casion was presented with a massive
silver service. General Sherman made the presentation speech.

From St. Louis he went to New Orleans where he decided to feel the
waters in the stronger currents of the lower river. He concluded to take
a run of a hundred miles and gave himself twenty-four hours in which to
make the voyage. Several members of the press intended to accompany him
on the trip and a row boat was procured for their accommodation. This
boat was placed on board the steamer Bismarck that was bound to St.
Louis. It was arranged with the Captain to drop them off at Bayou Goula
exactly a hundred miles above. As the steamer, to get ahead of an
opposition boat, started an hour before the advertised time, all the
newspaper reporters except one, were left behind. At six o'clock the
next morning, Paul and the reporter were landed on the levee at a
miserable looking little Louisiana village. They breakfasted at the
solitary hotel; after which they made enquiries in regard to a pilot.
All agreed that a colored man named Gabriel was the best. They sauntered
forth on the levee to hunt up Gabriel. They were followed by a large
crowd of negroes, young and old who had heard about the wonderful man-
fish. Paul was informed that Gabriel was out in the river catching
driftwood, and the entire colored population appeared to join in yelling
for "Gabe" to come ashore. Gabriel, who was a tall, sad looking negro,
was called on one side by Paul who explained that they desired his
services for twenty-four hours, he stated that there was plenty of
provision aboard for him and that he would send him back from New
Orleans by steamer, so that his trip would not cost him a cent. Gabriel
received the communication in stolid silence. He then retired to a log
where he seated himself in the centre of a number of his darkey friends.
After a consultation, he returned and announced that the figure would be
twenty-five dollars.

"Why, what do you mean, you black rascal!" exclaimed Paul, "it will
really be only one day's work. How much do you make a day
gathering driftwood?"

"Two an' foah bits a day sah."

"And you want twenty-five out of me for one day's work? I will give you
three dollars."

"All right, boss, all right, sah," responded Gabriel without a moment's
hesitation.

Soon after, Paul and the newspaper man were approached by a darkey, who
introduced himself as Mr. Brown. He said: