and there was no chance for sleep or refreshment,
until we could reach Commerce or the Henry Clay. The whole labor
fell on me, to take that skiff and its load of passengers to the
steamer. Much of the distance I had to wade in the water and push
the skiff, as was most convenient. I had on a pair of new
calfskin boots when we started, but they were cut off my feet by
the rocks in the river long before we reached the end of the
journey.

After a deal of hardship I succeeded in getting my passengers to
the steamer just as it became dark. I was wet, cold, hungry, and
nearly exhausted. I sat down by the engine in my wet clothing and
soon fell asleep, without bedding or food. I slept from
exhaustion until near midnight, when I was seized with fearful
crampings, accompanied by a cold and deathlike numbness. I tried
to rise up, but could not. I thought my time had come, and that I
would perish without aid or assistance.

When all hope had left me I heard a footstep approaching, and a
man came and bent over me and asked if I was ill. I recognized
the voice as that of Mr. Bogges. I said I was in the agonies of
death, and a stranger without a friend on the boat. He felt my
pulse, and hastened away, saying as he left me:

"Do not despair, young man, you are not without friends. I will
return at once."

He soon returned, bringing a lantern and a bottle of cholera
medicine, and gave me a large dose of the medicine; then he
brought the captain and others to me. I was soon comfortably
placed in bed, and from that time I had every attention paid me,
and all the medical care that was necessary. Mr. Bogges told me
that he had supposed I was one of the regular crew of the Henry
Clay, and was among friends; that his wife had noticed that I
appeared to be a stranger, and had seen me when I sat down by the
engine alone; that after they retired his wife was restless and
insisted on his getting up and finding me; this was the occasion
of his assistance coming as it did.

Mr. Bogges had contracted for freighting his goods to Galena,
where he resided; and had provided for the passage of himself,
wife, and mother-in-law. They would go by land from Commerce, as
he dreaded the passage of the upper rapids in time of low water,
as it then was.

After finishing the loading of the steamer I began to fire up to
get ready for a start. While so engaged, Mr. Bogges came to me,
and offered to employ me. He asked me then what wages I was
getting.