, who would bring order out of chaos.

Moreover, the fact of his short service in a distant part of the fur
country, left him free from prejudice, gave him an open mind, and
permitted him to serve as a young man when he was yet plastic and
adaptable--all this was in his favor.

Governor Simpson was short of stature, but possessed of great energy and
endurance. He was keen in mind and observing in his faculties. Active
and determined, he might at times seem a martinet and a tyrant, but he
had at the same time an easy and pleasant manner that enabled him to
attract to himself his servants and subordinates, but especially the
savages with whom he had constantly to have dealings. His ardent
Highland nature led him to rejoice in the picturesque and the showy, and
he was fond of music and of society. Given to change, Simpson became a
great traveller and made a voyage around the world before the days of
steam or railway.

One of the first gatherings of the fur traders, in which the young
Governor gained golden opinions, was held at Norway House, the old
resting place of the Selkirk Settlers. This meeting took place in June,
1823; the minutes of this meeting have been preserved and are
interesting. Such items as, that Bow River Fort at the foot of the Rocky
Mountains was abandoned; that because of prairie fires the buffaloes
were far beyond Pembina; that the Assiniboine Indians had moved to the
Saskatchewan for food; that trouble with the French traders had arisen
on account of their determination to trade in furs; that the French
half-breeds had largely moved from Pembina to St. Boniface; that the
trade should be withdrawn from beyond the American Boundary line; that
the Sioux Indians should be discouraged from coming to the Forts to
trade; and that the company intended to take over the Colony from Lord
Selkirk's trustees, all came up for consideration.

These were all important and difficult problems, but the young Governor
acted with such shrewdness and skill, that he completely carried the
Council with him, and was given power to act for the Council during the
intervals between its meetings--a thing most unusual.

The Governor was ubiquitous.

[Illustration: SIR GEORGE SIMPSON Governor of Rupert's Land, 1821-60.]

Now at Moose Factory, then at York; now at Norway House, but every year
at Red River, the Governor saw for himself the needs of the country, and
the opportunities for advancing the interests of the Hudson's