152

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

and profanity, and installed a hated association man in his berth. In
a very little while, idle non-associationists began to be pretty plenty,
brisk as business was, and much as their services were desired. The
laugh was shifting to the other side of their mouths most palpably.

These victims, together with
the captains and owners, pre-
sently ceased to laugh alto-
gether, and began to rage
about the revenge they would
take when the passing business
c spurt' was over.

Soon all the laughers that were left were the owners and crews of
boats that had two non-association pilots. But their triumph was
not very long-lived. For this reason • It was a rigid rule of the
association that its members should never, under any circumstances

1 THE SIGN OP MEMBERSHIP.'