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.