Before the time of railroad in the West, the steamboats on the
Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, and other rivers carried a great many
passengers, as it was the most pleasant and rapid mode of travel
in those early days. I was on board of some water craft nearly
all the time for forty years of my life, and during that period
met with a great many rough characters. I believe that I can
truthfully say I have had more fights in the cabin and bar of
steamboats than any other man in this country. I never tried to
pick a fuss with any man; but in my business it was very hard to
avoid them without showing the white feather--and in those days
there was no such tint in my plumage. The officers did not like
a fuss on their boats, but most of them had rather see a fellow
fight than to take an insult; and I can not call to mind just now
a single case, in all my many fights, where the captain of a boat
blamed me for licking my man; but I do remember some good old
captains who would rather see a fight than eat when they were
hungry.
I always carried the very best pistol that could be bought for
money, and had one that I called "Betsy Jane," for which I paid
$100. I never wanted to turn her loose, for I did not want ever
to kill a man. I only used her as a bluffer, and she has often
responded to my wants successfully.
I was on board the steamer _Kate Kinney_ coming down the Missouri
River at one time, and had won a great deal of money. One big
fellow lost $700, and I could see he was very mad about it. He
would go to the bar and take a big drink, and then come back to
the table. Finally he got himself nerved up pretty well, so he
said to the bystanders:
"I have a d----d notion to kick that table over and break up his
game."
I replied, "It will do you no good to kick the table over, as I
have caught all the suckers, and am now going to quit and take a
drink."
I started to the bar, and invited all hands to join me. The big
fellow followed, but would not take a drink. I could see he was
sizing me up, and I knew he wanted some of my mutton, so I said to
him:
"We have all had a drink but you; won't you join me?"