The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-05-09
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Guests Of a Nation.

-
al The company OF Volunteers
HA For the Discovery of the
- West fell into line In front of
the stone fortress of old st. Louis. A
motley crew they looked in their half
savage garb. They were veterans, fit
for any difficult undertaking in the
wilderness.
Their leaders had laid aside the cos
tune of the frontier and assumed the
uniforms of officers in the army of the
United States. Fresh from his barber
and his tailor, Captain Lewis stood,
tall, clean limbed, immaculate, facing
his men. His beard was gone His
face showed paler where it had been
reaped. His hair, grown quite long
and done now in formal cue, hung low
upon his shoulders-in every line
bred.
Men," said he, you are to be mus
tered out today. There will be given
to each of you certificate Of service
IN this expedition. 1t will entitle you
to 800 acres Of land, to be selected
where you like west Of the Mississippi
river You will have double pay In
gold as well. But it is not only thus
that we seek to show appreciation Of
tour services. In our reports to our
own superior officers we shall have no
words save those of praise for any Of
you. Our expedition has succeeded.
To that success you have all contrib
uted. Your officers thank you.
Captain Clark will give you your
last command, men. AS 1 say fare
well to you 1 trust 1 may not be taken
to mean that 1 separate myself from
you in my thoughts or memories. II
can ever be of service to any of you
you will call upon me freely
He turned and stepped aside. His
place was taken by hts associate, Will
liam Clark, likewise soldier, an off,
of a proper man. Clark's voice rang
sharp and clear.
Attention! Aim! Fire! Break
ranks! March,
The last volley Of the gallant little
company was fred. The last order
had been given and received With a
sweep of his drawn sword Captain
Clark dismissed them The expedition
was done.
So now they went their way, most
of them into oblivion, great though
their services had been. For their OFF,
GERS much more remained to do.
The progress to Washington was a
triumph. Everywhere their admiring
countrymen' were excited over their
marvellous journey. They were feted
and honored at every turn.
When at last they finished their
| adieus to the kindly folk of ST. Louis,
! who scarce would let them go, they
| took boat across the river to the old
Kaskasia trail and crossed the Illinois
i country by horse to the Falls of the
Ohio, whe-e the family of William
| Clark ava. tied him, Here was much
holiday, be sure. but not even here did
they pause long, for they must be OF
their way to meet their chief at Wash
/ ington.
Their little cavalcade, growing large.
now, passed On across Kentucky, oyel
I the gap in the CumberlanIs, down into
the country Of the Virginia gentry
Here again they were feted and dinei
and wined so long as they would tarry
Toward none Of the fair maids WHIT
now focked about them could Meri
wether Lewis be more than smiling
gallant, though rumors ran that eithe
he or William Clark might well nigl
take his pick. He was alike to all o
! them.
One thought of eager and unalloyed
joy rested with him. He was soon tt
see his mother. In time he rode dow