Immediately after his return to St. Louis in 1846, he went to New Orleans, returning in January, 1847, and later in the year made a journey to Europe returning to America in midsummer, 1848. He was then sent on an expedition to the Sioux country and returned to St. Louis late in December. The years 1849 and 1850 were spent in St. Louis except for several journeys in the capacity of Socius with the Father Provincial to Catholic institutions in various parts of the country.
Here again we come upon an obscure spot in Father De Smet's life. It is apparent that he now saw before him the long-wished-for opportunity of spending the rest of his life among the Indians. He repeatedly refers to this fact in his letters, but always without explanation. Just before leaving St. Louis on the expedition of 1851, which we shall next relate, he wrote the words already quoted: "Probably we shall never again see each other on this side of the grave." In another letter written at the same time he says that he expects never to return. Upon what he based these expectations or what brought about their prompt non-fulfillment, we do not know, except that upon the very eve of departure he received a letter from the Father General disapproving his plan of going among the Indians. Preparations were, however, too far advanced to be countermanded, and his superiors in St. Louis decided that he should at least attend the Indian council which the Government had decided to hold that summer and at which Father De Smet had promised to assist.
The great rush of emigrants to Oregon which began in the early Forties and kept on increasing year after year; and the immeasurable tide that swept over the plains as a result of the discovery of gold in California, wrought a profound change of conditions in the western country. The Indian saw his once undisputed domain slipping steadily from his grasp. He became restless and discontented. It was apparent that trouble might arise at any time and it became necessary to take some measures to avoid it. To that end