He first equipped a row-galley with two four-pounders and four swivels, and sent her off with a crew of forty men, having named her the Willing.

[Footnote: Under the command of Clark's cousin, Lt.

John Rogers.] She was to patrol the Ohio, and then to station herself in the Wabash so as to stop all boats from descending it.

She was the first gun-boat ever afloat on the western waters.
His March against Vincennes.
Then he hastily drew together his little garrisons of backwoodsmen from the French towns, and prepared for the march overland against Vincennes.
His bold front and confident bearing, and the prompt decision of his measures, had once more restored confidence among the French, whose spirits rose as readily as they were cast down; and he was especially helped by the creole girls, whose enthusiasm for the expedition roused many of the more daring young men to volunteer under Clark's banner.

By these means he gathered together a band of one hundred and seventy men, at whose head he marched out of Kaskaskia on the 7th of February.
[Footnote: Letter to Henry.