When he awoke it was morning again, the snow had ceased and the men were brushing it from themselves and the decks.
The young soldiers, as they ate breakfast, spoke of the rifle shots that had been fired at them the night before and, since little damage had been done, they appreciated the small spice of danger.

The wildness and mystery of their situation appealed to them, too.

They were like explorers, penetrating new regions.
"To most of us it's something like the great plains," said Pennington to Dick.

"There you seldom know what you're coming to; maybe a blizzard, maybe a buffalo herd, and maybe a band of Indians, and you take a pleasure in the uncertainty.

But I suppose it's not the same to you, this being your state." "I don't know much about Western Kentucky," said Dick, "my part lies to the center and east, but anyway, our work is to be done in Tennessee.
Those two forts, which I'm sure we're after, lie in that state." "And when do you think we'll reach 'em ?" "Tomorrow, I suppose." The day passed without any interruption to the advance of the fleet, although there was occasional firing, but not of a serious nature.