en. I sort of felt lonesome as I went down to the steamboat.
The idea of going among a new people, where there are tens of thousands
who would pass me by without knowing or caring who I was, who are all
taken up with their own pleasures or their own business, made me feel
small; and, indeed, if any one who reads this book has a grand idea of
his own importance, let him go to a big city, and he will find that he
is not higher valued than a coonskin.

"The steamboat was the Carroll of Carrollton, a fine craft, with the
rum old Commodore Chaytor for head man. A good fellow he is--all sorts
of a man--bowing and scraping to the ladies, nodding to the gentlemen,
cursing the crew, and his right eye broad-cast upon the 'opposition
line,' all at the same time. 'Let go!' said the old one, and off we
walked in prime style.

"Our passage down Chesapeake Bay was very pleasant. In a very short run
we came to a place where we were to get on board the rail-cars. This
was a clean new sight to me. About a dozen big stages hung on to one
machine. After a good deal of fuss we all got seated and moved slowly
off; the engine wheezing as though she had the tizzic. By-and-by, she
began to take short breaths, and away we went, with a blue streak after
us. The whole distance is seventeen miles. It was run in fifty-five
minutes.

"At Delaware City, I again embarked on board of a splendid steamboat.
When dinner was ready, I set down with the rest of the passengers.
Among them was Rev. O. B. Brown, of the Post-Office Department, who sat
near me. During dinner he ordered a bottle of wine, and called upon me
for a toast. Not knowing whether he intended to compliment me, or abash
me among so many strangers, or have some fun at my expense, I concluded
to go ahead, and give him and his like a blizzard. So our glasses being
filled, the word went round, 'A toast from Colonel Crockett.' I give it
as follows: 'Here's wishing the bones of tyrant kings may answer in
hell, in place of gridirons, to roast the souls of Tories on.' At this
the parson appeared as if he was stumpt. I said, 'Never heed; it was
meant for where it belonged.' He did not repeat his invitation, and I
eat my dinner quietly.

"After dinner I went up on the deck, and saw the captain hoisting three
flags. Says I, 'What does that mean?' He replied, that he was under
promise to the citizens of Philadelphia, if I was on board, to hoist
his flags, as a friend of mine had said he expected I w