Boyton felt considerably refreshed by the sleep, assisted, probably, by the prescription of the doctor, and one or two callers were admitted to his room.

Among them was a gentleman who stated that his wife was an invalid.

The windows of her room overlooked the river and as she saw Paul passing, on his way to Natchez, she had composed a little poem, which she begged the voyager to accept.

The lady's name was Mrs.Francis Marschalk, and the poem follows: Hail, King of the wat'ry world, New Neptune, grander than the old, Serene as thy great prototype, 'Mid storm and wave, mid heat and cold! Great victor! Man of nerve and will, Ingenious mind and wondrous skill, Laurels of peace are thine to wear, More blest than those of battle field; Begemmed with tears of gratitude And brighter than a Spartan shield--The world acclaims this crown to thee, And glories in thy victory.
The greatest boon of God is life, The dearest trust to mortal given And God-like 'tis to keep and save This precious heritage of heaven, This holy aim, this task divine Thy proud achievements claim as thine.
When all the waves of time are past And earth's rude storms with thee are o'er, Oh, may'st thou sweetly rest at last Upon the peaceful shining shore, And may thy spirit's pastime be Life's river and the Jasper sea.
Paul was deeply affected by so delicate a tribute from the accomplished stranger, and did all he could do under the circumstances--sent her an autograph note of grateful appreciation.
He did not stop long at Natchez, feeling anxious to finish the voyage as soon as possible.

Among the crowd that followed him to the wharf when he resumed the trip next day was the doctor who had prescribed for him.
That gentleman was very earnest in advising him not to start as he was in great danger of being seized with the fever.
"You have every indication of the fever now," said the doctor, "and if it attacks you on the water you will to a certainty die.