Page:Life on the Mississippi (IA lifeonmississipptwai).pdf/13

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CONTENTS.


CHAPTER I.

The Mississippi is Well worth Reading about. - It is Remarkable. - Instead of Widening towards its Mouth, it grows Narrower. - It Empties four hundred and six million Tons of Mud. - It was First Seen in 1542. - It is Older than some Pages in European History. - De Soto has the Pull. - Older than the Atlantic Coast. - Some Half-breeds chip in. - La Salle Thinks he will Take a Hand


CHAPTER II.

La Salle again Appears, and so does a Cat-fish. - Buffaloes also. - Some Indian Paintings are Seen on the Rocks. - "The Father of Waters" does not Flow into the Pacific. - More History and Indians. - Some Curious Performances - not Early English. - Natchez, or the Site of it, is Approached


CHAPTER III.

A little History. — Early Commerce. — Coal Fleets and Timber Rafts. — We start on a Voyage. — I seek Information. — Some Music. — The Trouble begins. - Tall Talk. - The Child of Calamity. - Ground and lofty Tumbling. - The Wash-up. - Business and Statistics. - Mysterious Band. - Thunder and Lightning. - The Captain speaks. — Allbright weeps. — The Mystery settled. — Chaff. — I am Discovered. — Some Art-work proposed. — I give an Account of Myself. — Released


CHAPTER IV.

The Boys' Ambition. - Village Scenes - Steamboat Pictures. - A Heavy Swell. - A Runaway


CHAPTER V.

A Traveller. - A Lively Talker. — A Wild-cat Victim