By the time the next day was over, the preparations had gone on so well that the boys had gained the consent of their parents to making the start at noon of the following day, which would give them several hours' gain on the original plan of campaign. Charts or plans of the country there were none, for no whites had penetrated more than a hundred miles or so to the westward. It was believed that many different tribes of Indians lived along the upper Missouri, for from time to time venturesome trappers had met roving bands and picked up a certain amount of information concerning the fierce Sioux, the Blackfeet, the Mandans, and other nations that warred against each other, and seemed to hold certain sections of the country as their hunting grounds, ready to fight any trespassers, be they red or white. Roger had gone down to the settlement of St. Louis to carry out some errand entrusted to him, and on his return it was seen that the boy looked very much excited, as though he might have heard news that concerned the mission he and his cousin had agreed to carry out. The others were gathered at the cabin of Grandfather Armstrong, examining something which the old man had brought out, and which he wished the boys to take along with them on their trip. So Roger came hurrying up, and his excited manner immediately drew the attention of everybody. The first thing that struck Bob Armstrong was that bad news might have been received concerning the expedition of Captain Lewis; for there had been many dismal prophecies uttered that they would fall before an overwhelming attack of hostile Indians before they had been a month on the way, or reached anywhere near the falls of the river at the place where Atchison, Kansas, now stands. "Tell us the worst, son!" demanded Sandy, as Roger reached the group. "Is it any evil that has befallen our good friend, Captain Lewis, and his gallant command?" "No, not that, father," replied the boy; "but, would you believe it? that Frenchman, François Lascelles, has been in St. Louis with his son; and, learning of our mission, they have already started, bent on finding Williams before we can, and fixing it so that all our work will be useless!" CHAPTER VII OFF ON THE GREAT JOURNEY "THE hound!" exclaimed Sandy Armstrong, with something of his old impetuosity. "But, even as it is, we will outwit him," Dick observed, with that quiet resolution that was so distinctly a part of his character. "They can only have a day or so the start of us; and it may not be so hard to get ahead of his party in the thick of the woods." "And if he tries any of his tricks on us," broke in the indignant Roger, "be sure that we will not spare him. We are going to remember that he is a bad man, who plans to rob us of our homes, and steal the property our parents have built up here. Yes, it won't be such a fine day for Monsieur Lascelles when he meets the Armstrong boys face to face; eh, Dick?"