below it of some magnitude, there was an eddy, the returning
current of which was sometimes as strong as that of the middle of
the great stream
‘Wherever a point projected so as to render the course or bend
below it of some magnitude, there was an eddy, the returning
current of which was sometimes as strong as that of the middle of
the great stream. The bargemen, therefore, rowed up pretty close
under the bank and had merely to keep watch in the bow lest the
boat should run against a planter or sawyer. But the boat has
reached the point, and there the current is to all appearance of
double strength and right against it. The men, who have rested a
few minutes, are ordered to take their stations and lay hold of
their oars, for the river must be crossed, it being seldom
possible to double such a point and proceed along the same shore.
The boat is crossing, its head slanting to the current, which is,
however, too strong for the rowers, and when the other side of
the river has been reached, it has drifted perhaps a quarter of a
mile. The men are by this time exhausted and, as we shall suppose
it to be 12 o”clock, fasten the boat to a tree on the shore. A
small glass of whiskey is given to each, when they cook and eat
their dinner and, after resting from their fatigue for an hour,
recommence their labors. The boat is again seen slowly advancing
against the stream. It has reached the lower end of a sandbar,
along the edge of which it is propelled by means of long poles,
if the bottom be hard. Two men, called bowsmen, remain at the
prow to assist, in concert with the steersman, in managing the
boat and keeping its head right against the current. The rest
place themselves on the land side of the footway of the vessel,
put one end of their poles on the ground and the other against
their shoulders and push with all their might. As each of the men
reaches the stern, he crosses to the other side, runs along it
and comes again to the landward side of the bow, when he
recommences operations. The barge in the meantime is ascending at
a rate not exceeding one mile in the hour.’