Book Description

CHAPTER I. The Mississippi is Well worth Reading about.--It is Remarkable.--Instead of Widening towards its Mouth, it grows Narrower.--It Empties four hundred and six million Tons of Mud.--It was First Seen in 1542.--It is Older than some Pages in European History.--De Soto has the Pull.--Older than the Atlantic Coast.--Some Half-breeds chip in.--La Salle Thinks he will Take a Hand. CHAPTER II. La Salle again Appears, and so does a Cat-fish.--Buffaloes also.--Some Indian Paintings are Seen on the Rocks.--"The Father of Waters "does not Flow into the Pacific.--More History and Indians. --Some Curious Performances--not Early English.--Natchez, or the Site of it, is Approached. CHAPTER III. A little History.--Early Commerce.--Coal Fleets and Timber Rafts.--We start on a Voyage.--I seek Information.--Some Music.--The Trouble begins.--Tall Talk.--The Child of Calamity.--Ground and lofty Tumbling.--The Wash-up.--Business and Statistics.--Mysterious Band.--Thunder and Lightning.--The Captain speaks.--Allbright weeps.--The Mystery settled.--Chaff.--I am Discovered.--Some Art-work proposed.--I give an Account of Myself....CHAPTER LX. The Head of Navigation.--From Roses to Snow.--Climatic Vaccination.--A Long Ride.--Bones of Poverty.--The Pioneer of Civilization.--Jug of Empire.--Siamese Twins.--The Sugar-bush.--He Wins his Bride.--The Mystery about the Blanket.--A City that is always a Novelty.