When the apprentice has become pretty thoroughly acquainted with the river, he goes clattering along so fearlessly with his steamboat, night or day, that he presently begins to imagine that it is his courage that animates him; but the first time the pilot steps out and leaves him to his own devices, he finds out it was the other man’s. he discovers that the article has been left out of his own cargo altogether. the whole river is bristling with dangers in a moment; he is not prepared for them; he does not know how to meet them; all his knowledge forsakes him; and within fifteen minutes he is as white as a sheet and scared almost to death. therefore pilots wisely train these cubs by various strategic tricks to look danger in the face a little more calmly. a favorite way of theirs is to play a friendly swindle upon the candidate.

which description develops the experience of learning to navigate the mississippi river.

all his knowledge forsakes him; and within fifteen minutes he is as white as a sheet and scared almost to death.

when the apprentice has become pretty thoroughly acquainted with the river, he goes clattering along so fearlessly with his steamboat, night or day, that he presently begins to imagine that it is his courage that animates him;

therefore pilots wisely train these cubs by various strategic tricks to look danger in the face a little more calmly.

the whole river is bristling with dangers in a moment; he is not prepared for them; he does not know how to meet them;