STEAMERS ON THE MISSISSIPPI. 109 
he expressed his surprise at the amount of whiskey con- 
sumed at his “ settlement,” and hinted it was rather an 
unprofitable business for the boat. Zeb, at this piece 
of information, “ flared up,” raised his mane, shut hig 
“maulers,” and told Captain Raft he could whip him,— 
the pilot, and deck hands, and if they would give him 
the advantage of the “under grip,” he would let the pis- 
ton-rod of the engine punch him in the side all the time 
the fight was going on. 3 
Raft, at this display of fury from Zeb, cooled down 
immediately, acknowledged himself “ snagged,” begged 
Zeb’s pardon, and adjourned to the bar for a drink. 
One glass followed another, until the heroes got into 
the mellow mood, and Zeb, on such occasions, always 
“went it strong” for his family. After praising their 
beauty individually and collectively, he broke into the 
pathetic, and set the Captain crying, gh the following 
heart-rending appeal :— 
“Raft, Raft, my dear fellow, you talk about the 
trouble of putting out a barrel of whiskey every week 
at my diggins, when I have got a sick wife, and five small 
children, and 20 cow !—whar’s your heart ?” 
Dinner in due course of time was announced—the 
table was covered with the largest roast beef, the largest 
potatoes, and the largest carving-knife and fork that 
ever floated, and the steward rang the largest bell for 
dinner, and longer than any other steward would have 
done, and the captain talked about the immense extent 
