r of the great river, an ugly
mass of dead wood, sodden with water, forking out of the stream, with
grotesque limbs thrust up into the air. The force of the current had
driven the nose of the boat so firmly beneath one branch as to sink it
below the surface, making it impossible to be freed. In the dull light
I struggled hopelessly to extricate the craft, my feet slipping on the
water-soaked log. Twice I fell into the stream, barely able to clamber
back again, but my best efforts were without results. The increase in
light gave me by this time a wider view of my surroundings, but brought
with it no increase of hope. I was utterly alone, and only by swimming
could I attain either bank.

How far I had aimlessly drifted down stream during the night was a mere
matter of conjecture. I possessed no knowledge of where I was. No
familiar object along shore afforded any clue as to my position, and I
could not even determine which bank offered me the greater chance of
assistance. Each appeared about equally bare and desolate, entirely
devoid of promise. However, I chose the west shore for my experiment,
as the current seemed less strong in that direction, and was about to
plunge in, determined to fight a way across, when my eyes suddenly
detected a faint wreath of smoke curling up into the pale sky above a
headland far to the southward. As I stared at this it became black and
distinct, tossed about in the wind. I watched intently, clinging to my
support, scarcely trusting my eyesight, while that first wisp deepened
into a cloud, advancing slowly toward me. There was no longer doubt of
what it was--unquestionably some steamer was pushing its course up
stream. Even before my ears could detect the far-off chug of the
engine, the boat itself rounded the sharp point of the headland, and
came forth into full view, heading out toward the middle of the river
in a search for deeper water.

It was an unusually large steamboat for those days, a lower river
packet I guessed, with two funnels painted yellow, and a high pilot
house, surmounted by a huge brazen eagle. At first, approaching me,
bow on, I could perceive but little of its dimensions, nor gain clear
view of the decks, but when it veered slightly these were revealed, and
I had a glimpse of a few figures grouped forward, the great wheel
astern splashing the water, and between a long row of windows
reflecting the glare of the early sun. Even as I gazed at this vision