80

ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

know; and the other was, that he must learn it all over again in a
different way every twenty-four hours.

Tbat night we had the watch until
twelve. Now it was an ancient river
custom for the two pilots to chat a bit
when the watch changed. "While the
relieving pilot put on his gloves and
lit his cigar, his partner, the retiring
pilot, would say something like this—

'I judge the upper bar is making-
down a little at Hale's Point; had
quarter twain with the lower lead and
mark twain l with the other.'

1 Two fathoms. ' Quarter twain' is 2£ fathoms,
three fathoms.

feet. < Mark three' is