- lard had turned back to help the cap'n, but Reub and I
follered our Injuns till we got four of our own critters, and then we let the rest go. Didn't matter, 'cause there were the twelve left by the Injuns, so we'd come out ahead in the little game. Besides, we had the lodge, four shields, two bows and quivers, and a gun. Likewise the flag we'd given, and the medal—but we left the medal on the neck of the Injun Reub had killed, so as to show what kind of people we were.
"Well, we didn't hang 'round there long, you bet. The Injuns had said the main band was only a day and a half away, and when the cap'n had invited 'em to bring their chiefs to council he of course told 'em where our camp was—at the mouth of the Maria's. Now we were desperate afraid the Injuns 'd out-foot us and attack you-all at the river. We took four best horses, and only what meat we could carry, rode a hundred miles, with an hour and a half of rest, camped at two in the mornin', then rode another twenty miles and struck Ordway comin' down with the canoes. We got aboard and here we are—and the cap'n is in a powerful hurry to join Cap'n Clark below."
That was true; for, as said Drouillard: "Dose Blackfeet now will hold all white men as enemies."
This cache had caved in, and much of the supplies had spoiled. The red pirogue also was found to be worthless, except for its spikes. Captain Lewis hustled the work of loading, the rest of the horses were turned loose, and down the river again voyaged all. Sergeant
