The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1917-04-19

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lions now unborn. Had General Bona
parte known the value OF that land he
would have fought the world rather
than ALLEVIATE such region"
The president tapped long forehn'
ger ON the map.
This. then" he went ON, SIS your
country. Find il ont-bring back Ia
me examples OF its soil. its products. its
vegetable and animal life. Espy out
especially for us any strange animals
there may be OF which science has not
yet account hold 1t probable that
there may he yonder living examples OF
the mastOdOn. whose bones we have
found in Kentucky. You yourself may
see those enormous creatures yet alive"
Meriwether Lewis listened In silence.
Mr.. Jefferson turned TO another branch
OF his theme.
II fancy that some time there viii be
a canal built across the isthmus that
binds this continent to the one below
a canal which shall connect the two
great oceans. But that Is far in the
future. 1t is for you to spy out the
way now across the country itself. Ex-
plore it-discover tit Is our new
world.
"A few must think for the many" he
went ON. Il had to smuggle this APP
preparation through congress s., 900
the price Of a poor Virginia farml I
have tempered with the constitution IT.
self In order to make this purchase OF
a country not included In our original
territorial lines. / have taken my own
chanees-just as you must take yours
now. The finger OF God will be your
guide and your protector. Are you
ready, Captain Lewis2 II Is late"
Indeed. the sun was rising over
Washington; the mists OF morning
were reeking along the banks OF the
Potomac.
Il can start In half an hour" re-
piled Meriwether Lewis
Are your men ready. your supplies
gathered tOgetherY
The rendezvous Is at Harpers Fer
~. up the river. The wagons with the
supplies are ready there. / win take
boat from here myself with a few Of
the men. Not later than tomorrow
afternoon Ispromise that we win be
on our. way. We burn the bridges be-
hind us and cross none until we come
to them"
spoken like a soIdIerl It Is In your
hands. Co then"
There was one look, one hand clasp.
The two men parted Nor did they
meet again for years.
The sun stfll was young when Meri-
wether Lewis at length descended the
steps Of the executive mansion
He was clad now for his journey.
not in buckskin hunting garb. but with
regard for the conventions Of a eoun-
try by no means free OF convention
His jacket was OF close wool. belteds
his boots were high and suitable for
riding. His stock. snowy whlte-for
always Nleriwether Lewis was immac-
ulate-rose high around his throat In
spite OF the hot summer season. and
his hands were glOved. He seemed
soldier. leader. officer and gentlemen.
No retinue. however. attended him;
no servant was at his side. He went
afoot and carried with him his most
precious Iuggage-the long rife which
he never intrusted to any hands save
his own. Close wrapped around the
stock. on the crook Of his arm and not
yet slung over his shoulder. was a
soiled buckskin pouch. which went al
ways with-the rife. the possible sack"
OF the wilderness hunter OF that time. /
Il contained his bullets. bullet molds, I
aints, bar or two Of lead. some tin
der for printing. a set OF avis
Such was the leader Of one OF the
great expeditions Of the world.
Meriwether Lewis had few goodbys 4
TO say. He had written but one letter,
to his mother. late the previous even
ing. Il was worded thus:
The day after tomorrow I shall net cut
for the western country. I had calcuat-
ed on the pleasure Of visiting you before
I started. but circumstances have render
ID Il impossible. Ny absence will probably
be equal 10 fifteen or eighteen months
The nature OF this expedition Il By no
means dangerous My route VIII be alto
Eether through tribes Of Indians friendly
% che United States: therefore I consider
The chances Of life Just as much IN my
layor as should conceive them were to
remain at home. The charge Of this expe-
iition Is honorable 20 myself a. II Is I'M
)ortant TO my country.
For its fatigues feel myself perfectly
prepared, nor do I doubt my health and
strength Of constitution TO bear me
through t. 1 60 with The most perfect
,reconvIction In my own mind Of return
ng safe and hope. therefore. that you
VII not suffer yourself 70 Indulge In any
Inxiety for my safety.
! win write again on my arrival az Pitts
'urgh. Adieu, and believe me your affec-
lonate son.
No regrets. no weak reflections, for
tis man with a warriors weapon on
Is arm. where no other burden might :
q I'm all bis years. His we're 10 be
he comforts Of the trail. the rude as
Ociations With common men. the ter
ors OF the desert and the mountain.
Is Preside only that Of the camp.
ct he advanced 10 bis future steadily.
Is head high. bis eye on ahead-a
Dlendid figure Of a man.
He did not at FIRST hear the gallop
{ hoofs on the street behind him
5 at last. mile or more from tho