Seaman Suffers from Prickly Pear During the Great Falls Portage

During the grueling 18-mile portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri, Seaman suffered alongside the men from the relentless prickly pear cactus that covered the ground. The cactus needles pierced through the men’s moccasins and drove deep into Seaman’s paws, causing him to limp and whimper in pain. Lewis noted that the dog was in visible distress from the thorns, which were nearly impossible to avoid on the portage route.

The Great Falls portage was among the most physically punishing stretches of the entire expedition. The men hauled canoes and heavy supplies over rough terrain under blazing sun, their feet torn by prickly pear and their bodies battered by hailstorms. That Seaman endured the same torment without abandoning the party speaks to the dog’s remarkable loyalty and toughness.

Lewis took time to tend to Seaman’s paws when possible, pulling out the thorns that caused the most visible lameness. The dog was also suffering from the extreme heat and constant mosquitoes, which Lewis described as “almost insufferable.” Despite these hardships, Seaman completed the portage with the rest of the party and continued west.