As a matter of fact, he was not so old as I, but had grown faster; and was nothing like as strong after I had got my muscles hardened, as was proved many a time.
"You'll make a great out of it on the canal," he said.
"What ?" said I.
"A boy that can't fight," said he, "don't last long drivin'.

I've had sixteen fights this month!" A bell sounded on deck, and we heard the voice of Bill calling us to breakfast.

Ace yelled to me to come on, and all hands including the captain gathered on deck forward, where we had coffee, good home-made bread bought from a farmer's wife, fried cakes, boiled potatoes, and plenty of salt pork, finishing with pie.

All the cook had to do was to boil potatoes, cook eggs when we had them and make coffee; for the most of our victuals we bought as we passed through the country.

The captain had a basket of potatoes or apples on the deck which he used as cash carriers.