they." During the whole route, our wants were constantly supplied; yes, we lived in the midst of the greatest abundance. The rivers furnished us excellent fish, water-fowl, ducks, geese and swans; the forests and plains gave us fruits and roots. We never wanted for game: we found everywhere either immense herds of buffalo, or deer, antelope, mountain sheep or bighorn, pheasants, wild turkeys and partridges.
On the way, along the Missouri, I met thousands of In-, dians of different tribes: Crows, Assiniboins, Minnetarees, Mandans, Aricaras, Sioux, etc. I always stopped a day
or two with them. I received the greatest marks of respect and affection from these hitherto untutored children of the plains and mountains, and they listened to my words with the utmost attention. For many years these poor tribes have desired to have missionaries and to be instructed.
My greatest, I may say almost my only consolation, is to have been the instrument, in the hand of Divine Providence, of the eternal salvation of a great number of little children; of about goo I baptized, many were sickly, and seemed only to wait for this happiness, to fly to God, to praise him for all eternity.
To God alone be all the glory; and to the Blessed Virgin Mary, our most humble and most profound thanks for the protection and benefits received during this long journey, lifter having traveled, by land and river, over 8,314 miles, and 6,950 on sea, without any serious accident, I arrived safe and sound at St. Louis, among my dear brethren in Jesus Christ.'
2 P. J. De Smet in account with Government [while in its service as chaplain, 1839].
Pay for self as chaplain, etc., in the United States army in Oregon from the 1st of May, 1859, up to the aid of September, 1839 ...............................................
$476 72
Expenses incurred during my voyage in Oregon and in Washington Territory with eight Indian chiefs, Flatheads, Ccrur d'Alenes, Spokans,