Opening the West With Lewis and Clark / By Boat, Horse and Foot Up the Great River Missouri, Across the Stony Mountains and on to the Pacific, When in the Years 1804, 1805, 1806, Young Captain Lewis, the Long Knife, and His Friend Captain Clark, the Red Head Chief, Aided by Sacajawea, the Birdwoman, Conducted Their Little Band of Men Tried and True Through the Unknown New United States

by Edwin L. Sabin

“Hooray!” cheered Patrick Gass. “Buff’lo, does he say?”

Suddenly, through the thin air drifted a distant medley of shrill shouts, across the river.

“Listen!” bade Cruzatte. “Dey hunt boof’lo! De boof’lo haf come out on de prairie!”

The uproar increased. Sha-ha-ka had disappeared in headquarters; but out burst York, and Chaboneau, and Jessaume, armed and running for horses. Out issued Captain Clark and Sha-ha-ka, followed by Captain Lewis. Baptiste Lepage, a new interpreter, yelled in French to Jessaume, and Jessaume excitedly answered.

“Gran’ boof’lo hunt,” proclaimed Baptiste, running also. “Ever’body hunt ze boof’lo.”

Tools were dropped, but Captain Clark’s voice rang clearly.

“Pryor!”

“Yes, sir.”

“Take a dozen men who aren’t otherwise engaged and join the Indians across the river in that buffalo hunt. Get all the meat you can. Use what horses you need, but don’t wait for me.”