destly retired to their home duties, there to
await the next call.

Chicago, which had a new Red Cross Society, formed almost for the
occasion, through its most worthy and notable representative, Rev. E. I.
Galvin, did the same, performing the long journey with us,
superintending the distribution of his own relief and making his own
report with such convincing power, that societies of no less excellence
than the Lend-a-Hand were its outgrowth.

I am thus particular to mention this from the loving gratitude
fervently cherished for strong, tender help in the day of small things.
Their contributions largely served to run our boat and keep our crew,
and with heads, hearts, and hands we struggled as one, to avert the
destruction so rife around us.

From St. Louis we crossed over to Evansville, rechartered the "John V.
Troop," and put on accumulated supplies. The waters of the Ohio had
subsided and the people were returning to the old spots of earth that
once had been their home, but there was neither house to live in nor
tool to work the land with. We reloaded with pine lumber, ready-made
doors, windows, household utensils, stores and groceries, farming
utensils, and with a good force of carpenters proceeded up the Ohio once
more. The sight of the disconsolate, half-clad farmer waiting on the
bank told us where his home had been--and was not.

Three hours' work of our carpenters would put up a one-room house,
meanwhile our efficient men and women helpers, among them the best
ladies of Evansville, would furnish it with beds, bedding, clothing,
provisions for the family, and farming tools ready to go on with the
season's work.

Picture, if possible, this scene. A strange ship with a strange flag
steaming up the river. It halts, turns from its course, and draws up to
the nearest landing. Some persons disembark and speak a few minutes with
the family. Then, a half dozen strong mechanics man a small boat laden
with all material for constructing a one-room house--floor, roof, doors,
windows. The boat returns for furniture. Within three hours the strange
ship sails away, leaving a bewildered family in a new and clean house
with bed, bedding, clothing, table, chairs, dishes, candles, a little
cooking-stove with a blazing fire, all the common quota of cooking
utensils, and meat, meal, and groceries; a plow, rake, axe, hoe, shovel,
spade, hammer, and nails. We ask few questions. They ask none. The
whistle of the "Troop" is as we