a man can't find a level spot to stretch his bones over."
The next day the spotted colt was killed. Some of the men were growing discouraged. After supper Captain Clark, lean but ruddy, his eyes tired but steady, made a speech, with Captain Lewis seconding him.
"We're doing the best we can, men," he said. "We're bound to break our way out into the lower country where there'll be warmth and game and friendly Indians. Why, it may be only a few miles ahead! We can't turn back. Behind us would be only disgrace. Before is glory, and the honor of the flag. To-morrow I'm to scout for a better game country than we are finding. The level grassy plains are the places for game; and I'll send you back word, and as like as not some fat meat, too."
"Hooray," agreed the men, feebly.
"Our hearts be strong but our stomicks be weak," sighed Pat.
"We're nearly at the end of the colts," added Alec Willard. "I'd as soon eat my moccasins as chaw old hoss."
The next morning early Captain Clark, with Drouillard, Joe Fields, Alec, John Colter, Hugh McNeal and George Shannon, the strongest of the men, and good hunters all, rode ahead on picked horses to find, as they expressed, "a level spot and game."
Old Toby and his son continued to guide. They were doing the best they could, too. But surely this Pierced Nose trail was long and difficult.
