swift current instantly rolled the yawl under and the crew were drowned. [Sidenote: LA BARGE’S GENEROSITY.] When the _Spread Eagle_ returned to St. Louis charges were preferred against Bailey for having attempted to wreck the _Emilie_. He was brought to trial before the steamboat inspector and his license was canceled. It was a hard blow to him, for steamboating was his trade, and he had a large family to support. About a month afterward he went to La Barge saying that he had been trying to get the inspector to reinstate him, but that he would not do it except upon La Barge’s recommendation. Bailey admitted his guilt, but said that he had acted at the instigation of the Company’s agents, and he begged La Barge to reinstate him for the sake of his wife and children. The Captain was never good at resisting appeals of this sort, and he accordingly went to the inspector and got Bailey reinstated. [Sidenote: CHOUTEAU IN DOUBT.] When the _Emilie_ was reported as back from her trip, the old gentleman Chouteau sent his carriage to bring La Barge to the office. “At what point did you turn back?” he asked when La Barge arrived, for the phenomenally quick trip indicated that the _Emilie_ did not reach Fort Benton. “Fort Benton, sir,” replied La Barge. “Tut, tut! I know you could not have done that. Tell me candidly where you left your trip.” “Fort Benton, sir.” “We’ll see about it. I don’t believe it, don’t believe it.” “Sorry you doubt my word, but it is nevertheless true.” “Where did you leave the _Spread Eagle_?” “’Way below Benton; found her cordelling.” “Well, if you got to Fort Benton you made a good trip; but I don’t believe it.” As soon as Captain La Barge reached St. Louis he loaded his boat with merchandise for the new posts along the river, intending to go back until he should meet the _Shreveport_, a much lighter-draft vessel, and transfer the cargo to her for the rest of the trip. The _Shreveport_ left Fort Benton July 6, and met the _Emilie_ at Sioux City. The transfer of cargo and passengers was made, and the _Emilie_ returned to St. Louis. The _Shreveport_ went as high as the mouth of Milk River, the farthest of the new posts except that near Fort Benton. After the _Emilie’s_ return from her second voyage she went to work for the government, carrying stores from St. Louis to Memphis, and remained in this service all winter. The river portion of the season’s operations of the new firm had been a complete success. Three large cargoes had been sent up the river, two to Fort Benton and one to the lower posts. Of these posts there were four--La Framboise, near old Fort Pierre; another near Fort Berthold; Fort Stuart, near the mouth of Poplar River, and Fort Galpin, near the mouth of Milk River. It remains to notice what was done at Fort Benton and in the projected expedition to the mines. [Sidenote: FORT LA BARGE.]