396     GOVERNOR AND MARSHAL START FOR OREGON.



-after breakfast. Lane sat writing, when Meek, introducing
himself, laid his papers before him.
   "Do you accept ?" asked Meek.
   "Yes," answered Lane.
   "How soon can you be ready to start ?"
   "In fifteen minutes!" answered Lane, with military
promptness.
  Three days, however, were actually required to make the
necessary preparations for leaving his farm and proceed-
ing to the most remote corner of the United States terri-
tory.
  At St. Louis they were detained one day, waiting for a
boat to Leavenworth, where they expected to meet their
escort. This one day was too precious to be lost in wait-
ing by so business-like a person as our hero, who, when
nothing more important was to be done generally was
found trying to get rid of his money. So, on this occa-
sion, after having disburdened himself of a small amount
in treating the new Governor and all his acquaintances, he
entered into negotiations with a peddler who was impor-
tuning the passengers to buy everything, from a jack-
knife to a silk dress.
  Finding that Nat. Lane, they General's son, wanted a
knife, but was disposed to beat down the price, Meek
made an offer for the lot of a dozen or two, and thereby
prevented Lane getting one at any price. Not satisfied
with this investment, he next made a purchase of three
whole pieces of silk, at one dollar and fifty cents per yard.
At this stage of the transaction General Lane interfered
sufficiently to inquire " what he expected to do with that
stuff ?"
  "Can't tell," answered Meek; "but I reckon it is worth
the money.
  '* Better save your money," said the more prudent Lane.