They heard and answered with a straggling but determined chorus of approval.

They crossed the rolling current of the Wabash by a tedious process of ferrying, and at last found themselves once more wading in back-water up to their armpits, breaking ice an inch thick as they went.

It was the closing struggle to reach the high wooded lands.

Many of them fell exhausted; but their stronger comrades lifted them, holding their heads above water, and dragged them on.
Clark, always leading, always inspiring, was first to set foot on dry land.

He shouted triumphantly, waved his sword, and then fell to helping the men out of the freezing flood.