A steamer was coming down the river.

We have, you know, no wharves on the Western streams; and the custom was, if passengers were at any of the landings, for them to go out in a boat, the steamer stopping and taking them on board.

I was contemplating my new flatboat, and wondering whether I could make it stronger or improve it in any way, when two men came down to the shore in carriages with trunks.

Looking at the different boats, they singled out mine and asked, 'Who owns this ?' I answered somewhat modestly, 'I do.' 'Will you take us and our trunks to the steamer ?' asked one of them.

'Certainly,' said I.I was glad to have the chance of earning something.