"I have met him many times," said Captain Clark, "and never liked the man. He is one of those blustering bullies, who believes he can frighten others by a black frown, and hard words." When the expedition once more started, the boys were looked upon as members of the party. They had a most delightful afternoon, vastly different from the distress and gloom of the earlier part of the day. All that was done they watched with considerable interest, learning how these expert French Canadian watermen managed, in order to cope with the swift current of the river at its worst stage. It was agreed by all that the flood would subside almost as quickly as it had come, and that inside of two days the river would probably be at about the same level as before. Still, as it kept on rising for the balance of the afternoon, Dick was of the opinion that the island must have been fully covered, which, had they remained there, would have necessitated their climbing the tree, in order to keep from being swept away. They were bubbling over with delight at their improved prospects. "I'll always believe in that old saying about its being 'darkest just before dawn,'" Roger remarked, as they rode on ahead of the rest of the party, though there were always a few scouts far in the van to look for signs of hostile Indians, who might be trying to lay some sort of ambush, with the design of sending a shower of arrows among the whites. "Who are these Mandan Indians the captain was telling us about, Dick?" asked the younger boy, while they rode together late in the afternoon, with a fair sky overhead, and a brisk breeze blowing that seemed to hint of the autumn season not so far away. "I've heard some talk about them," replied Dick; "and people say they are different from all the other tribes up here. Some call them the white Indians, because they seem to be less of a coppery hue than the rest. And they have many queer customs, which we may see for ourselves--if we have to stick by the expedition that long, at least." (Note 5.) "'At least!'" echoed Roger, meaningly; "that sounds as if you might be thinking of accepting Captain Lewis's invitation to become members of the expedition, and go all the way with him to the Western ocean." Dick sighed. "Sometimes I am tempted to say I'd like nothing better, if we could be positive that the paper, that is going to save our parents' homes, was sure of reaching the hands of Grandfather Armstrong. Then again, a longing to see my mother and father and Sam will grip me, and shake that temptation off." "It is the same with me, Dick; and, yet, just think what a glorious chance we have to see wonderful things. It will never come to us again; and perhaps our parents would think we were foolish not to take advantage of it now. Of course I never would dream of such a thing, if we couldn't get that paper home to them; but Captain Lewis assured us it would go just as safely with his messengers as though we carried it ourselves."