CHAPTER XXVTHE OASIS

CHAPTER XXVTHE OASIS“I’msorry now I allowed myself to go to sleep at all,” said Dick, as he heard what had happened.This was the first Roger knew of his suspicions, for Dick had felt that it was hardly worth while taking his chum into his confidence.“Do you mean you didn’t like the way that Indian acted, and that you meant to stay awake to keep an eye on him?” demanded Roger.“I did at first, but I was very tired, and he seemed to be sound asleep; so I gave it up. Perhaps, if I had kept awake for just another half hour, I might have caught him in the act.”All of them were feeling depressed over the incident. It was not so much the horse they regretted, though the animal might prove valuable to them later on; but having their supply of drinking water cut short told heavily.They started on with heavy hearts, and the future looked dismal, indeed. Still, it was notthe nature of such a man as Captain Lewis to despair when, after all, there might be no occasion for trouble. His good nature presently infected the remainder of the party, and hope again found lodgment in their hearts.By being careful, the water could easily be made to cover two days, and by that time it was believed they would have found a fresh supply.It had been only recently that the two boys had learned certain facts that gave them considerable cause for worry. One of the trappers, who had been out hunting just before the caravan reached the foot of the mountains, had discovered two men who wore the garb of whites.They were armed with guns and had horses in the bargain. He had not been able to creep close enough to hear anything they said, but, from the description which he gave of the strangers, both Dick and Roger felt sure they knew who they must be.The one with the black hair and beard was the vindictive French trader, François Lascelles; while his companion could be no other than the treacherous Andrew Waller, who had been kicked out of the camp when his duplicity became known.The two rascals had evidently joined forces,and continued to follow after the explorers, bent on having a sweet revenge for the indignities that had been visited upon their heads, though rightly, by Captain Lewis.Alexis, the grown son of Lascelles, must have returned to civilization, since he had not been seen with his father. The knowledge that these evil men were bent on following them across mountain and plain, and determined on punishing the boys because their plans had been ruined, was something calculated to take away much of the pleasure Dick and Roger would otherwise have enjoyed.From time to time their thoughts naturally went out toward Lascelles and his unscrupulous ally. They often wondered whether the two men had actually crossed the mountain range, and if they would even attempt the passage of this burning desert.Roger in particular was indignant over the prospect of such a thing.“It would serve them right,” he declared, as he talked matters over with Dick, “if they lost their way out here on the desert, and paid the penalty with their miserable lives. I wish that would happen to them, even if it does sound wicked; but of what use are they in the world,except to bring trouble to others who never tried to harm them in the beginning?”“And the chances are,” pursued Dick, frowning, “that, after we do get across this sandy stretch, if they follow us, it will be to spread some of the same lies about our being the sons of the Great White Father at Washington. They plan to have the Indians seize us, and hold us for the ransom that would never come. It might mean we would be kept all our lives among the Indians, and never see our families any more.”“All I can say, Dick, is that I’ll be a happy boy when we get across this terrible desert. When we happen on the white bones of animals that have perished here, sticking out of the sand, they make me think of finger posts pointing to our finish. To tell you the honest truth, I don’t think I have ever shivered before when burning up with fever; but it’s the prospect that does it.”“Oh! there’s no use feeling that way,” Dick assured him, seeing that really the other was very much depressed in his spirits; “we are going to pull out of this scrape, just as we always do. Before a great while things will look cheery again, take my word for it.”“If only there was any chance to find game I wouldn’t feel so bad,” complained Roger, touching his gun, which was fastened behind his saddle.“Well, there is a little patch of scrub trees beyond us right now,” his comrade told him. “Suppose we ride ahead and see if we are lucky enough to find a stray antelope there. Sometimes there is moisture in one of those oasis, and some grass manages to grow. It can do no harm, and will serve to take our minds off a disagreeable subject.”Roger began to show a little animation at that. Anything touching on hunting was apt to engage his attention, and raise his spirits.“I’m with you, Dick, every time!” he hastened to exclaim; “and, if we could only strike a deer, even one of those little antelopes you spoke of, it would be worth while. Our fresh meat has given out, but we could find plenty of wood to make a fire if we needed it. That sun, though, is hot enough to cook meat by itself, I think.”After mentioning their plan to Captain Clark, who was nearby, the two lads urged their horses to increase their slow pace. This the jaded animals were not much inclined to do, but the willof their masters prevailed, and they left the plodding caravan behind.Dick suggested that they divide their forces, in order to approach the patch of scrubby-looking dwarf trees from two sides. This was the policy of an experienced hunter. In case there happened to be anything worth shooting among the trees, the hunters stood a double chance of getting a shot, no matter which way the deer ran.Dick did not entertain much hope of meeting with success. From the look of the miserable timber he felt it was hardly probable that grass was growing in its midst, or that a deer should have been attracted by the promise of food. Still, it would not do to neglect any precaution; and, as he rode forward, he held his gun ready in his hand, meaning to jump to the ground before firing, so as to be more certain in his aim.When he had reason to believe that Roger must have come up on the opposite side of the patch of trees, Dick felt that it was time to turn his horse’s head, and ride directly toward his goal.Just then he caught some sort of movement amidst the trees, though he could not tell the nature of it. Some living creature must havesought refuge there, though it might after all prove to be only a lone buzzard, pecking at a bone, or perhaps one of those larger birds which Captain Lewis had told them were vultures.He kept watching the spot as his horse advanced. The animal snorted once or twice, which Dick considered a sign worth noticing, for it might mean that some ferocious beast lay concealed on the border of the oasis.A moment afterwards Dick gave vent to a grunt of disgust. After all, it turned out to be a sneaking wolf of that small species which they had found to be as cowardly as it was ugly. Yes, now he had a good glimpse of the animal, running along the edge of the timber, and evidently expecting to make off in the other direction.Dick hoped Roger would not be tempted to waste a shot on the cowardly beast, for its death could not be of the least advantage to them. It’s presence there settled the last lingering hope he had felt concerning the finding of game. No antelope was apt to stay long when one of those hungry coyotes came around, Dick imagined.He rode slowly on. The patch of trees was really larger than he had imagined, and, whileabout it, Dick felt he should make doubly sure. Perhaps they might run on a small spring there in the oasis, though the appearance of things did not inspire him with much confidence.“It would be even better than finding game, if we did come across a water hole,” he was telling himself as he pushed on.He heard Roger give a loud yell on the other side of the oasis. Evidently he had just discovered the skulking animal and was shouting to start him in full flight across the sandy waste. But he did not shoot, for which Dick was glad.Now, having arrived at the border of the scrubby trees, Dick jumped down and fastened his horse to a convenient branch. It was his intention to enter the patch of timber on foot, as Roger was doubtless doing from the other side. They could scour the whole of it in a brief time, and find out whether so much as a cup of water was to be obtained.He could hear Roger advancing opposite to him, and knew they would soon meet. Even then he caught sight of the other moving along, though evidently hopeless of finding anything in the shape of game.Dick had just opened his mouth to say something when he was thrilled to hear a dreadful,rattling sound that he knew only too well. At the same time Roger sprang hastily back, and uttered a loud cry of alarm.

“I’msorry now I allowed myself to go to sleep at all,” said Dick, as he heard what had happened.

This was the first Roger knew of his suspicions, for Dick had felt that it was hardly worth while taking his chum into his confidence.

“Do you mean you didn’t like the way that Indian acted, and that you meant to stay awake to keep an eye on him?” demanded Roger.

“I did at first, but I was very tired, and he seemed to be sound asleep; so I gave it up. Perhaps, if I had kept awake for just another half hour, I might have caught him in the act.”

All of them were feeling depressed over the incident. It was not so much the horse they regretted, though the animal might prove valuable to them later on; but having their supply of drinking water cut short told heavily.

They started on with heavy hearts, and the future looked dismal, indeed. Still, it was notthe nature of such a man as Captain Lewis to despair when, after all, there might be no occasion for trouble. His good nature presently infected the remainder of the party, and hope again found lodgment in their hearts.

By being careful, the water could easily be made to cover two days, and by that time it was believed they would have found a fresh supply.

It had been only recently that the two boys had learned certain facts that gave them considerable cause for worry. One of the trappers, who had been out hunting just before the caravan reached the foot of the mountains, had discovered two men who wore the garb of whites.

They were armed with guns and had horses in the bargain. He had not been able to creep close enough to hear anything they said, but, from the description which he gave of the strangers, both Dick and Roger felt sure they knew who they must be.

The one with the black hair and beard was the vindictive French trader, François Lascelles; while his companion could be no other than the treacherous Andrew Waller, who had been kicked out of the camp when his duplicity became known.

The two rascals had evidently joined forces,and continued to follow after the explorers, bent on having a sweet revenge for the indignities that had been visited upon their heads, though rightly, by Captain Lewis.

Alexis, the grown son of Lascelles, must have returned to civilization, since he had not been seen with his father. The knowledge that these evil men were bent on following them across mountain and plain, and determined on punishing the boys because their plans had been ruined, was something calculated to take away much of the pleasure Dick and Roger would otherwise have enjoyed.

From time to time their thoughts naturally went out toward Lascelles and his unscrupulous ally. They often wondered whether the two men had actually crossed the mountain range, and if they would even attempt the passage of this burning desert.

Roger in particular was indignant over the prospect of such a thing.

“It would serve them right,” he declared, as he talked matters over with Dick, “if they lost their way out here on the desert, and paid the penalty with their miserable lives. I wish that would happen to them, even if it does sound wicked; but of what use are they in the world,except to bring trouble to others who never tried to harm them in the beginning?”

“And the chances are,” pursued Dick, frowning, “that, after we do get across this sandy stretch, if they follow us, it will be to spread some of the same lies about our being the sons of the Great White Father at Washington. They plan to have the Indians seize us, and hold us for the ransom that would never come. It might mean we would be kept all our lives among the Indians, and never see our families any more.”

“All I can say, Dick, is that I’ll be a happy boy when we get across this terrible desert. When we happen on the white bones of animals that have perished here, sticking out of the sand, they make me think of finger posts pointing to our finish. To tell you the honest truth, I don’t think I have ever shivered before when burning up with fever; but it’s the prospect that does it.”

“Oh! there’s no use feeling that way,” Dick assured him, seeing that really the other was very much depressed in his spirits; “we are going to pull out of this scrape, just as we always do. Before a great while things will look cheery again, take my word for it.”

“If only there was any chance to find game I wouldn’t feel so bad,” complained Roger, touching his gun, which was fastened behind his saddle.

“Well, there is a little patch of scrub trees beyond us right now,” his comrade told him. “Suppose we ride ahead and see if we are lucky enough to find a stray antelope there. Sometimes there is moisture in one of those oasis, and some grass manages to grow. It can do no harm, and will serve to take our minds off a disagreeable subject.”

Roger began to show a little animation at that. Anything touching on hunting was apt to engage his attention, and raise his spirits.

“I’m with you, Dick, every time!” he hastened to exclaim; “and, if we could only strike a deer, even one of those little antelopes you spoke of, it would be worth while. Our fresh meat has given out, but we could find plenty of wood to make a fire if we needed it. That sun, though, is hot enough to cook meat by itself, I think.”

After mentioning their plan to Captain Clark, who was nearby, the two lads urged their horses to increase their slow pace. This the jaded animals were not much inclined to do, but the willof their masters prevailed, and they left the plodding caravan behind.

Dick suggested that they divide their forces, in order to approach the patch of scrubby-looking dwarf trees from two sides. This was the policy of an experienced hunter. In case there happened to be anything worth shooting among the trees, the hunters stood a double chance of getting a shot, no matter which way the deer ran.

Dick did not entertain much hope of meeting with success. From the look of the miserable timber he felt it was hardly probable that grass was growing in its midst, or that a deer should have been attracted by the promise of food. Still, it would not do to neglect any precaution; and, as he rode forward, he held his gun ready in his hand, meaning to jump to the ground before firing, so as to be more certain in his aim.

When he had reason to believe that Roger must have come up on the opposite side of the patch of trees, Dick felt that it was time to turn his horse’s head, and ride directly toward his goal.

Just then he caught some sort of movement amidst the trees, though he could not tell the nature of it. Some living creature must havesought refuge there, though it might after all prove to be only a lone buzzard, pecking at a bone, or perhaps one of those larger birds which Captain Lewis had told them were vultures.

He kept watching the spot as his horse advanced. The animal snorted once or twice, which Dick considered a sign worth noticing, for it might mean that some ferocious beast lay concealed on the border of the oasis.

A moment afterwards Dick gave vent to a grunt of disgust. After all, it turned out to be a sneaking wolf of that small species which they had found to be as cowardly as it was ugly. Yes, now he had a good glimpse of the animal, running along the edge of the timber, and evidently expecting to make off in the other direction.

Dick hoped Roger would not be tempted to waste a shot on the cowardly beast, for its death could not be of the least advantage to them. It’s presence there settled the last lingering hope he had felt concerning the finding of game. No antelope was apt to stay long when one of those hungry coyotes came around, Dick imagined.

He rode slowly on. The patch of trees was really larger than he had imagined, and, whileabout it, Dick felt he should make doubly sure. Perhaps they might run on a small spring there in the oasis, though the appearance of things did not inspire him with much confidence.

“It would be even better than finding game, if we did come across a water hole,” he was telling himself as he pushed on.

He heard Roger give a loud yell on the other side of the oasis. Evidently he had just discovered the skulking animal and was shouting to start him in full flight across the sandy waste. But he did not shoot, for which Dick was glad.

Now, having arrived at the border of the scrubby trees, Dick jumped down and fastened his horse to a convenient branch. It was his intention to enter the patch of timber on foot, as Roger was doubtless doing from the other side. They could scour the whole of it in a brief time, and find out whether so much as a cup of water was to be obtained.

He could hear Roger advancing opposite to him, and knew they would soon meet. Even then he caught sight of the other moving along, though evidently hopeless of finding anything in the shape of game.

Dick had just opened his mouth to say something when he was thrilled to hear a dreadful,rattling sound that he knew only too well. At the same time Roger sprang hastily back, and uttered a loud cry of alarm.

CHAPTER XXVIAMONG THE NEZ PERCES“Lookout, Dick, there are rattlesnakes all around here. I can see three of them right in front of you! Get back, Dick, get back, I tell you!”Dick hastened to comply, for by that time he also had detected the presence of the venomous reptiles. They seemed to be of a small species, such as can be found on the plains of the entire West, but their stroke carries just as sure death as though the snakes were twice the size.The boys had often come across them of late, mostly near the colonies of gophers, for the two seemed to be able to dwell together in harmony, though possibly the snakes made an occasional meal from some of the puppies.Roger had already laid aside his gun, and picking up a long stick, he commenced to belabor some of the coiled snakes.“Think you own the earth do you?” Roger was saying, as he plied his stick with vigor, andknocked first one snake and then another into a wriggling mass. “Well, I want to show you that others besides you have a right to breathe, and walk where they please. That makes the fifth one I’ve smashed, Dick. Did you ever see such a nest of the ‘varmints,’ as Jasper Williams would call them?”Roger evidently meant to keep on just as long as there was a single one of the ugly, scaly creatures in sight. He certainly had more than his share of antipathy toward all reptiles, for he never let an opportunity to kill one escape him.When he could no longer find anything to hit, Roger consented to drop the stick, secure his rifle, and prepare to leave the scrubby timber. They could find nothing in the way of water, though there must have been something of the sort underground to have allowed those ugly dwarf trees to grow in the first place.“There goes the silly, little wolf scurrying off,” said Roger as they mounted once more, Dick having brought his horse through the patch of woods. “He must think we set great store by his dingy hide, and would take after him. But I’m disappointed because we failed to get an antelope.”“Better luck next time, Roger,” his comradetold him; for nothing seemed to crush the spirits of this sanguine lad.The third day passed, and, as the blazing sun sank again beyond the glittering horizon, none of them, even by shading his eyes with his hands, could see any sign to proclaim that they were drawing near the end of the desert.It was not a very cheerful party that sat around on blankets that night and exchanged ideas concerning their prospects of pulling through these difficulties. The horses were showing signs of the hard usage to which they had been put. Lack of forage made them hungry all the time, since the small amount of hay that could be carried was almost gone.With the morning they were again on the way, the sun at their backs. Noon found them resting, though the journey was resumed later on. When once more the sun went down its glow showed them trees in the near distance, the presence of which they had not been able to detect before, on account of the shimmer of the sun’s torrid rays on the shining sand.It was the consensus of opinion among the men that they were now close to the western extremity of the desert, and they decided to keep on moving far into that night if necessary, inorder to reach the timber that promised them water, and shelter from the terrible sun.Before midnight they arrived at the trees and had hardly made their way among them when some of the weary men sank to the ground, unable to continue further. Camp was made on the spot, and the remainder of the night was spent in refreshing slumber.While the desert had been left behind, they now had a new source of trouble. Water they could obtain as often as they needed it, but their food supplies had fallen very low, nor were the hunters able to find game, though they searched early and late for signs of deer or bear; anything, in fact, that could be eaten.“If this sort of thing keeps on,” Roger grumbled, when he and Dick were returning from an unsuccessful search for game, “there’s only one resort left to us, and that is to feed on horse flesh. I’d hate to come to it; but, rather than starve to death, I believe I’d try it.”Dick laughed at hearing this confession.“And yet, when we were among the Sioux,” he remarked merrily, “you threw up your hands in horror at the thought of eating baked dog, which the Indians esteem a great delicacy, so that they seldom have it except when they wantto make a great feast. How do you feel about that now, Roger?”“To be honest with you, Dick, I’ve changed my mind somehow. Those were days when we always had plenty to eat; but now the rations have become so scanty that we feel half starved most of the time. Yes, I believe that if I was asked to sit down to a feast of baked dog, I’d accept, and with thanks.”“Well, there’s nothing like hunger to serve as sauce at a meal,” laughed Dick. “And, when I tell them at home how you were cured of some of your nice notions about the kind of food you long for, they will think it quite a joke.”“We’re in a bad fix as it goes,” resumed Roger; “with some of the men half sick from their sufferings on this long trip, little to eat in camp, and a slim prospect of getting anything from now on. Perhaps, after coming so far, none of us will live to see that wonderful ocean.”“Oh! yes we shall, never fear,” Dick assured him. “But stop and look ahead. What have we run up against now, I wonder. It looks like an Indian family on the move.”“You are right, Dick,” cried Roger. “They have a horse, and two poles fastened so that theother ends drag on the ground. On that they have hides, and I can see a squaw and a papoose. Suppose we try and see if we can make ourselves understood?”“I mean to,” replied the other, quickly. “The warrior may be able to direct us to the river we are seeking, down which we hope to float until we come to the sea itself.”They walked nearer the Indians, who by this time had discovered their presence, and were undoubtedly amazed to see people with white skins in that part of the country.“We have never, up to now, come in contact with any Indians dressed as that fellow is,” remarked Dick, as he held up his hand with the palm toward the woman, to indicate that their intentions were friendly; for that seems to be a sign universally understood among all the savage peoples of the world.“It may be they belong to the Nez Perces tribe, and the man is a brave, because he wears the bear claws about his neck,” (Note 8) suggested Roger; “I heard Captain Clark speaking about them only yesterday, and saying we must soon strike their hunting grounds, for he had learned about them from other tribes.”As the two boys joined the Indians they sawthat the fat squaw had a small papoose in her arms. Dick instantly discovered that the child was suffering in some way, possibly from cramps in its little stomach. According to the native custom nothing would be done to relieve the pain, that is in the way of medicine. When they reached their village the old medicine man would doubtless be called in to conduct his eccentric dances around the writhing child, to rattle his hollow gourds that contained small stones, and to do everything in his power to frighten off the evil spirit that was believed to be tormenting the papoose.Dick tried to begin a conversation with the brave. As he could depend only on gestures it was rather difficult; but, by this time, both boys were becoming more or less expert in this sort of thing. Presently he managed to convince the brave that he was a medicine man after a fashion, and would be glad to try to relieve the sufferings of the papoose.When the squaw understood this from what her man told her, she looked dubious. Evidently her faith had made her believe that the more fantastic the costume of the healer, the better chance there would be of success; and how then could this boy with the white skin frightenaway the evil spirit when he made no attempt to disguise himself?Both brave and squaw looked anxiously on as Dick took out a little case from his pocket and extracted a tiny bottle. It was only camphor that the phial contained, but Dick felt positive it would work wonders, if only he could get the child to swallow a dose.This was finally managed with the help of the squaw. Since they had consented to allow the “paleface wizard” to try to charm the evil spirit out of the papoose, she meant that the experiment should be carried out regardless of the child’s whims; and so with her finger she thrust the medicine down the little one’s throat.Dick then went on to talk with his fingers. He was trying to find out whether the village of the brave was nearby, and finally succeeded in learning they would come upon it in one day’s walk, or the sweep of the sun from the east to the west.From what the other said in his native fashion Dick was not quite sure about its position. He cut a piece of bark from a tree and held it out to the Nez Perces brave, together with a nail, showing him how to mark upon the smooth surface.Apparently the Indian was shrewd enough to grasp his meaning, for he immediately commenced to make crude figures. Roger watched his efforts with growing eagerness.“I do believe he’s caught what you’ve been trying to say to him, Dick!” he exclaimed in glee. “See there now! he’s gone and made a lot of cone-shaped things that I’m sure must stand for wigwams. That’s meant for his village; and now he’s making a wriggly line past it. Do you think that can stand for a river?”“No question but that it does, Roger. There, now he makes a broader line of the same kind, which must mean a big river that the first one flows into.”“Watch him now, Dick; what does he mean by all that curly stuff? To me it looks like waves rolling up onto the beach, just as we’ve seen them at that lake near which we passed the winter on the Yellowstone.”“I really believe he means that the broad river empties into the sea!” announced Dick, at which Roger could hardly repress his feelings of exultation.“Hurrah!” he cried, “we have struck something worth while at last, if only we can coax this brave to go to camp with us. And Dick,your medicine has worked wonders already, for the papoose seems to be kicking no longer. I guess the cramps have been settled.”The squaw beamed on them now. She was evidently awed by the wonderful success of the “paleface medicine man,” who found no necessity for indulging in fantastic dances and such things, but chased the evil spirit out by simply sending a message down the child’s throat that he must vacate!Again Dick endeavored to tell the brave that, if they would accompany the boys to where they had companions, all of them on the following day would go to the Nez Perces village with the Indians, and enjoy the hospitality of the red men.It ended in the others accepting, so that, half an hour later, they reached the camp, where their coming created no end of excitement; for every one expected it would soon lead to great things.If the boys had failed to secure any game in this, their last hunt, at least they had accomplished what was better; for, with the new prospects ahead of them, it began to look as though their troubles might all be in the past.Captain Lewis spent almost two hours in signtalk with the Indian that evening, after they had smoked the peace pipe between them. Together with what he was able to pick up, and the crude map fashioned by the brave on the smooth bark, he felt convinced that they would soon arrive at a river that eventually emptied into the great ocean which they had traveled thousands of miles to gaze upon.No longer were the weary explorers given over to hopelessness, as had begun to be the case of late. The future began to assume a rosy hue, and both boys felt certain the success that had been dangling before them as a tempting bait all these long months was about to become a certainty.When morning came they once more set forth, but now laughter was the rule instead of silence and long faces. The brave and his squaw had by degrees overcome their feeling of awe, and were quite friendly with the men.“I think,” said Dick to Roger, as they rode slowly on, “I heard him trying to explain to the captain that his chief and most of the men in the village would be away at this time, for they expected to start on a big hunt, to lay in a store of jerked meat for the winter season. But that will not make any difference. He says his peoplewill welcome us, especially after they know what a great medicine man is coming.”At that both boys laughed aloud.“If you are wise,” said Roger, “you will get ready to do a big business, because every old squaw that has an aching tooth will call upon you to chase the demon of pain away.”“Oh! very well,” replied Dick, carrying his honors easily, “I’ll draw out the aching molars, and in that way bring freedom from pain. But all of us will be glad to rest for a while in the Nez Perces village.”“Yes,” added Roger. “And, moreover, we hope they will be free with their food, because our stock has by this time got down to nearly nothing. For once I think I could enjoy some Indian cooking.”“Even if it has to be a feast of baked dog!” added Dick, at which the other made a grimace, though he immediately replied:“Yes, even that, if the rest of you try it. I don’t hold myself to be any better than my comrades, and what they can stand I ought to. Perhaps, who knows, all of us may yet take a great liking for the dish. The first man who ever swallowed a raw oyster must have had a strong stomach, I should say.”Late that afternoon they came upon the Nez Perces village, which they found located upon quite a noble river. This stream the explorers immediately called the Lewis River in honor of their intrepid leader. Sad to say in later years this well-earned name was changed to that of Snake River, showing what short memories those who came after must have had, in forgetting how much they were indebted to Captain Meriwether Lewis.

“Lookout, Dick, there are rattlesnakes all around here. I can see three of them right in front of you! Get back, Dick, get back, I tell you!”

Dick hastened to comply, for by that time he also had detected the presence of the venomous reptiles. They seemed to be of a small species, such as can be found on the plains of the entire West, but their stroke carries just as sure death as though the snakes were twice the size.

The boys had often come across them of late, mostly near the colonies of gophers, for the two seemed to be able to dwell together in harmony, though possibly the snakes made an occasional meal from some of the puppies.

Roger had already laid aside his gun, and picking up a long stick, he commenced to belabor some of the coiled snakes.

“Think you own the earth do you?” Roger was saying, as he plied his stick with vigor, andknocked first one snake and then another into a wriggling mass. “Well, I want to show you that others besides you have a right to breathe, and walk where they please. That makes the fifth one I’ve smashed, Dick. Did you ever see such a nest of the ‘varmints,’ as Jasper Williams would call them?”

Roger evidently meant to keep on just as long as there was a single one of the ugly, scaly creatures in sight. He certainly had more than his share of antipathy toward all reptiles, for he never let an opportunity to kill one escape him.

When he could no longer find anything to hit, Roger consented to drop the stick, secure his rifle, and prepare to leave the scrubby timber. They could find nothing in the way of water, though there must have been something of the sort underground to have allowed those ugly dwarf trees to grow in the first place.

“There goes the silly, little wolf scurrying off,” said Roger as they mounted once more, Dick having brought his horse through the patch of woods. “He must think we set great store by his dingy hide, and would take after him. But I’m disappointed because we failed to get an antelope.”

“Better luck next time, Roger,” his comradetold him; for nothing seemed to crush the spirits of this sanguine lad.

The third day passed, and, as the blazing sun sank again beyond the glittering horizon, none of them, even by shading his eyes with his hands, could see any sign to proclaim that they were drawing near the end of the desert.

It was not a very cheerful party that sat around on blankets that night and exchanged ideas concerning their prospects of pulling through these difficulties. The horses were showing signs of the hard usage to which they had been put. Lack of forage made them hungry all the time, since the small amount of hay that could be carried was almost gone.

With the morning they were again on the way, the sun at their backs. Noon found them resting, though the journey was resumed later on. When once more the sun went down its glow showed them trees in the near distance, the presence of which they had not been able to detect before, on account of the shimmer of the sun’s torrid rays on the shining sand.

It was the consensus of opinion among the men that they were now close to the western extremity of the desert, and they decided to keep on moving far into that night if necessary, inorder to reach the timber that promised them water, and shelter from the terrible sun.

Before midnight they arrived at the trees and had hardly made their way among them when some of the weary men sank to the ground, unable to continue further. Camp was made on the spot, and the remainder of the night was spent in refreshing slumber.

While the desert had been left behind, they now had a new source of trouble. Water they could obtain as often as they needed it, but their food supplies had fallen very low, nor were the hunters able to find game, though they searched early and late for signs of deer or bear; anything, in fact, that could be eaten.

“If this sort of thing keeps on,” Roger grumbled, when he and Dick were returning from an unsuccessful search for game, “there’s only one resort left to us, and that is to feed on horse flesh. I’d hate to come to it; but, rather than starve to death, I believe I’d try it.”

Dick laughed at hearing this confession.

“And yet, when we were among the Sioux,” he remarked merrily, “you threw up your hands in horror at the thought of eating baked dog, which the Indians esteem a great delicacy, so that they seldom have it except when they wantto make a great feast. How do you feel about that now, Roger?”

“To be honest with you, Dick, I’ve changed my mind somehow. Those were days when we always had plenty to eat; but now the rations have become so scanty that we feel half starved most of the time. Yes, I believe that if I was asked to sit down to a feast of baked dog, I’d accept, and with thanks.”

“Well, there’s nothing like hunger to serve as sauce at a meal,” laughed Dick. “And, when I tell them at home how you were cured of some of your nice notions about the kind of food you long for, they will think it quite a joke.”

“We’re in a bad fix as it goes,” resumed Roger; “with some of the men half sick from their sufferings on this long trip, little to eat in camp, and a slim prospect of getting anything from now on. Perhaps, after coming so far, none of us will live to see that wonderful ocean.”

“Oh! yes we shall, never fear,” Dick assured him. “But stop and look ahead. What have we run up against now, I wonder. It looks like an Indian family on the move.”

“You are right, Dick,” cried Roger. “They have a horse, and two poles fastened so that theother ends drag on the ground. On that they have hides, and I can see a squaw and a papoose. Suppose we try and see if we can make ourselves understood?”

“I mean to,” replied the other, quickly. “The warrior may be able to direct us to the river we are seeking, down which we hope to float until we come to the sea itself.”

They walked nearer the Indians, who by this time had discovered their presence, and were undoubtedly amazed to see people with white skins in that part of the country.

“We have never, up to now, come in contact with any Indians dressed as that fellow is,” remarked Dick, as he held up his hand with the palm toward the woman, to indicate that their intentions were friendly; for that seems to be a sign universally understood among all the savage peoples of the world.

“It may be they belong to the Nez Perces tribe, and the man is a brave, because he wears the bear claws about his neck,” (Note 8) suggested Roger; “I heard Captain Clark speaking about them only yesterday, and saying we must soon strike their hunting grounds, for he had learned about them from other tribes.”

As the two boys joined the Indians they sawthat the fat squaw had a small papoose in her arms. Dick instantly discovered that the child was suffering in some way, possibly from cramps in its little stomach. According to the native custom nothing would be done to relieve the pain, that is in the way of medicine. When they reached their village the old medicine man would doubtless be called in to conduct his eccentric dances around the writhing child, to rattle his hollow gourds that contained small stones, and to do everything in his power to frighten off the evil spirit that was believed to be tormenting the papoose.

Dick tried to begin a conversation with the brave. As he could depend only on gestures it was rather difficult; but, by this time, both boys were becoming more or less expert in this sort of thing. Presently he managed to convince the brave that he was a medicine man after a fashion, and would be glad to try to relieve the sufferings of the papoose.

When the squaw understood this from what her man told her, she looked dubious. Evidently her faith had made her believe that the more fantastic the costume of the healer, the better chance there would be of success; and how then could this boy with the white skin frightenaway the evil spirit when he made no attempt to disguise himself?

Both brave and squaw looked anxiously on as Dick took out a little case from his pocket and extracted a tiny bottle. It was only camphor that the phial contained, but Dick felt positive it would work wonders, if only he could get the child to swallow a dose.

This was finally managed with the help of the squaw. Since they had consented to allow the “paleface wizard” to try to charm the evil spirit out of the papoose, she meant that the experiment should be carried out regardless of the child’s whims; and so with her finger she thrust the medicine down the little one’s throat.

Dick then went on to talk with his fingers. He was trying to find out whether the village of the brave was nearby, and finally succeeded in learning they would come upon it in one day’s walk, or the sweep of the sun from the east to the west.

From what the other said in his native fashion Dick was not quite sure about its position. He cut a piece of bark from a tree and held it out to the Nez Perces brave, together with a nail, showing him how to mark upon the smooth surface.

Apparently the Indian was shrewd enough to grasp his meaning, for he immediately commenced to make crude figures. Roger watched his efforts with growing eagerness.

“I do believe he’s caught what you’ve been trying to say to him, Dick!” he exclaimed in glee. “See there now! he’s gone and made a lot of cone-shaped things that I’m sure must stand for wigwams. That’s meant for his village; and now he’s making a wriggly line past it. Do you think that can stand for a river?”

“No question but that it does, Roger. There, now he makes a broader line of the same kind, which must mean a big river that the first one flows into.”

“Watch him now, Dick; what does he mean by all that curly stuff? To me it looks like waves rolling up onto the beach, just as we’ve seen them at that lake near which we passed the winter on the Yellowstone.”

“I really believe he means that the broad river empties into the sea!” announced Dick, at which Roger could hardly repress his feelings of exultation.

“Hurrah!” he cried, “we have struck something worth while at last, if only we can coax this brave to go to camp with us. And Dick,your medicine has worked wonders already, for the papoose seems to be kicking no longer. I guess the cramps have been settled.”

The squaw beamed on them now. She was evidently awed by the wonderful success of the “paleface medicine man,” who found no necessity for indulging in fantastic dances and such things, but chased the evil spirit out by simply sending a message down the child’s throat that he must vacate!

Again Dick endeavored to tell the brave that, if they would accompany the boys to where they had companions, all of them on the following day would go to the Nez Perces village with the Indians, and enjoy the hospitality of the red men.

It ended in the others accepting, so that, half an hour later, they reached the camp, where their coming created no end of excitement; for every one expected it would soon lead to great things.

If the boys had failed to secure any game in this, their last hunt, at least they had accomplished what was better; for, with the new prospects ahead of them, it began to look as though their troubles might all be in the past.

Captain Lewis spent almost two hours in signtalk with the Indian that evening, after they had smoked the peace pipe between them. Together with what he was able to pick up, and the crude map fashioned by the brave on the smooth bark, he felt convinced that they would soon arrive at a river that eventually emptied into the great ocean which they had traveled thousands of miles to gaze upon.

No longer were the weary explorers given over to hopelessness, as had begun to be the case of late. The future began to assume a rosy hue, and both boys felt certain the success that had been dangling before them as a tempting bait all these long months was about to become a certainty.

When morning came they once more set forth, but now laughter was the rule instead of silence and long faces. The brave and his squaw had by degrees overcome their feeling of awe, and were quite friendly with the men.

“I think,” said Dick to Roger, as they rode slowly on, “I heard him trying to explain to the captain that his chief and most of the men in the village would be away at this time, for they expected to start on a big hunt, to lay in a store of jerked meat for the winter season. But that will not make any difference. He says his peoplewill welcome us, especially after they know what a great medicine man is coming.”

At that both boys laughed aloud.

“If you are wise,” said Roger, “you will get ready to do a big business, because every old squaw that has an aching tooth will call upon you to chase the demon of pain away.”

“Oh! very well,” replied Dick, carrying his honors easily, “I’ll draw out the aching molars, and in that way bring freedom from pain. But all of us will be glad to rest for a while in the Nez Perces village.”

“Yes,” added Roger. “And, moreover, we hope they will be free with their food, because our stock has by this time got down to nearly nothing. For once I think I could enjoy some Indian cooking.”

“Even if it has to be a feast of baked dog!” added Dick, at which the other made a grimace, though he immediately replied:

“Yes, even that, if the rest of you try it. I don’t hold myself to be any better than my comrades, and what they can stand I ought to. Perhaps, who knows, all of us may yet take a great liking for the dish. The first man who ever swallowed a raw oyster must have had a strong stomach, I should say.”

Late that afternoon they came upon the Nez Perces village, which they found located upon quite a noble river. This stream the explorers immediately called the Lewis River in honor of their intrepid leader. Sad to say in later years this well-earned name was changed to that of Snake River, showing what short memories those who came after must have had, in forgetting how much they were indebted to Captain Meriwether Lewis.

CHAPTER XXVIIFROM SADDLE TO CANOE AGAINItwas soon planned that a short stop should be made here, in order to recuperate to some extent after their recent strenuous experiences. A number of the men had become ill through long exposure to the burning sun, and the lack of proper food. Captain Lewis hoped to have them in good shape presently, so that they could start forth upon the last dash for the Pacific Coast.Besides, the chief being absent, there was really no one of authority in the Nez Perces village with whom to deal; and just then the explorers wished to make a covenant, or bargain.From now on they could make much better use of boats than of horses, and it was hoped to effect an arrangement with the Nez Perces chieftain to care for the animals they owned through the coming winter. Then, the adventurers hoped to borrow canoes and to finish the long journey by the water. When, in the spring,they returned that way, they could change back, and reward the friendly Indians for taking care of the horses, which would, of course, be needed again in crossing to the mountains.Several pleasant days in September passed away, while the members of the expedition waxed hale and hearty again. They had plenty to eat, and even made out to secure an amount of food from the Indians to last them for some time ahead, in case game proved to be scarce.No one anticipated such a thing, however, because from all reports they judged there was great hunting along the lower river that emptied into the sea; Then there was the multitude of splendid fishes, the flesh of which they were told resembled that of the mountain trout.These the travelers had already classified as salmon, because Captain Lewis had seen that noble game fish caught in Maine and Canada, where it came in fresh from the ocean to spawn in the headwaters of the rivers.Many were the stories the Nez Perces told, in their sign language mostly, about the Indians who frequented the lower reaches of this broad river, where the “shining fish” swarmed at times so that no man could count their number, which was like the grains of sand on the beach.As near as the boys could make out these natives, from some peculiarity connected with their person, were known far and wide as the Flat Heads. They seemed to be of an exceedingly warlike disposition, and great hunters, as well as persistent fishermen.Their method of taking the salmon was with a spear, and in the season an adept could daily throw up on the bank a glittering pile of the big fish calculated, when dried after a manner in vogue among them, to last his lodge all winter.Many were the interesting things the boys learned when they found a means of talking with the peaceful Nez Perces. The days passed almost too quickly for even Roger, impatient as he was to set eyes on the goal of their hopes.And, just as had been anticipated, the fame of Dick as a “big medicine” spread through all the skin lodges of the tribe. People even came from other settlements to consult the “wonder boy,” who could chase the evil spirits out of a suffering body by simply sending down a pill to wrestle with the monster.Dick had his hands full, much to the amusement of his cousin. He did not shirk his duty, though careful not to utterly exhaust his preciousstore of drugs, compounded for the most part by his mother’s own hands.The head chief finally returned, and with him the band of warriors who had been on the grand hunt. They brought back with them a large store of fresh meat, which the squaws immediately set to work to dry after their crude fashion, thus converting it into “pemmican,” black, tough stuff which made the boys shudder to look at, but which could sustain the human frame wonderfully.Success having attended the annual hunt, the chief was in a particularly good humor. He felt that the coming of these “palefaces” must have had something to do with the bountiful supply of game he and his warriors had come across.Besides, the whites intended going down into the country of the dreaded Flat Heads, and their influence might be exerted to make peace between those Indians and the Nez Perces. So a feast was spread, at which all of the whites had the pleasure of tasting baked dog, which they agreed was fair eating, though none of them came back for a second helping.The chief readily entered into a covenant whereby, for a certain consideration, he agreedto care for the horses of the whites until they came up the river in the spring, upon which the animals were to be returned to their owners.Besides this, canoes were loaned to the “palefaces,” boats made of skin, and a little insecure, but nevertheless serviceable for the purposes of the explorers.“Do you think the chief will keep his word about the horses, Dick?” asked Roger, after they had heard of the arrangement between the two captains and the head men of the tribe, after passing the pipe solemnly around the circle at the council fire.“Yes, I feel sure he will,” Dick replied. “I like his looks, and in nearly every case the word of an Indian, once given, is better than the bond of many white men.”“But you remember how that false guide deceived us in the desert, and ran away with one of our horses?” objected Roger.“There never was a rule that did not have an exception,” Roger was told. “Now and then you may find a red man who dishonors his word, but in the main they would sooner be torn to pieces than betray a trust. We shall see our horses when we come back this way, Roger, if we are so lucky as to be able to return.”“Then there was that news we had about those two white men who were seen by a Nez Perces hunter far down the river,” said Roger, uneasily. “They were in a canoe, and had evidently passed the village in the nighttime, unseen. At the time the Nez Perces saw them they were dickering with some of the Flat Heads, as though meaning to make allies of those fighters.”“It sounds as if we might be in for another lot of trouble, before we reach the end of our voyage,” admitted Dick.“Then you agree with me, Dick, that those two men must be our bitter foes, François Lascelles and Andrew Waller?”“Yes, I’m sorry to say they must be those men and no others. But, Roger, something seems to tell me that we may not be bothered much longer by their dark plotting. They are apt to overdo the matter, and perhaps be slain by the very power they set in motion to destroy us.”“You mean the fighting Flat Heads may turn on them, sooner or later; is that it, Dick?” asked Roger, eagerly.“That is a fate which has overtaken many such schemers,” came the answer. “Unscrupulousmen often start fires that, in the end, consume them. My father has told me that many a time. We have been preserved through all our adventures, and for one I can face the future without flinching. I do not believe it will be our fate to die at the hands of such rascals as those men are.”It was on the following day after this talk between the two chums that, all preparations having been completed, the little party embarked for the last lap of their long trip, which in the case of Captain Lewis meant from coast to coast.The friendly Nez Perces gave them a good send-off. There were even some whoops, and waving of hands, after the whites had pushed off from the shore.Perhaps of all the party Dick would be most missed. His numerous patients would mourn the absence of the “big medicine,” should there be a return of their maladies later on. Perhaps they feared that the Evil Spirit might venture to take double toll on account of the serious setback received during the presence in their midst of the “wonder doctor.”“And one thing sure,” Roger told his cousin, as they worked their paddles industriously tokeep ahead of the other boats, “you will have to get to work and make up a new stock of medicine after the manner you’ve seen your mother do it; for, when we come back this way in the spring, if we ever do, there’ll be a crop of ailments waiting for you to take care of.”Dick only laughed good-naturedly.“I was thinking about that myself,” he stated; “and I believe I could do it, provided we can find the same kind of herbs growing out here. But it certainly feels good to me to be in a boat again, after all that hard work riding a horse across a hot desert.”Roger felt the same way, for the boys were much more at home with a paddle in their hands than in the saddle. Brought up on the bank of the Missouri, they had early become adepts on and in the water, and they spent much of their time fishing, in order to supply the families with the food that was needed.That night they made camp on the bank of the Lewis. They were surrounded by the great trees that have since then made Oregon and Washington forests famous; and all this was so vastly different from their recent experiences amidst desert sands that it was no wonder every one’s spirits were buoyant.Of course the boys wanted to take a little turn around the camp before night set in, hoping to come across some game. This they could easily do because, at the time, they had nothing to do with getting supper ready, as it was not their turn to serve as cooks.Once again success came their way, for they succeeded in starting a buck, and, although it took a double shot to bring the fleet animal down, Dick proved equal to the occasion, after Roger’s bullet seemed to be wasted.This circumstance seemed to annoy the latter very much, for he was jealous of his well-earned reputation as a marksman. It did not surprise Dick, then, when the other’s first move upon reaching the fallen buck was to examine eagerly the quarry.“I thought it was queer if I missed him entirely,” declared Roger, with a ring of triumph in his voice; “you can see where my bullet passed through his body, but, as luck would have it, no vital part was touched. I’m glad you managed to finish him, Dick.”“Yes, so am I for several reasons,” remarked the other; “in the first place we need the meat. Then again, it would be too bad for him to run for miles and in the end drop, and that woundyou gave him would have proved fatal finally.”Of course the party rejoiced to see a supply of meat come in. They knew they could depend on the boys to procure it if there chanced to be any game in the vicinity; and when they heard the double shot more than one of the men licked his lips in full expectation of a treat.It is a good thing to have a reputation for accomplishing things, for there are times when it spurs the possessor on, in order that he may not lose caste with his admirers.Roger was not fully satisfied with the shooting of the buck. His fishing instinct had been aroused by the tales he had heard concerning the great finny prizes to be had in these rivers that ran down to the sea, and he longed to be able to capture his first prize in the shape of a salmon.So, immediately after supper, he got his line in readiness, and set it in hope of a strike. Many times during the evening he left the vicinity of the campfire, where the men were sitting at their ease and exchanging stories, to make an eager investigation of his line.Roger was, however, doomed to disappointment that night. Either the salmon did not run so far from the sea at this time of the year, or else his bait had not proven satisfactory. Intime, no doubt, he would learn better; or he could possibly find a chance to make use of the spear he had secured from a Nez Perces brave, and which was used for striking the great fish as they passed through some narrow estuary of the river, running between the rocks.

Itwas soon planned that a short stop should be made here, in order to recuperate to some extent after their recent strenuous experiences. A number of the men had become ill through long exposure to the burning sun, and the lack of proper food. Captain Lewis hoped to have them in good shape presently, so that they could start forth upon the last dash for the Pacific Coast.

Besides, the chief being absent, there was really no one of authority in the Nez Perces village with whom to deal; and just then the explorers wished to make a covenant, or bargain.

From now on they could make much better use of boats than of horses, and it was hoped to effect an arrangement with the Nez Perces chieftain to care for the animals they owned through the coming winter. Then, the adventurers hoped to borrow canoes and to finish the long journey by the water. When, in the spring,they returned that way, they could change back, and reward the friendly Indians for taking care of the horses, which would, of course, be needed again in crossing to the mountains.

Several pleasant days in September passed away, while the members of the expedition waxed hale and hearty again. They had plenty to eat, and even made out to secure an amount of food from the Indians to last them for some time ahead, in case game proved to be scarce.

No one anticipated such a thing, however, because from all reports they judged there was great hunting along the lower river that emptied into the sea; Then there was the multitude of splendid fishes, the flesh of which they were told resembled that of the mountain trout.

These the travelers had already classified as salmon, because Captain Lewis had seen that noble game fish caught in Maine and Canada, where it came in fresh from the ocean to spawn in the headwaters of the rivers.

Many were the stories the Nez Perces told, in their sign language mostly, about the Indians who frequented the lower reaches of this broad river, where the “shining fish” swarmed at times so that no man could count their number, which was like the grains of sand on the beach.

As near as the boys could make out these natives, from some peculiarity connected with their person, were known far and wide as the Flat Heads. They seemed to be of an exceedingly warlike disposition, and great hunters, as well as persistent fishermen.

Their method of taking the salmon was with a spear, and in the season an adept could daily throw up on the bank a glittering pile of the big fish calculated, when dried after a manner in vogue among them, to last his lodge all winter.

Many were the interesting things the boys learned when they found a means of talking with the peaceful Nez Perces. The days passed almost too quickly for even Roger, impatient as he was to set eyes on the goal of their hopes.

And, just as had been anticipated, the fame of Dick as a “big medicine” spread through all the skin lodges of the tribe. People even came from other settlements to consult the “wonder boy,” who could chase the evil spirits out of a suffering body by simply sending down a pill to wrestle with the monster.

Dick had his hands full, much to the amusement of his cousin. He did not shirk his duty, though careful not to utterly exhaust his preciousstore of drugs, compounded for the most part by his mother’s own hands.

The head chief finally returned, and with him the band of warriors who had been on the grand hunt. They brought back with them a large store of fresh meat, which the squaws immediately set to work to dry after their crude fashion, thus converting it into “pemmican,” black, tough stuff which made the boys shudder to look at, but which could sustain the human frame wonderfully.

Success having attended the annual hunt, the chief was in a particularly good humor. He felt that the coming of these “palefaces” must have had something to do with the bountiful supply of game he and his warriors had come across.

Besides, the whites intended going down into the country of the dreaded Flat Heads, and their influence might be exerted to make peace between those Indians and the Nez Perces. So a feast was spread, at which all of the whites had the pleasure of tasting baked dog, which they agreed was fair eating, though none of them came back for a second helping.

The chief readily entered into a covenant whereby, for a certain consideration, he agreedto care for the horses of the whites until they came up the river in the spring, upon which the animals were to be returned to their owners.

Besides this, canoes were loaned to the “palefaces,” boats made of skin, and a little insecure, but nevertheless serviceable for the purposes of the explorers.

“Do you think the chief will keep his word about the horses, Dick?” asked Roger, after they had heard of the arrangement between the two captains and the head men of the tribe, after passing the pipe solemnly around the circle at the council fire.

“Yes, I feel sure he will,” Dick replied. “I like his looks, and in nearly every case the word of an Indian, once given, is better than the bond of many white men.”

“But you remember how that false guide deceived us in the desert, and ran away with one of our horses?” objected Roger.

“There never was a rule that did not have an exception,” Roger was told. “Now and then you may find a red man who dishonors his word, but in the main they would sooner be torn to pieces than betray a trust. We shall see our horses when we come back this way, Roger, if we are so lucky as to be able to return.”

“Then there was that news we had about those two white men who were seen by a Nez Perces hunter far down the river,” said Roger, uneasily. “They were in a canoe, and had evidently passed the village in the nighttime, unseen. At the time the Nez Perces saw them they were dickering with some of the Flat Heads, as though meaning to make allies of those fighters.”

“It sounds as if we might be in for another lot of trouble, before we reach the end of our voyage,” admitted Dick.

“Then you agree with me, Dick, that those two men must be our bitter foes, François Lascelles and Andrew Waller?”

“Yes, I’m sorry to say they must be those men and no others. But, Roger, something seems to tell me that we may not be bothered much longer by their dark plotting. They are apt to overdo the matter, and perhaps be slain by the very power they set in motion to destroy us.”

“You mean the fighting Flat Heads may turn on them, sooner or later; is that it, Dick?” asked Roger, eagerly.

“That is a fate which has overtaken many such schemers,” came the answer. “Unscrupulousmen often start fires that, in the end, consume them. My father has told me that many a time. We have been preserved through all our adventures, and for one I can face the future without flinching. I do not believe it will be our fate to die at the hands of such rascals as those men are.”

It was on the following day after this talk between the two chums that, all preparations having been completed, the little party embarked for the last lap of their long trip, which in the case of Captain Lewis meant from coast to coast.

The friendly Nez Perces gave them a good send-off. There were even some whoops, and waving of hands, after the whites had pushed off from the shore.

Perhaps of all the party Dick would be most missed. His numerous patients would mourn the absence of the “big medicine,” should there be a return of their maladies later on. Perhaps they feared that the Evil Spirit might venture to take double toll on account of the serious setback received during the presence in their midst of the “wonder doctor.”

“And one thing sure,” Roger told his cousin, as they worked their paddles industriously tokeep ahead of the other boats, “you will have to get to work and make up a new stock of medicine after the manner you’ve seen your mother do it; for, when we come back this way in the spring, if we ever do, there’ll be a crop of ailments waiting for you to take care of.”

Dick only laughed good-naturedly.

“I was thinking about that myself,” he stated; “and I believe I could do it, provided we can find the same kind of herbs growing out here. But it certainly feels good to me to be in a boat again, after all that hard work riding a horse across a hot desert.”

Roger felt the same way, for the boys were much more at home with a paddle in their hands than in the saddle. Brought up on the bank of the Missouri, they had early become adepts on and in the water, and they spent much of their time fishing, in order to supply the families with the food that was needed.

That night they made camp on the bank of the Lewis. They were surrounded by the great trees that have since then made Oregon and Washington forests famous; and all this was so vastly different from their recent experiences amidst desert sands that it was no wonder every one’s spirits were buoyant.

Of course the boys wanted to take a little turn around the camp before night set in, hoping to come across some game. This they could easily do because, at the time, they had nothing to do with getting supper ready, as it was not their turn to serve as cooks.

Once again success came their way, for they succeeded in starting a buck, and, although it took a double shot to bring the fleet animal down, Dick proved equal to the occasion, after Roger’s bullet seemed to be wasted.

This circumstance seemed to annoy the latter very much, for he was jealous of his well-earned reputation as a marksman. It did not surprise Dick, then, when the other’s first move upon reaching the fallen buck was to examine eagerly the quarry.

“I thought it was queer if I missed him entirely,” declared Roger, with a ring of triumph in his voice; “you can see where my bullet passed through his body, but, as luck would have it, no vital part was touched. I’m glad you managed to finish him, Dick.”

“Yes, so am I for several reasons,” remarked the other; “in the first place we need the meat. Then again, it would be too bad for him to run for miles and in the end drop, and that woundyou gave him would have proved fatal finally.”

Of course the party rejoiced to see a supply of meat come in. They knew they could depend on the boys to procure it if there chanced to be any game in the vicinity; and when they heard the double shot more than one of the men licked his lips in full expectation of a treat.

It is a good thing to have a reputation for accomplishing things, for there are times when it spurs the possessor on, in order that he may not lose caste with his admirers.

Roger was not fully satisfied with the shooting of the buck. His fishing instinct had been aroused by the tales he had heard concerning the great finny prizes to be had in these rivers that ran down to the sea, and he longed to be able to capture his first prize in the shape of a salmon.

So, immediately after supper, he got his line in readiness, and set it in hope of a strike. Many times during the evening he left the vicinity of the campfire, where the men were sitting at their ease and exchanging stories, to make an eager investigation of his line.

Roger was, however, doomed to disappointment that night. Either the salmon did not run so far from the sea at this time of the year, or else his bait had not proven satisfactory. Intime, no doubt, he would learn better; or he could possibly find a chance to make use of the spear he had secured from a Nez Perces brave, and which was used for striking the great fish as they passed through some narrow estuary of the river, running between the rocks.

CHAPTER XXVIIIAT THE FALLS OF THE COLUMBIA“I hopeyou don’t think I’m discouraged, Dick, because so far no fish has come near my hook?” remarked Roger, when the time came to wrap their blankets around them and seek rest.“Oh! I know you too well to believe that,” replied the other. “From now on I expect to see you doing your best to land a prize. Sooner or later success is bound to come, Roger.”“I know it,” was the confident way the other spoke; “because I’ve always made it my business to stick to the old motto, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ And even if the fish refuse to look at my bait I’ve got that spear, you remember. One of these days I’ll find a chance to launch it, and bring up a salmon worth looking at.”Dick always liked to hear Roger talk that way. It was his constancy that in the past had won him many a battle; for Roger had a stubbornstreak in his nature and would come back again and again to make new attempts. As the water by everlasting dripping will wear away a stone, so this “never-say-die” spirit often won out in the end.Nothing disturbed the slumbers of the travelers during that first night upon the bank of the Lewis River. They started again early in the morning, for, now that the end of their journey was almost in sight, a fever began to possess them to cover the ground as rapidly as possible.New sights opened up to their gaze with every mile of progress made. The paddles dipped into the clear water, and the sunlight, falling on the drops dripping from the blades, made each one resemble a glittering diamond.After their life spent on the muddy Missouri it was a great pleasure to Dick and Roger to find themselves upon a stream where they could in places look down for many feet, and see the stones on the bottom, so transparent was the water.As they floated along, waiting for the others to catch up with them, the boys’ favorite amusement was to lie still, and, looking over the gunnel of their hide canoe, watch the small fishes darting to and fro; or thrust a paddle at someclumsy turtle that had come up to see what sort of object this floating log could be.It was not always as pleasant as this, however, for one day they had a downpour of rain that caused them to make hurriedly for the shore, and get their tents up with as little delay as possible.The storm continued all of the following day, and an unusual amount of rain for that time of year descended. After that the water was not so clear as before, the boys noticed. There were also places where they discovered landslides had occurred, sections of the bank having slipped into the rising river.“It’s a good thing we picked out a camp site where the ground was firm,” Roger observed, as they passed such a slide on the next day, and saw what a terrible thing it had been.Dick was ready to agree with what his companion said. He shrugged his broad shoulders and shook his head.“It would have proved a bad job for us, I take it, Roger, if we had been camping on this spot. Think of having the ground slip from under you while you sleep; and of awaking to find yourself struggling in the river. Yes, we were lucky to be on firm ground while the rain lasted.”“The days keep passing along,” mused Roger, “and so far I haven’t been able to take a single salmon. And only this morning I’m sure I saw one jump out of the water after some sort of insect. If only I knew what kind of fly it was I might be able to coax one of the big fish to come to time.”“It is near the end of October, too,” Dick remarked, “and any day now Captain Lewis says he expects that we must reach the lower river.”“And, after that, all we have to do is to let the swift current carry us along to the sea; eh, Dick?”“Our only remaining danger will come from the Flat Head Indians who live along the banks of the broad river. Then we must remember, you know, Roger, that there is a great fall somewhere below us. The Nez Perces Indians told us they make a noise like thunder when the water is high, as it is after so much rain.”“Of course we must keep on the watch for the fall, Dick; I give you my word for it, I have no desire to be carried over the brink in one of these frail little hide canoes. It would be smashed on the rocks below, and, as for us, we might not know what had happened.”“Just watch that fish hawk hovering over thatplace in the river, meaning to snatch up his dinner when he gets ready. There’s the champion fisher for you, Roger. If that bird could only talk he could tell you all about the habits of these wary salmon that so far you haven’t succeeded in catching.”“There he goes!” cried Roger, excitedly. “Oh! what a splash he made! And, Dick, look at him trying to get up again! It’s all he can do to rise, beating his wings like a crazy thing. See the fish the fellow has fastened his claws on, Dick. There goes a salmon, I do believe, the very first we’ve seen!”The big fish hawk was indeed having a hard battle trying to fly with such a large fish in its talons. It fluttered its wings, and still could not manage to get more than twenty feet above the water.As it turned toward the bank, doubtless meaning that, if compelled to release its hold on the glittering prize, the fish should fall upon land where it could be eaten at leisure, Roger gave vent to another exclamation.“When it gets off the river I’m going to shout, and see if I can frighten the hawk into letting that fish drop,” he observed, eagerly.“I’ll join with you, then,” agreed his chum.A few seconds later, Roger made a signal with his paddle at which both of them gave forth a startling yell. Surely enough, the sudden discordant sound startled the fish hawk, and it immediately let its prize go.“There, it landed on the bank!” cried Roger. “Quick! let’s paddle ashore before it flops back into the river again. Oh! my first salmon seems to be coming to me from the air after all!”Reaching the bank, Roger sprang ashore, and presently came back, carrying his capture by inserting a finger in the gill. It was indeed a salmon, though only of a comparatively few pounds weight, and nothing compared to myriads they were fated to see later on.“Enough to make a supper for both the captains, and ourselves in the bargain!” explained the triumphant Roger. “And I want to say that never before did I pull in a fish from the air. That’s a new way of doing it, Dick. I’ll never see an industrious fish hawk after this but that I’ll think of what happened to-day.”“If you hadn’t secured the fish some robber eagle might,” declared Dick. “Many a time have I sat and watched one of those bald-headed pirates, perched on a dead limb of a tree, toolazy to pounce down and get a dinner for himself, and only waiting until a hawk flew off with its prize, when, after the other bird, would start the eagle, and ten times out of eleven he was bound to play the robber game.”“Yes,” added Roger, “I’ve seen the poor hawk mount high in the air, trying to escape; but with the eagle in hot pursuit. In the end the fish would drop, and the eagle follow after it, snatching his dinner from the air long before it could strike the earth; just as I can let a stone fall, and then overtake it with my hand before it lands.”It was on the second day after this incident that the boys, who were ahead of the others, were heard giving glad yells. The secret of all this joy was soon made manifest, for they had really arrived at the junction of the Lewis with the Columbia, as they immediately called the majestic stream that, with a swift current, ran to the west, and flowed out into the sea.All their hopes, so long delayed, seemed now on the eve of realization; and there were no despondent hearts in the camp when night again found them.It was with satisfaction that they looked out upon the noble stream, in the belief that the confidencewhich President Jefferson had felt in their ability to overcome all difficulties on the road had now been justified.It was just a day afterward that Roger found a chance to strike his first salmon with the Indian spear. He and Dick had gone ashore at a likely-looking spot where a small tributary entered the river. The character of the ground emboldened Roger to believe he might run across some of the places such as the Indians loved to frequent when fishing after their peculiar style.He found that he could creep along and look down upon the water five or six feet below, where the shadows were dense, and the passage of a silvery salmon would seem like a ray of sunlight.Here the boy waited, crouching silently, just as he imagined the expert Indian fish-spearers were wont to hang. And presently Dick, who was watching close by, saw him make a furious jab with his spear. Following this, Roger struggled desperately, and then dragged up a magnificent fish, floundering at the end of the spear.This he repeated twice more, when they had enough for the whole party. That was certainlya red letter day in the life of Roger, and one he was not likely soon to forget.More days passed, and they were constantly descending the majestic river, now unusually high on account of the recent heavy rains. Twice they were compelled to cut short their day’s trip in order to seek shelter from a downpour; and, after such a recent experience of the dry and arid strip of country stretching out toward the foot of the Rocky Mountains, they hardly knew what to make of such weather.There came a day when, ahead of them, they heard a dull sound that thrilled every heart. The falls of the Columbia must be at hand, where they would be compelled to make a portage with the canoes and their cargoes.Roger would have liked to strike out and be the first to get within seeing distance of this natural wonder, but Dick curbed his impatience.“Better hold back and keep near the rest,” he advised. “We none of us know anything about the falls, and from the Indians we’ve heard they are very dangerous. They even claim that a bad spirit is chained under the water, and always ready to overturn the canoe of any venturesome brave who ventures too near.”The current was becoming furiously swift, and Captain Lewis, like the wise leader he was, advised that all the boats make for the shore. It required considerable sturdy work to effect this, for they had already gone further down than discretion fully warranted.All would have gone well except for an unfortunate accident. The paddle which Roger was using had been cracked a little recently; indeed he had just that morning discovered the flaw, and declared he must lose no time in making a new one.When Roger worked he did it with all his vim and energy; consequently there was a greater strain on his paddle than would have been the case had Dick, for instance, been handling it.Feeling the savage pull of the fierce current the boy even put a little extra strength into his labor, which was a hazardous thing to do, considering the circumstances.Dick, methodically handling his own blade, was suddenly thrilled to hear his comrade give vent to a cry of dismay. As he looked up he saw Roger holding the fragment of a paddle in his hands. The treacherous blade had broken just at the most critical time possible. They were held fast in the grip of a current whichDick, with his single paddle, could never succeed in combatting; and just below them the roar of the falls sounded, while they could see the foam-capped waves, that announced the beginning of the rapids, just ahead of their drifting canoe!

“I hopeyou don’t think I’m discouraged, Dick, because so far no fish has come near my hook?” remarked Roger, when the time came to wrap their blankets around them and seek rest.

“Oh! I know you too well to believe that,” replied the other. “From now on I expect to see you doing your best to land a prize. Sooner or later success is bound to come, Roger.”

“I know it,” was the confident way the other spoke; “because I’ve always made it my business to stick to the old motto, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ And even if the fish refuse to look at my bait I’ve got that spear, you remember. One of these days I’ll find a chance to launch it, and bring up a salmon worth looking at.”

Dick always liked to hear Roger talk that way. It was his constancy that in the past had won him many a battle; for Roger had a stubbornstreak in his nature and would come back again and again to make new attempts. As the water by everlasting dripping will wear away a stone, so this “never-say-die” spirit often won out in the end.

Nothing disturbed the slumbers of the travelers during that first night upon the bank of the Lewis River. They started again early in the morning, for, now that the end of their journey was almost in sight, a fever began to possess them to cover the ground as rapidly as possible.

New sights opened up to their gaze with every mile of progress made. The paddles dipped into the clear water, and the sunlight, falling on the drops dripping from the blades, made each one resemble a glittering diamond.

After their life spent on the muddy Missouri it was a great pleasure to Dick and Roger to find themselves upon a stream where they could in places look down for many feet, and see the stones on the bottom, so transparent was the water.

As they floated along, waiting for the others to catch up with them, the boys’ favorite amusement was to lie still, and, looking over the gunnel of their hide canoe, watch the small fishes darting to and fro; or thrust a paddle at someclumsy turtle that had come up to see what sort of object this floating log could be.

It was not always as pleasant as this, however, for one day they had a downpour of rain that caused them to make hurriedly for the shore, and get their tents up with as little delay as possible.

The storm continued all of the following day, and an unusual amount of rain for that time of year descended. After that the water was not so clear as before, the boys noticed. There were also places where they discovered landslides had occurred, sections of the bank having slipped into the rising river.

“It’s a good thing we picked out a camp site where the ground was firm,” Roger observed, as they passed such a slide on the next day, and saw what a terrible thing it had been.

Dick was ready to agree with what his companion said. He shrugged his broad shoulders and shook his head.

“It would have proved a bad job for us, I take it, Roger, if we had been camping on this spot. Think of having the ground slip from under you while you sleep; and of awaking to find yourself struggling in the river. Yes, we were lucky to be on firm ground while the rain lasted.”

“The days keep passing along,” mused Roger, “and so far I haven’t been able to take a single salmon. And only this morning I’m sure I saw one jump out of the water after some sort of insect. If only I knew what kind of fly it was I might be able to coax one of the big fish to come to time.”

“It is near the end of October, too,” Dick remarked, “and any day now Captain Lewis says he expects that we must reach the lower river.”

“And, after that, all we have to do is to let the swift current carry us along to the sea; eh, Dick?”

“Our only remaining danger will come from the Flat Head Indians who live along the banks of the broad river. Then we must remember, you know, Roger, that there is a great fall somewhere below us. The Nez Perces Indians told us they make a noise like thunder when the water is high, as it is after so much rain.”

“Of course we must keep on the watch for the fall, Dick; I give you my word for it, I have no desire to be carried over the brink in one of these frail little hide canoes. It would be smashed on the rocks below, and, as for us, we might not know what had happened.”

“Just watch that fish hawk hovering over thatplace in the river, meaning to snatch up his dinner when he gets ready. There’s the champion fisher for you, Roger. If that bird could only talk he could tell you all about the habits of these wary salmon that so far you haven’t succeeded in catching.”

“There he goes!” cried Roger, excitedly. “Oh! what a splash he made! And, Dick, look at him trying to get up again! It’s all he can do to rise, beating his wings like a crazy thing. See the fish the fellow has fastened his claws on, Dick. There goes a salmon, I do believe, the very first we’ve seen!”

The big fish hawk was indeed having a hard battle trying to fly with such a large fish in its talons. It fluttered its wings, and still could not manage to get more than twenty feet above the water.

As it turned toward the bank, doubtless meaning that, if compelled to release its hold on the glittering prize, the fish should fall upon land where it could be eaten at leisure, Roger gave vent to another exclamation.

“When it gets off the river I’m going to shout, and see if I can frighten the hawk into letting that fish drop,” he observed, eagerly.

“I’ll join with you, then,” agreed his chum.

A few seconds later, Roger made a signal with his paddle at which both of them gave forth a startling yell. Surely enough, the sudden discordant sound startled the fish hawk, and it immediately let its prize go.

“There, it landed on the bank!” cried Roger. “Quick! let’s paddle ashore before it flops back into the river again. Oh! my first salmon seems to be coming to me from the air after all!”

Reaching the bank, Roger sprang ashore, and presently came back, carrying his capture by inserting a finger in the gill. It was indeed a salmon, though only of a comparatively few pounds weight, and nothing compared to myriads they were fated to see later on.

“Enough to make a supper for both the captains, and ourselves in the bargain!” explained the triumphant Roger. “And I want to say that never before did I pull in a fish from the air. That’s a new way of doing it, Dick. I’ll never see an industrious fish hawk after this but that I’ll think of what happened to-day.”

“If you hadn’t secured the fish some robber eagle might,” declared Dick. “Many a time have I sat and watched one of those bald-headed pirates, perched on a dead limb of a tree, toolazy to pounce down and get a dinner for himself, and only waiting until a hawk flew off with its prize, when, after the other bird, would start the eagle, and ten times out of eleven he was bound to play the robber game.”

“Yes,” added Roger, “I’ve seen the poor hawk mount high in the air, trying to escape; but with the eagle in hot pursuit. In the end the fish would drop, and the eagle follow after it, snatching his dinner from the air long before it could strike the earth; just as I can let a stone fall, and then overtake it with my hand before it lands.”

It was on the second day after this incident that the boys, who were ahead of the others, were heard giving glad yells. The secret of all this joy was soon made manifest, for they had really arrived at the junction of the Lewis with the Columbia, as they immediately called the majestic stream that, with a swift current, ran to the west, and flowed out into the sea.

All their hopes, so long delayed, seemed now on the eve of realization; and there were no despondent hearts in the camp when night again found them.

It was with satisfaction that they looked out upon the noble stream, in the belief that the confidencewhich President Jefferson had felt in their ability to overcome all difficulties on the road had now been justified.

It was just a day afterward that Roger found a chance to strike his first salmon with the Indian spear. He and Dick had gone ashore at a likely-looking spot where a small tributary entered the river. The character of the ground emboldened Roger to believe he might run across some of the places such as the Indians loved to frequent when fishing after their peculiar style.

He found that he could creep along and look down upon the water five or six feet below, where the shadows were dense, and the passage of a silvery salmon would seem like a ray of sunlight.

Here the boy waited, crouching silently, just as he imagined the expert Indian fish-spearers were wont to hang. And presently Dick, who was watching close by, saw him make a furious jab with his spear. Following this, Roger struggled desperately, and then dragged up a magnificent fish, floundering at the end of the spear.

This he repeated twice more, when they had enough for the whole party. That was certainlya red letter day in the life of Roger, and one he was not likely soon to forget.

More days passed, and they were constantly descending the majestic river, now unusually high on account of the recent heavy rains. Twice they were compelled to cut short their day’s trip in order to seek shelter from a downpour; and, after such a recent experience of the dry and arid strip of country stretching out toward the foot of the Rocky Mountains, they hardly knew what to make of such weather.

There came a day when, ahead of them, they heard a dull sound that thrilled every heart. The falls of the Columbia must be at hand, where they would be compelled to make a portage with the canoes and their cargoes.

Roger would have liked to strike out and be the first to get within seeing distance of this natural wonder, but Dick curbed his impatience.

“Better hold back and keep near the rest,” he advised. “We none of us know anything about the falls, and from the Indians we’ve heard they are very dangerous. They even claim that a bad spirit is chained under the water, and always ready to overturn the canoe of any venturesome brave who ventures too near.”

The current was becoming furiously swift, and Captain Lewis, like the wise leader he was, advised that all the boats make for the shore. It required considerable sturdy work to effect this, for they had already gone further down than discretion fully warranted.

All would have gone well except for an unfortunate accident. The paddle which Roger was using had been cracked a little recently; indeed he had just that morning discovered the flaw, and declared he must lose no time in making a new one.

When Roger worked he did it with all his vim and energy; consequently there was a greater strain on his paddle than would have been the case had Dick, for instance, been handling it.

Feeling the savage pull of the fierce current the boy even put a little extra strength into his labor, which was a hazardous thing to do, considering the circumstances.

Dick, methodically handling his own blade, was suddenly thrilled to hear his comrade give vent to a cry of dismay. As he looked up he saw Roger holding the fragment of a paddle in his hands. The treacherous blade had broken just at the most critical time possible. They were held fast in the grip of a current whichDick, with his single paddle, could never succeed in combatting; and just below them the roar of the falls sounded, while they could see the foam-capped waves, that announced the beginning of the rapids, just ahead of their drifting canoe!

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