CHAPTER II.
It was a beautiful morning in June when we left Fort Snelling to go on a pleasure party up the St.Peters, in a steamboat, the first that had ever ascended that river.

There were many drawbacks in the commencement, as there always are on such occasions.

The morning was rather cool, thought some, and as they hesitated about going, of course their toilets were delayed to the last moment.

And when all were fairly in the boat, wood was yet to be found.

Then something was the matter with one of the wheels--and the mothers were almost sorry they had consented to come; while the children, frantic with joy, were in danger of being drowned every moment, by the energetic movements they made near the sides of the boat, by way of indicating their satisfaction at the state of things.
In the cabin, extensive preparations were making in case the excursion brought on a good appetite.