He lay down, yet slept but little, being in fact scarcely less uneasy than his Indian companions.

He was apprehensive that, finding the ascent of the river impracticable, Captain Clark might have stopped below Rattlesnake bluff, and the messenger would not meet him.

The consequence of disappointing the Indians at this moment would most probably be that they would retire and secrete themselves in the mountains, so as to prevent our having an opportunity of recovering their confidence.

They would also spread a panic through all the neighboring Indians, and cut us off from the supply of horses so useful and almost so essential to our success.
He was at the same time consoled by remembering that his hopes of assistance rested on better foundations than their generosity--their avarice and their curiosity.

He had promised liberal exchanges for their horses; but what was still more seductive, he had told them that one of their countrywomen, who had been taken with the Minnetarees, accompanied the party below; and one of the men had spread the report of our having with us a man (York) perfectly black, whose hair was short and curled.
This last account had excited a great degree of curiosity, and they seemed more desirous of seeing this monster than of obtaining the most favorable barter for their horses." On the following day, August 17, the two parties of explorers finally met.