Four Months Under Arms

              Prepare
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for Attack
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11

on both sides of the overloaded sleighs were pulling on ropes to help the horses up the hill, all working feverishly. The glare from the burning buildings on the dark wintry sky could be seen for miles, and was a signal that the police would have to evacuate the Fort. The sleighs gathered at the top had started away as soon as the fire was seen and the last three sleighs with the mounted patrol following about a mi]e in the rear, as a guard against a possible attack by the rebels from Duck Lake. We reached Prince Albert at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, the 29th of March, and found that Lt.-Co!. Sproat had organized every man in town in fatigue parties and had built a stockade of cordwood six feet high around the Presbyterian Church property, which comprised a brick church and brick manse, and word had been sent to every family in town, that in the event of an attack being made, the church bell would be tolled, and everyone come at once. Guards and patrols for the night was chosen and the rest of us to find billets where we could. A one-man mounted patrol was sent out on the road to BalOche, with instructions to go as far as the ridge, about six miles, and report back if any rebels were seen coming. "RIEL.'S MESSENGER AND THE ALARM"

Thos. Sanderson, engaged in haulmg freight from the C.P.R. station at Troy to the merchants at Prince Albert was on his way in. and met the stage driver at Humbolt station, who told 'him what was going on at Batoche. Sandcrson had no quarrel with ~my of the half-breeds, he came right along. His load of goods was confiscated and he was made prisoner. Riel was aware that the police had gone to Prince Albert and decided to send Sanderson with a message, that if they sent two sleighs, they could have the dead bodies and the woundcd man, Newitt, but they mus't not carry arms. Sanderson was given a horse and escort of three mounted men to ride with him as far as was safe. They met this patrol about five miles from Prince Albert, who immediately turned around and raced away. Sanderson was relieved of his horse and escort and had to walk to Prince Albert, reaching there about midnight, and delivered his message. The one-man patrol to the ridge rode into town in a panic, and reported that a band of rebel horsemen weTe coming. The bell was tolled, and the townspeople made a mad rush for the stockade. Just north of the manse, and on a slightly lower flat, was an open air skating rink with a high board fence around it, and orders were given to knock down the side facing the manse. To many of the panic-stricken women making their way to the manse with their children, the noise of knocking the boards off, sounded like rifle shots, and two mothers fainted and had to be carried in. Sanderson's arrival a couple of hours later was a great relief to many. when they learned what the message was. Wm. Drain volunteered to go, and Sanderson was sure that his team would be :-eturned to him, so only one team was sent. Eastwood Jackson, the druggist, accompanied them to render aid to Newitt, for The trip, but was made prisoner.