The remains are those of a people whom we call ‘The Mound Builders,’ who ages ago lived here.  Their mounds stood on high places on the river bank and were used for observation.  The enemy approaching could from these mounds easily be seen.  They are also found in good agricultural districts, showing that the race were agriculturists, and where the fishing is good on the river or lake these mounds occur.  The Mound Builders are the first people of whom we have traces here about.  The Indians say that these Mound Builders are not their ancestors, but are the ‘Very Ancient Men.’  It is thought that the last of them passed away some four hundred years ago, just before the coming of the white man.  At that time a fierce whirlwind of conquest passed over North America, which was seen in the destruction of the Hurons, who lived in Ontario and Quebec.  Some of their implements found were copper, probably brought from Lake Superior, but stone axes, hammers, and chisels, were commonly used by them.  A horn spear, with barbs, and a fine shell sinker, shows that they lived on fish.  Strings of beads and fine pearl ornaments are readily found.  But the most notable thing about these people is that they were far ahead of the Indians, in that they made pottery, with brightly designed patterns, which showed some taste.  Very likely these Mound Builders were peaceful people, who, driven out of Mexico many centuries ago, came up the Mississippi, and from its branches passing into Red River, settled all along its banks.  We know but little of this vanished race.  They have left only a few features of their work behind them.  Their name and fame are lost forever.

    “And is this all? an earthen pot,
     A broken spear, a copper pin
     Earth’s grandest prizes counted in—­
     A burial mound?—­the common lot.”

THE GAY FRENCHMAN.

Then the conversation turned upon the early Frenchmen, who came to the West during the days of French Canada, before Wolfe took Quebec.  “Oh!  I have no doubt they would make a great ado,” said the old patriarch, “when they came here.  The French, you know, are so fond of pageants.  But beyond a few rumors among the old Indians far up the Assiniboine River of their remembrance of the crosses and of the priests, or black robes, as they call them, I have never heard anything; these early explorers themselves left few traces.  When they retired from the country, after Canada was taken by Wolfe, the Indians burnt their forts and tried to destroy every vestige of them.  You know the Indian is a cunning diplomatist.  He very soon sees which is the stronger side and takes it.  When the King is dead he is ready to shout, Long live the new King.  I have heard that down on the point, on the south side of the Forks of the two rivers, the Frenchmen built a fort, but there wasn’t a stick or a stone of it left when the Selkirk Colonists came in 1812.  But perhaps you know that part of the story better than I do,” ventured the old patriarch.  That is the Story of the French Explorers.