? r /. ^ PS 635 .Z9 U7348 Copy 1 t %\^t Wanhtttus ^am^nu ^l|^ Hanbr^us J^^tnattte Adeline Bryan Willis ^TJ '^ ,5 Copyrighted 1920 by Adeline Bryan Willis JUN 10 1920 TMPS2-007475 Other Stories by Adeline Bryan Willis The Theme What the Vintners Buy The High Tide The Gospel of the Red Rose Gold The Charm The Still The Silver Sickle The Islands of Desire The Step-Lover State of Oregon Executive OCPARTMeNT SALEM SepteiDl>«r 80, 1918* To Whom It May be of Intereat: rhla will introduce Mrs. Adeline Bryan Willis, of Portland, in wboae story of the Lewis & Clark expedi- tlOD I bavo a very deep personal interest. Any courtesies 9r klDdLosees that may be extended to her in connection with her plana to consummate her plana on a plane in keep- ing writh the high merit of her work will be greatly appre- ciated by me personally. Very truly yours, I / Governo^ The Wondrous Romance {The Lewis and Clark Expedition) An Excerpt: ^ $rcat IS^aMf t on tal^klf ia insttihslt in Ijijlf xtiiti tifc folloixiinj cx«irpt frum ^^ngalia' ♦'C^pportunitB/' |lcljinli % 'STaMet stands tl|c doakcli male figure of tijc JMastcr of Human Peatinies, Ijia ialbth arma rcating upon tife top of t\}t 'S^abkt: Opportunit;^ 'Jlllaster ^f Jfttmnn destinies ^m JI! Jffame, latte ani fortune ixn mg faotef eps tttait, (Eities mti iulhs ^ tttalk; |) pmetete P^serts aiti seas remote, unit passing bg ||0ttel an& mart an& palate ♦ ♦ . soon ar late ^ knoek, nnbiblren, anre at etterg gate! ^f sleeping, Urake ♦ . ♦ if fasting, rise before |( turn atuag . ♦ > it is tlje Ifour of fate/' The Wondrous Romance {The Lewis and Clark Expedition) ROLLING SUBTITLE IN 1804 TO 1806 CAPTAIN MERIWETHER LEWIS AND A LITTLE BAND OF AMERICAN REGULAR ARMY SOLDIERS WITH CAPTAIN WILLIAM CLARK SECOND IN COMMAND, THE ENTIRE PARTY INCLUDING GUIDE AND INTER- PRETER CONSISTING OF BUT THIRTY-TWO PERSONS, AND AT A COST TO THE GOVERNMENT OF BUT TWENT^^- FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS AND THE LIFE OF ONE MAN, FOLLOWED THE MISSOURI RIVER TO ITS SOURCE, THENCE OVER THE LOLO TRAIL AND DOWN THE COLUMBIA RIVER TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN, AND RETURNED; TRAVERSING A LAND UNEXPLORED BY WHITE MEN, PEOPLED BY EIGHTY THOUSAND WARRING AND HOSTILE INDIANS; TRAVELING FOUR THOUSAND MILES AND SUFFERING UNTOLD HARDSHIPS; FORMING PEACEFUL INTERTRIBAL RELATIONS AND SECURING FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT VOLUNTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUBSERVIENCE TO THE STARS AND STRIPES; THEREBY SUBDUING AN IMMENSE AND VALUABLE COUNTRY, AND BEARING THE FLAG TO THE WESTERN SHORE;— AN ACHIEVEMENT UNPARALLELED IN HISTORY THIS GREAT TRACT, THE RESOURCES OF WHICH WERE OF SUCH UNTOLD VALUE TO THE ALLIED CAUSE, IS THE ONLY LAND NOW OR EVER OWNED BY THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WHICH WAS NOT BOUGHT FROM SOME OTHER COUNTRY WITH EITHER MONEY OR BLOOD OR BOTH . . THIS LAND, ALONE, WAS WON BY AMERICANS FOR AMERICA! From "The Adventuring Prophet." ^m i=fc ff wm IT? ^^ I H'liki' I'^i ^de/ine 5. Willis MOTIVE ^^=N Ife tttintting of ilye Oregon ttxnn^ ^^ ttrg forestalled tlfe inapiettt pkns of |^in0 (Seorge of ^ngtenft to retake from tlfe Uest tlje '' "©hirteen Colonies'' an& tIfU5 hestrog a netoljr founiei republic THE WONDROUS ROMANCE Scene shows the following map: . . . Fades into Sub-Title : FOUR HUNDRED AND THIRTY YEARS AGO THIS WAS THE WHOLE OF THE KNOWN WORLD .... . . . Fades to show date : 1490 . . . Fades to Sub-Title: EACH OF ITS SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS HAD EXPRESSED THE IDEAL OF AN INDIVIDUAL. Sub-Title is obscured by fade-in of a . . . CROWN. Fades to re-show of MAP. 10 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE THE PRELUDE THEN THE GOD OF VISIONS . . . Scene The huge, muscular body of a man god, well //. to the front of scene, three quarters back, he fill- ing in the right of screen space from top to bottom; before him, center scene, deeper set, a rough block of marble; left scene, and far into background, a stretch of space and sky and clouds. As he lifts and tests his tools, he turns and looks away toward left and smiles a "dis- coverer's" smile. . . . Iris out on the marble block. Scene An old, frayed canvas unrolls; shows Colum- ///. bus setting sail from the shores of Spain; adds a shadow sub-title . . . 1492 Scene Iris in on the marble block showing the Dream IV. god at work; he works at the right of the block, but little squared around from the position in scene II, showing side view; he smiles; as his blows fall the marble chips off to show the first lines in detail of a woman's figure — the round of the cheek, the curve of the throat, the line over the heart, and an indication of the arm. . . . Iris out on the marble . . . FOUND A DREAM OF LIFE . . . Scene Fades into re-show of Scene III, canvas then V re-rolls disclosing (IN COLORS) Scene A great SPHERE suspended in space; on VI its surface is shown a relief of the Continents and Seas of the Western Hemisphere, centering upon the Northern half; background deep BLUE set with WHITE STARS; foreground drifting vapors; at upper right a winding ribbon scroll shows the passing dates of discovery; below THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 11 this, right, in column, in their respective colors, the names of these Countries : Spain green England .... red France blue Holland purple Sweden brown Russia yellow United States of America . . . . . . RED, WHITE, BLUE Left of the SPHERE, crouched among the clouds is the figure of a woman veiled to the eyes; she is mystery here as she was when with- in the marble; she is watching with deep emotional interest the evolutions which take place upon the surface of the SPHERE. These evolutions consist of the occurrence and spread of colors which shall account for European ownership of lands on this Continent, developed in chronological order, synchronous with the passing dates on the winding ribbon scroll, from 1492 to 1920 .. . Thus: As she watches, at showing "1492," GREEN, SPAIN'S color, occurs at San Salvador, Cuba and Haiti ; five seconds later, at showing "1497," RED, ENGLAND'S color, occurs at Labrador; one second later, at "1498," the MAIN LAND at Rio de Janeiro is GREEN; and these colors come or go to stay as did the ownership of land : Cuba is GREEN for four hundred and six years (or, according to this scale, seconds of time to show, or technically, four hundred and six film feet) and TRI-COLOR twenty-two;— 428. Labrador is NO COLOR five years, RED four hundred and twenty-three— 428. . . New York State is NO COLOR thirty-two years, BLUE eighty-five, PURPLE fifty-five, RED one hundred and nineteen and TRI-COLOR one hundred and thirty-seven— 428; etc. THE WHOLE PRELUDE takes about seven minutes to show; this time, however, can be automatically contracted or expanded at will, since the color scheme development, the dramatic action, and the film footage are here reduced to common-fractional standard. The following sequence of SCENES form an inset within the confines of the outlines of the SPHERE, the figure and other details remaining as before. 12 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE Sub-Scene At showing of "1775": — Iris in (within the 1 confines of the SPHERE) showing the village green at Lexington as of that date, depicting skirmish between British Regulars and American Minute Men. Sub-Scene An American under fire attempts to rescue a 2 wounded comirade. Sub-Scene Close-up: The American lifts the wounded 3 man, who dies in his arms. Scene Iris in on marble showing dream-god having VII nearly completed his work of freeing the figure from the stone; he works kneeling; the figure except one foot is free . . . Fades to — Scene The veiled figure has freed her head, throat VIII. and arm; she wears a STAR on her forehead; fades to re-show Sub-Scene 3. THE FIRST TO DIE FOR FREEDOM. Sub-Scene At showing "1777": — Washington, ragged 4 and worn, among his tattered troops at Valley Forge IN THE WINTER of 1777 and "8. Sub-Scene Showing the piteousness of their destitu- 5" tion. IN THE SPRING CAME THE GOOD NEWS THAT FRANCE HAD SENT A FLEET TO HELP! PEACE 'COLUMBIA,' Sub-Scene At showing " 1783" — Sub-title- 6 Scene Fades, showing that the THIRTEEN COL- IX ONIES have been colored RED, WHITE AND BLUE; where the ribbon scroll is at upper right, a rising dawn appears, spreading across the sky in bands of RED AND WHITE dissipating the BLUE. The figure throws off her veilings and emerges as the SPIRIT OF FREEDOM. At next date showing, that of "1803 Sub-title THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 13 Scene Fades, showing that the narrow line of RED X and WHITE and BLUE blocks which ran along the Atlantic Shore has been stretched across the Continent to the Shore of the Pacific. (The Louisiana Purchase occurred during the time of this Expedition; but holding the COLONIES against Western invasion if these Indians were incited to fight was safeguarded by the TREATIES of Lewis with the Indians). As the bands of color fade from a daylight sky, it is seen that COLUMBIA wears them as a scarf, her robe being BLUE with WHITE STARS. As she watches the completion of the Ter- restial color scheme, at passing of such dates as were accompanied by bloodshed, a blot precedes the color; and in such instances as those in which money was paid out to other Nations, COLUMBIA takes the Money from her bosom and gives it into a hand which is outstretched as from FRANCE, RUSSIA, MEXICO, etc. When this color scheme is set forth it will at once make plain the fact already stated that THE OREGON COUNTRY, the PRICE of this EXPEDITION, is the only virgin land of which America has ever been possessed. Scene As this action is finished and drifting vapors XI begin to obscure the SPHERE, Iris in on the marble, showing — Scene Completed marble figure, lightly poised; (the XII dream-god has vanished) . . . A DREAM OF LIFE THAT WAS LIBERTY. 14 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE Scene XII Con. tift grawp ♦ . . %lfm txnt spirit tA ixtti^m ensuring no tgrant, torlfetlf^r maste xtr man . ♦ ♦ is tffe prager Wlfinlt t\\t ^meritan flap! (End of Prelude) THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 17 FILM FOOTAGE FOR TERRESTRIAL COLOR SCHEME OF PRELUDE — Continued. COLOR TREATMENT OCCURS at as in footage paragraph 1 . Green No. 1 5. Red 2 6. Red 3 19. Green 4 21. Green 5 Green 6 Green 7 27. Green 8 32. Blue 9 Blue 10 Blue 11 Blue 12 43. Blue 13 46. Green 14 Green 15 Green 16 48. Green 17 50. Green 18 73. Blue 5 74. Green 5 87. Red 19 92 Red 9 105. Red 20 106 No Color 20 112. Blue 21 113. Blue 22 115. Red 23 116. Blue 24 117. Purple 12 126. Purple 11 128. Red 25 142. Red 26 146. Brown 27 158. Purple 27 172. Yellow 28 Red 10 ■■ Red 11 " Red 12 176. Red 29 177. Red 30 181. Blue 31 189. Red 27 '• Red 32 COLOR TREATMENT OCCURS at as in footage paragraph 221. Red No. 21 241. Red 14 271. Red 13 •■ Red 15 •■ Red 16 ■■ Red 22 ■■ Red 24 Red 29 ■■ Red 31 291. Tricolor 9 Tricolor 10 Tricolor 1 1 Tricolor 12 Tricolor 14 " Tricolor 15 Tricolor 16 Tricolor 23 Tricolor 25 Tricolor 26 Tricolor 27 Tricolor 29 Tricolor 31 Tricolor 32 308. Blue 17 311 Tricolor 17 313 Tricolor 33 327. Tricolor 5 329. No Color 7 332. No Color 8 334. No Color 34 353. Tricolor 34 356. Tricolor 35 Tricolor 18 361. Tricolor 36 371. Blue 8 375. No Color 8 Tricolor 28 406. Tricolor 1 Tricolor 4 410. Tricolor 7 83 18 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE SEGREGATION OF COLOR TREATMENTS at footage 1 19 21 5 6 87 92 105 115 128 142 172 177 221 241 271 43 73 112 113 116 176 181 308 371 GREEN OCCURS as in paragraph 4 5 6 7 8 14 15 16 17 18 5 RED OCCURS 2 3 19 9 20 23 25 26 10 11 12 30 27 32 21 14 13 15 16 22 24 29 31 BLUE OCCURS 9 10 11 12 13 5 21 22 24 29 31 17 for footage 406 387 52 407 308 305 195 225 225 260 306 253 12 423 422 343 199 1 176 163 149 119 119 119 250 102 102 207 50 157 20 20 157 157 20 20 23 60 140 94 85 228 1 109 158 155 95 90 3 4 117 126 158 PURPLE OCCURS as in paragraph 12 11 27 BROWN OCCURS 146 27 YELLOW OCCURS !72 28 NO COLOR RECURS \^ 20 329 7 332 8 344 34 375 8 29 for footage 55 46 31 3 12 1 1 203 323 82 39 9 53 31 31 32 35 356 36 37 406 410 13 TRICOLOR OCCURS 9 137 10 137 11 137 12 137 14 137 15 157 16 137 23 137 25 137 26 137 27 137 29 137 31 137 32 137 17 117 33 115 5 101 34 75 35 71 18 72 36 67 28 53 1 22 4. 22 7 18 25 Total 83 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 19 THE STORY EPISODE I A LITTLE MORE THAN MIDWAY FROM THE ATLANTIC COAST TO THE PACIFIC, on the shore of the Missouri River, somewhat of a metropolis of its kind, lay THE INDIAN VILLAGE OF MANDAN. Its lodges were commodious and its peoples various. THITHER CAME OTHER INDIAN TRIBES TO BUY FOOD OR SELL CAPTIVE SLAVES (OR WAGE WAR); also from time to time, half-breeds AND FRENCH TRAPPERS FROM THE NORTH. Came passing one day a war party from a neighboring tribe; they were GROSS VAUNTOUS, OR BIG-BELLIES, SOMETIMES CALLED MINNETARRES, and they and their ponies were RIGGED FOR WAR. There was one young buck whose naked brown legs clasped a cream-colored Stallion as wild as its master. Chabonneau, the French trapper, CHABONNEAU, THE BRAGGART, haggled with him, as did several of the Man- dans who BARGAINED FOR PLUNDER when these should return; FOR THEY WERE ENROUTE WESTWARD TO BESIEGE THEIR LONG-TIME ENEMIES. THE SNAKES. 20 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE II AWAY TO THE WEST, in the heart of the Rockies, poor and almost defenseless, A VILLAGE OF THE SNAKES, feared the coming of such enemies as the party now ENROUTE, fierce, limb-stripped, well mounted and armed RENEGADE MARAUDERS OF A LAWLESS TRIBE. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 21 EPISODE in. AWAY TO THE EAST, quaint and sturdy and now peaceful, THE VILLAGE OF WASHINGTON, scarcely more imposing than those already seen except for its CAPITOL, THE SEAT OF AMERICAN GOVERNMExNT. Now here at his desk, in deep thought, sat HIS EXCELLENCY, MR. THOMAS JEFFERSON, THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, not cognizant of the entrance of HIS PRIVATE SECRETARY, CAPTAIN MERIWETHER LEWIS, who perhaps withdrew without disturbing him. And as the "Sage of Monticello" sat . . . (a) . . Scene : There stands by his side the Allegorical figure of Columbia, her robe which is BLUE with WHITE STARS and her scarf which is RED with WHITE BARS, being in colors; . . . fades to re-show Sub-Scene I. of Prelude, which depicts skirmish between British Regu- lars and American Minute Men at Lexington; RECALLING HOW DEARLY BOUGHT THE FREEDOM OF HIS LITTLE NATION, . . . re -shows Sub-Scenes 2 and 3 of Prelude, which depicts the first sacrifice of an American life; . . . fades to (a) . . Scene as at first; Columbia bends forward as to touch the shoulder of Jefferson, (the mailed hand of ENGLAND threatens her . . . fades) . AND SEEING THE MENACE FROM THE WEST, and as to whisper in his ear. Jefferson wears a look of inspiration; Colum- bia then disappears and Jefferson summ.ons Lewis, and together they eagerly confer. At Lewis' showing, Jefferson begins to write the "Secret Message to Congress" ASKED CONGRESS IN SECRET MESSAGE FOR THE APPRO- PRIATION OF THE PATHETIC SUM OF $2500.00 FOR THE EQUIPMENT OF AN EXPEDHION TO EXPLORE THAT FAR COUNTRY. 22 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE IV. OUT ON THE WESTWARD TRAIL, the Big-Bellies, rioting, gloating, approach a "rim-rock", led by the wild young brown- bodied buck on the wild young cream-colored Stallion; and, boldly posed against the sky-line, these two OUTLAWS, look down into the little cup-like valley and SPY OUT THE LAND OF THE SKY BLUE WATER; laugh at the helpless VILLAGE OF THE SNAKES. Being joined by another, the young buck suddenly leans forward and stretches out his long, straight arm, to point toward the moun- tain stream below, where not far from the Vil- age, two young girls are playing at weaving baskets for their dolls. . . Look closer, for in one of them you will DISCOVER THE LITTLE SACAJAWEA, soft eyed, earnest and gentle, TO WHOSE PEOPLE SHE SEEMED LIKE A MEADOW BIRD THAT SANG FROM THE GRASSES, but whose long, firm chin already bespoke the forcefulness of her capability ; WHOM FATE HAD CHOSEN TO PLAY A WONDERFUL PART. Now she looked up to discover, dark against the sky at the top of the rim-rock the strange Stallion and his Rider; saw him joined by an- other and another . . . with eyes that were wild with fear saw them force their horses over the drift of shaling rock; AND THEY SWARMED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SIDE, throwing caution to the winds; the girls, hiding in the tall grass, knew that an enemy anvanced TO THE INEVITABLE MASSACRE! THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 23 EPISODE V SLIM YOUNG BRONZLINGS, the boys of the village, poured forth from the wigwams, naked but for breech-cloths, armed only with bows, their quivers of arrows slung on their little backs ... on foot SINCE THE WARRIORS OF THE SNAKES WERE AWAY ON A HUNT, and while the four old men left on guard aided the women and children in an attempt to escape to the woods, UNFLINCHINGLY MET THE ADVANCE OF THE INVADERS, who were men . . . well mounted and strongly armed, many of them with guns (gotten from traders near Mandan) ; A FUTILE SACRIFICE! For the "Big-Bellies", with wild shrieks, rode them down, swept them aside, hemmed in the fugitives, but few of whom escaped, seized women, children and boys as captives, and de- stroyed the village. 24 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE VI. SACAJAWEA, peering through the grasses, sickened to see these things; clutched in silent terror the arm of her friend when she SAW THE RIDER OF THE WILD STALLION, with his companion, gay with anticipation, coming swiftly upon them. She KNEW THEY HAD BEEN DISCOVERED. Suddenly galvanized into action, the two girls dashed into the stream, swimming with beauti- ful stroke. The riders followed, swimming their horses in pursuit. Thus Sacajawea, though she put all that she had into her stroke, soon per- ceived herself within the reach of the rider of the Stallion; STILL HOPING TO ELUDE THE GRASP OF FATE, she dived and disappeared from view. Not to be done out of a capture, the Rider seized her little friend, whom he dragged to his horse's back and made prisoner. His companion, however, was more fortunate that he, for as his horse took the deep water Sacajawea quite unexpectedly came to the surface near at hand, and WAS CAUGHT AT LAST. . . . As the Riders joined their fellows on the return trail, Sacajawea, drenched, shivering, bound, looked back into the cup-like valley to see a pale scarf of smoke that trailed the foot- hills, drifting from the village . . . Saw the red glow, the wild flames that completed the de- struction of her home; and all her heart cried out GOOD BYE . . . Looked forward to see in the path before her the cream-colored Stallion with her captive friend, and the backward looks of the covetous eyes of the Stallion's Rider; and all of her spirit rose within her to save herself. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 25 EPISODE VII. CONGRESS GRANTED THE APPROPRIAllON OF THE SUM ASKED FOR TO SEND THE SYMBOL OF GOVERNMENT TO THIS WESTERN LAND. And the SPIRIT of COLUMBIA pervading her Halls in the Capitol took courage and breathed a new life. LEWIS, WHEN HE HAD BEEN MADE LEADER, wrote a letter which INVITED HIS FRIEND, WILLIAM CLARK, TO JOIN HIM AS SECOND IN COMMAND; Clark, who was then on his farm in Kentucky, was glad to accept. AND TWENTY-FIVE YOUNG MEN CHEERFULLY VOLUN- TEERED TO ACCOMPANY THEM ON A JOURNEY FROM WHICH THEY COULD HAVE SMALL EXPECTATION EVER TO RETURN. ''«i«ll|)ll|l||ll» 26 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE VIII. CLARK IN KENTUCKY, which was then frontier, lived on his farm WITH HIS WIFE, whom he loved with great devotion and who loved him with unquestioning faith . . . pa- tient, uncomplaining . . . and HIS FOUR SONS, an honest, earnest family ; and found it none too easy to live supported by HIS STRUGGLING FARM. Hence the call of Lewis was, from a monetary viewpoint, a welcome one; but, deeply a lover of his family and his home, he found it as hard to leave them as to go . . . FOUND THEIR FAREWELLS FRAUGHT WITH TRAGIC POSSIBILITIES. . . . When the final parting came and he with York, his colored servant, took their last adieus, HE TURNED AGAIN TO LOOK, upon her tear-stained face, and the boyish grief of his sons, and took that picture in his heart. Choked with emotion, he waved to them. GOOD BYE! . . . •)i|i)il|lli|l||||l|||l{liltiii»n*- THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 27 EPISODE IX. LEWIS IN VIRGINIA, Lewis, the tall handsome Captain, private secre- tary to the President, the unmarried and unat- tached, was perhaps THE MOST ELIGIBLE YOUNG MAN OF HIS TIME; and in Virginia, where lived the very flower of all the fine folks of the day, Romance shed about him the glamour that is the heritage of every young Knight; and so he found that in many a garden that summer day ROSEBUD GIRLS DROOPED BECAUSE OF HIS GOING; found that his own heart softened by unex- pected tenderness when BLUE EYES BRIMMED WITH TEARS, and beat with strange excitement when FAIR CHEEKS PALED WITH FEARS. How often in distant place and time would he recall these faces and these scenes, and hear again a tremendous GOOD BYE! . . . •.""»il'lil|lll|l||||l|||(|lilllii'. 28 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE X. A SLAVE MARKET otherwise, the Village of Mandan, was now filled with members of parties lately returned from the hunt; trappers, traders, thronged its open spaces. Chabonneau bragged and swag- gered about in clownish activity, making ready his traps for the coming cool nights; and this Parish WAS THE GOAL OF WEARY WEEKS OF TRAVEL for the Big-Bellies and such of their captives as had not already been sold enroute. Into the Village they filed; and Chabonneau, who had put in an order for one or two women, ran (with many others) to meet them with his peltries for barter. Women were offered for sale, and were carefully looked over . . . their muscles, their broad backs, for this was a market WHERE WOMEN WERE BOUGHT AS BEASTS OF BURDEN. Chabonneau, fussily bargaining, suddenly stepped back and stood amazed; for HERE THEY BROUGHT THE CAPTIVE MAID. As grey-haired old Chabonneau gazed upon her, forgotten memories of his youth assailed him, awakening the traditions of his white blood. She met his looks with some strange serenity . . . she WHOSE "EYES WERE LIT WITH LIGHTNINGS," WHOSE •'HEART WAS NOT AFRAID," and yet, she was scarcely more than a child. Chabonneau opened his pack, and bought her. He also bought two women ; but the finest of his furs he saved. These he loaded on the backs of the two women, and led the way to his lodge. Here the two women were set to work; there was a great scramble of rearrangement, and all the finest furs and handsomest pelts were set to make a dais in the center of the lodge, under the open space where the sunlight fell; and here was placed SACAJAWEA, and the women given her as slaves. Thus she BECAME THE GIRL-WIFE OF OLD FRENCH TRAPPER CHABONNEAU. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 29 EPISODE XI. MANY SILVER MOONS HAD DRIFTED OVER MANDAN; Sacajawea, coming down to the shore to send her two women slaves out in their queer, round calabash-shaped boats for roots of water plants, thought of this ; THE END OF ANOTHER SUMMER WAS AT HAND, and she was saddened, BUT MEMORIES OF HER HOME NEVER DIMMED. She herself embarked. Her own boat was made luxuriant by beautiful pelts, and leaning against their richness, she dreamed to its rock- ing as it drifted, a floating bowl. THE WILD SWAN WERE MAKING READY TO FLY. Now in calm white majesty one floated down into view from up stream. Had he come down from its head waters where her home was ? DID SHE DREAM LIKE THIS, as she thought of his powerful wings? "SWEET BIRD, FLEET BIRD, FLYING FROM FAR AWAY, DO YOU COME FROM THE DEAR OLD HOME OVER THE MOUNTAIN GRAY^ . . . AND DID YOU TELL THEM BEFORE YOU CAME THAT YOU WOULD SEE ME TODAY^" . . . Had he floated too near, to his own alarm? . . . He suddenly took wing in the direction from which he came. Half rising, she almost called to him, •' . . . TELL THEM MY HEART IS FAIN TO CROSS THE PLAIN AND THE MOUNTAIN, AND LIVE IN THEIR HEARTS AGAIN, BUT I AM A SLAVE IN A FAR OFF LAND, AND I LONG ... I LONG IN VAIN! ..." Her face was wet with tears! 30 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XII. EVEN AS THE WILD SWAN RUFFED HIS WINGS, from down stream, three craft, themselves like great strange birds (though at first she saw them not), stemmed the current of the river, manned by men more strange than all; . . . these were THE SHIPS OF LEWIS. Her women called . . . She looked . . . The WONDROUS THINGS WITH ALL SAILS SPREAD, came gliding to her landing place. Paddling, she reached the sandy shore, and waited. A runner passed her with flying feet, gone to in- form the Village. Her heart beat no more than if she knew this vision CAME IN ANSWER TO HER CRY; the sails were reefed by men the like of whom she had never seen before; at the prow, strong and straight . . . not coppered like her people, nor swarthy like Chabonneau, but FAIR LIKE A YOUNG GOD, stood Lewis; and the kindly Clark and all their eager crew were with THEIR CAPTAIN. As the bow of Lewis' boat touched the landing the Spirit of COLUMBIA stepped upon the shore. AT THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS, waiting, as Lewis passed, TO SACAJAWEA, "A slave in a far off land. " THE WONDROUS ROMANCE HAD COME! THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 31 EPISODE XIII. THE OLD CHIEF OF THE MANDANS PONDERED over the news which the runner had brought; in the shadows of the lodge the runner awaited his word. THE YOUNG CHIEFS KEPT SILENCE, AS BEFITTED THEIR STATION, for the news of the runner was grave. Then ... the arm of the Old Chief was extended in a sweeping gesture which ended with his closed fist against his breast, and he gave one short com- mand. The Young Chiefs signed to the runner and THE RUNNER FLED TO DO THE OLD CHIEF'S BIDDING, Swiftly, like a young fawn, he flashed through the twilight, PASSED THE LODGE OF SACAJAWEA, where she stood near her door; replying only with a toss of his head and a smile of excitement when she called out to him: "NA . . .?" (Explain) Skirting the Village, he made for the Prairie, his hair flying wildly as he ran against the wind. CHABONNEAU TOLD HER when he came a moment later, almost crazed with importance, THAT THE RUNNER HAD GONE TO SUMMON THE NATIONS by a signal that should call them all to council. THAT THE WHITE MEN HAD COME TO TREAT WITH THE TRIBES FOR THE GREAT WHITE CHIEF. bearing both gifts and guns, AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO THE FAR WEST! On the edge of the Prairie, at the head of the wind, the runner stopped, squatted in the grass and struck his flint. The flames that sprang up painted his body with light before the wind caught them and lashed them across the plain. MORE SWIFTLY FLAMED HER HOPE! Warned by the light or the pillar of smoke, every tribe in the region made ready that night to send its Chiefs to Mandan, for THE BURNING OF THE PR^^IRIE WAS THE SIGNAL TO THE NATIONS. 32 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XIV. AT 10 O'CLOCK ON MONDAY, THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER. 1804 "We collected the Chiefs and commenced Council under an awning, our sails stretched around . ." (From the original journals of Lewis and Clark). . . . "We delivered a speech." . . . Also held a sort of informal Court in which some inter- tribal disputes were settled. . . Decorated twenty-one Chiefs, as follows: "To the First Chiefs we gave a Medal, with the impression of the President of the United States. "To the Second Chiefs a Medal of Weaving and Domestic Animals. "To the Third Chiefs a Medal with the Im- pression of a Man Sowing Wheat. ..." THE PEACE PIPE was smoked, the Prin- cipal Chief having offered it in turn to the East Wind, the West Wind, the North Wind and the South Wind; then to Lewis; and then to Clark. Thus, with ceremonial rites. THE GREAT COUNCIL. "After the Council, we gave the presents with much ceremony, and put the Medals on the Chiefs ... to whom we gave coats, hats and FLAGS." To the Mandan tribe a corn mill. "After this was over we shot the Air Gun, which appeared to astonish the natives much." •»l)lil|)ll|li|||l||i|llii> THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 33 EPISODE XV. IN THE WINTER FORT AT MANDAN, at the door of his quarters within the stockade LEWIS WAS CONFRONTED with a dilemma. Before him with folded arms and body disdainfully erect, stood an Indian messenger of the Mandans who astounded Lewis BY AN ACCUSATION OF FAILURE. To Clark, who joined him from within the hut, Lewis explained : "HE TELLS ME THAT I PROMISED HIS PEOPLE THEIR ENEMIES SHOULD MOLEST THEM NO MORE;" The messenger narrowly watched their faces as Lewis related to Clark how a small band of Mandans, secure in this assurance, had gone out to hunt buffalo across the snow-covered plain, and thus exposed, been ambushed by Sioux and Pawnees. -HE TELLS ME TR\T I HAVE LIED." The messenger leered toward them with menace-fraught look and tone to say that his Young Chief's body even then lay yonder on the plain, stuck with arrows; his blood staining the snow. Then he left them. WELL ... IN LESS THAN AN HOUR ... Out of' the stockade which flew the American flag, armed, perfectly drilled and equipped for action, THE ARMY OF LEWIS . . . TWENTY-THREE STRONG, swung into step and marching to meet the ene- mies of the Mandans . . . FOLLOWED OLD GLORY TO THE RESCUE. Watching from ambush, OUTPOSTS OF THE SIOUX saw the protection of the White man's warfare thrown around the outstanding lodges of the Mandans. They 34 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE SENT AN EMISSARY, who, when he had come within sight of the lodges, took off his skin blanket, and holding it by the corners advanced slowly, making panto- mime of spreading the blanket on the ground as for friends to sit upon to smoke, this being an understood inter-tribal invitation TO SMOKE THE PIPE OF PEACE. Guards of Lewis, advancing to meet him, kept him well covered with their rifles, BUT THE MANDANS DEMANDED HIS LIFE FOR THAT OF THEIR YOUNG CHIEF. Upon those also who would have rushed him, the guns of Lewis were turned, and they were held back. Now hark, to the Indian's first lesson in civ- ilization. Lewis told the Mandans . . . "THESE ARMS ARE NOT TO WREAK VENGENACE, BUT TO ENFORCE PEACE!" The messenger was then allowed to advance, and spread his blanket, and was given the Pipe of Peace to smoke. "BUT IF YOU FORGET" said Lewis to the Sioux . . . and he pointed to his guards with their rifles and flag . . . "THESE WILL PUNISH YOU! " [^W^J THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 35 EPISODE XVI. THE LODGE OF SACAJAWEA was banked deep outside with snow; the door- flap, torn at by the winds of a blizzard, now and again let in the storm in whirling flakes. The lodge fire burned, and by its light her women moved about in service, bending over the bed of furs ; for in spirit they knew that the shadows of the lodge ENTERTAINED THE ANGELS OF LIFE AND OF DEATH. Dusky with pain, the eyes of Sacajawea looked deep into the coming years; for THE MOST ANCIENT SHACKLES OF HUMANITY WERE BEING WELDED ABOUT HER SOUL; . . . her dreams of her home and her people — what of them? STOUTER THAN THONGS THIS TIE THAT BINDS A SLAVE . . . this wee brown infant snuggled in a bed of downy swan-breasts, and now being shown TO HER MASTER, Chabonneau, his father! THUS WAS A SON, BAPTISTE, BORN TO SACAJAWEA, ON FEBRUARY ELEVENTH, 1804; WHOM CAPTAIN CLARK NAxMED "LITTLE POMP." 36 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XVII. WILLOWS FRINGING THE MISSOURI RIVER were beginning to show their silver buds; within the stockade all was activity; for every hint of nature TOLD LEWIS THAT THE SECOND YEAR OF HIS JOURNEY MUST SOON BEGIN. Sacajawea, within her lodge, made ready for her back the "bier" of grasses in which she would carry Baptiste, for Chabonneau, the braggart, the ludicrous, the over-officious, the clown, CHABONNEAU WAS TO GO WITH THE EXPEDITION AS INTERPRETER. This was the culmination of many of her carefully made plans; it was her best dream. NOW THERE CAME TO MANDAN A BRITISH TRAPPER whose curiosity concerning the white men was easily appeased when he fell in with Chabon- neau, and WHO SENSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EXPEDITION. He, hoping to frustrate the plan if he could, INCITED CHABONNEAU TO "STRIKE." Chabonneau, easily filled with such talk, went as was suggested, with it to Lewis, who would have none of it. He told Chabonneau to leave and not return. LEWIS, UNDAUNTED, completed his preparations to depart, THOUGH GREATLY WERE THE DANGERS OF HIS ADVEN- TURE INCREASED BY THE LACK OF AN INTERPRETER. Home to his lodge came Chabonneau, sullen and defiant. When he told her what had hap- pened, SACAJAWEA'S HEART ALMOST BROKE. The light of life seemed to die in her; a slave in a "far off land," she longs "in vain." THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 37 While she buries her face in her baby's furs to hide her grief, does not a radiance seem to fill the lodge? Does not a Spirit stand by her side? . . . For what but the touch of THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM whom we call "COLUMBIA" could have so lighted her suddenly lifted face, and so THRILLED THE CAPTIVE MAID with a wonderful dream? . . . Lifting the door- flap, she passed swiftly out of the lodge; for IT CAME TO HER THAT HER'S WAS THE GIFT TO GUIDE THE WHITE MEN WEST! 38 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XVIII. WHERE THE BOATS WERE BEING LOADED Lewis stood on the shore and gave orders. Here CAME SACAJAWEA, unannounced by any sound of her moccasined feet. Startled, he asked her errand. SHE SPOKE IN BROKEN ENGLISH and she told a tale to which he listened. It is a tale you know, OF HER HOME HIGH UP IN THE ROCKIES, AT THE SOURCE OF THE TWO RIVERS WHICH SEPARATE, EACH TO FIND ITS OWN SEA ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE WORLD; of the defenseless village of the Snakes; of the outlaws on the rim-rock; the attack, AND HOW SHE, A CAPTIVE, HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO MANDAN, bound on the back of a horse. And as to that country, "SACAJAWEA KNOWS," she said; Lewis was swept by the importance of the girl and her story; for her's were the people into whose hands his fate must fall. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE WHO SPOKE A WORD OF ENGLISH WHO HAD EVER BEEN MORE THAN TWO DAYS- MARCH WEST OF MANDAN. The girl, in an agony of suspense, awaited his decision. "Tell me," said Lewis, "WHAT BECAME OF YOUR LITTLE FRIEND^" A shade of sorrow crossed her face, and sadly she shook her head. She told him how all the first day's march she had seen in the path before her only the stallion with his captive burden, her friend. Twilight fell as they made camp; SHE NEVER SAW CAPTIVE OR STALLION AGAIN. Their fate was unknown to her. Lewis looked again into the soft brown eyes, so poign- ant with their burning question, and assented. Those eyes were full with joy. . . Here were the waiting boats . . . yonder the cup-like valley . . . between were many perils, BUT SHE WOULD GUIDE THEM WITH THE HOMING INSTINCT OF THE WILD WHITE SWAN! THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 39 EPISODE XIX. CAME AT EAST THE DAY TO LEAVE MANDAN. Curious villagers assembled on the shore to watch the embarkation of THE MAIN PARTY OF THE EXPEDITION; packed and loaded into their two perogues and six canoes, and THE AUXILIARY PARTY WHICH HAD HELPED THEM THUS FAR, on their great barge, returning home. Pointing their bows toward midstream, both at a signal, shoved off. In midsteam, the barge of the auxiliary party swung down stream with the current, HOMEWARD BOUND' . . . Looking back with many a farewell. LEWIS' MEN UPSTREAM . bent to their oars to turn their prows The sails unfurled and filled. These men, too, looked back to call farewells to those who were going home! . . . There is one who leans out of the stern of the red perogue ; he forms a conch with his hands . . . "TELL MY MOTHER' . . . he shouts . . . there are tears on his cheeks, though he laughs. . . . THEY WERE ONLY LADS! . . . Lewis, standing in the white perogue, was caught up with strange excitement; for he tells us, this was "the happiest day" of his life. And yet he felt the great responsibility of these young boys WHO HAD CHEERFULLY OFFERED THEIR LIVES. . . . He watched them waving their adieus; . . . WOULD THEY EVER SEE THEIR HOMES AGAIN? In the bow of the boat, her straining gaze upstream, her baby on her back, was Sacajawea. 40 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE Lewis sensed it all . . . THE FORTUNES OF HIS "DARLING DREAM", PERCHANCE THEIR VERY LIVES AND FATE, WERE IN THE HANDS OF THIS BROWN SLA\^ GIRL! The little procession, the white perogue, the red perogue, and the six small canoes, got under way, passing out INTO THE GREAT MYSTERY. . . . Lewis' tears were unrestrained; his face was set toward the West . . . THAT A GOVERNMENT ... "BY THE PEOPLE MIGHT NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH!" ... OH, PROPHET OF ADVENTURE! THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 41 EPISODE XX. SINCE THE WORLD WAS YOUNG HAD THE SKY LOOKED DOWN UPON THESE RIFFLES AND THESE SHORES; * * ♦ UPON THE PRAIRIE LANDS THAT MATCH THE PLACID BOSOM OF THE STREAM'S LOWER REACHES ... ♦ * ♦ UPON THE CASTLE-CLIFFS THAT CROWD INTO NARROWS THE HURLED TIDE OF ITS UPPER CURRENT; UPON THE EVER MOUNTING AWESOME PILE OF DESO- LATE ROCK THAT REARS THE CREST OF A CONTINENT. * * ♦ . . . THE GREAT DIVIDE ... ■(c )|< 4> WHERE THE TWO RIVERS RISE SIDE BY SIDE, AND FOREVER CROONING THE SAME MUSIC UNDER THE SAME STARS, GLIDE AWAY TO FIND THEIR "SEPARATE SEAS." 42 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE WILD LIFE CAME AND WENT AND CAME IN THIS WILD LAND. * * * PANTHER CAME TO THE WATER'S EDGE TO DRINK IN THE MOONLIGHT; * * * BEAVER BUILT . . . * ♦ * FAT BLACK BEAR FISHED IN THE WARM SUNLIT SHAL- LOWS. * * * GRIZZLIES LURCHED AMONG THE BLEAK ROCKS. . . . * * * IBEX AND ANTELOPE WERE SILHOUETTES AGAINST THE SKY; * * * THE WILD BUCK LED HIS DOE AND HIS FAWN AS HE BREASTED LAKE-LIKE POOLS IN SEQUESTERED PLACES; * ♦ » ELK RESTED IN THE GROVES; * * * BUFFALO GRAZED IN THE PLAIN; * * * THE EAGLE BUILT HER NEST ON INACCESSIBLE CRAGS. * * * . . . AGES PASSED . . . FOR WHAT WERE THEY WAITING, ROCKS AND RIVER AND SKY? * * * ... A LITTLE SHIP! Its "square sail" filled, its "sprit sail" glinting in the sun. . . . * * A PROPHET OF ADVENTURE . . . . . . Lewis' I THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 43 EPISODE XXI. OF MISHAPS TO THE VOYAGERS THERE WERE MANY. One day, when a sudden storm broke, Lewis and Clark were both on shore, seeking a safe shore shelter for their crew, DREWYER ASKED CHABONNEAU TO RELIEVE HIM AT THE HELM of the white perogue, in which were all Lewis' important papers, instruments, etc. Among the papers THERE WERE NOTES OF THE 2200 MILES OF THEIR JOURNEY ALREADY COVERED; among those in the boat who anxiously watched clumsy Chabonneau take the helm were Saca- jawea with "Little Pomp" on her back, and THREE MEN WHO COULD NOT SWIM. Sacajawea readjusted the baby's "bier," for she might have to swim. . . . The boat was under sail ; the gale struck her obliquely, lifting her out of her course. INSTEAD OF PUTTING HER BEFORE THE WIND, Chabonneau, alarmed and unskilled, LUFFED HER UP INTO IT. The waves were high, THE WATER ICY COLD. The wind snatched "the brace of the square sail from the hand of the man who attended it, and the perogue was upset." "The resistance made by the awning against the water" held the boat upon her side; but she filled, so that when they had taken in the sail, so she could right herself, she was within an inch of the gunwales. Crazy Chabonneau forgot the rudder and tried to pray . . . until bowsman Crusette threatened to shoot. Lewis and Clark on the shore fired their guns to attract attention, but their orders could not be heard. Then Lewis dropped his shot pouch and rifle, threw off his coat, running, for he had 44 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE seen as the boat righted, that the swirl of the waters had carried out his precious papers. But Clark caught and held him ; for the boat was three hundred yards away, the waves high and the current wickedly swift. As they looked, Sacajawea struck out over the low gunwale, swimming swifter than the current itself. Bobbing, bobbing, up and down, LEWIS' TREASURES . . . Swift and strong and sure . . . SACAJAWEA with ■■ Little Pomp" on her back. Now she overtakes her quarry, and now she has it, SAFE! For the red perogue has picked her up. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 45 EPISODE XXII. BUT THERE WERE NIGHTS OF GLADNESS, TOO; when, by the camp-fire's glow the men danced on the sandy beach; when York, Clark's kinky- haired negro servant, showed them plantation steps ; WHEN CLARK, who learned to love the brown baby "as his own son," took Little Pomp in his arms, and BY THE TOUCH OF B.\BY HANDS WAS TRANSPORTED TO "HIS OLD KENTUCKY HOME, FAR AWAY;" when those who did not dance smoked and dreamed ; WHEN LEWIS, who had so often on the journey been visited by dreams of Virginia's moonlit gardens, FOUND HIS VISIONS OF ROSEBUD GIRLS GROWING DIMMER. Sacajawea, bewitched by moonlight and fire- light, breathed in the wonder of the music, for Crusette was a master of the violin. And the witchery also touched Lewis, the young Cap- tain; BY HIS SIDE A WOMAN, though she was only a girl in years. A woman, patient, brave, kind and uncom- plaining; faithful; giving her whole devotion, and though yearning, asking nothing in return; IN THE DEPTH OF WHOSE EYES ONE MIGHT WELL DROWN THE SOUL. But the music ceased; and Chabonneau, the least useful of them all ; the least comprehensive, the least deserving, could dispel the glamour with a word. Not only had he bought her as a slave, but by such tribal rites as there prevailed, had mar- ried her. Oh, yes, SHE BELONGED TO CHABONNEAU . . . Over the night camp when all were at rest floated a silver ship ; at its prow stood a goddess who wore a white star and whose scarf was striped. After all, LEWIS WAS PLEDGED 70 A DREAM! 46 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XXIII. THE WAITING SKY HAD WATCHED, THOSE AGES PAST, TWO SILVER STRANDS one from the North, and one from the South, THAT MEETING, FORMED THE BROADER BAND THAT WAS THE MISSOURI RIVER. Up this broader stream now toiled the Expe- dition, and came to the twinning place of the silver ribbons. ONLY ONE OF THEM CAME FROM THE TOP OF THE DIVIDE . . . WHICH^ None knew the answer. But HERE THEY MUST LEAVE THEIR BIGGEST BOAT AND MUCH OF THEIR POSSESSIONS. Sacajawea showed them how to make a cache as her people did . . . how to put away their goods within this earthen vault so they would not come to harm; how to replace the sod and leave no trace. They dragged the red perogue up among the trees, made it fast and covered it with brush. Sacajawea told them the lore of the upper country, and advised them, as she believed, the answer to their question, WHICH WAS THE TRUE MISSOURI? She was right. At night, when the weary camp was asleep, LEWIS ASKED THE STARS . . . . . . "Took Celestial observation." We like to dream that she stood by his side, she who was born of the stars .... his guardian angel, COLUMBIA. . . . HE SET HIS COURSE BY THEIR ANSWER. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 47 EPISODE XXIV. SACAJAWEA'S PROPHECY CAME TRUE; as they journeyed they began to hear THE THUNDEROUS ROAR OF A MIGHTY CATARACT! When they came upon it, they found no words to express its beauty, even among them- selves; they were helpless before its might; THEIR NAVIGATION WAS STOPPED; but not their dauntless determination. They made camp, felled cotton-wood trees and from their trunks made trucks with wooden wheels, on which the canoes, fastened, made wagon beds; and into these they packed their loads. Harnessed together in teams like oxen the men drew these strange vehicles TRIP AFTER TRIP OVER A PORTAGE ROAD SIXTEEN MILES LONG. The earth was rough and hard and cut their feet; prickly pear thorns pierced even their leather clothes and moccasins; so heavy were the loads ... so hard the going, so difficult the ill-shaped wheels, that at every step the men must bend and strain, catching at grass and bush to drag themselves and their burdens even a few feet at a time. So spent were they, that at the word to rest and breathe they dropped in their tracks and, Lewis says, were, in their exhaustion, almost immediately asleep. As, at such a breathing spell, he wrote these words in his notes, and looked upon the poor, forlorn, huddled things, he could but recall a grave which they had left on the cliff by the stream THAT FIRST SUMMER . . . SERGT. FLOYD . . . They had fired the parting volley; sounded taps and sailed, as they must, relentlessly on their way . . . leaving no sentinel but the lone wolf that howled to the sky; — no mourner by the grave except in spirit that IDEAL for which he gave his life; but 48 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE COLUMBIA DOES CARE! . . . . . . Ah, so great a responsibility! HOW MANY MORE WOULD THEY LEAVE ^ But he must rouse them ... He called; they stumble to their feet ; they stumble on . . . -YET ALL GO CHEERFULLY," wrote Lewis on that day. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 49 EPISODE XXV. AFTER PORTAGE they re-embarked, their now depleted fleet aug- mented by two hastily constructed boats, mak- ing in all eight small canoes. THEIR BOATS WERE TOO HEAVILY LOADED TO CARRY THE MEN. Hence the eight crews were again harnessed , . . tandem . . . and walking along the shore, towed the boats. But THE EVER NARROWING STREAM WAS THREADED BETWEEN ROCKY WALLS THAT GAVE NO FOOTHOLD, forcing the men to the water. THUS THEY MOVED DAY AFTER DAY along a stream the bed of which was constantly recurring shallows where the boats must be drag- ged, interspersed with pools and channels through which the tandem teams must swim and tow their boats. Continually in the snow-chilled water, often up to their arm-pits, struggling THROUGH A LAND WHICH NO LONGER PROVIDED THEM WITH FOOD OR RAIMENT;— did it not require stout hearts? UNLESS THEY COULD FIND AND WERE HELPED BY FRIENDLY INDIANS, THEY HAD COME THUS FAR IN VAIN! Eagerly watching for signs of Indians, they found a worn pole which they showed to Saca- jawea. She told them that it was A MOVING POLE . . . HER PEOPLE, THEN, WERE MOVING . . . WHY? . . . She explained its use; how, being dragged by a pony, it supported the burden of their greater packs when moving. They found a worn Indian shoe . . Saca- jawea said it was AN ENEMY'S MOCCASIN! This was of tragic interest' Who, if any, had survived this apparent conflict? . . Would 50 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE they prove friends or foes? . . . And where were they? ... If foes, behind what shadow might they lurk? . . . THEY GOT OUT THEIR LITTLE FLAGS WITH THE THIRTEEN STARS FOR THE THIRTEEN COLONIES SO FAR AWAY. hoisted one on each canoe, primed their guns, tightened their harness, AND "CARRIED ON" . . . . . . Soldiers . . . Captain . . . little brown guide. . . . GOD KEEP THEIR MEMORY FRESH! THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 51 EPISODE XXVI. NEARLY HOME. Sacajawea now told them that she was So anxiously peering ahead . . . what does she see as they round a bend in the stream? . . . Three WILD WHITE SWAN! They were coming out of the defile to a more open space — they were NEAR THE CUP-LIKE VALLEY; Suddenly Sacajawea caught Lewis' arm. "NANITCH" (LOOK) ... She pointed toward the high ground. There, flinging a challenge, stood THE WILD STALLION! ("July 24th, 1805, at 10 o'clock A. M.)" What did it all mean? . . . They made the shore, and one of the men picked up AN ARROW . . . "ABOUT 2 FT. 9 IN. IN LENGTH" . . . At sight of it, reality faded, and Sacajawea again beheld the past; AGAIN SHE SAW THE BOYS OF THE VILLAGE go out to meet the advancing Big-Bellies . . . THIS WAS THE VERY SPOT ON WHICH SHE HAD BEEN TAKEN CAPTIVE; she had reached home at last, BUT HER TRIBE HAD VANISHED! 52 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XXVII. DETERMINED TO FIND HER PEOPLE IF ANY LIVED, Lewis took two men and scouted the country while the Expedition moved on, arranging to meet again further up stream. In advance of his men, he at last came upon a lone Indian on horseback, but could not come near. He pushed up his sleeves to show that his skin was white, CALLING, "TABBA-BONE" (White man). . . . made the blanket sign of peace ; but LEWIS SAW THE LONE INDIAN SUDDENLY WHEEL. Bitterly disappointed at the Indian's disap- pearance, he continued farther, and came upon THREE INDIAN WOMEN; ... an old woman, a young woman, and a girl. The young woman fled, but the old woman and the girl, seemingly thinking it futile to try to escape, kneeled down and held their heads for execution; THEY EXPECTED DEATH . . . Lewis took the woman's hand and raised her to her feet and gave her a gift; then he painted their faces with vermillion, which they permit- ted, and as such THEY RECEIVED A SIGN OF FRIENDSHIP; encouraged, Lewis felt that he was meeting with some success, when THE LONE INDIAN REAPPEARED WITH ALL THE WARRIORS OF THE TRIBE, mounted on splendid horses and armed with bows and arrows. The Chief rode in advance; there were eagle feathers in his horse's mane and tail ; by his side was the young woman who had run away. The party was undoubtedly INTENT ON ATTACK. When the warriors would have fallen upon the white men THE NEW FOUND FRIEND PROTESTED. THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 53 Gifts were offered the tribesmen. LEWIS POINTED TOWARD THE RIVER, and made known to the Indians by signs that he had friends there. The Indians then took from Lewis and his men their guns and ammuni- tion, and accompanied them to the river, still not convinced of friendship . . . CLARK'S PARTY HAD NOT ARRIVED, when they came to the river. Whereupon the Indians, considering themselves tricked, pre- pared to put the white men to death. LEWIS PLAYED FOR TIME; . . . Life was only a matter of minutes when Clark's party came in sight. Now the Chief and the young woman by his side . . . they start . . . they stare . . .for SACAJAWEA is running toward them, calling out in their own tongue! . . . She reaches the young woman . . . they embrace ... it is HER CHILDHOOD FRIEND whom she had last seen on the back of the wild Stallion ! And THE CHIEF . . . HER OWN BROTHER . . . CAMEAHWAIT! •»0l>tiillilillllilitlliiu>*^" 54 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XXVIII. ON THE GREAT DIVIDE, Lewis, dipping his cup in the spring and facing the East, drank A TOAST TO THE MISSOURI, and but a short distance away, dipped in that other spring, and, facing the West, drank, also, A TOAST TO THE COLUMBIA, upon which they were now prepared to set forth. Sacajawea's people had supplied them with horses, and now bade them farewell. Cameahwait told Sacajawea the courses and directions, STILL THEIR GUIDE, SHE LED THEM DOWN across the highlands and over THE LOLO TRAIL. Single file, each man led a pony packed with a share of the party's possessions, and on his own back carried his personal equipment. NO EARLIER SUFFERINGS EQUALED THEIR SORROWS ON THE TRAIL, which wound its tortuous way through the cleft heart of mountains of lava rock, twisting spirally down shelving walls that gave but the barest clinging place above deep blue chasms. Twice, a pony crowded by his pack, lost foot- hold and rolled to his destruction. No life was found to supply them with life. EVERY WAKING HOUR THEY HASTENED FORWARD, with garments worn and cut and torn to tatters, and with nothing with which to replace them. Fear urged them on, LEST FAMINE OVERTAKE THEM. "We dined and supped on a scant propor- tion of portable soup, a few canisters of which, a little bear's oil and about 20 lbs. candles form our stock of provisions." . . . THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 55 STARVING! They were sick; Lewis and Clark often car- ried both their own and the burdens of others. They arrived at the Snake River, a branch of the Columbia, Too weak to more properly construct them, they made three small canoes of pine logs burned hollow. In these they set out once more. 56 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE EPISODE XXIX. BUT WHO SHALL SPEAK OF TROUBLES GONE? Their tears, falling down their haggard cheeks, are they not the tears of men who give thanks for some great blessing? FOR THIS IS THE PROMISED LAND! . . . They had "come through." Three rudely fashioned boats of pine drifted on a heavenly river whose shores were sweetly green; a river guarded by sentinels of snow, a river that trimmed with blue, a land of beauty ... a land of plenty. . . . THE OREGON COUNTRY. An Indian runner, perched upon some high vantage point, saw three small objects FLOATING DOWN THE COLUMBIA. He was to bear this news to Multnomah, chief of all the lower tribes, for this was THE COMING OF THE WHITE MAN. Broader grew the wonderful river, more gentle its current, until its shores gave way, at last, on either side to mists that hid the land. On ahead, a white line showed THE BAR, where the river meets the ocean. After more than two years' journey, what feeling in their hearts? For in their ears now sounds THE MUSIC OF THE SEA. ••»»i>|i)iljlll|l||||l|||l|litil>ii THE WONDROUS ROMANCE 57 EPISODE XXX. Down along the beach at Clatsop three are walking — come after piteous sacrifice, at last to look upon THE PACIFIC OCEAN. . . . Three? . . . No, look! . . . With them walks Columbia WHERE THE WAVES KISS THE HEM OF HER ROBE; " can you doubt that she, THE SPIRIT FOR WHOM THIS PRIZE WAS WON. was near? It is because of the devotion of such as these, Columbia, that -A WORLD OFFERS HOMAGE TO THEE!" AGAIN IT WAS THE END OF SUMMER. . . . Standing on the shore AT MANDAN, Little Pomp toddling by her side, Chabonneau just behind, was Sacajawea. Out in the stream was the Expeditionary party, now returning home. In the White perogue were Lewis and Clark . . . THEY SAID GOOD-BYE What light went out of the life of Sacajawea with their going! Clark had begged her to give him Little Pomp, that he might bring him up as his own son; he told her that she might come, too; but Chabonneau had laid his detaining hand upon her and the child, the hand of ownership. . . . Lewis . . . But she belonged to Chabonneau ! 58 THE WONDROUS ROMANCE FINIS . . . Do you see, as I see, the eyes of COLUM- BIA that compel mine to their gaze? DOES COLUMBIA FEAR A MENACE NOW Does she seem to speak? to say IF SLEEPING, WAKE THE HOUR OF FATE! . Does she seem IF FEASTING, RISE ... IT IS THE END