Part 11 (1/2)

”What tidings?”

”C'est accouilty; and he is condemned to be shot at one o'clock this day”

”Monsieur is expeditious! Monsieur is zealous C'est bon, c'est bon; merci, Monsieur” And the ratification

Then he came over to where his adjutant stood, and shook his hand; then he thrust his fingers through his hair, and half bellowed, his voice rese that of some foul beast

”La patrie has reason to be proud of her zealous son,”

and he again shook the hand of his infamous lieutenant

Then with a very lo M Lepine left the roo as he departed,

”I shall endeavour to y which Monsieur President bestows upon me” The news of Scott's sentence spread like fire around the settlement Some believed that the penalty would not be carried out, while others declared that they thought otherwise

”If this prisoner is pardoned, people will begin to treat the sentences of the Provisional Authorities as good jokes Riel must be aware of this; therefore Scott is likely to suffer the full penalty” Several persons called upon the tyrant, and besought hied his shoulders!

”This prisoner has been twice rebellious He has set bad exa the prisoners, assaulted his keeper, and loaded the Provisional Government with opprobrium Ito do with the man's case In this time of tumult, when the operation of all laws is suspended, the Court-Martial is the only tribunal to which serious offenders can be referred This young man, Scott, 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 use, Messieurs, in pressing rieve asman cut off, but his death I believe necessary now, as an exa the authority, which we have established in the colony” The petitioners left the tyrant with sorrowful faces

”My God!” one of the man, whose only offence is resistance to probable insult fro to be done?”

No, there was nothing to be done The greasy, vindictive tyrant was lord and an once more to walk up and down the rooo down to his cell Perhaps, if I pretend that I will spare his life, he may tell me where resides Marie

”Yes,” he was sure that he would succeed, ”I shall get his secret by pro, I'll not spare you'” So forth he sallied, andnant tyrant, what do you here? Whatever your business is, let it be dispatched quickly, for your presence stifles me What dishonourable proposal have you now to make?”

”Monsieur Scott, it seems to be a positive pleasure to you to revile ht to serve you;--Yea, I would have been, would now be, your friend”

”Peace; let me hear what it is that you now propose?”

”You are aware that it is ordered by Court-Martial, of which, I was not a member, that you are to be shot at one o'clock this day? It is now just forty-five minutes of one I can spare your life, and I will do it, upon one condition”

”Pray let me hear what dishonour it is that you propose?

I ask the question now, for the sa my first incarceration, out of a curiosity to learn, if possible, a little more of your meanness and infamy”

”And I reply to you as I answered before, that I shall take no notice of your revilings, but make my proposal

I sihter Marie have taken up their abode?”

”Where you will never find theone”

”Perhaps you iine that the sentence will not be carried out I ask you to choose between life and liberty, and an alnoe, or your one” Then the ruffian turned round, rushed at the chained prisoner, and dealt him a terrific kick in the side, after which he spat upon his face

”She shall bein a dishonoured traitor's grave” The young man was chained to a heavy table, but with a sudden wrench, he freed hi down his manacled hands upon the tyrant miscreant --and that bloould have ended the rebellion at Red River,--when Luc burst into the room, seized the prisoner, and threw hi reasy hand held the victim's throat, Riel made his escape, and turned back to his own quarters