. Chouteau," rejoined Lewis, "I do not understand--I cannot!
What Colonel Burr attempted was an actual treason to this republic. I
find it difficult to believe that!"

Chouteau shrugged his shoulders.

"There may be two names for it," he said.

"And every one asked to join the cause was asked to join in treason to
his country. Is it not so?" Lewis went on.

"There may be two names for it," smiled the other, still shrugging.

"He was my friend," said Meriwether Lewis. "I trusted him!"

"Always, I repeat, there are two names for treason. But what puzzles
me is this," Chouteau continued. "What halted the cause of Colonel
Burr here in the West? He seemed to be upon the point of success. His
organization was complete--his men were in New Orleans--he had great
lands purchased as a rendezvous below. He had understandings with
foreign powers, that is sure. Well, then, here is Colonel Burr at St.
Louis, all his plans arranged. He is ready to march, to commence his
campaign, to form this valley into a great kingdom, with Mexico as
part of it. He was a man able to make plans, believe me. But of all
this there comes--nothing! Why? At the last point something failed--no
one knew what. He waited for something--no one knew what. Something
lacked--no one can tell what. And all the time--this is most curious
to me--I learned it through others--Colonel Burr was eager to hear
something of the expedition of Lewis and Clark into the West. Why? No
one knows! _Does_ no one know?"

The captain did not speak, and Chouteau presently went on.

"Why did Colonel Burr hesitate, why did he give up his plans
here--why, indeed, did he fail? You ask me why these things were? I
say, it was because of you--_messieurs_, you two young men, with your
Lewis and Clark Expedition! It was _you_ who broke the Burr
Conspiracy--for so they call it in these days. _Messieurs_, that is
your news!"

CHAPTER XIV

THE GUESTS OF A NATION

"Attention, men!"

The company of Volunteers for the Discovery of the West fell into line
in front of the stone fortress of old St. Louis. A motley crew they
looked in their half-savage garb. They were veterans, fit for any
difficult undertaking in the wilderness. Shoulder to shoulder they had
labored in the great enterprise. Now they were to disband.

Their leaders had laid aside the costume of the frontier and assumed
the uniforms of officers in the army of the United States. Fresh from
his barber and his tailo