At high-water small steamers can reach Piketon, one hundred and twenty miles from the mouth; but when there are heavy freshets the swift current, filled with floating timber, and the overhanging trees which almost touch one another from the opposite banks, render navigation almost impracticable.

This was enough to intimidate a man less in earnest than Garfield.

He did not hesitate, but gathering together ten days' rations, he chartered two small steamers, and seizing all the flat-boats he could lay hands on, took his army wagons apart, and loaded them, with his forage and provisions, upon the flat-boats.
Just as he was ready to start he received an unexpected reinforcement.
Captain Bent, of the Fourteenth Kentucky, entering Garfield's tent, said to him, "Colonel, there's a man outside who says he knows you.

Bradley Brown, a rebel thief and scoundrel." "Bradley Brown," repeated Garfield, puzzled.

"I don't remember any such name." "He has lived near the head of the Blaine, and been a boatman on the river.