Bill said that if it had been in the middle of the ocean I never would have been shamed by being hauled up on deck.

He was sorry for my sake, as I never would live this thing down.
"Go change your clothes," said the captain, "and try not to be such a lummox next time." I had no change of clothes, and therefore, I took the first opportunity to get out on the tow-path, wet as I was, and begin again to learn my first trade.

It was a lively occupation.

There were some four thousand boats on the Erie Canal at that time, or an average of ten boats to the mile.

I suppose there were from six to eight thousand boys driving then on the "Grand Canal" alone, as it was called.