132 NAVIGATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI. 



rations. The barge in the mean time is ascending at a rate not exceed- 

 ing one mile in the hour. 



The bar is at length passed, and as the shore in sight is straight on 

 both sides of the river, and the current uniformly strong, the poles are 

 laid aside, and the men being equally divided, those on the river side 

 take to their oars, whilst those on the land side lay hold of the branches 

 of wUows, or other trees, and thus slowly propel the boat. Here and 

 there, however, the trunk of a fallen tree, partly lying on the bank, and 

 partly projecting beyond it, impedes their progress, and requires to be 

 doubled. This is performed by striking it with the iron points of the 

 poles and gaff-hooks. The sun is now quite low, and the barge is again 

 secured in the best harbour within reach. The navigators cook their 

 supper, and betake themselves to their blankets or bear-skins to rest, or 

 perhaps light a large fire on the shore, under the smoke of which they 

 repose, in order to avoid the persecutions of the myriads of moschettoes 

 which occur during the whole summer along the river. Perhaps, from 

 dawn to svmset, the boat may have advanced fifteen miles. If so, it has 

 done well. 'J'he next day, the wind proves favourable, the sail is set, 

 the boat takes all advantages, and meeting with no accident, has ascended 

 thirty miles, perhaps double that distance. The next day comes with a 

 very different aspect. The wind is right ar-head, the shores are without 

 trees of any kind, and the canes on the banks are so thick and stout, 

 that not even the cordelles can be used. This occasions a halt. The 

 time is not altogether lost, as most of the men, being provided with rifles, 

 betake themselves to the woods, and search for the deer, the bears, or the 

 turkeys, that are generally abundant there. Three days may pass before 

 the wind changes, and the advantages gained on the previous fine day 

 are forgotten. Again the boat proceeds, but in passing over a shallow 

 place runs on a log, swings with the current, but hangs fast, with her lea- 

 side almost under water. Now for the poles ! All hands are on deck, 

 bustling and pushing. At length towards sunset, the boat is once more 

 afloat, and is again taken to the shore, where the wearied crew pass ano- 

 ther night. 



I shall not continue this account of difficulties, it having already be- 

 come painful in the extreme. I could tell you of the crew abandoning 

 the boat and cargo, and of numberless accidents and perils ; but be 

 it enough to say, that, advancing in this tardy manner, the boat that left 

 New Orleans on the first of March, often did not reach the Falls of the 



