237

CHAPTER XXV.

FROM CAIEO TO HICKMAN.

THE scenery, from St. Louis to Cairo—two hundred miles—is varied
and beautiful. The hills were clothed in the fresh foliage of spring

now, and were a gracious
and worthy setting for the
oroad river flowing between.
Our trip began auspiciously,
with a perfect day, as to breeze
and sunshine, and our boat
GRAND TOWJBE. threw the miles out behind
her with satisfactory despatch.
"We found a railway intruding at Chester, Illinois; Chester has
also a penitentiary now, and is otherwise marching on. At Grand