248

LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

knew am thing, I was so frightened; but you see, nobody knew that
but rue. Next day General Polk sent for me, and praised me for my
bravery and gallant conduct. I never said anything, I let it go at
that. I judged it wasn't so, but it was not for me to contradict a
general officer.

Pretty soon after that I was sick, and used up, and had to go off

to the Hot Springs.
When there, I got a
good many letters
from commanders
saying they wanted
me to come back. I
declined, because I
wasn't well enough
or strong enough; but
I kept still, and kept
the reputation I had
made.

A plain story,
straightforwardly
told ; but Mumford
told me that that pilot
had ' gilded that scare
of his, in spots ; ' that
his subsequent career
in the war was proof
of it.
We struck down through the chute of Island K"o. 8, and I went

' WHBBfi DID YOU .SEE THAT FIGHT \

below and fell into conversation with a passenger, a handsome
wifch easy carriage and an intelligent face. We were approaching
Islaad Ho. 1 0, a place so celebrated during the war. This gentleman's
home was on the "main shore in its neighbourhood. I had some talk
with him about the war times; but presently the discourse fell upon
,* for in no part of the Souii. has the vendetta flourished more