land? No, why buy it, when taking it was so much more simple and
delightful?

Based on this general lust of conquest, this Saxon zeal for new
territories, must have been that inspiration of Thomas Jefferson in
his venture of the far Northwest. He saw there the splendid vision of
his ideal republic. He saw there a citizenry no longer riotous and
roistering, not yet frenzied or hysterical, but strong, sober, and
constant. His was a glorious vision. Would God we had fully realized
his dream!

There were three flags afloat here or there in the Western country
then, and none knew what land rightly belonged under any of the three.
Indeed, over the heart of that region now floated all the three
banners at the same time--that of Spain, passing but still proud, for
a generation actual governor if not actual owner of all the country
beyond the Mississippi, so far as it had any government at all; that
of France, owner of the one great seaport, New Orleans, settler of the
valley for a generation; and that of the new republic only just
arriving into the respect of men either of the East or the West--a
republic which had till recently exacted respect chiefly through the
stark deadliness of its fighting and marching men.

It was a splendid game in which these two boys, Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark--they scarcely were more than boys--now were entering.
And with the superb unconsciousness and self-trust of youth, they
played it with dash and confidence, never doubting their success.

The prediction of William Clark none the less came true. In this
matter of flags, autocratic Spain was not disposed to yield. De
Lassus, Spanish commandant for so many years, would not let the young
travelers go beyond St. Louis, even so far as Charette. He must be
sure that his country--which, by right or not, he had ruled so
long--had not only been sold by Spain to France, but that the cession
had been duly confirmed; and, furthermore, he must be sure that the
cession by France to the United States had also been concluded
formally.

Traders and trappers had been passing through from the plains country,
yes--but this was a different matter. Here was a flotilla under a
third flag--it must not pass. Spanish official dignity was not thus to
be shaken, not to be hurried. All must wait until the formalities had
been concluded.

This delay meant the loss of the entire winter. The two young leaders
of the expedition were obliged to make the best of