Francis Parkman embarked on his first westward journey on April 28,
1846, from Saint Louis. The Oregon Trail chronicles his wilderness
explorations, explains American westward migration, and honors the
character of the United States.On April 28, Radnor-since lost-Parkman
and his friend and relative Quincy A. Shaw traveled to the Rocky
Mountains out of curiosity and enjoyment.They were followed by Shaw's
sorrel horse, another mule, and Henry Chatillon's horse, a tough grey
Wyandotte pony. Delorier, a Canadian, has all the qualities of the real
Jean Baptiste.A loaded and capped revolver was on the mantelpiece, and
John Milton's head was visible through the glass of a bookcase where the
handle of a very mischievous knife sparkled.All the ladies present, many
of them were slashing their legs with knives, howling, shrieking, and
wailing. When fifty voices started to cheer and shout, they had just
completely vanished.They were traveling through the Shawano nation,
which was only partially civilized. Every field and meadow bore evidence
of the soil's opulent fertility. The young wild apple trees were now
draped densely with ruddy fruit, as opposed to when they were flushed
with their fragrant blossoms.
