St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-12

Lion In His Den.
A lady at present residing at Hamilton,
Canada, tells very interesting story of
heretofore unpublished incident in coanec-
ton with Louis Riel's first rebellion. She is
very intimate friend of the lady who poses
as the heroine in the narrative, and to a re-
porter of the Hamilton Spectator she graphic
ally narrated the tale, which in substance is
as follows:
At the Ctime of RiePs first rebellion there
lived near Fort Garry handsome young
Englishwoman named Victoria McV-,
still alive and at present a resident of grow
ing town on the shore of Lake Superior on
the line of the Canadian Pacific railway.
Among the loyalists seized by Riel and i'm
prisoned in the fort pending his decision as
to what disposition should be made of them,
was the brave young son of lady friend OF
Miss McV-. One morning
THE POOR MOTHER
came to the latter lady's house in terrible
state Of agitation, and told Miss Nc V it
was reported that Riel had either shot or de-
cided to shoot all the prisoners in his hands.
In vain the younger woman tried to soothe
her friend aud to comfort her with assurances
to the contrary. The mothers fear grew
greater, her agitation wilder, and Miss Nc
V concluded that unless definite news
of some kind was soon received her friends
reason would leave her altogether. In an
instant the brave girls mind was made up,
and with hasty kiss of comfort and part
ing word of cheer to the well-nigh frantic
mother, Miss Nc v hurried to the resi-
dence Of gentleman friend in the neighbor
hood to whom she conided her intention of
going to see Riel. At first the gentleman
laughed at her; but seeing she was deter
mined he became grave and urged her to
abandon such dangerous and useless mis-
sion as that she had taken on herself-to
seek out the leader of the rebels, learn from
him the fate of the prisoners, and, if they
still lived, to
PLEAD FOR THEIR LIVES.
Eventually, finding that the young lady could
not be moved from her purpose, the gentle
man ordered his horse to be harnessed, and
IN few minutes he and Miss Nc We're
on the way. Ere long they reached the set
tlement, and after many inquiries learned
that Riel was then at the postoffice. Thither
drove Miss Nc V-and her escort, and there
the rebel leader was approached by the gen
tleman with the bold request that he would
grant an interview to young lady who de-
sired to see him on special business. Half
amused, half puzzled, Riel assented, and at
the appointed hour that afternoon Miss Nc
V stood face to face with the rebel leader
in his quarters at the fort.
"Well, Ma'amselle, what is it?''
81 want to see young lone Of the pris-
oners confined by you"
''What for.''
$50 that can tell his mother he is not
dead. May see himl"
eyes," CURLY responded Riel, looking
keenly and admiringly at the girlish figure
standing proud and undaunted before him.
| in q few moments Miss Nc Was ushered
| into the room, or rather to the door of the
room-for II was too crowded for even one
more to enter where the loyalists were i'm
| prisoned. The room was much too small to
properly accommodate the number confined
in 1t, and
THE UNFORTUNATE OCCUPANTS
had to remain standing, packed together like
sardines in box. As the door was opened
by the guard Miss Nc V-almost reelei in
the gust of heated, fetid air that swept into
the passage; but in an instant she recovered,
and stood in the midst of the half stihed
men who crowded about her. few hurried
words with her friends son, q whisper of
cheer to his fellow prisoners, and the brave
| girl was back again in the presence Of the
rebel captain.
swell, you saw him."
eyes. May bring him some clean clothesl
| He asked for them. There can be no BARN
in that"
''You may bring them. Anything elser'
''Yes. They are crying for water"
'They shall have some"
Next day Miss Nc V-returned to the
fort and was duly admitted. After revisiting
the prisoners she was as before brought back
| to Riers private apartment, where she tear
| fully besought him to release the men whose
only crime was loyalty TO their queen aud
country. Seeing her appeal had no effect,
| she changed her tactics and urged him for
his own sake to let them go, pointing out to
him that his success could be but temporary,
and that on the arrival of troops from Ontario
the rebellion would be crushed aud its TO
mentors certainly hanged.
STILL RIEL REMAINED UNMovEp,
and again Miss Nc V-entreated him
to spare his prisoners lives, alternating
her prayers with half coherent threats of
vengeance. At last Riel spoke, and the over
joyed girl listened with beating heart to his
promise to release the prisoners on condition
of there being no rejoicing over it by the
loyalists of the settlement Miss Nc v
assured him that she would see to this, and
orders were given accordingly.
Riel who had been at lunch when Miss
McV-- arrived then offered her glass of
wine and politely asked her TO partake of
some light refreshment with him. "No''
answered the undaunted girl, her eyes flash
ing as she spoke; ''you are in arms against
your queen. viii never break bread with
rebel;" and turning to the door she left
Riel dumb with amazement at her audacitv.
Shortly afterward all the prisoners except