“It’ll be fine!” said Jesse. “Of course, we take our maps and books and papers, in a valise?”
“Yes. I’ll have a copy of the original Journal.”
“And we’ll always know where we are?” sid John. “That is,” he added, “where they were?”
“Yes,” said Uncle Dick, reverently enough. “As near as we can figure on the face of a country so changed. And we’ll try to put in all the things they saw, try to understand what the country must have been at that time? Is that agreed?”
Each boy came up and stood at attention. Each gave the Boy Scout’s salute. Uncle Dick noted with a grim smile the full, snappy, military salute of the American Army which Rob now gave him. He returned it gravely and courteously, as an officer does.
CHAPTER III
“ADVENTURER, OF AMERICA”
It was on a morning in early spring that our four adventurers found themselves at the side of their boat, which rested on the bank of the great Missouri River, not far above its mouth. Their little tent stood, ready for striking, and all their preparations for the start now were made. Rob stood with a paint pot and brush in hand, at the bow of the boat.