miles on foot from Santa Fe to the City of Mexico,
which followed so close upon the heart-breaking and disastrous northward
march from Texas to a vile betrayal and barbarous treatment. Anything
American or Texas plainsmen could do to hurt or discredit the inhuman
pomposity whose rise to power had been through black treachery and
coldly planned murder, would be done with enthusiastic zeal.

At the close of the leisurely eaten meal they went on deck in time to
see the _John Auld_ round the next upstream bend and forge forward, soon
stopping, however, to drift past the slowed _Missouri Belle_ while their
pilots exchanged terse information about the channels and snags. The
_John Auld_ carried a small cargo of fur packs on her main deck and a
few free hunters and trappers on their way to St. Louis to dispose of
their goods and to outfit anew. By this time the fur of the pelts
slipped and the fur taking season was over, but there was always the
buffalo to lure them afield again.

The evening was delightful and hopes ran high for an uninterrupted
voyage. Uncle Joe expressed the belief that the boat would run all night
in view of the favorable weather; Tom demurring on the grounds of the
rapidly falling river and the blackness of the nights. The boat curved
sharply to avoid a jutting bar and straightened out again. Prompted by
sight of some of the passengers who promenaded past them the talk swung
to the fur trade in general and to the end of it, which was rapidly
being brought nearer by the great tide of emigration setting in.
Discussions regarding the emigrants and the great Oregon Trail followed
as a matter of course and almost before they knew it it was time for
Patience to retire, and her companions soon followed her example, Uncle
Joe foregoing his usual night game.

When morning broke they found that they had sailed nearly all the night,
and the boat kept on all day, stopping only at a few landings and to
take on wood, of which she burned an amazing quantity. Another night's
run brought them well up the river, but the following day found them
tied to a bank, because of adverse weather. In the afternoon, the wind
dying out, they were on the way again and another night's sail was
looked for. Patience retired earlier than usual and when Tom returned
from seeing her safely into her room he found Uncle Joe impatiently
waiting for him.

"Come on, Tom," said the merchant. "I've still got a lot to learn about
gamblin' an' th