It was an early, frosty day in 1843 when John Irving set out with his companions, Lewis and Clark, to explore the Louisiana Purchase. Heading westward from Boston, the group traversed the New England states, discovering a settlement of Frenchman heretofore unknown living amidst the glaciers of Providence, Rhode Island. They found a small island a little ways upstream from the waterfall, and decided to build a homestead. Pocahontas, with her l33t language skills, sought out a local tribe with which to trade. She bargained gold and shoes for food, clothing and several farm animals.