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PREFACE
THIS Book, which I
dedicate to the Canadian Public, is not a work of fiction, but is purely
historical. In writing it, elegance of style has not been studied, but
rather a simple relation of facts as they occur. It may be wanting in
interest to the lover of imaginary adventure, but to those who love the
truth, I trust it will be found sufficiently interesting to repay a
perusal.
My object in undertaking this work is not to gain notoriety, but to
furnish the Canadian Public with an account, not yet given by any
writer, of the object of the organization of the North-West Mounted
Police Force, the trials, privations, and adventures which they
encountered, and the results of the expedition.
This book is divided into three parts, the first of which contains a
history of the campaign of the North-West Mounted Police, in the year
1874, under command of Colonel French, and though* it is short, it
relates facts which should form a few pages of Canadian history and
being an eye-witness, I have simply stated the facts, leaving to the
general public the task of deducing conclusions.
The second part contains the history of our sojourn in the far
North-West, and gives an account of the journeys made by myself over
vast plains; the first, undertaken to acquaint myself with the manners
and actions of the Indians in their primeval state, and the second, in
discharge of official duty, and to study further the Indian character.
The third part is an account of my return journey from Fort Saskatchewan
via Saskatchewan and Red River, and Lakes Winnepeg, Superior, and Huron
to Sarnia, and thence by rail to Quebec. This part will be found the
most interesting of the three, and also the most useful to intending
settlers in the North-West as it contains geographical and agricultural
information which will give an idea of the future of that region
traversed by the Saskatchewan.
Six Years in the Canadian
North-West
By Mons Jean D'Artigue translated from the French by L. C. Oorbett,
Esq., B. A., and Rev. S. Smith, B.D. (1882) (pdf) |
