I only
wish that I might have the same chance again. If I could have ten
acres cleared two miles away from any living being, I could be
happy with my children. I find a kind of comfort when I am at work
from daybreak to sundown, and know that it is all my own." I
believe that life in the backwoods has an allurement to those who
have been used to it that dwellers in cities can hardly comprehend.
From Milwaukee we went across Wisconsin, and reached the
Mississippi at La Crosse. From hence, according to agreement, we
were to start by steamer at once up the river. But we were delayed
again, as had happened to us before on Lake Michigan at Grand
Haven.
CHAPTER X.
THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.
It had been promised to us that we should start from La Crosse by
the river steamer immediately on our arrival there; but, on
reaching La Crosse, we found that the vessel destined to take us up
the river had not yet come down. She was bringing a regiment from
Minnesota, and, under such circumstances, some pardon might be
extended to irregularities. This plea was made by one of the boat
clerks in a very humble tone, and was fully accepted by us.
