Pierre held firm.

Marie had already made her own position clear on the matter.

And eventually Hunt accepted the arrangement, apparently at least partly because Dorion’s skills as an interpreter were too valuable to refuse on the grounds of an attached family.

Marie became the only woman in the Hunt overland expedition.

Sixty-two men.

Two small boys.

And one Ioway woman who would prove, over the next two and a half years, to be among the most capable people in the entire enterprise.

The Journey West That Nearly Killed Them First