ten thousand throats never gave before. The passengers returned the
cheer, but Fulton stood upon the deck, his eyes flashing with an unusual
brilliancy as he surveyed the crowd. He felt that the magic wand of
success was waving over him and he was silent. The entire trip was an
ovation, and is thus described by Colden:

"From other vessels which were navigating the river she had the most
terrific appearance when she was making her passage. The first
steam-boats used dry pine for fuel, which sends forth a column of
ignited vapor many feet above the flue and whenever the fire is stirred
a galaxy of sparks fly off, and in the night have a very beautiful and
brilliant appearance. This uncommon light first attracted the attention
of the crews of other vessels. Notwithstanding the wind and the tide
were adverse to its approach they saw with astonishment that it was
coming rapidly towards them; and when it came so near that the noise of
the machinery and paddles was heard, the crews (if what was said at the
time in the newspapers be true) in some instances shrunk beneath the
decks from the terrific sight, and left the vessels to go ashore, while
others prostrated themselves and besought Providence to protect them
from the approach of the horrible monster, which was marching on the
tides and lighting its path by the fires it vomited."

Of peculiar interest and instruction is the following narrative
connected with this historic voyage from the graphic pen of one who was
personally an actor in the scene described: "I chanced to be at Albany
on business when Fulton arrived there in his unheard of craft, which
everybody felt so much anxiety to see. Being ready to leave, and hearing
that his craft was going to return to New York, I repaired on board and
inquired for Mr. Fulton. I was referred to the cabin, and there found a
plain, gentlemanly man, wholly alone and engaged in writing. 'Mr.
Fulton, I presume?' 'Yes sir.' 'Do you return to New York with this
boat?' 'We shall try to get back, sir.' 'Can I have a passage down?'
'You can take your chance with us, sir.' I inquired the amount to be
paid, and after a moment's hesitation, a sum, I think six dollars, was
named. The amount in coin, I laid in his open hand, and with his eye
fixed upon it, he remained so long motionless that I supposed it might
be a miscount, and said to him, 'Is that right sir?' This question
roused him as from a kind of reverie, and, as he looked up, the tears