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Life on the Mississippi

  
THE 'BODY OF THE NATION'

 1. 
Chapter 1 The River and Its History
 2. 
Chapter 2 The River and Its Explorers
 3. 
Chapter 3 Frescoes from the Past
 4. 
Chapter 4 The Boys' Ambition
 5. 
Chapter 5 I Want to be a Cub-pilot
 6. 
Chapter 6 A Cub-pilot's Experience
 7. 
Chapter 7 A Daring Deed
 8. 
Chapter 8 Perplexing Lessons
 9. 
Chapter 9 Continued Perplexities
 10. 
Chapter 10 Completing My Education
 11. 
Chapter 11 The River Rises
 12. 
Chapter 12 Sounding
 13. 
Chapter 13 A Pilot's Needs
 14. 
Chapter 14 Rank and Dignity of Piloting
 15. 
Chapter 15 The Pilots' Monopoly
 16. 
Chapter 16 Racing Days
 17. 
Chapter 17 Cut-offs and Stephen
 18. 
Chapter 18 I Take a Few Extra Lessons
 19. 
Chapter 19 Brown and I Exchange Compliments
 20. 
Chapter 20 A Catastrophe
 21. 
Chapter 21 A Section in My Biography
 22. 
Chapter 22 I Return to My Muttons
 23. 
Chapter 23 Traveling Incognito
 24. 
Chapter 24 My Incognito is Exploded
 25. 
Chapter 25 From Cairo to Hickman
 26. 
Chapter 26 Under Fire
 27. 
Chapter 27 Some Imported Articles
expand section28. 
Chapter 28 Uncle Mumford Unloads
 29. 
Chapter 29 A Few Specimen Bricks
 30. 
Chapter 3O Sketches by the Way
 31. 
Chapter 31 A Thumb-print and What Came of It
 32. 
Chapter 32 The Disposal of a Bonanza
 33. 
Chapter 33 Refreshments and Ethics
 34. 
Chapter 34 Tough Yarns
 35. 
Chapter 35 Vicksburg During the Trouble
 36. 
Chapter 36 The Professor's Yarn
 37. 
Chapter 37 The End of the 'Gold Dust'
 38. 
Chapter 38 The House Beautiful
 39. 
Chapter 39 Manufactures and Miscreants
 40. 
Chapter 40 Castles and Culture
 41. 
Chapter 41 The Metropolis of the South
 42. 
Chapter 42 Hygiene and Sentiment
 43. 
Chapter 43 The Art of Inhumation
 44. 
Chapter 44 City Sights
 45. 
Chapter 45 Southern Sports
 46. 
Chapter 46 Enchantments and Enchanters
 47. 
Chapter 47 Uncle Remus and Mr. Cable
 48. 
Chapter 48 Sugar and Postage
 49. 
Chapter 49 Episodes in Pilot Life
 50. 
Chapter 50 The 'Original Jacobs'
 51. 
Chapter 51 Reminiscences
 52. 
Chapter 52 A Burning Brand
 53. 
Chapter 53 My Boyhood's Home
 54. 
Chapter 54 Past and Present
 55. 
Chapter 55 A Vendetta and Other Things
 56. 
Chapter 56 A Question of Law
 57. 
Chapter 57 An Archangel
 58. 
Chapter 58 On the Upper River
 59. 
Chapter 59 Legends and Scenery
 60. 
Chapter 60 Speculations and Conclusions

expand sectionA. 
APPENDIX A (FROM THE NEW ORLEANS TIMES DEMOCRAT OF MARCH 29, 1882.)
expand section 
APPENDIX B
  
APPENDIX C RECEPTION OF CAPTAIN BASIL HALL'S BOOK IN THE UNITED STATES
  
APPENDIX D THE UNDYING HEAD
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Chapter 37
The End of the 'Gold Dust'

FOR, three months later, August 8, while I was writing one of these foregoing chapters, the New York papers brought this telegram—

A TERRIBLE DISASTER.

SEVENTEEN PERSONS KILLED BY AN EXPLOSION ON THE STEAMER 'GOLD DUST.'

'NASHVILLE, Aug. 7.—A despatch from Hickman, Ky., says—

'The steamer "Gold Dust" exploded her boilers at three o'clock to-day, just after leaving Hickman. Forty-seven persons were scalded and seventeen are missing. The boat was landed in the eddy just above the town, and through the exertions of the citizens the cabin passengers, officers, and part of the crew and deck passengers were taken ashore and removed to the hotels and residences. Twenty-four of the injured were lying in Holcomb's dry-goods store at one time, where they received every attention before being removed to more comfortable places.'

A list of the names followed, whereby it appeared that of the seventeen dead, one was the barkeeper; and among the forty-seven wounded, were the captain, chief mate, second mate, and second and third clerks; also Mr. Lem S. Gray, pilot, and several members of the crew.

In answer to a private telegram, we learned that none of these was severely hurt, except Mr. Gray. Letters received afterward confirmed this news, and said that Mr. Gray was improving and would get well. Later letters spoke less hopefully of his case; and finally came one announcing his death. A good man, a most companionable and manly man, and worthy of a kindlier fate.

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