Halifax for coal. Through the incompetence of the pilot the vessel was wrecked and lost but the crew and passengers were saved. After a short delay the passengers were taken on the steamer Niagara and carried to Boston. Father De Smet was back in St. Louis the day after Christmas.
The years 1854-5 and most of 1856 were spent in St. Louis, except for the journeys made as Socius with the Father Provincial to the various Catholic establishments in the Mississippi valley. In the year 1855 Father De Smet took the last important vows pertaining to membership of the Society of Jesus and one which is never permitted to members before they reach the age of forty-fire. Father De Smet thus refers to this event: " On Assumption Day I took my last vows. Remember me in your holy sacrifices and prayers that I may remain faithful to my holy engagements."
In September, 1856, Father De Smet sailed again by the steamer Fulton for Europe, and after an extensive tour of the cities of Europe, re-embarked in April, 1857, on the Leopold for New York. This visit to Europe was a most unwelcome one to the much traveled priest. "The journey comes wonderfully hard on me on the present occasion," he writes. "I find consolation only that it is undertaken by obedience." Reluctant as he was to go, he was even more rejoiced to get back. "I embraced the floor of my room on entering it," he wrote, " and from my inmost heart thanked the Lord."
In December, 1857, Father Duerinck was drowned near Independence, Mo. He was descending the Missouri in an open boat with six men. The boat ,vas wrecked on a snag. Duerinck was a close friend of Father De Smet, his aunt having been the first -,vi fe of De Smet's father. The occurrence completely prostrated Father De Smet.
Father De Smet had not at this time been to the Indian country for six years; but in 1858 a call came from quite an unexpected quarter. The Mormon Rebellion of