It was just a simple tent. There wasn’t a whole lot to it but there was more than enough cover for both Mouse and me, as well as our belongings. We didn’t sleep on the riverboat. That just wouldn’t work, so we had our own little setup a dozen or so yards off to the side of our mooring site.

A simple tent can seem like a luxury suite if done correctly, and trust Aunty and Matilda’s team to make that happen. I’ll never know why they fussed over us so much, but they did, and I had long since learned that arguing with either of those ladies was about as worthwhile as trying to herd cats. It just wasn’t going to happen. Regardless, it was utter luxury as far as small tents went.

Our food packs were also over the top. No we didn’t have caviar or goose pate, but everything in there was a far level beyond our normal travelers’ fare. Even more important, there was enough food for four, so Amos and Madeleine would be living as large as we were. I was quite sure that nothing here was accidental. Neither Amos nor I were completely surprised, of course, as we’d both been under the heavy yet caring thumbs of Aunty and Matilda before. But I was equally sure that he would be just as baffled as I was.

I certainly hadn’t expected to be set up quite this well for our trip; it would only be a few days’ travel upriver, and even faster on the return. Still, I was happy to enjoy the minor luxuries offered, including a supply of good bourbon backed up by a young but decent batch of rum.

Luxurious lifestyle aside, this was no pleasure cruise and I took my turns on the push poles to move us along upriver. They didn’t want me there when we were negotiating any difficult patches but welcomed the assistance and breaks when it was smooth progress. It was tougher work than either Amos or I had imagined, and we both made major mistakes on multiple occasions. A great experience overall, but again I felt we were more hinderance than help. For the most part we simply stayed out of the way.

It wasn’t a long journey up to the fort and neither of us were going to become skilled at the task that quickly. Even so, pushing those poles for even a couple of hours a day was enough to give our muscles reason for complaint, loud complaint. Mouse’s evening ministrations were always welcome, and her strong yet gentle hands made a huge difference in my ability to recover each night.

I hadn’t spent so long being that close to and alone with a woman without consummating the intimacy since I was a boy. Everything was gentle, romantic and comfortable with us. Acrobatics and advanced techniques were not involved and by the end of the third night neither was her virginity.

Never in my life have I provided explicit detail of my intimacy with a woman that I loved and that rule carried over with Mouse. Our moments together were ours. We had a lot of fun, but this wasn’t just a fling for either of us. Love is a special thing emotionally and physically; I was extremely happy to be in love with my Mouse.

Was it a honeymoon trip? Probably.

Take away all the artifices of the modern tradition and honeymoons are simply time alone with someone you deeply love and are physically attracted to. Under that definition, we honeymooned all of the way up to what would become Omaha, spending a lot of time together and without the so-called benefit of twenty first century entertainments. As cruises went, I considered this the best I’d ever seen or experienced.

I was also downright positive that Mouse had taken pregnant on our first attempt. I didn’t say a word to anyone, but Amos but felt quite sure that I’d hear that she was with child in a few weeks time. This pregnancy both excited and frightened me excited. Poor Amos on the other hand almost walked off the gunwale when he realized that he might be a father also. He hadn’t truly considered the full impact of that act - not surprising as he was still just a teenager and held the short term version of time common at that age.

I strongly cautioned him to keep his mouth shut. Announcing and all of that was women’s business, and there would be more than enough things for him to do later. Stealing your sweetheart’s thunder was never a good idea in any era.

I focused on helping where I could on the boat, paying attention to my happy Mouse, and coaching Amos on how to treat Madeline. It’s a delicate balance a man has to dance with his woman, particularly when she is younger and her demands change with her moods. And if you’ve gotten her pregnant, strap in and hold on for the ride: it’s going get very interesting really quick.

All things said and done, that boat ride north was one of the happiest periods of my life. Patrick and his crew basically ignored us, but there was enough to do that Amos and I didn’t get on the girls’ nerves. Amos and Madeline were still absorbed in each other, and my sweet Mouse never missed a chance to offer me a kiss or a caress. Sweltering, muggy weather could have dampered thing had we let it, however passion and affection drowned those conditions out.

Waking up sweaty and sticky simply gave us an excuse to bathe together in whichever nearby stream we found, and the nightly music from the boatsmen’s camp was always reassuring. We had good food and good booze to keep us amused; the only thing left to complain about was that the trip ended too early.

That little moment in my life was over far too soon.