But the lives of their friends now at or near the mouth of Maria's River were at stake, as well as their own.

Indeed, it was not certain but that the Indians had, by hard riding and a circuitous route, already attacked the river party left at the falls.

So Captain Lewis told his men that they must go on, and, if attacked, they must tie their horses together by the head and stand together, selling their lives as dearly as possible, or routing their enemies.

The journal now says:-- "To this they all assented, and we therefore continued our route to the eastward, till at the distance of twelve miles we came near the Missouri, when we heard a noise which seemed like the report of a gun.
We therefore quickened our pace for eight miles farther, and, being about five miles from Grog Spring, now heard distinctly the noise of several rifles from the river.

We hurried to the bank, and saw with exquisite satisfaction our friends descending the river.