Monday, February 9, 2026

Mark Twain

""That night we had the watch until twelve. Now it was an ancient river custom for the two pitos to chat a bit when the watch changed. While the relieving pilot put on his gloves and lit his cigar, his partner, the retiring pilot, would say something like this:

"I judge the upper bar is making down a little at Hale Point; had a quarter twain with the lower lead and mark twain with the other."

"Yes, I thought it was making down a little, last trip. Meet any boats?"

"Met one abreast the head of 21, but she was away over hugging the bar, and I couldn't make her out entirely. I took her for the Sunny South - hadn't any skylights forward of he chimneys.:

And so on...""


Quote from the book "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain