THE MISSOURI RIVER JOURNALS 29 



Fort Union, and we fired guns in return, six in number. 

 The moment we had arrived, the gentlemen of the fort 

 came down on horseback, and appeared quite a cavalcade. 

 I was introduced to Mr. Culbertson and others, and, of 

 course, the introduction went the rounds. We walked to 

 the fort and drank some first-rate port wine, and returned 

 to the boat at half-past nine o'clock. Our captain was 

 pleased with the letter and the pistol. Our trip to the 

 this place has been the quickest on record, though our 

 boat is the slowest that ever undertook to reach the Yel- 

 lowstone. Including all stoppages and detentions, we 

 have made the trip in forty-eight days and seven hours 

 from St. Louis. We left St. Louis April 25th, at noon; 

 reaching Fort Union June 12th, at seven in the evening. 



June 13, Tuesday. We had a remarkably busy day on 

 board and on shore, but spent much of our time writing 

 letters. I wrote home at great length to John Bachman, 

 N. Berthoud, and Gideon B. Smith. We walked to the 

 fort once and back again, and dined on board with our 

 captain and the gentlemen of the fort. We took a ride 

 also in an old wagon, somewhat at the risk of our necks, 

 for we travelled too fast for the nature of what I was 

 told was the road. We slept on board the "Omega," 

 probably for the last time. 



We have been in a complete state of excitement unload- 

 ing the boat, reloading her with a new cargo, and we were 

 all packing and arranging our effects, as well as writing 

 letters. After dinner our belongings were taken to the 

 landing of the fort in a large keel-boat, with the last of 

 the cargo. The room which we are to occupy during our 

 stay at this place is rather small and low, with only one 

 window, on the west side. However, we shall manage 

 well enough, I dare say, for the few weeks we are to be 

 here. This afternoon I had a good deal of conversation 

 with Mr. Culbertson, and found him well disposed to do 

 all he can for us ; and no one can ask for more politeness 



