Introduction : In the bosom of a grateful country -- The happiness of a free and independent people : a family and a nation seek liberty, 1635-1794 -- Be always ready to die for your country : the bargain of independence, 1794-1805 -- A barrier to their trade : establishing Americans in the Upper Mississippi Country, 1805-1806 -- Young warriors of the great American father : crossing the Plains, July-November 1806 -- Frozen lads : into the Rockies, November 1806-February 1807 -- A comfortable captivity : learning nationalism abroad in New Spain, February-July 1807 -- Citizen soldier : Pike's and the nation, 1807-1813 -- Epilogue : from frozen lads to purple mountain majesties : Pike's West and American nationalism, 1813-1893.