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Show RFVER When I got back to the raft I told Rosie the news. "The sooner the better," she said. "Good riddance." We began loading their stuff onto the shore. We'd soon built quite a pile. We must have loaded half a ton of gear off the raft: it rode noticeably higher in the water. We'd pretty much finished when they returned. In some ways, I felt relieved that the hassling was over, but I felt an immense sadness, too. Vince and I had been friends for years and now it looked like it was all over. I told him, "Tell the people out in California I'm crazy and determined to get to New Orleans." "I hope you make it," said Vince. "Because if you don't, it'll mean you're dead." I cast off and clambered up to the top of the cabin while Rosie started the engine. We pulled out into the current and I turned once and waved goodbye to the vanishing figures standing on the forlorn bank. I didn't look back. It was the day we saw our first cotton fields. -90- |