Still, the whole summer lay before them, and they had already surmounted so many obstacles that nothing seemed to daunt those bold spirits. Each day’s journey they counted another link in the chain, and, having virtually burned their bridges behind them, it became a necessity that they succeed.
The supper was finally cooked, and those who were not on duty as guards settled down to enjoy what had been prepared. As usual Dick and Roger found places close together, for they were chums in everything, and liked to chat while eating.
“This pays me for all my trouble with that old bull,” remarked Roger as he munched away. “Sweeter meat I never tasted, if I do say it myself.”
“Oh! I agree with you there,” Dick told him. “But I find myself wondering why Captain Lewis keeps looking over this way so often. And then, too, it strikes me he is unusually solemn to-night. What do you say, Roger?”
“I hadn’t noticed it before,” came the reply presently, “but, now that you call my attention to the fact, I really believe you are right. He does look as if something had gone wrong. I wonder what could have happened while we were away this afternoon.”
“We may have to take it out in guessing,” Dick observed, “unless the Captain decides to tell us about it, which is hardly likely. But the rest of the men seem to be noisier and in better humor than usual. There’s Andrew Waller keeping a lot of them roaring with laughter as he tells some comical story. I never saw him so lively, come to think of it.”
About the time all of them were through eating, Dick discovered that Captain Meriwether Lewis was walking directly toward the spot where he and his chum still sat. A couple of convenient stones had afforded them resting places; but, as the commander of the expedition paused beside them, both lads immediately sprang to their feet, courteously offering the captain a seat.
“I will accept if one of you can sit tailor-fashion on the ground,” remarked Captain Lewis, but without any sign of merriment in his voice, for he was still looking very grave. “I want to speak with both of you lads, and it is concerning a subject in which you are deeply interested.”
Of course that aroused their curiosity at once, and Roger lost no time in dropping upon the sand, where he could make himself fairly comfortable.
As soon as they were all seated again the captain began: