FROM CAIRO TO HICKMAN.

243

upon whose further verge it stands; but we had to steam a long way
around to get to it. Night fell as we were going out of the ^l Upper
River^J and meeting the floods of the Ohio, We dashed along without
anxiety; for the hidden
rock which used to lie right
in the way has moved up
stream a long distance out
of the channel j or rather,
about one county has gone
into the river from the
Missouri point, and the
Cairo point has * made
down' and added to its
long tongue of territory
correspondingly. The Mis-
sissippi is a just and equit-
able river; it never tumbles
one man's farm overboard
without building a new
farm just like it for that
man's neighbour. This
keeps down hard feelings.
Going into Cairo, we
came near killing a steam-
boat which paid no attention
to our whistle and then
tried to cross our bows.
By doing some strong back-
ing, we saved him; which
was a great loss, for he
would have made good	'illinois (abound.'
literature.
Cairo is a brisk town now; and is substantially built, and has a
city look about it which is in noticeable contrast to its former estate,
as per Mr. Diekens's portrait of it. However, it was already bnil?l-
ing with bricks when I had seen it last—which was when Colonel
(now General) Grant was drilling hie first command there. Uncle