me
after that until I was arrested and taken before his Honor. He
let me off with a big fine, and after my prosecutors were gone he
remitted the fine, and we then had a drink together. I wanted to
return what little money I had won from him, but he would not
receive it, saying it was well invested.

FIGHTS.

Before the time of railroad in the West, the steamboats on the
Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and other rivers carried a great many
passengers, as it was the most pleasant and rapid mode of travel
in those early days. I was on board of some water craft nearly
all the time for forty years of my life, and during that period
met with a great many rough characters. I believe that I can
truthfully say I have had more fights in the cabin and bar of
steamboats than any other man in this country. I never tried to
pick a fuss with any man; but in my business it was very hard to
avoid them without showing the white feather--and in those days
there was no such tint in my plumage. The officers did not like
a fuss on their boats, but most of them had rather see a fellow
fight than to take an insult; and I can not call to mind just now
a single case, in all my many fights, where the captain of a boat
blamed me for licking my man; but I do remember some good old
captains who would rather see a fight than eat when they were
hungry.

I always carried the very best pistol that could be bought for
money, and had one that I called "Betsy Jane," for which I paid
$100. I never wanted to turn her loose, for I did not want ever
to kill a man. I only used her as a bluffer, and she has often
responded to my wants successfully.

I was on board the steamer _Kate Kinney_ coming down the Missouri
River at one time, and had won a great deal of money. One big
fellow lost $700, and I could see he was very mad about it. He
would go to the bar and take a big drink, and then come back to
the table. Finally he got himself nerved up pretty well, so he
said to the bystanders:

"I have a d----d notion to kick that table over and break up his
game."

I replied, "It will do you no good to kick the table over, as I
have caught all the suckers, and am now going to quit and take a
drink."

I started to the bar, and invited all hands to join me. The big
fellow followed, but would not take a drink. I could see he was
sizing me up, and I knew he wanted some of my mutton, so I said to
him:

"We have all had a drink but you; won't you jo