

you again; my

Riel and Jean had made their escape while Browninge's horse was yet

ared to get into the saddle, "there will be an in

have the thing done with the soldiers at the very stockades." And the two rode

brought to Browninge. That officer was not surprised; and ordered that the prisoners, which number

d that the horses be permitted to rest

ine in a sty; but several brace of quail and chicken, and quarters of elk were found, which the two Cree boys at once began to prepare. A few loaves of bread we

nder, as ever has been seen in the eyes of a man. How little he had known the worth of this girl, when he toyed with her hair and put a straw into her dimples at her father's house! I suppose he regarded her as thoughtful men regard most girls before they beco

ut a flight of imagination, might be called "dense," pressed upon the prairie, and only a few small and feeble points of star-light were to be seen. But on a sudden a mellow, green-tinted light bu

for the space of five minutes, the light went out from the whole sky as suddenly and as entirely as though it were a lamp which some one had extinguished. After a few seconds of darkness,

en at both ends by invisible hands. But the most curious part of the phenomena was the noise, like the cracking of innumerable whips, which accompanied the pulsations in the auroral flame. [Footnote: Captain Huysbe mentions having heard this peculiar noise during auroral displays in the North-West; and Mr. Charles Mair and other authorities add thei

ray themselves in perfect and majestic symmetry. It was a most weirdly-beautiful sight, riding along the still and boundless prairie, when the merry dancing ceased for a moment, to see this stupendous dome of fluffy, ghost-like light suspended over their heads. For an hour they continued looking upon it;

eaders, he would have been amazed to see the rescued captain lean over and deliberately kiss the Cree scout upon the lips. When the white

sh that you would accept the hospitalities of our camp;" but the scout refus

ith the Indians." He therefore opened correspondence with Major Tonweight, pointing out the expediency of making an attack upon Little Poplar. "He is upon his reserve, it is true," Beaver wrote, "but he has gathered his

tagonize but to conciliate; to treat all as fr

an, Little Poplar, succeeds in joining the rebels. And I

replied. "If all be as you say, you must consult yo

brush. Get ready for a march. You know I am only supposing a ca

rage to occur!" Col. D

ois brought h

uinary Beaver ma

s do we need, Sir?"

going to be a short job. I'll kill a hundred or so," he said aside to a subordinate officer, "and t

, on the morning afte

maidens, there was gre

no harm would come to them; but, as I have already stated, Beaver and his young men want to kill a lot of Indians, and return home great heroes. But they will make a grievous mistake. I shall lead them into a defile of swamp and bush tangle, where every

tain Beaver was joined by two Cree scouts, one

he scout had anything very import

tion upon his reserve; the swamps approaching his ground are quagmires; the bush is a tangle through which the rabb

to an Indian scout, whose sympathy and interest must be with those savages,

by the enemy; and at the set of sun their lives lay at the-mercy of the men whom the

iers to depart." Her chief stood with arms folded upon his breast. There was sorrow on h

nd. Ah! It is hard. But you ask it; you, my little lover-playmate of the sunny Saskatchewan. I consent!" Then he strode down among his men, and ordered them to cease. Naught-but the ascendancy which the splendid chief had gained over his followers, through his wisdom and his prowess, could have prevailed upon them t

ead. In due time, as the chief was pursuing his march, tidings came to him that the Metis had been overwhelmed. Then he surrendered;-and thereafter for many a dreary month there was no happiness for Julie. I may as well anticipate events, and say that this dear girl brought it emphatically to the knowledge of the authorities that her beloved chief early in the war had served the white people in the hour of peril; and that the offence for which he stood committed now had been forced upon him by the bad faith of a Canadian militia officer. At last he was released; and holding his hand, apparelled in proper attire, she walked out by his side to a little cottage wherein a priest stood waiting to wed the two. Her happiness was very great, as may be guessed when I state that in each of her beautiful eyes

s waiting for Julie to join her. Her hand was upon her horse's n

re at the girl if she uttered a cry, or made resistance. Then they bound her arms, and set her upon her horse, which one of the chief's followers led by the bridle. They rode as fast as the ponies could travel

the inky stream, lo! there came to her ears the notes of a bird's song.

chief asked, with a foul sneer. "Its song is always int

leamed; eyes flashed in the dusk; and before the helpless girl could gather her routed senses, the beast

r ear, and warm lips were pressed upon her mouth

s love, and fashioning the future; she listening wi

toric annals for all time to come; but I shall regard you as a maiden who has never seen the brunt of battle, or done a deed of warlike valour. You have still enough of sterling worth to win my heart ten thousand times. You are beautiful, dear, and you are good as

etting dangers this was very swee

the east, where both pleaded for the life of Colonel Marton. All men worshipped her when she came to our cities; and when she had obtained the boon for which she had come amongst us, she went away to the west again. She is ha

ttained a fuller development since we knew her as a maiden. Her mole is a deeper brown, I reall

E

TE

h-West Territories. I have never seen that portion of our country; and to endeavour to

find upon maps of the present or of the future. Wherever I want a valley or a swamp, I put the same; and I have taken the same liberty

array of fact. I do not feel bound, however, t

nge of scene, incident and colour are the points which I

es in no way effect the current of my story; but as I thought that they had some merit, I had no compunction in diverting

iden gave her heart to that young white man. I have seen the story printed again and again as truth; but there is in it not one word of truth. This much I am glad to be able to say in justice to the memory of the miserable man, who has suffered a just penalty for his transgressions. I never intended that the work in question should be taken

on of 1869; but nothing could be further from the fact. His pen and his voice had always advocated justice and generosity towards the Indians and the M

LIGHT-KEEPE

UND CO

heard, about the daughter of a light-keeper who lived on the shore of one of our Canadian lakes." These words were s

they went every day to the mainland in their little boat. One day in the late autumn the keeper was obliged to make a journey to a distant town, and as he could not reach home again till some hours after dark, he left the lighting

ly toward the harbour. It is only those who live near the lakes, that know how suddenly sometimes a terrible hurricane will come out of a sky which was the most peaceful of azur

ailing for her child; then, pitched in a low, loud key, would come a noise like the howling of a soul condemned; while above the con

y her little boat, and several fish

kes in the roughest weather, "no boat would live now to

this ingale, should be obliged to run for the h

as nothing in sight. But, even if there was, it would

rness of raging water. The fisherman had hardly ceased speaking, when

west, with canvas close hauled; but I don't th

rrowing a telescope from one of the fishermen, she set out for the top of the look-out. While she held the glass in her trembling hands she saw the s

bour, and there must be a light.

two or three voices

boat that ever swam can reach yonder ledge now. Why do y

f I had a pair of after oars as well as my own there would not be much difficulty." As she spoke these words, she looked at the group, as if c

r the boat's keel. Then gathering her strength for one pull, she sent the boat into the churning surf. One of the fishermen advanced to detain her, but she waved him back with a gesture so determined and imperious that he hesitated. He then held consultation with his friends. Two or three now hurried down to the water's edge, but the boat had shot out beyond their reach, and was already rising like some great sea-bird over the

s all

he telescope in his hand, announced that the girl was now within a cable's length of the reef, a great look of shame came into their faces, that not one had shown courage enough to go with her. As for Nancy, in the midst of the ravening turmoil, she was cool of head and steady of arm, pulling with a sturdy stroke, and constantly turning her face to note the waves to be met with the full front of the skiff. Sometimes the cross wash from a sea would smite the boat upon the

aves. Nimbly then she climbed the reef till she reached the door of the tower. A few seconds lat

o catch sight of the ship. She had not long to wait. Between the reef and the long

she descended to the basement, where she brewed a cup of tea, and sat do

ng a book, she went to the lantern and sat upon a box to read. The whistling of the wind around the glass and the dome of zinc, the booming of the sea agai

ittle bells. Upon the grated, iron pathway running around the lantern inside, she took her stand, and, thence, looked out. The light streamed far beyond the ledge and revealed the full fury of the sea. The agitated waters would recede from the reef upon the windward side like a jumper who runs backward, that he may be able to leap with greater force; then gathered up to the stature of a hill and crowned with roaring foam, it would return with soft tread, but terrible might, scal

m her standing place to snuff the wick and turn more flame. Stepping nervously down to the basement she found that it lack

embled and creaked. Once, under a tremendous surge, she felt it reel. She hurried again to the iron pathway and looked o

reef, she believed that its storming crest was on a level with the lantern. Then it seemed as if the whole ocean, aroused to strike one overwhelming blow, fell in thunder upon the

of machinery was beneath. Yes, God had heard her supplication; and, comparatively safe from the billows, she clung to a piece of timber, projecting above the floor. She was certain that the storm was abating; yet the wreck was drifting rapidly toward the inexorable rocks. Wave after wave

with him in the launch. Near the shore they met the floating tower, and saw lying upon the top, and bound there with a rope, the girl who had risked her life to save the vessel. They believed that she was dead,

ave young fellow who rescued Nancy was often seen afterwards ab