I had hoped to be a total stranger, but it was evident I was not, and the most comfort I could find was to keep my state-room, and employ my time writ ing out the appeal I intended to make to the people, through the _Missouri Democrat_, published in St.
Louis.

At length my work was done, and yet we were only half way to St.
Louis.

The reader will believe that my reflections were not cheerful.
What would become of myself?
What would become of my wife and children?
What would become of Kansas, or of the United States?
At Jefferson City a man had come aboard of the boat who seemed almost as much alone as myself.

Still the captain and officers of the boat paid him marked attention.

One thing I noticed, he abounded in newspapers, and I wanted something to read that should save me from my own reflections.