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 thing. "And we'll tell the Otoes to forward him on down to St. Louis. You think they'd do it, do you?"

Captain Lewis tapped uneasily with his foot.

"Oh, pshaw, Will," he said. "We can't stop and waste this fine breeze, even to send back a boy. When we land for dinner will be the proper time. We may meet some traders, bound down, and he can be started back with them, to St. Louis. Meanwhile Gass and Shannon must take care of him."

"He can be sent down river with the first party that take back the dispatches," proffered Captain Clark.

Patrick Gass came clumping up the deck and again saluted.

"Sergeant Floyd wishes might he speak with Cap'n Clark, sorrs."

"How is he, Pat?"

"Turrible weak, sorr, but the pain be not so bad."

"Go ahead, Will," bade Captain Lewis. "You enlisted him. He knows you better. If I can do anything, call me."

The Red Hair Chief hastened away. The Long Knife Chief spoke to Patrick Gass.

"You'll take charge of Peter until we send him back, Patrick. Draw on the commissary for such clothes as he needs. We can't have him running around naked, this way, if he's white."

"Yis, sorr," replied Patrick Gass. "Come, Peter, lad; come with your cousin Pat, an' we'll make your outside as white as your inside."