Lost with Lieutenant Pike / How from the Pawnee Village the boy named Scar Head marched with the young American Chief clear into the Snowy Mountains; how in the dead of winter they searched for the Lost River and thought that they had found it; and how the Spanish Soldiery came upon them and took them down to Santa Fé of New Mexico, where another surprise awaited them

by Edwin L. Sabin

“Señor, the Governor of New Mexico, being informed that you have missed your route, has ordered me to offer you in his name mules, horses, money, or whatever you may need, for the purpose of conducting you to the head of the Red River. From Santa Fe that is eight days’ journey, before open to navigation. We have guides and know the routes.”

“What! Missed my route, sir? Is not this the Red River?”

“No, señor. This is the Rio Grande del Norte, of New Mexico. The Red River is many leagues to the southeast.”

The lieutenant flushed red. His thin hands clinched, and he gazed bewildered.

“Impossible. Why was I not told this by those two men ten days ago, and I would have withdrawn?”

The officer twirled his moustache and shrugged his shoulders.

“Quien sabe (Who knows), Señor Don Lieutenant? But I now have the honor to inform you, and am at your service.”

The lieutenant recovered, and stepped outside a few paces.

“Stout!”