Among a people of strange speech -- The first generation: Pierre Laclède Liguest -- Haughty children of the middle waters -- The business of St. Louis -- Auguste and Pierre, greatly loved and greatly feared -- New rulers, new ways -- Intrigues and possibilities -- Enveloped in a cloud of miseries -- Dreaming big--and stumbling -- The third generation -- Auguste and Pierre: men of property -- Pierre Jr.: gentle Creole, driven tycoon -- A.P. Chouteau: star-crossed hero -- François and Bérénice: together to a new place -- Pierre Jr.: position, advantage, and perhaps vanity.