They had the beginning, which was the attack and Pierre’s death, and the end, which was the recognition on the Columbia River.

They knew the distance and the duration.

They attributed the success to her skills.

They were right about the skills.

They were right about the distance.

They were right about what she did.

What they did not do, and what the larger tradition of American historical writing continued not to do for generations, was give her survival the sustained attention it deserved.

The Child’s Voice On The River