have the chance of seeing the old river
of his boyish gambols, and cheerfully promised to go. After a day or so
in Washington he went to Pittsburgh, where met with the most cordial
greeting on the part of the citizens and was also happy to see many of
his playmates of former years. On the evening of his arrival, while
resting in his room at a hotel, he was visited by a man wearing the
uniform of the Fire Department, who grasped his hand with more warmth
and enthusiasm than ordinary visitors were wont to do, at the
same time remarking:

"I don't suppose you know me, Captain Boyton?"

"My memory certainly fails me in that respect," replied Boyton

"I am Thomas McCaffery, whose life you saved more than twenty years ago.
Of all men in the world, I most desired to meet you," and Paul
returned the warm hand pressure of the fireman.

An evening most agreeable to both was passed in recounting their
adventures of other days. Before Paul left Pittsburgh, Mr. McCaffery
presented him with a gold medal, commemorating the important event in
his life, which, but for Boyton, would have terminated so disastrously.

Some time was spent about Pittsburgh, while preparations were made for a
voyage down the Alleghany and Ohio rivers, which he had decided on
making. It was the first intention to start on the Alleghany at
Kittanning, but on looking over the ground, Paul selected Oil City
as the starting point, distant above Pittsburgh about one hundred and
forty miles.

There was great excitement at Oil City when it became known that Boyton
had arrived and contemplated paddling down the river. Many people
believed the attempt would not be made on account of the extremely cold
weather. These were astonished when Boyton appeared on the morning of
February 6th, equipped for the dreary voyage, and he was given an
enthusiastic send off. His progress the greater part of the first day,
was slow, owing to, the blocks of floating ice. At Black's Riffles he
struck on a rock, with such force as to turn him completely over and
almost knock him senseless. Fortunately his dress was not punctured by
the blow and he continued the journey to Emlenton, forty three miles
from Oil City, where, on account of the accident and the fact that he
was almost frozen, he decided to remain over night instead of
rushing on to Kittanning as had been his intention.

At all towns he passed, crowds of people lined the banks an