"Now this had all been country largely settled by French people who had come down long ago from the Great Lakes. They didn't think Spain had exercised real sovereignty. Now we had bought up both claims, the Spanish and the French; so we owned St. Louis all right, going or coming. "So, first the Spanish flag over the old fort was struck. Next came the French. And the French loved the place so much, they begged they might have their flag fly over it for at least one night. Captain Lewis said they might, for he was a courteous gentleman, of course. But orders were orders. So in the morning the flag of France came down and the Flag of the United States of America was raised, where it has been ever since, and I think will always remain. Those events happened on March 9 and 10, 1804. "So there they were, with the Flag up over a country that nobody knew anything at all about. Then they started out, on May 14 of that year, 1804. And since that time that unknown America has grown to be one of the richest, if not the very richest, land in the world. And since that time, so much has the world changed, I have seen three flags flying at the same time over a city in France--those of France, of Great Britain, and of America, and all at peace with one another, though all at war together as allies in a cause they felt was just. May they float together now! Aye, and may Spain have no fear of any of the three." "Are you about done with the painting, Rob?" concluded Uncle Dick. "Yes, sir, finished." "Look it!" said John. Jesse was coming down from the tent, unrolling something wrapped around a stick. "Well now, well now," he drawled, "where shall I put this?" "Company, 'tenshun!" barked Uncle Dick. "Colors pass!" And all snapped again into the salute while Jesse fastened the Flag into the bow of the _Adventurer, of America_. "Now we're about all ready," said Jesse, gravely. And he also stood at the salute which good Scouts give the Flag, as a little band of strong men in buckskin had done, not far away, more than a hundred years ago. CHAPTER IV THE EARLY ADVENTURERS "Well, are you all set, fellows?" demanded Uncle Dick, at last, turning to his young companions and taking a look over the dismantled camp. "Just about, sir," answered Rob, who always was accepted as the next officer to Uncle Dick in command. "Load her down by the head all you can," said the latter, as the boys began storing the remaining duffle aboard. "Why?" asked Jesse, who always wanted to know reasons. "I'll tell you. This water is so roily you can't see into it very deep. It has a lot of snags and sweepers and buried stuff. Now, if she rides with bows high, she slips farther up, say, on a sunken log. If her bow is down a little, she either doesn't slide on, or else she slips on over." "Oh! I hadn't thought of that."