Page:Hugh Pendexter--Kings of the Missouri.djvu/155



IM BRIDGER walked over to a small tent back of the cook-tent, pushed aside the flaps and said:

"You can come out now. Boat's gone."

The tent was seemingly filled with supplies. A barrel, empty, moved aside and from a little pen within the barricade emerged Lander and Papa Clair. "Where's Tilton?" asked Papa.

"He and his men have started down the river in two twenty-foot dugouts. Had all I could do to keep the boys from mounting 'em. At that Long Simons heaved Tilton into the river. We shall start as soon as the keelboat is under way."

Greeted by friendly grins and much coarse humor Lander and his old friend walked to the river bank, where some thirty men were ready to start the keelboat on its long trip. Etienne