MARK TWAIN.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 687, 18 July 1914, Page 3

MARK TWAIN.

WHEN HIS PILOT DAYS CAME TO AN END. Mark Twain went »up the Mississippi just as the Confederate War was declared as a passenger on a steamer named the Uncle Sam. Zeb Leavenworth was one of the pilots, and Sam Clemens usually stood watch with him. They heard war talk all the way and saw preparations, but they were not molested, though at Memphis they barely escaped the blockade. . At Cairo, Illinois, they saw soldiers mustering and drilling—troops later commanded by Grant. The Uncle Sam came steaming -up towards St. Louis, those on board congratulating themselves on having come through unscathed. They were not quite through, however. Abreast of Jefferson Barracks they suddenly heard the boom of a cannon and saw a whirl of smoke drifting in their direction. They did not realise that it was a signal—a thunderous Halt !—and kept straight on. Less than a minute later there was another, boom, and a shell exploded directly in front of the pilothouse, breaking a lot of glass and destroying a good deal of the upper decoration. Zeb Leavenworth feljj back into a corner with a yell. "Good Lord Almighty, Sam !" he said, "what do they mean by that ?" Clemens stepped to the wheel and brought the boat around. "I guess they want us to wait a minute, Zebi," he said. • They were examined and passed. It was the last steamboat to make the trip from New Orleans to St.. Louis. Mark Twain's pilot days were over.— "Harper's Magazine."