The Story of Louis Riel: The Rebel Chief | Page 2

much enthusiasm, he exhibited to some officers of the
Hudson Bay Company. But the Company, though having a great body,
possessed no soul, and the disappointed inventor returned to his waiting
wife with sorrow in his eyes. He next betook himself to the cultivation
of a farm upon the banks of the little Seine; and his good, patient wife,
when the autumn came, toiled with him all day, with her sickle among
the sheaves.
Tilling the soil proved too laborious, and he determined to erect a grist
mill; but the stream that ran through the clayey channel of the Seine
petite was too feeble to turn the ponderous wheels. So he was obliged
to move twelve miles to the east, where flowed another small stream
bearing the aesthetic name "Grease River." This was not large enough
either for his purposes, so with stupendous enterprise he cut a canal
nine miles long, and through it decoyed the waters of the little Seine
into the arms of the "Greasy" paramour. At this mill was ground the
grain that grew for many a mile around; and in a little while Louis Riel

became known as the most enterprising and important settler in Red
River. But he was not through all his career a man of peace. The most
deadly feud had grown up through many long years between the
Hudson Bay Company and the Metis settled upon their territory; and it
is only bald justice to say that the, reprisals of the half-breeds, the
revolts, the hatred of everything in official shape, were not altogether
undeserved. Louis Riel was at the head of many a jarring discord. How
such an unfortunate condition grew we shall see later on, and we may
also be able to determine if there are any shoulders upon which we can
lay blame for the murder and misery that since have blighted one of the
fairest portions of Canada.
Louis Riel the elder was in due time blessed with a son, the same about
whom it is our painful duty to write this little book. Estimating at its
fullest the value of education, the father was keenly anxious for an
opportunity to send Louis fils to a school; but fortune had not been
liberal with him in later years, though the sweat was constantly upon
his brow, and his good wife's fingers were never still. This son had
unusual precocity, and strangers who looked upon him used to say that
a great fire slumbered in his eye. He was bright, quick and piquant; and
it is said that it was impossible to know the lad and not be pleased with
his person and manners. One important eye had observed him many a
time; and this was the great ecclesiastical dignitary of Red River,
Monseigneur Tache. He conceived a strong affection for the lad and
resolved to secure for him a sound education. His own purse was
limited, but there was a lady whom he knew upon whose bounty he
could count. I give the following extract, which I translate from M.
Tasse's book, and I write it in italics that it may be the more clearly
impressed upon the reader's mind when he comes to peruse the first
story of blood which shall be related: _The father's resources did not
permit him to undertake the expense of this education, but His Grace
Archbishop Tache having been struck with the intellectual precocity of
Louis, found a generous protector of proverbial munificence for him in
the person of Madame Masson, of Terrebonne._ In later years it was
reserved to the same bishop to go out as a mediator between
Government and a band of rebels which had at its head a man whose
hands were reddened with the blood of a settler. This rebel and

murderer was the same lad upon whom the bishop had lavished his
affection and his interest.
Louis, the elder, was travelling upon the plain, when he met his son,
bound for the civilized East, to enter upon his studies. He had pride in
the lad, and said to his companions that one day he knew he would
have occasion to glory in him. They said good-bye, the father
seasoning the parting with wholesome words of advice, the son with
filial submission receiving them, and storing them away in his heart.
This was their last parting, and their last speaking. Before the son had
been long at his studies he learned that his father was dead. His nature
was deeply affectionate, and the painful intelligence overwhelmed him
for many days. At school he was not distinguished for brilliancy, but
his tutors observed that he had solid parts, and much intellectual
subtlety. He was not a great favourite among his class-mates generally,
because his manners were shy and reserved, and