"Don't I look like it, Cook? See anything like regret on my phiz? I'm just as happy as I look, and the end isn't yet, for we've got several months of this before us; of course, there'll be troubles and setbacks, but in spite of all we're sure to keep making steady progress into Dixieland, and long before Uncle Ambrose gets into port again we'll be waiting for him in New Orleans. It was just the finest thing in the world that his letter should have reached me on that black day; and then to think how you had this inspiration, too--why, I consider that we're two of the luckiest fellows on earth this morning," said Maurice, earnestly. "Bully for you, old pal; my sentiments exactly; and now, come in to breakfast." CHAPTER VII. A WILD BLOW. "How does it look to you--think we can make the riffle today?" asked Thad, as they floated down the stream, very broad and swollen at this point, as the low shores allowed the water just that much more expanse--further up, the Ohio is confined by hills that prevent its spreading to any great extent, even in the spring freshets. Maurice knew what he meant, for they had only the one thought in mind just now, and that was getting into the Mississippi. He drew out his charts and studied them to make sure he was right, though from frequent use he knew the same by heart. "I can see no reason why we shouldn't. As near as I can make out we're now something like twenty-three miles above Cairo, and at the rate we're sailing along we ought to pass there shortly after noon--say by two o'clock anyway. That will give us time to move down a few miles and have our first night on the greatest of American rivers," he remarked. "I'm a little bit worried as to how we'll get on. You see I've heard so much about the tricks of the big river that I'm nervous," admitted Thad. "Oh, rats! It can't be much worse than the old Ohio when she gets on a bender, and we've seen some pretty big ones in my time. We'll come out all right, never fear, old chap. Every day will have to look out for itself. What's the use of borrowing trouble? Not any for me. Now, what could be finer than this view, for instance?" sweeping his hand around to include land and water, with the sun dimpling the little waves. "Nothing on earth; it's just grand, that's a fact, and I'm a fool for thinking anything can get the better of a couple of fellows like you and me when we've got our war clothes on. Hurrah for We, Us and Company, not forgetting the old Tramp. Say, she's behaving herself some, eh, pard," laughed Thad, his face all wreathed in genial smiles again. "She's all right, and a credit to you. A little cool and inclined to be draughty on a windy night, but taken all in all a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Here's to her--may it be many a moon before she's broken up into hindling wood." So they joked and chatted as the day wore along.