"Pete, he knows his business! Never seen his like. Hitch your canoe fast and he'll tow you over without using more than one hand and with both eyes shet." Deerfoot acted as if he did not understand the words, and impelled the craft so accurately that when it touched shore it did so at a point precisely opposite the spot where he and his companions had entered the craft. While our friends were crossing the Missouri the explorers completed their preparations for the evening. They had toiled hard all day in pulling, pushing and paddling the boats up stream, for there were not many places where progress could be made by any other means. The pirogues were furnished with sails, and now and then a strong favorable wind lightened the toil of the men. When Deerfoot and the boys stepped out of the boat and came up the low but steep bank, two persons, attired in rough garb resembling that worn by hunters, came forward and cordially received them. The one in advance extended his hand and said: "I am Captain Meriwether Lewis, and this is my friend, Captain William Clark. We are glad to meet you." As he spoke he offered his hand to George Shelton, who introduced himself and then his companions. "This is my twin brother Victor, though he hardly looks it. This is our guide, Deerfoot the Shawanoe." The two officers welcomed the little party, and Captain Lewis added: "We should be glad to have you spend several days with us, but you seem to be traveling in the opposite direction." "Yes," said George, "we are homeward bound, and have been gone so long that we feel in somewhat of a hurry." "May I ask where your home is?" "In southern Ohio, at the settlement of Woodvale, near the mouth of the Miami." "You are a long way from there." "Yes," Victor took it upon himself to remark, "but we have been a good deal farther." "When did you leave Woodvale?" "About a year ago." "And how far west have you been?" "Far enough to get a glimpse of the Pacific Ocean." "That is _our_ destination. We thought we were to be the first white men to make the journey." "So you will be, for we did not go all the way to the coast. I suppose you will do that?" "Such are our instructions from President Jefferson." While this conversation was going on other members of the exploring party gathered round. George had yielded the place of spokesman to his brother, and Deerfoot stood a few paces behind him. He was conscious of the curious scrutiny he was under from several of the members, but he acted as if unaware of it and held his peace. But he, too, was using his eyes and listening to the talk of the leaders, in whom he was much interested. Victor fancied he detected just a shade of disappointment in the last remark of Captain Lewis, and he hastened to add: "We amount to nothing. Only two of us belong to your race, and we cannot ask to be considered as men for a few years to come."