76 A RAFT PILOT'S LOG 



Rapids expense up and down 35-0O 1027.09 



Profit.- $ 642.91 



We often made trips when we had no earnings outside 

 the raft, and some trips were lengthened by fog, storm 

 or some mishap. 



I can't remember how many trips the "Belle" made 

 that season, but I do recollect that she was over seven- 

 thousand dollars ahead, when she broke her shaft, 

 above Eagle Point, on her last trip down, in November, 

 1878. 



Captain Van Sant then chartered the "Artemus 

 Lamb," which came up, and after taking the "LeClaire 

 Belle" to the Diamond Jo boatways at Eagle Point, 

 hitched into our raft and delivered it to Fort Madison. 



This ended my first season on the river, which had 

 been interesting, pleasant and profitable. I saved my 

 wages, for there was no opportunity' all summer to 

 spend money. 



I recall, however, one evening in Burlington, Iowa, 

 when the boat was double-tripping the bridge. I had 

 seen the cards announcing a lecture by T. DeWitt Tal- 

 madge on "The bright side of things." The ticket was 

 fifty cents, and I was there greatly enjoying this fine 

 treat, when I heard the "Belle" whistle for the landing. 

 Reluctantly but hurriedly, I withdrew from the hall 

 and reached the river bank as the boat came in. They 

 put out some lines, and I then asked the captain if they 

 were going to lay over in Burlington, and he answered 

 "Yes." I told him I was sorry I didn't know that for I 

 had left a fine lecture in the interesting part. He then 

 urged me to hurry back to the hall. I did so and en- 

 joyed one of the best things the great orator ever gave 

 to the public. 



