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 A SOIREE A T FORT RELIANCE, 5 themselves so thoroughly, was here, there, and everywhere, answer- ing all inquiries about the fete with the words — "Ask JolifFe, ask Joliflfe ! " And they asked JolifFe, who had a gracious word for every- body. Some of those employed in the garrison and civil service of Fort Reliance must here receive a few words of special notice, for they were presently to go through experiences of a most terrible nature, which no human perspicacity could possibly have foreseen. Amongst others we must name Lieutenant Jaspar Hobson, Ser- geant Long, Corporal and Mrs Joliffe, and the two foreign women already alluded to, in whose honour Captain Craventy's f^te was given. Jaspar Hobson was a man of forty years of age. He was short and slight, with little muscular power ; but a force of will which carried him successfully through all trials, and enabled him to rise superior to adverse circumstances. He was " a child of the Com- pany." His father. Major Hobson, an Irishman from Dublin, who had now been dead for some time, lived for many years at Fort Assiniboin with his wife. There Jaspar Hobson was born. His childhood and youth were spent at the foot of the Rocky Moun- tains. His father brought him up strictly, and he became a man in self control and courage whilst yet a boy in years. Jaspar Hobson was no mere hunter, but a soldier, a brave and intelligent officer. During the struggles in Oregon of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany with the rival companies of the Union, he distinguished himself by his zeal and intrepidity, and rapidly rose to the rank of lieutenant. His well-known merit led to his appointment to the command of an expedition to the north, the aim of which was to explore the northern shores of the Great Bear Lake, and to found a fort on the confines of the American continent. Jaspar Hobson was to set out on his journey early in April. H the lieutenant was the type of a good officer. Sergeant Long was that of a good soldier. He was a man of fifty years of age, with a rough beard that looked as if it were made of cocoa-nut fibre. Constitutionally brave, and disposed to obey rather than to com- mand, he had no ambition but to obey the orders he received — never questioning them, however strange they might appear, never reasoning for himself when on duty for the Company — a true machine in uniform ; but a perfect machine, never wearing out ; ever on the