On the third day, however, an explosion took place, and it was produced by no less a personage than Pierre Dorion, the half-breed interpreter.

It will be recollected that this worthy had been obliged to steal a march from St.
Louis, to avoid being arrested for an old whiskey debt which he owed to the Missouri Fur Company, and by which Mr.Lisa had hoped to prevent his enlisting in Mr.Hunt's expedition.

Dorion, since the arrival of Lisa, had kept aloof and regarded him with a sullen and dogged aspect.

On the fifth of July the two parties were brought to a halt by a heavy rain, and remained encamped about a hundred yards apart.

In the course of the day Lisa undertook to tamper with the faith of Pierre Dorion, and, inviting him on board of his boat, regaled him with his favorite whiskey.