This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ... leadsman broke the silence as he called out the depth of the water: "Mark three!" A pause. "Mark twain!"1 "A quarter less!" Now the river was so shallow that at'any moment the vessel might feel the shock of collision with the bottom. Bixby signaled to the engineer to slow down. The voice of the leadsman still rang ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ... leadsman broke the silence as he called out the depth of the water: "Mark three!" A pause. "Mark twain!"1 "A quarter less!" Now the river was so shallow that at'any moment the vessel might feel the shock of collision with the bottom. Bixby signaled to the engineer to slow down. The voice of the leadsman still rang through the dark. It was a fight between Bixby and the river. Would the river and its hidden shoals and snags gain the mastery over the daring pilot? Men who knew the Mississippi and its perils gathered close about the man at the wheel. They scarcely breathed. They seemed to see the Spirit 'This was the origin of the famous pen-name adopted by Samuel L. Clemens. of the Stream rise up, clad in weeds and foam, and angrily threaten the clear-eyed Bixby. "Yes," said one who understood; "the boat has crossed the first reef." At other points where danger lurked below water there were murmurs of pride in the man's wit and courage. Presently a huge black object rose in front. It was the island and its trees. The vessel might swerve a few inches wrong in this narrow channel. A shock would perhaps break the boat and its pilot's masterful heart. "Seven feet!" Seven feet; less than seven feet; what a narrow margin of water for this big ship! Something made a thud underneath. The vessel had, though but lightly, come in touch with the bed of the stream. It was the moment for the Spirit of the Mississippi to laugh in triumph. But all the soul of Bixby was up in defiance. The clang of bells, set in motion by his hand, startled the night; and his command seemed to cut the air like a word from the King of Thunder. "On! on! let her go!" A grinding sound below--a sound that made men all but choke ...
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Seller's Description:
VG- Sm8vo. pp. 114. Brave citizens"; illustrated; frontis of Count Leo Tolstoi; Luther Burbank photo; Maroon cloth, gilt lettering; minimal wear, some darkening of spine.
