Stored in the other boats and canoes were five hundred muskets,
mostly from France, barrels of powder, scores of bars of lead, precious
medicines worth their weight in gold, blankets, cloth for uniforms and
underclothing. It was the most valuable cargo ever started up the
Mississippi and there were many strong and brave men to guard it.
"We carry things both to kill and to cure," said Paul.
"An' we're goin', too!" said Long Jim, heaving again that mighty sigh of
relief. "That's the big thing!"
They started the next day at the appointed time. Henry, Paul, and Long Jim
were In one of the leading boats, and Tom Ross and Shif'less Sol were in
another near them. The population of New Orleans was on the levee to see
them go, and some wished them good luck and many wished them bad. The
majority of the French were for them, and the majority of the Spanish
against them.
But the five, now that the time was at hand, felt only elation. The breeze
blew strong and fresh over the mighty river that came from their
beloved-forests and vast unknown regions beyond. They seemed to feel in it
some of the tang and sparkle of the north.
"Good-bye, New Orleans," said Jim Hart, waving a long hand on a long arm;
"I'm glad I've seed you, I'm glad I've laid my weary head to rest inside
your walls fur a few nights, but I'm glad I don't stay in you, nor in any
other town.
Pages:
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342