Common Apprehension

Journal 2005 10 23
Common Apprehension

I’m struck once more this morning by the careful navigation that governs the speed of these brave travelers. They are aggressive but exercise wisdom. Confident in their skills, bold, yet humble in attitude. As Clint Eastwood’s “Dirty Harry” Callahan observed, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” These rivermen knew theirs well.

The chiefs of the Nez Perce who have accompanied the Corps as guides and emissaries express their desire to bid the Captains a fond farewell and return home. The chiefs hear a rumor that tribes downriver who are considered to be at war with the Nez Perce plan to kill the men of the Corps of Discovery. The chiefs wish to exercise that age old adage that discretion is the better part of valor. Wisdom told them they had reached their limitations to safe travel and it was time to retreat to safety. Clark records that as “a Shadow of Confirmation” of their fears the natives left the campfire earlier than usual. All arms were examined for readiness. One hundred rounds of ammunition are readied. Captain Clark notes that “as we are at all times & places on our guard, are under no greater apprehention than is common.”

Cautious? Yes. Fearful? No. This continues to be a military mission and we can forget that proper military order was assumed. Proper military order required regular guard duty and many long hours on watch as the rest of the party rested. A few soldiers were ever-vigilant for the benefit of the resting. Guard duty is typically rotated in regular shifts to keep the sentries from being lulled into dullness. This security practice is so basic that dereliction of duty while on “watch” is punishable by death in most armies. This small Corps surely developed a routine that was so common it became one more rhythm of their daily schedule.

Captain Clark’s judgment that the common practices they had always employed would be adequate for this threat meant that the practice was correct. If Clark had felt the need to increase the watch then it would indicate that the practice had been inadequate to secure the safety of those resting in camp.

Have you examined the “common apprehention” of your daily routine? Are you overly fearful? Do you have five locks on each door? Are your windows so secure that even light can’t penetrate the barrier? Is your electronic security system monitored and provided with a backup? Have you attended Gunsite, the great school that teaches practical firearms skills should all your other systems break down under an attempt to breach the secured perimeter of your home? Or have you fatalistically reduce your security to chance and leave all your vehicles and doors unlocked at all times?

Acknowledged or ignored, all men have a common enemy. We are told, “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) A level of vigilance to meet this threat must be common.

Today, examine your arms, prepare your ammunition and set your security to adequately protect you. And then, just like these intrepid travelers, “Proceed On!” Capture the spirit illustrated in this westward exploration and exercise wisdom, knowledge and common apprehension as you confidently advance to and through uncharted lands and people. “Rise up and walk through the land, in the length of it and in the breadth of it, for I will give it to you.”(Genesis 13:17) Proceed On!