f the best wine growing districts of
the Rhine.

Wagon teams were crossing on the ice along the upper river. Paul was
much reduced in flesh, and his face bronzed like an Indian's.

At last, one Sunday morning, sixty-four days after the trip was begun,
they camped for the last time at the mouth of the Missouri where it
empties into the Mississippi. St. Louis was twenty miles away. They
entered that city during the afternoon and were given a
tremendous reception. This voyage of 3,580 miles was the longest and
roughest journey Boyton ever made.

CHAPTER XXII.

The long, trying voyage of the Yellowstone and Missouri gave Paul a keen
relish for a few week's rest at home. He recuperated so rapidly,
however, that when he received an invitation from a friend to go on a
hunting expedition aboard a private steamboat, he was ripe to accept it.
The steamer was then on the Mississippi and Paul joining her at Memphis,
her nose was turned for southwestern waters. They steamed up the
Arkansas to Bayou Meta, and were soon far in the depths of the woods.
Though the water of the bayou was very deep, it was so narrow at places
that trees and vines had to be cut away so the boat could push her way
through. Several weeks were spent in shooting deer and bear, catching
coon, opossum and other game. At their manufactured salt licks, they
succeeded in taking all the deer they wanted. Boyton's love for
pets quickly manifested itself and every odd corner of the little
steamer had an occupant. Among these was a cub bear, captured after
killing the old one, by throwing a coat over it. It was a vicious
little brute at first, spitting and clawing at everything that went
near it, and it seemed impossible to train. After many things had
been tried without avail, a stick with some honey on its end was thrust
between the bars of the cage. The little fellow struck at it wickedly
at first, but noticing the honey on its paws, began to smell, then to
taste it. The honey was so much to its liking that it was soon eating
out of Boyton's hand and in a short time it was as tame and playful as a
kitten.

Tiring of hunting, Paul was taken with a desire to feel the current of
the Arkansas, to which river they returned and with such intention, he
packed his dress and tender and proceeded to Ft. Smith, starting above
that city at the mouth of the Poteau river, Choctaw Nation, Indian
Territory, January 12t