The working dogs of Red River pulled another type of vehicle in the winter, too – the carriole. The carriole was a miniature version of the vehicle of the same name used with horses, and as such was more decorative in appearance than the usual toboggan-like dog sledge.

This morning when I was sitting at breakfast planning in my mind how I should take posession of Gibralter- my servant informed me that Messrs. McLean and Bourke were bringing Cameron and Seraphin prisoners to the Fort- I was rather surprised when I found this to be the case- which placed me in a very critical situation – as I was afraid the alarm was given at Gibralter- Cameron immediately began with his usual phrases of British liberty and free born Englishmen he then asked me, what I intended to do with him- I answered that he must in the first place deliver up all the arms he had belonging to the Colony- before I could hear any proposition regarding his liberty- to this he agreed- when I ordered twelve men under the command of Mr. McLean to take Mr. Seraphin to Gibralter, and there receive all the Arms belonging to the Colony, – but I gave Mr. McLean secret instructions- that the moment the gates were opened to take posession of Gibralter and hold the same until I gave him further orders- this he accomplished in a masterly manner- as soon as the Indians learned what was going on- they took up arms and came to our assistance.- another proof of the attachment of these Indians to the Colony, is that a number were present at the seizure of Cameron- and altho’ that person was nearly an hour a prisoner at Fort Douglas- Hess who was in charge of Gibralter was a perfect stranger to what had happened, until Mr. McLean informed him after the seizing of the Fort, I then sent over Cameron with an escort to Gibralter where he is to be prisoner all night.- I have ordered Messrs. McLean and Bourke to pay every attention to the prisoners- and respect to be paid to private property.- I mean to give Cameron his liberty tomorrow as I have not the means to send him off another thing I am not inclined to carry things too far untill I hear from York,- I shall lower his consequence a little- this is necessary for the safety of the Colony- he shall send an Express immediately of to Qu’Appell to put a stop to hostilities there, – I will remove all the Arms in his Fort to this place, until tranquility is established in that quarter.- these are points I will insist upon.

An Express arrived this evening from Qu’Appelle with accounts that Mr. McDonnell had attacked our provision post there with the intent of driving McKay from that quarter- called a Council of my Officers consisting of Mess’rs McLean Stett and Bourke, and told them that I intended to strike a blow at Gibralter, and to prepare themselves for the event, I then shewed them McKays letter- these Gentlemen informed me that I had only to command them- Nothing can be done to-night, the Indians are all intoxicated- I have only twenty men here- but if I allow McDonnell a footing- my men will get dispirited- and our new friends will abandon us- my situation is very ackward.-

“[W]hen at Mr. Christies, I was much amused in perceiving a file of the Inverness Journal of 1812; where I find Mr. Simon McGillivray writing for his associates the North West Company under the signature of the Highlander, her is answered by Messrs. [Rev. Charles] Burke and McLean, the former wrote with pith and elegance, I wish he had been better acquainted with his opponents…”  – Colin Robertson Journal