NEW ORLEANS They sailed and rowed steadily on for several days.

Once or twice they saw canoes or boats containing white men, who regarded them curiously, but none approached.

They inferred that they were now very near New Orleans, and all the five were alert with anticipation.

Besides the accomplishment of their great task, they were about to visit a metropolis, a seat of government, a city of eight or ten thousand people, commanding the road to the heart of the North American continent, swarming with many races, and destined, as all the world then believed, to be the largest place in either America.

It is no wonder that the bosoms of the five throbbed with curiosity, and that they looked forward to strange and varied sights.
"Now, Jim," said Shif'less Sol in a warning tone to Long Jim, "I've got advice to give you.