CHAPTER XVI

THE PARTY.--THE START

Leaves Washington--Expedites matters in St. Louis--Dispatches party up Missouri--Up Mississippi to St. Paul--Rouses party in camp before breakfast--Breaking mules--Incessant rains--Roster of the party--General plan--March to Sauk River--Winnebago Indians--Canadian voyageurs--Pierre Boutineau--Camp regulations--Assimilated rank--All to stand guard--Pembina train--Pushing on detached parties--March to Pike lake--Swollen streams, bogs--Crossing Sauk and Crow rivers--Lightning Lake--Fish and game--Relieves Lieutenant Du Barry--Discharges inefficient men--White Bear Lake--Parties reassemble at Pike Lake 302