At that time our sentries sleep the soundest." The river at Glendive is narrow and quite shoal, the channel not being more than eighteen inches deep.

The bottom is composed of gravel, but having been solidified by the alkali, is like a solid rock.

The channel runs in every direction and is at times diverted by great sandbars strewn with the most beautiful agates, on which no human foot had ever trod before Paul touched them.
In deference to General Merritt's wishes and a fellow feeling for the sleepy sentinels, Paul did not start until seven o'clock on the morning of the 17th.

All the inhabitants of the town went to the river bank, among them, the General's handsome daughter, who presented Paul with a set of colors, which he flew on the Baby throughout the trip.

A cannon salute was fired and he began his lonely and dangerous journey.
In an incredibly short space of time he was away from all signs of civilization and running very fast on the lonely river.