Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-09-03

drag one foot after the other as he
paced from one of the inclesllre to the
other, created Ia the mind of the spec
tator most singular impression. On
the occasion alluded to, Riel stepped
forth from his prison, and turning
to the left commenced his brief recrea-
tlon. Followed by the two policemen.
he gathered up the heavy weights and
started out as fast as his bent, posture
would permit. After fifteen minutes.
exercise he stopped short. and, draw
ing ms breath, started off in the same
manner until another quarter of an
hour had expired. One could scarse>
~ reallze that the figure before him
was that OF former spirited and def
ant leader. His head was allowed to
rest on his chest, and was slightly In.
clined to one side.
In appearance toe captive does not
bear much resemblance to the por-
traits published of him in various
ne wspapers- A long unkempt beard
of q hght>brown color nearly over
spreads his face, almost correspondents
with his sun Drowned features. II;
har Is quite black, and falls nearly e
his sholders In small ringlets ana
curis. His head-gear consisted of a
nght>colorad SLOUGH hat, which turn
ed up st the sides and allowed to fall
over high and intellectual forehead.
The features of Rel are prominent.
his closely mouth and
aqulllne nose being indicative of the
frmness and other superior qualities
which he is known to possess. A
keen, piercing blde eye, one glance
from which the observer readily un-
derstands would enable the owner to
read mans innermost thoughts. In
person Rlel is of medium build. and is
still attIre6 in the tattered and faded
suit worn throughout the memorable
engagement at Batoche. His trowsers
are of brownish color. and show ev~
idence of the wear they have re eeived
during the recent rebellion. His vest
is o. the same material. Rel, when
seen by the writer, was eoatless, his
sun Drowned elbows protruding from
shirt that may have been white
many long days ago. The feet of Rel
were encased in large sized pair of
beef moccasins, which exhibited signs
of wear. His bare heels peeped forth
through two large apertures. When
a spectator approaches, the prisoner
mOmemtarily raises his head to scan
the features of the new conner, only to
relapse into his unattractive posture.
Every movement of the man in the
presence of any of the officers gives
evidence of his dignity and suavity Of
manner. On the approach of the
commander one morning he lifted his
hat with q graceful movement, and
during the conversation that eHsued
maintained most respectable demean-
Or. Not till that gentleman had got
a considerable distance away did the
courteous prisoner deign 10 don his
broad sombrero.
On returning to his cell he passes
the forenoon usually writing letters
or engaged at his devotions. Before
and after every meal he also returns
his thanks to the Almighty for his
bountiful goodness. Inithe afternoon
the halfbrsec champion usually en-
joys another brief outing, retiring TO
rest at an early hour. Those who
have had occasion 10 be in the presen-
&c Of the captive frequently, positively
assert that he does not exhibit symp-
tom of insanityr but, on the contrary
that his every action shows him to be
a keen, deep and resolute man, rot
easily oppressed with difficulties Rel
can sleep soundly at night. With the
assurance that his dreams will not be
disturbed with the appearance of an
assassin. At 9p. m, in edition to
the sentries within and without the
guard house, six patrols and twenty
four guards go on duty, while a quar-
ter Of mile away over 300 members
of the Montreal garrison artillery are
ready to respond TO the first alarm.