Part 40 (1/2)
”News!” The voluble French but news!
The entire world is changed since you left I could not tell you in a month The Burr duel----”
”Yes, we did not know of it for two years,” said William Clark ”We have just heard about it, up river”
”The killing of Mr Hamilton ended the career of Colonel Burr,” said Chouteau ”But for that we ht have different times here in Mississippi He hadhim?”
It was the dark eye of Meriwether Lehich now compelled his attention
”No? Well, he cah this country once more He was arrested last suton The charge is treason against his government The country is full of it--his trial is to be at Rich on”
He did not notice the sudden change in Meriwether Lewis's face
”And all the world is swiarrulous inforain
Were it not so, one or the other of theates of New Orleans, that is sure This country is still discontented There was much in the plan of Colonel Burr to separate this valley into a country of its own, independent--to force a secession fro Indeed, he was prepared for that; but now his conspiracy is done Perhaps, however, you do not hold with the theory of Colonel Burr?”
”Hold with the theory of Colonel Burr, sir?” exclaimed the deep voice of Meriwether Lewis ”Hold with it? This is the first time I have knohat it was It was treason! If he had any join hiree with hi as possible of him!”
”He had many friends,” went on Chouteau; ”very many friends They are scattered even now all up and down this country--ive up their cause All those men needed was a leader”
”But, M Chouteau,” rejoined Lewis, ”I do not understand--I cannot!
What Colonel Burr attempted was an actual treason to this republic I find it difficult to believe that!”
Chouteau shrugged his shoulders
”There may be two names for it,” he said
”And every one asked to join the cause was asked to join in treason to his country Is it not so?” Leent on
”There
”He was my friend,” said Meriwether Lewis ”I trusted him!”
”Always, I repeat, there are two names for treason But what puzzles me is this,” Chouteau continued ”What halted the cause of Colonel Burr here in the West? He seeanization was coreat lands purchased as a rendezvous below He had understandings with foreign powers, that is sure Well, then, here is Colonel Burr at St
Louis, all his plans arranged He is ready to reat kingdom, with Mexico as part of it He was a man able to ! Why? At the last point so--no one knehat So lacked--no one can tell what And all the tih others--Colonel Burr was eager to hear so of the expedition of Lewis and Clark into the West Why? No one knows! _Does_ no one know?”
The captain did not speak, and Chouteau presently went on
”Why did Colonel Burr hesitate, why did he give up his plans here--why, indeed, did he fail? You ask s were? I say, it was because of you--_ men, with your Lewis and Clark Expedition! It was _you_ who broke the Burr Conspiracy--for so they call it in these days _Messieurs_, that is your news!”
CHAPTER XIV
THE GUESTS OF A NATION