* * * * * Out on Red River, Colin Robertson was doing his best to stem the tide of disaster. During the winter of 1815-16, Semple was continuing the fatuous policy of seizing all the supplies of Northwest pemmican, and had gone on a tour to the different fur posts in Selkirk’s territory. For reasons that are now known, no word had come from Selkirk. Toward March arrived an Indian from the upper Assiniboine, whom a Hudson’s Bay doctor had cured of disease, and who now in gratitude revealed to Robertson that a storm was gathering on both sides likely to break on the heads of the colonists. Alex McDonell of the Assiniboine was rallying the Bois Brulés to meet the spring brigade from Montreal, and the spring brigade was to consist of nearly every partner in the Northwest Company, with eighty fighting men. “Look out for yourselves,” warned the Indian. “They are after the heads of the colony. They are saying if they catch Robertson they will skin him alive and feed him to the dogs for attacking Cameron last fall.” Old Chief Peguis comes again and again with offers to defend the colonists by having his tribe heave “the war hatchet,” but Robertson has no notion of playing war with Indians. “Beware, white woman, beware!” the old chief tells Marie Gaboury. “If the Bois Brulés fight, come you and your children to my tepee.” [Illustration: Map showing roughly what regions The Fur Traders Explored. 1- Explored by Ogden 1824-38. 2- Explored by Ross 1824-38. 3- Explored by Thompson 1809-11; Fraser 1808; Anderson 1846. 4- Explored by Astor’s Men 1811-14. 5- Explored by H. B. Co. via Albany River before 1800. 6- Explored by Kelsey from Nelson River 1692. 7- Explored by Hendry & Cocking 1754-72. 8- Explored by Hearne 1769-73. 9- Explored by Joseph Howse. 10- Explored by Alexander MacKenzie. 11- Explored by Campell, Pelly, Murray. 12- Explored by Coats & McLean. 13- Explored by Radisson 1664. ]