which flared almost to the ground. However, their voices were gentle, and they brought gifts of corn and vegetables, in earthen jars.
Mr. Jessaume, a French trader among them, also came aboard; so did a Scotchman named Hugh McCracken, from a British fur company post far north.
"They're frindly, be they, Pierre?" asked Pat, of One-eyed Cruzatte, who was hobbling past after a lively conversation with Mr. Jessaume.
"Oui," answered Cruzatte, with a grimace of pain. "I t'ink we stay an' spen' one winter. Dey glad. We protect' dem 'gainst de Sioux. My poor leg, he carry me not furder, anyway."
For Cruzatte had the rheumatism in both knees. Reuben Fields was laid up with the rheumatism in his neck; and Captain Clark had been so bothered with a stiff neck that he could not move around until Captain Lewis had applied a hot stone wrapped in red flannel.
"Hi!" cackled big York, strutting as usual. "Dese heah Mandans done gif me name Great Medicine, Mistuh McCracken say. Dey wants me foh a chief."
"There's coal in the banks, yonder," spoke George Shannon. "See it, Peter?"
"What is coal?" ventured Peter.
"Black stuff, like a rock, that will burn."
"It'll make fine fuel for my forge," put in John Shields, who was clever at fashioning things out of metal. "Expect I'll be busy all winter, smithing, while you other fellows are hunting and dancing."
