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 was to go as master, or "patron," and as the position included the responsibilities of steersman he was now standing on top of the long cargo box with his men grouped in the bow. For the first of the trip there would be no cordelling, as several bars were to be crossed at this stretch of the river and poles could be used. Prevost waved his hand to the two new recruits and called out:

"Change your minds. Leave the mule outfit and go with me, Etienne Clair and young man. I have been sick from laughing ever since the cap'n of the Golden Queen told me how the sentry bawled out 'Deer on the starboard bow,' and they sent off the skiff to find that rascal of a Pinaud hanging from a tree. There is room for you two if you will come."

"You make me very happy with your kind words, Etienne Prevost, but I will have none of the river," replied Papa Clair.

"An' you'll git me mad, Prevost, if you try to steal my men. I need 'em," warned Bridger.

Prevost smiled and called to his crew. The men separated into two groups, each man picking up a long pole with a knob on the end. Men on the bank pushed the long craft off until its nose caught the current.