[3] Tradition saith, that some British vessels of war pursuing some
American vessels up the river, on arriving at this place gave up the
pursuit as useless, and _turned_ back to the Balize.
Another tradition saith that John Bull chasing some American ships up
the river, thought, in his wisdom, when he arrived at this bend, that
this was but another of the numerous outlets of the hydra-headed
Mississippi, and supposing the Yankee ships were taking advantage of it
to escape to the sea--he _turned_ about and followed his way back;
again, determined, as school boys say, to "head them!"