CHAP. XXIII.] MONTGOMERY TO MOBILE. 45 



CHAP. XXIII. 



Voyage from Montgomery to Mobile. Description of a large 

 River Steamer. Shipping of Cotton at Bluffs. Fossils 

 collected at Landings. Collision of Steamer with the Boughs 

 of Trees. Story of a German Stewardess. Emigration of 

 Stephanists from Saxony. Perpetuation of Stephanist and 

 Mormon Doctrines. Distinct Table for Coloured and White 

 Passengers. Landing at Claiborne by Torchlight. Fossil 

 Shells. 



Wednesday, Jan. 28. 1846. THE steamer Ama 

 ranth was lying at the bluff at Montgomery on 

 the Alabama river, and was advertised to sail for 

 Mobile, a navigation of more than 300 miles, at 

 ten o clock in the morning. From information ob 

 tained here, I had determined to follow up my 

 geological inquiries by going next to Tuscaloosa, on 

 the Black Warrior river, about 100 miles distant 

 by land, in a north-westerly direction. Every one 

 agreed, however, that it was better for me to go 800 

 miles by water, half of it against the stream, instead 

 of taking the direct road ; so I determined to go first 

 to Mobile, due south, and then up the Tombecbee to 

 the capital of Alabama, being assured that I should 

 gain, both in time and money, by this great detour. 

 Should I attempt the straight road at this season, no 

 one could ensure my making two miles an hour, so 

 tenaciously does the marlite of the cretaceous forma- 



