McLellan could not withstand the temptation.
“By George,” cried he, “I’ll be with you. I’ll begin a new life and see if I cannot have better success than here upon the Missouri.”
Throwing away all of his worldly possessions, except his trusty rifle, the unfortunate trader joined the expedition.
“I am determined to begin the world anew,” he wrote to his brother. “And I trust that there will be no Spanish traders in the country to which we are going.”
His hopes were in vain, for they heard that Manuel Lisa was on the way to impede their progress and would use every effort to pass them by and prevent them from gaining any trade benefits with the Indians above. Sure enough, an emissary soon appeared from the crafty Spaniard, holding a message in his hand.
“If you wait for my party,” it ran, “we can enter this territory together and share the trade. This will be better for all concerned.”
“Don’t give in to him,” cried McLellan, when he heard this message. “The lying Spaniard can’t tell the truth if he tries to, and cannot be honest if he wishes. He’ll trick you after he has made you believe that he is your friend.”
“I believe that you’re right,” Hunt answered. “I’ll send him no definite reply.”
So he returned a missive which did not commit him to any particular course of procedure.