Now don't you worry your pretty head about the mule, for we can drift with the current until we have given two or three exhibitions, and so made money enough to buy one.
Then, having earned him, how much more shall we enjoy him than if he were only a borrowed mule ?" Cap'n Cod would have preferred a steamboat to one propelled by mule-power, but the expenses of machinery and an engineer were too great to be considered.

He made the _Whatnot_ look as much like a steamboat as he could, and even proposed ornamenting her with an imitation chimney as soon as he could afford such a luxury.

He also hoped soon to be able to engage some active young fellow as deck hand and general assistant.

In the mean time the _Whatnot's_ crew consisted of himself, Sabella, and Solon, an old negro who had been cook of the mess to which Cap'n Cod had belonged in the army, and who had followed his fortunes ever since.
As nearly every one in Dubuque who was at all interested in such things had seen the panorama during its painting and construction, and as Cap'n Cod's dramatic reputation was well known there, he deemed it advisable to give the first exhibitions of his show in some smaller and less critical places.

He called it a "show," because, even at the outset, it contained two attractions besides the panorama, and he hoped in the course of time to add still others.
Those already on hand were a monkey and a hand-organ, both of which were much greater rarities in the Mississippi Valley at that time than they are now.