CHAPTER IV.
THE FLATHEAD MISSION.
Father De Smet detailed for the Flathead Mission - Journey across the plains - Meeting with Flathead envoys - The welcome at Pierre's Hole - Flattering prospects-joy of the Indians - Gratitude of Father De Smet - Journey to Three Forks - John Baptiste de Velder - Father De Srnet starts home - Passage of the Crow country - Interesting intercourse with the Crows - Dangerous journey to Fort Union - Journey down the Missouri - Agreeable encounter with the Sioux- Arrival in St. Louis - Disappointment in regard to funds - Father De Smet seeks contributions - Signal success - Second journey across the plains - Founding of St. Mary's Mission among the Flatheads - Difficulties and set-backs - Journey to Fort Colville and return - Work at the Mission - Visit to Fort Vancouver and the Willamette - Return to St. Mary's - Departure for St. Louis - Incidents of the journey - Arrival in St. Louis.
When it came to fulfilling the promise made to Ignace and Pierre Gaucher, Father De Smet volunteered to go and the task was assigned to him. It was at first expected to send two priests but it was found impossible to raise the necessary funds. Accordingly Father De Smet was sent alone. He could at least survey the ground and report whether it would be worth while to carry the work farther.
On the 27th of March, 1840, he set out on his long journey. He traveled by steamboat to Westport (Kansas City) and there joined the annual expedition of the American Fur Company to the mountains. It was under charge of a trader, Andrew Drips, well-known in the early history of the west. The party left Westport on April 30, following the general route of the Oregon Trail, and without any untoward event, reached the annual rendezvous on Green river just two months later.