CHAPTER II.
"A SCOTTISH DUEL." Inasmuch as this tale is chiefly one of Scottish and of Colonial life, the story of the movement from Old Kildonan, on the German Ocean, to New Kildonan, on the Western Prairies--we may be very sure, that it did not take place without irritation and opposition and conflict.

The Scottish race, while possessing intense earnestness and energy, often gains its ends by the most thoroughgoing animosity.

In this great emigration movement, there were great new world interests involved, and champions of the rival parties concerned were two stalwart chieftains, of Scotland's best blood, both with great powers of leadership and both backed up with abundant means and strongest influence.

It was a duel--indeed a fight, as old Sir Walter Scott would say, "a l'outrance"-- to the bitter end.

That the struggle was between two chieftains--one a Lowlander, the other a Highlander, did not count for much, for the Lowlander spoke the Gaelic tongue--and he was championing the interest of Highland men.
The two men of mark were the Earl of Selkirk and Sir Alexander Mackenzie.