118 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAK WEST. 



the vessel, the stokers working under them in the 

 open air. They reach nearly to the centre, some 

 steamers having as many as eight ; the " Chillicothe " had 

 seven. The machinery, also on deck, comes next, and 

 then a place for steerage-passengers, where there is no 

 want of fresh air ; it is provided with three rows of 

 bed places. Mounting a flight of steps you find the 

 officers' cabins forward, and generally a bar for the 

 sale of various drinks, excepting in the " Temperance " 

 boats. The saloon is in the centre, having sleeping 

 cabins with glass doors, for gentlemen, on each side ; 

 and near the stern, the most secure place in case of 

 disaster, is the ladies' cabin. Some of the boats have 

 a third story, but most are satisfied with the arrange- 

 ment described above. The station for the helmsman 

 is placed high up between the two cliimneys, covered 

 over and glazed, so that he can look out in all direc- 

 tions. The tiller ropes have lately been made of wire, 

 so that in case of fire, the vessel might remain under 

 command of the helm till the last moment. 



TVe had a great number of passengers, amongst them 

 a young woman of about two or three and twenty, 

 who came on board a little below Natchez with a very 

 young man. The young people seemed to have been 

 only lately married, to judge by their hugging and 

 kissing. When we arrived at Louisville, in Kentucky, 

 the steamer had to discharge cargo, and remained the 

 greater part of the day. I was standing on the bow- 

 sprit watching the proceedings, when an elderly gen- 

 tleman very well dressed, accosted me, and, describing 

 the couple, inquired if they were on board. I replied 

 in the affirmative, and accompanied him to the lower 



