e in silence, as he went
on hurriedly:

"I must say good-by to you, best and noblest of men. Indeed, I have
said good-by to--everything."

"As you say, your case is hopeless?"

"Yes, sir."

"Ah, well, we have both been planning for our Western expedition these
ten years, my son; so why should we fret if matters conspire to bring
it about a trifle earlier than we planned?"

"I asked you when I was a boy to send me, but you could not then."

"No, but instead I sent yonder maundering Michaux. He, Ledyard, and
all the others failed me. They never saw the great vision. There it
lies, unknown, tremendous--no man knows what--that new country. I have
had to hide from the people of this republic this secret purpose which
you and I have had of exploring the vast Western country. I have
picked you as the one man fitted for that work. I do not make
mistakes. You are a born woodsman and traveler--you are ready to my
hand as the instrument for this magnificent adventure. I cannot well
spare you now--but yes, you must go!"

They stood there, two men who made our great adventure for
us--vision-seers, vision-owned, gazing each into the other's eyes.

"Send me now, Mr. Jefferson!" repeated Meriwether Lewis. "Send me now.
I will mend to usefulness again. I will work for you all my life, if
need be--and I want my name clear with you."

The old man laid a kindly hand upon his shoulder.

"I must yield you to your destiny," said he. "It will be a great one."
He turned aside, a hand to his lip as he paced uncertainly. "But I
still am wondering what our friends are doing yonder in France," said
he. "That is the question. Livingston, Monroe, and the others--what
are they doing with Napoleon Bonaparte? The news from France--but
stay," he added. "Wait! I had forgotten. Come, we shall see about it!"

With the sudden enthusiasm of a boy he caught his young aide by the
arm. They passed down the hall, out by the rear entrance and across
the White House grounds to the brick stables which then stood at the
rear.

Mr. Jefferson paid no attention to the sleek animals there which
looked in greeting toward him. Instead, he passed in front of the
series of stalls, and without excuse or explanation hurriedly began to
climb the steep ladder which led to the floor above.

They stood at length in the upper apartment of the stable buildings.
It was not a mow or feed loft, but rather a bird loft, devoted to the
use of many pigeons. All about the e