Annette - The Metis Spy

When they awoke the sun was up, the mists had rolled out of the

hollow, and every bush and blade of grass glittered as if set in

diamonds. Hard by the tent ran a little brook, leaping, rushing,

eddying, gurgling, sparkling down the incline, to join the larger

stream whose slow moaning had sounded so terrible in the fog and dark.

"It is full of fish," gleefully exclaimed Julie; and casting a fly

(for they had not come without tackle), she soon landed a trout about

a pound weight. It was a blending of pink and silver on the belly,

and was mottled with dots of brown. "One apiece," she cried, as

another beauty curled and leaped upon the grass, by one of Annette's

deftly booted little feet.

The kit supplied two or three flat pans that could be stowed

conveniently; and into one of these the fish were put.

"Now, Julie, while you prepare the breakfast, I shall go and take a

look at how things stand in the next camp."

She crept noiselessly through bush and brake, and perceived the band

just making ready for a start. Captain Stephens was put upon a horse

in the centre of the cavalcade, and his companion, pale and blood-

stained, rode next behind.

Annette and Julie cautiously followed, drawing close to the party

when it rode through the bush, but keeping far in the rear when the

course lay over the plain. Towards the set of sun, they observed a

horseman about a mile behind them, riding at high speed. They waited

till the man drew near, and perceived that he was a Cree Indian.

"Message from Little Poplar," the brave said, as he reined in his

splashed and foam-flecked pony, "The Great Chief rages against

mademoiselle, and has braves searching for her through every part of

the territory." Producing a paper, he handed it to Annette. Upon it

were written in bold letters the following: PROCLAMATION.

Any one bringing to my presence a young person, disguised as a Cree

spy, and riding a large gray mare, will receive a reward of $500.

This spy and traitor is usually accompanied by another person of

smaller stature, and also disguised as a Cree boy. Rides a black

gelding. These traitors have heard our secret counsels as friends,

and have gone and disclosed our plans to the enemy. They gave warning

of our approach to a band of government officers; they procured the

escape of the oppressors from Fort Pitt; and they turned away Big

Bear and his braves from pursuit of the fugitives, by lies. Our first

duty is to capture them. No injury is to be done to the chief

offender, who is to be immediately brought to my presence.

LOUIS DAVID RIEL.

"Tell your brave chief, mon ami," Annette said, "that we shall take

care to avoid the followers of le grand chef, and of unfriendly

Indians."