on carried for him.

"That is all I have left," said he. "But the mail for the East--the
mail, M. Chouteau--we must get word to the President!"

"The President has long ago been advised of your death," said
Chouteau, laughing. "All the world has said good-by to you. No doubt
you can read your own obituaries."

"We bring them better news than that. What news for us?" asked the two
captains of their host.

"News!" The voluble Frenchman threw up his hands. "Nothing but news!
The entire world is changed since you left. I could not tell you in a
month. The Burr duel----"

"Yes, we did not know of it for two years," said William Clark. "We
have just heard about it, up river."

"The killing of Mr. Hamilton ended the career of Colonel Burr," said
Chouteau. "But for that we might have different times here in
Mississippi. He had many friends. But you have heard the last news
regarding him?"

It was the dark eye of Meriwether Lewis which now compelled his
attention.

"No? Well, he came out here through this country once more. He was
arrested last summer, on the Natchez Trace, and carried off to
Washington. The charge is treason against his government. The country
is full of it--his trial is to be at Richmond. Even now it may be
going on."

He did not notice the sudden change in Meriwether Lewis's face.

"And all the world is swimming in blood across the sea," went on their
garrulous informant. "Napoleon and Great Britain are at war again.
Were it not so, one or the other of them would be at the gates of New
Orleans, that is sure. This country is still discontented. There was
much in the plan of Colonel Burr to separate this valley into a
country of its own, independent--to force a secession from the
republic, even though by war on the flag. Indeed, he was prepared for
that; but now his conspiracy is done. Perhaps, however, you do not
hold with the theory of Colonel Burr?"

"Hold with the theory of Colonel Burr, sir?" exclaimed the deep voice
of Meriwether Lewis. "Hold with it? This is the first time I have
known what it was. It was treason! If he had any join him, that was in
treason! He sought to disrupt this country? Agree with him? What is
this you tell me? I had never dreamed such a thing as possible of
him!"

"He had many friends," went on Chouteau; "very many friends. They are
scattered even now all up and down this country--men who will not
give up their cause. All those men needed was a leader."

"But, M