146 



HORSE, FOOT, AND DRAGOONS. 



shades of evening, and as the storm-clouds are drifting away, 

 a distant throbbing sound breaks through the cahn air, and si- 

 multaneously with the long-drawn cry of, " Stea-ea-eambo-o-oat !" 

 from the blue-coated loungers on the bank, the long expected 

 stern -wheeler, its high chimneys rolling out volumes of smoke 

 and showers of bright sparks, flashing like fire -flies in the 

 gloaming, glides slowly into view, and with much ringing of 

 bells from the pilot-house, and much vociferation and hard 

 cursing from a very energetic and hoarse -voiced mate, comes 

 to a stop alongside the bank, and is made fast by stout haw- 

 sers to convenient trees. Bidding farewell to our kindly young 

 host, we seek " the seclusion that our cabin grants," and soon 

 forget the fatigue and discomforts of the day in deep and 

 refreshing slumber. 



Early the next morning, with the first light of day, our 

 journey down the great river begins. Onward, day after day, 

 we steam through the wilderness, traversing scenes of weird 

 desolation and savage beauty. On through the great high 



