Now we Americans, an' the English, who use our language, call words jest ez they are, but you never know what a Frenchman or a Spaniard is goin' to make out o' 'em." They made good progress throughout the day, and saw no sign of the flotilla of Alvarez which they had feared might overtake them.

They were agreed that it would be wise for them to reach New Orleans first, and hence they went boldly forward into the country that they regarded as that of the enemy, confident of their fortune.
The river widened and narrowed frequently, but always it was very deep.

It was not beautiful here, but the vast current flowing between low shores had a somber majesty all its own.

Its effect upon the imagination of every one of them was heightened by the knowledge that the stream had come an immeasurable distance, from unknown regions, and that in the coming it had gathered into itself innumerable other rivers, most of which also had come from lands of mystery.
They stopped one morning in the mouth of a clear creek that flowed into the Mississippi, and decided to spend the day in making repairs, a general cleaning-up, and a search for fresh food.

It was the universal opinion that they would profit more by such a halt than by pushing on regardless of everything.
It was a beautiful spot in which they lay.