When the Earl of Selkirk boldly planned to raise a settlement on the Red River, peopled by disposed Scottish and Irish farmers, he let no difficulties discourage him. To buy the huge Territory of Assiniboia from the Hudson's Bay Company, he first had to buy a controlling interest in the Company; but he could not purchase immunity for his settlers from the bitterness aroused in Canada's two great fur-trading empires. 

The Hudson's Bay Company traders did not want settlers in Rupert's Land; the Nor'westers declared the settlement was their rival's trick to ruin the North West Company's trade. Against the opposition of the fur traders, of the half-breeds and Indians who claimed the territory as their own, the first group of settlers made their way to a remote, untouched tract of forest, where the weather was severe and strange to them, food was scarce and shelter non-existent. 

For four years, the tiny colony struggled for its life; twice it was destroyed, twice rebuilt. The Nor'Westers' opposition flared into open warfare, but in spite of almost countless difficulties the settlement grew and, eventually, prospered.

This is a thrilling story of Lord Selkirk's vision, and of the courageous Old Country immigrants who entrusted their lives to his dream. Lively studies of the many men involved—and the colour and atmosphere of this account will make it a great favourite of teen-age readers everywhere. Boys and girls in Manitoba, who know that from the colony grew the city of Winnipeg, will find this adventure on the Red River particularly exciting.

From the dust jacket