He was always a cool man; nothing could disturb his serenity.

Once when he was captain of the 'Crescent City,' I was bringing the boat into port at New Orleans, and momently expecting orders from the hurricane deck, but received none.

I had stopped the wheels, and there my authority and responsibility ceased.

It was evening--dim twilight--the captain's hat was perched upon the big bell, and I supposed the intellectual end of the captain was in it, but such was not the case.

The captain was very strict; therefore I knew better than to touch a bell without orders.