The weary soldiers, thirsting and starving, viewed this little harbinger of plenty with delight, and their strength began to return as they increased their step in the march toward the river. O, that beautiful river:--"The Nectar of the Gods." How life-inspiring its fluid, as discipline was forgotten and joy and happy shouts took the place of misery in the command. The thirst was slaked, and now for something to eat, for soldiers, poor mortals, get very hungry, and how often they longed for some good home-made bread and sugar and cream for coffee. And pies; well, our mouths used to fairly water for pies. But, on this especial occasion, almost anything would do, for the boys were awfully hungry, and the commissary was like "Old Mother Hubbard's" cupboard--empty. There were timber bottoms a little way down the river full of elk and black-tailed deer, so the Indians informed us. A detail was made, and the hunters went out in search of game, and before night they returned with the evidence of their day's hunt with them. They were like the spies sent out in Bible times, who came back laden with grapes, and reported that the country which they had explored was rich, and flowed with milk and honey. So, too, our soldier-hunters said the bottom lands were alive with elk and deer; and, by the next night, the luscious ribs and steaks were sizzling in the blaze, and hunger was being appeased as well as the thirst had been. The war being practically over, the several commands returned by various routes to the points from whence they came, and were at once ordered South to take their places in some of the other armies. The campaigns of 1862, '63 and '64 were successfully carried out, and we will recapitulate our desires, our journeyings, our hopes and our fears and our rejoicings in another chapter, and bid you adieu. [Illustration: Examining the Colors After the Campaign.] CHAPTER XLIV. CONCLUSION. In writing this narrative my mind has been refreshed and incidents and the names of persons almost forgotten come to me--they press on my memory. I am able to recall many, but to specify them would unduly lengthen this book. There was one important character, however, whom I had quite forgotten at the proper time, and in this concluding chapter must make mention of him. Pierre Bottineau came originally from the Selkirk settlement, and in 1837 made a claim near St. Anthony Falls.