While engaged in this work Captain La Barge found it necessary to run down to New Orleans with his boat. He went to transact some business with Jesse K. Bell, a man closely connected with Mississippi River business and a capitalist well known throughout the valley. While in his office someone came in and asked to see Dave McCann. “What McCann is that?” asked La Barge. “Dave McCann.” “Dave McCann?” “Yes. Do you know him?” “I used to know a Dave McCann over forty years ago.” “Well, I guess it’s the same man. Let’s see if he knows you,” and Bell sent his servant to call McCann in. When La Barge was on the _Warrior_ during the Blackhawk war in 1832 McCann was second engineer on the boat. The two young men became intimately acquainted and very fond of each other. They were together for a time during the cholera scourge and promised to take care of each other if either were taken sick. Finally their ways parted and neither had seen or heard of the other since. McCann quickly appeared in Mr. Bell’s office and glanced at where La Barge was sitting. “Well, if here isn’t Joe La Barge!” he exclaimed, grasping his old associate by the hand. “And if this isn’t Dave McCann!” was the Captain’s warm rejoinder. McCann was at the time president of the Cotton Compress Company and of the New Orleans Foundry Company. Captain La Barge did not reach St. Louis until February, 1873. He remained there for a while and made a second, and this time profitable, trip to Shreveport. He then advertised for Benton, secured a good cargo, and made a successful trip. [Sidenote: INCIDENT AT FORT RICE.] [Sidenote: CUSTER AND STANLEY.]