cer. During the evening a barrel
of whisky had been turned out, and permission given to the hands to do
as they pleased. As may be supposed, they drew upon the barrel quite
liberally. It is the custom on all boats to furnish the firemen with
liquor, though a difference exists as to the mode. But it is due to the
many worthy captains now on the Mississippi, to state that the practice
of furnishing spirits is gradually dying away, and where they are given,
it is only done in moderation.

"As the Sherrod passed on above Fort Adams towards the mouth of the
Homochitta, the wood piled up in the front of the furnaces several times
caught fire, and was once or twice imperfectly extinguished by the
drunken hands. It must be understood by those of my readers who have
never seen a western steamboat, that the boilers are entirely above the
first deck, and that when the fires are well kept up for any length of
time, the heat is almost insupportable. Were it not for the draft
occasioned by the speed of the boat it would be very difficult to attend
the fires. As the boat was booming along through the water close
in-shore, for, in ascending the river, boats go as close as they can to
avoid the current, a negro on the beach called out to the fireman that
the wood was on fire. The reply was, "Go to h---l, and mind your own
business," from some half intoxicated hand. "Oh, massa," answered the
negro, "if you don't take care, you will be in h---l before I will."
On, on, on went the boat at a tremendous rate, quivering and trembling
in all her length at every revolution of the wheels. The steam was
heated so fast, that it continued to escape through the safety valve,
and by its sharp singing, told a tale that every prudent captain would
have understood. As the vessel rounded the bar that makes off from the
Homochitta, being compelled to stand out into the middle of the river in
consequence, the fire was discovered. It was about one o'clock in the
morning. A passenger had got up previously, and was standing on the
boiler deck, when to his astonishment, the fire broke out from the pile
of wood. A little presence of mind, and a set of men unintoxicated,
could have saved the boat. The passenger seized a bucket, and was about
to plunge it overboard for water, when he found it locked. An instant
more, and the fire increased in volumes. The captain was now awaked.
He saw that the fire had seized the deck. He ran aft, and announced