CHAPTER XXIII. 



Voyage from Montgomery to Mobile. Description of a large River Steam 

 er. Shipping of Cotton at Bluffs. Fossils collected at Landings. Col 

 lision of Steamer with the Boughs of Trees. Story of a German Stew- 

 nrdess. Emigration of Stephanists from Saxony. Perpetuation of Ste- 

 phaiiist and Mormon Doctrines. Distinct Table for Colored and White 

 Passengers. Landing at Claiborne by Torchlight. Fossil Shells. 



Wednesday, Jan. 28, 1846. THE steamer Amaranth 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 obtained 

 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 northwesterly 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 

 insure my making two miles an hour, so tenaciously does the 

 marlite of the cretaceous formation, when it is wet, hold the car 

 riage wheels which sink into it. 



Accustomed to the punctuality of northern steamers, we got 

 down with our luggage to the landing at the hour appointed, but 

 were told they were not ready. I re-examined a good geological 

 section in the bluff, till a friend came to me, and regretted I had 

 come down to the boat so early, for perhaps she might not sail 

 till the next day. I was much annoyed at this intelligence, 

 although I had been forewarned that much less value was set on 

 time in the southern states than in the north. At length we 

 went on board, and, having engaged a good private cabin, made 

 up our minds to read and write there, arid consider it as our inn. 



