,FRAGM5T ( A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS 

#ahee 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ELISEE ,RECLUS 

,TAGS 3 M\? ( ! MISSISSIPPI1 BANKS ( ! MISSISSIPPI1 M\? ( ! RIV]1 CAPE TIBURON1 TRADE W9DS1 S\?WE/ PASS1 %IP1 SEA1 WAT]1 WAVES4 

,TEXT 3 

  

,PHOTO BY ,SEAN ,DAVIS1,C,C ,B,Y-,N,C-,N,D ,LIC5SE ,ELISEE ,RECLUS' 0,FRAGM5T ( A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS 7#a#h#e#e70 

 ,! FOLL[+ 9TRODUCTION TO & TRANSLATION ( ,RECLUS' 0,VOYAGE0 WAS PUBLI%$ 9 ,MESE*ABE  _?#a#a 7,W9T] #a#i#i#c71 PP4 #a#d-#a#g & _?#a#b 7,SPR+ #a#i#i#d71 PP4 #a#g-#b#b4  ,A REVIS$ V]SION1 ) ILLU/RATIONS & A MU* EXP&$ 9TRODUCTION IS =?COM+ AS A PAMPHLET FROM ,GLAD ,DAY ,BOOKS4   ,! $ITORS & TRANSLATORS HAVE ALSO COMPLET$ A COLLECTION ( ,RECLUS' WRIT+S1 ) EXT5SIVE COMM5T>Y ON HIS IDEAS1 5TITL$ ,LIB]TY1 ,EQUALITY1 ,GEOGRAPHY3 ,! ,SOCIAL ,?\<T ( ,ELISEE ,RECLUS4  ,!Y >E AT WORK ON ANO!R ,RECLUS COLLECTION 5TITL$ ,AN ,AN>*I/ 9 ! ,OLD ,S\?3 ,ELISEE ,RECLUS ON ,SLAV]Y & ,ANTEBELLUM ,SOCIETY4 ,?IS WORK APPE>S 9 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES ) P]MISSION FROM ,JOHN ,CL>K4 

,PUTT+ ,FRE$OM ON ! ,MAP3 

,! ,LIFE & ,WORK ( ,ELISEE ,RECLUS 

BY 

,JOHN ,CL>K 

 ,ELISEE ,RECLUS WAS ! =EMO/ GEOGRAPH] ( HIS EPO* & A MAJOR FIGURE 9 ! HI/ORY ( AN>*I/ POLITICAL !ORY4  ,HE WAS BORN 9TO A ,PROTE/ANT FAMILY ON ,M>* #a#e1 #a#h#c1 9 ,SA9TE-,FOY-LA-,GR&E1 A SMALL T[N ON ! ,DORDOGNE ,RIV] 9 S\?WE/]N ,FRANCE4 ,HIS FA!R1 ,JACQUES ,RECLUS1 WAS1 9 EFFECT1 A ,PROTE/ANT AMONG ,PROTE/ANTS1 LEAV+ ! ,FR5* ,RE=M$ ,*UR* TO BECOME ! PA/OR ( A 0,FREE ,*UR*0 9 ,OR!Z1 A T[N NE> ,SA9TE-,FOY4  ,ELISEE'S 9DEP5D5CE ( ?\<T & HIS QUE/ = A JU/ COMMUNITY W]E NO D\BT 9FLU5C$ BY HIS H]ITAGE ( RELIGI\S DISS5T4  ,9DE$1 HIS AN>*ISM CAN BE SE5 AS ! ULTIMATE ,PROTE/ANT REVOLT AGA9/ ! DOM9ANT RELIGIONS ( ! ,MOD]N ,AGE3 CAPITALISM & /ATISM4 

 ,IT IS UNCLE> :5 HE FIR/ BEGAN TO DEF9E HIMSELF EXPLICITLY AS AN AN>*I/1 BUT AS E>LY AS #ahea HIS VIEWS W]E CLE> 5\< = HIM TO DESCRIBE ! 0DE/9Y0 ( HUMANITY AS 0TO REA* ?AT /ATE ( IDEAL P]FECTION 9 :I* NATIONS WILL NO LONG] NE$ TO BE UND] ! TUTELAGE ( A GOV]NM5T OR ( ANY O!R NATION40  ,HE SAYS ( ?IS 0IDEAL /ATE0 ?AT 0IT IS ! ABS5CE ( GOV]NM5T1 IT IS AN>*Y1 ! HI<E/ EXPRESSION ( ORD]40 7#a7  ,IT WAS AT AB\T ?IS TIME ?AT ! TW5TY-ONE YE> OLD ,ELISEE & HIS BRO!R ,ELIE1 5RAG$ BY ,L\IS ,NAPOLEON'S C\P D'ETAT1 P>TICIPAT$ 9 AN APP>5T PLAN TO SEIZE ! MAIRIE ( ,OR!Z4  ,AL?\< ! SMALL GR\P ( W\LD-BE 9SURRECTIONI/S W]E NO GREAT ?REAT TO ! ,EMPIRE 79DE$1 !Y M]ELY M>*$ TO ! MAIRIE & !N AB&ON$ !IR PLAN71 ! AU?ORITIES SEEM$ TO TAKE ! MATT] S]I\SLY1 & ! ,RECLUS BRO!RS F\ND IT NECESS>Y TO LEAVE ,FRANCE = ! GREAT] TOL]ANCE !N PREVAIL+ 9 ,5GL&4  ,= ,ELISEE1 ?IS FLI<T BEGAN OV] FIVE YE>S ( =EIGN TRAVEL1 & PR(\NDLY AFFECT$ HIS FUTURE VOCATION4 

 ,BY E>LY #a#h#e#c1 ! Y\NG ,RECLUS HAD CROSS$ ! ,ATLANTIC & WAS LIV+ 9 ,L\ISIANA4  ,HIS 0,FRAGM5T D'UN VOYAGE A LA ,N\VELLE ,ORLEANS0 REC\NTS HIS PASSAGE ?R\< ! ,ANTILLES1 HIS TRIP UP ! ,MISSISSIPPI DELTA1 & HIS /RIK+ IMPRESSIONS ( ANTEBELLUM ,NEW ,ORLEANS4  ,IT ALSO *RONICLES AN IMPORTANT /AGE 9 ! DEVELOPM5T ( HIS SOCIAL & POLITICAL IDEAS4  ,= MO/ ( ! TWO & ON-HALF YE>S ?AT HE SP5T 9 ,L\ISIANA1 ,RECLUS WAS A TUTOR = ! *ILDR5 ( ! ,=TI] FAMILY AT ,FELICITE PLANTATION1 FIFTY MILES UP/REAM FROM ,NEW ,ORLEANS1 ON ! ,WE/ ,BANK ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI4 ,ONE ( ! /RONGE/ IMPRESSIONS ?AT HE GA9$ FROM HIS EXP]I5CE ( ! MU*-ROMANTICIZ$ PLANTATION SOCIETY ( ! ,OLD ,S\? WAS ( ! CRUEL 9HUMANITY ( SLAV]Y4 7#b7  ,HIS REPULSION BY ! SLAVE SY/EM WAS L>GELY RESPONSIBLE = HIS DECISION TO LEAVE ,L\ISIANA4  ,HE WROTE ?AT HE C\LD NOT CONT9UE TO E>N MONEY BY TUTOR+ ! *ILDR5 ( SLAVEHOLD]S & ?US 0/EAL FROM ! ,NEGROES :O HAVE TRULY E>N$ ?R\< !IR SWEAT & BLOOD ! MONEY ?AT ,I PUT 9 MY POCKET40 7#c7 

 ,RECLUS WAS1 ?R\<\T HIS LIFE1 A FI]CE OPPON5T NOT ONLY ( SLAV]Y BUT ( RACISM1 :I* HE SAW TO BE ONE ( ! MO/ P]NICI\S =MS ( OPPRESSION & DOM9ATION4  ,HE BELIEV$ ?AT ! PROBLEMS ( SOCIAL CONFLICT & EXPLOITATION /EMM+ FROM RACISM C\LD ONLY BE SOLV$ F9ALLY ?R\< ! BL5D+ ( RACES & CULTURES4  ,RACISM1 HE CONCLUD$1 WAS BAS$ ON A FALSE VIEW ( SOCIAL HI]>*Y ?AT CONTRADICT$ HIS FIRM BELIEF 9 EQUALITY & ACCEPTANCE ( SOCIAL DIV]SITY4  ,9 HIS VIEW1 HUMANITY IS ALWAYS /R5G!N$ BY ! CREATIVE DIV]SIFICATION RESULT+ FROM ! CROSS-F]TILIZATION ( PEOPLES & TRADITIONS4 

 ,ANO!R CONSEQU5CE ( ,RECLUS' VISIT TO ,L\ISIANA WAS ! /R5G!N+ ( HIS BELIEF 9 ! 9HUMANITY ( CAPITALISM4  ,:ILE HIS EXP]I5CES 9 ,EUROPE L$ HIM TO ABHOR ! EVILS ( ECONOMIC 9EQUALITY & EXPLOITATION1 HE DISCOV]$ 9 ,AM]ICA AN ECONOMI/IC M5TALITY ?AT F> SURPASS$ ?AT ( MORE TRADITIONALI/ ,EUROPEAN CULTURES4  ,HE CONCLUD$ ?AT ! SPIRIT ( COMM]CE & MAT]IAL GA9 HAD DEEPLY 9FECT$ ,AM]ICAN CULTURE & POISON$ IT4  ,AS HE WROTE TO HIS BRO!R ,ELIE1 HE BELIEV$ ! C\NTRY TO BE A 0GREAT AUCTION HALL :]E EV]Y?+ IS = SALE1 SLAVES & [N]S GO 9TO ! B>GA91 VOTES & HONOR1 ! ,BIBLE & CONSCI5CES4  ,EV]Y?+ GOES TO ! HI<E/ BIDD]40 7#d7  ,HIS LOA?+ = ! VIRTUES ( FREE 5T]PRISE CONT9U$ ?R\<\T HIS LIFETIME4 

 ,RECLUS F9ALLY RETURN$ TO ,FRANCE1 AFT] SP5D+ A YE> 9 ,S\? ,AM]ICA4  ,HIS ANTI-RACI/ BELIEFS W]E PUT 9TO PRACTICE 9 HIS P]SONAL LIFE :5 HE M>RI$1 9 ,DECEMB] #a#h#e#h1 ,CL>ISSE ,BRIAN1 ! MULATTO DAU<T] ( A ,FR5* FA!R & A ,S5EGALESE MO!R4  ,?IS HAPPY UNION 5D$ AFT] ONLY A FEW YE>S ) ,CL>ISSE'S DEA?4  ,A YE> LAT]1 ,RECLUS M>RI$ AN OLD FRI5D1 ,FANNY ,L',H]M9EZ1 ACCORD+ TO AN>*I/ PR9CIPLES--?AT IS1 )\T ! SANCTION ( EI!R *UR* OR /ATE4  ,?IS ALLIANCE PROV$ TO BE HIS CLOSE/ & MO/-VALU$ RELATION%IP & PR(\NDLY AFFECT$ HIM = ! RE/ ( HIS LIFE4  ,ALL :O KNEW HIM AGRE$ ?AT HIS EGALIT>IAN & COOP]ATIVE IDEAS W]E PRACTIC$ ADMIRABLY 9 HIS P]SONAL LIFE4  ,HIS FUNDAM5TAL PR9CIPLES ( SOLID>ITY & MUTUAL AID W]E MU* MORE ?AN POLITICAL SLOGANS1 & HE WAS NOT$ = HIS GREAT S5SE ( HUMILITY4  ,MOREOV]1 HIS CONCEPTION ( HUMANITY & COMPASSION EXT5D$ TO HIS TREATM5T ( O!R SPECIES & HIS CONC]N = NATURE4  ,9 ADDITION TO WRIT+ 9 DEF5SE ( ! NATURAL WORLD1 HE PRACTIC$ VEGET>IANISM = MO/ ( HIS LIFE1 ON E?ICAL GR\NDS4 

 ,DUR+ ! #a#h#fS1 ,RECLUS BEGAN HIS EXT5SIVE WORK 9 ! FIELD ( GEOGRAPHY1 COMPLET+ ! FIR/ ( ! ?REE GREAT GEOGRAPHICAL PROJECTS ( HIS LIFE1 ! TWO-VOLUME /UDY ,LA ,T]RE3 DESCRIPTION DES PH5OM5ES DE LA VIE DU GLOBE4  ,HIS 9TELLECTUAL WORK WAS 9T]RUPT$ ABRUPTLY 9 ! E>LY #g'S BY ! EV5TS ( ! ,P>IS ,COMMUNE & ITS AFT]MA?4  ,HE P>TICIPAT$ BO? 9 ! POLITICS ( ! ,COMMUNE & 9 ! UNSUCCESSFUL DEF5SE ( ,P>IS4  ,HE WAS TAK5 PRISON] BY ! ,V]SAILLES TROOPS & SP5T ! NEXT ELEV5 MON?S 9 F\RTE5 DIFF]5T PRISONS1 AFT] :I* HE WAS TRI$ & S5T5C$ TO DEPORTATION TO ,NEW ,CAL$ONIA4   ,AS A RESULT ( ! EF=TS ( HIS FRI5DS & ADMIR]S1 HE WAS F9ALLY ALL[$ TO EMIGRATE 9/EAD TO ,SWITZ]L&4  ,IRONICALLY1 ?IS EXILE AT ! H&S ( A REACTION>Y REGIME CONTRIBUT$ P[]FULLY TO HIS DEVELOPM5T AS A RADICAL POLITICAL !ORI/ & AS A =CE )9 ! ,EUROPEAN AN>*I/ MOVEM5T4  ,9 ,SWITZ]L&1 HE BEGAN HIS ASSOCIATION ) ! AN>*I/S ( ! ,JURA ,F$]ATION1 & DEVELOP$ CLOSE TIES ) ! MAJOR AN>*I/ !ORI/S ,BAKUN9 & ,KROPOTK94  ,IT WAS ALSO !RE ?AT HE BEGAN HIS GREATE/ WORK1 ! ,N\VELLE GEOGRAPHIE UNIV]SELLE4  ,?IS MONUM5TAL A*IEVEM5T APPE>$ 9 N9ETE5 VOLUMES BETWE5 #ahgf & #a#h#i#d4   ,ACCORD+ TO ,RECLUS' BIOGRAPH]1 GEOGRAPH] ,G>Y ,DUNB>1 0= A G5]ATION ! ,N,G,U WAS TO S]VE AS ! ULTIMATE GEOGRAPHICAL AU?ORITY0 & CON/ITUT$ 0PROBABLY ! GREATE/ 9DIVIDUAL WRIT+ FEAT 9 ! HI/ORY ( GEOGRAPHY40 7#e7 

 ,9 #a#h#i#d1 ! ELD]LY ,RECLUS BEGAN A NEW PHASE ( HIS C>E] :5 HE ACCEPT$ AN 9VITATION TO BECOME A PR(ESSOR AT ! ,NEW ,UNIV]SITY 9 ,BRUSSELS4  ,DESPITE HIS LATE 5TRY 9TO ! ACADEMIC WORLD1 HE A*IEV$ R5[N AS A TEA*] & WON ! 5DUR+ ADMIRATION ( MANY /UD5TS4  ,DUR+ ?IS P]IOD HE ALSO COMPLET$ HIS LA/ GREAT WORK1 ,L',HOMME ET LA T]RE4  ,?IS IMPRESSIVE SIX-VOLUME WORK RE9=C$ HIS REPUTATION AS A MAJOR FIGURE 9 ! HI/ORY ( GEOGRAPHY & IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL !ORY4 

 ,RECLUS DI$ 9 ! C\NTRYSIDE AT ,?\R\T NE> ,BRUSSELS ON ,JULY #d1 #a#i#e4  ,IT WAS REPORT$ ?AT HIS LA/ DAYS W]E MADE P>TICUL>LY HAPPY BY NEWS ( ! POPUL> REVOLUTION 9 ,RUSSIA4  ,HE EXPIR$ %ORTLY AFT] HE>+ ( ! REVOLT ( ! SAILORS ON ! BATTLE%IP ,POTEMK94 

,NOTES 

      
 7#a7 0,DEVELOPPEM5T DE LA ,LIB]TE DANS LE ,MONDE0 9 ,PAUL ,RECLUS1 $4  ,LES ,FR]ES ,ELIE ET ,ELISEE ,RECLUS 7,P>IS3 ,LES ,AMIS D',ELISEE ,RECLUS4 #a#i#f#d71 P4 #e#c4 

      
 7#b7 ,! $ITORS1 DISGUIS$ AS T\RI/S FROM ANO!R BIOREGION1 REC5TLY TOOK A T\R ( A PLANTATION NE> ,FELICITE 7:I* /ILL /&S1 BUT IS A PRIVATE HOME NOT OP5 TO VISITORS74  ,! (FICIAL T\R FOCUSES 5TIRELY ON ! GR&EUR ( ! ,OLD ,S\?1 & GIVES NO H9T ?AT A SY/EM ( ORGANIZ$ BRUTALITY EV] EXI/$ !RE4  ,! T\R GUIDE1 A Y\NG WOMAN DRESS$ 9 ANTEBELLUM G>B1 NOT$ ?AT 0! SLAVE :O C>RI$ ! BAK$ PIES FROM ! KIT*5 \TBUILD+ TO ! MA9 H\SE HAD TO :I/LE CON/ANTLY AS HE WALK$--TO MAKE SURE ?AT HE DIDN'T TA/E ! PIE60  ,! CR[D ( T\RI/S F\ND ?IS ANECDOTE QUITE AMUS+1 HAV+ NO TR\BLE ID5TIFY+ !MSELVES ) ! CLEV] PLANT]S1 RA!R ?AN ! HAPLESS S]VANTS4 

      
 7#c7 ,ELISEE ,RECLUS1 ,CORRESPONDANCE  7,P>IS3 ,LIBRAIRIE ,S*LEI*] ,FR]ES1 #a#i#a#a71 VOL4 ,I1 P4 #a#e4 

      
 7#d7 ,IBID41 ,VOL4 ,I1 P4 #i#a4 

      
 7#e7 ,G>Y ,S4 ,DUNB>1 ,ELISEE ,RECLUS3 ,HI/ORIAN ( ,NATURE 7,HAMD51 ,C,T3 ,>*ON ,BOOKS1 #a#i#g#h71 P4 #i#e4  

0,FRAGM5T ( ,A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS 7#a#h#e#e70 

BY ,ELISEE ,RECLUS 

,TRANSLAT$ BY ,CAMILLE ,M>T9 & ,JOHN ,CL>K 

,I4 

,! ,C>IBBEAN 

 ,! SEA WAS CALM & PHOSPHORESC5T4  ,AT REGUL> 9T]VALS1 ! %IP P>T$ ! WAVES ) A HEAVY RUMBL+ LIKE AN 5ORM\S CETACEAN1 & ! SAILS1 SWELL$ BY ! BREEZE1 COAX$ A G5TLY SWAY+ FROM ! MA/S4  ,ALL ( NATURE SEEM$ TO 5JOY A MY/]I\S WELL-BE+4 

 ,I WAS /RET*$ \T 9 ! LAUN* ABOVE ! RUDD]1 GAZ+ AT ! />S4  ,9 ?IS POSITION1 ,I EXI/$ ONLY = PLEASURE4 ,! ROCK+ MOTIONS ( ! %IP & ( ! WAVES CAUS$ %IV]S ( CONT5TM5T TO PASS ?R\< MY BODY4  ,IT WAS AS IF MY V]Y S\L HAD BE5 ABOLI%$1 & ALL ?AT ,I HAD LEFT WAS ! FACULTY ( RELI%+ GREAT LUNGFULS ( ! NI<T'S COOL AIR4  ,SWAY+ 9 ! SUSP5D$ LAUN* AS IF 9 A HAMMOCK1 9 TURN LIFT$ TO TW5TY FEET ABOVE ! WAT]1 !N BR\<T BACK D[N JU/ TO ! SURFACE1 ,I HE>D ! WAVES ALT]NATELY /RIKE ! PLANK+ ( ! LAUN* OR DISAPPE> UND] ! RUDD] ( ! %IP ) A CAV]N\S S\ND4  ,! PHOSPHORESC5CE ( ! JELLYFI% & ! ROTIF]AE CA/ A PALE & FLICK]+ GL[ AB\T ME1 & SOMETIMES1 ! MEET+ ( TWO LUM9\S WAVES GLI/5$ 9 MY EYES1 LIKE ! REFLECTION ( LI<TN+4  ,UP CLOSE1 ! SEA SEEM$ TO ROLL ) FIRE1 :ILE 9 ! DI/ANCE1 IT EMITT$ A VAGUE BLUI% LI<T1 LIKE FLAM+ ALCOHOL4 

 ,I S5S$ ALL ! BEAUTIES ( ! SEA )\T SEE+ !M4  ,MY EYES REMA9$ FIX$ ON ! />S1 & TO /OP CONTEMPLAT+ !M1 ,I W\LD HAVE HAD TO FI<T AGA9/ MY NATURE4  ,9 ! MID/ ( !M1 ! MA/S1 9 TURN L[]$ & LIFT$ BY ! ROLL+ ( ! %IP1 SEEM$ TO TRACE 5ORM\S CIRCLES ) !IR PO9TS4  ,I WAS DECEIV$ BY ! ILLUSION ?AT CAUSES US TO SEE MOTION 9 ! BODY AT RE/ & /ABILITY 9 MOV+ OBJECTS1 & ,I VAGUELY BELIEV$ ?AT ! />S W]E MYRIADS ( FIREFLIES SW>M+ >\ND ! MA/S & DANC+ AB\T ! SAILS4  ,SOMETIMES ,I SAW SOME?+ LIKE SN[+ LI<T1 SWIRL+ 9 SPACE & DESC5D+ 9 VA/ SPIRALS4  ,I WAS DAZZL$ BY ! LIVELY RADIANCE ?AT MAKES ! TROPICAL SKY SOME?+ COMPLETELY DIFF]5T FROM \RS4  ,! />S SEEM TO %9E AT LEA/ F\R TIMES MORE BRILLIANTLY1 &1 F> FROM APPE>+ TO BE SET 9 A SOLID DOME1 !Y SEEM SUSP5D$ FROM V>I\S HEI<TS 9 ! BLUE-BLACK AIR ( ! NI<T4  ,! ,MILKY ,WAY1 SO FA9T 9 \R NOR!RN REGIONS1 /RET*ES OV] ! TROPICAL SEA LIKE A VA/ TRANSP>5T ZONE ( LUM9\S CL\DS1 & BEYOND ITS [N 9F9ITY1 PO9TS US T[>D O!R 9F9ITIES4  ,UND] ?IS GLORI\S SKY1 SO DEEP & SO PURE1 ,I WOND]$ H[ ! ANCI5T A/RONOM]S W]E ABLE TO 9V5T !IR CRY/AL VAULT4  ,AT ! V]Y MO/1 WE CAN UND]/& ! ,SC&9AVIANS1 :O SAW 9 !IR OBSCURE SKY A GREAT SKULL1 :]E SCATT]$ CL\DS REPRES5T$ WISPS FROM ! DIV9E BRA94 

 ,LITTLE BY LITTLE MY EYES CLOS$1 & ,I FELL G5TLY 9TO A SLEEP AS PLEASANT AS MY VIGIL4  ,DREAM+1 ,I AGA9 SAW ! />S SP>KL+ AT ME FROM ! DEEP SKY ( MY/]I\S PROMISES1 :5 ,I WAS AWAK5$ ) A />T BY ! VOICE ( A HE>TY FELL[ AT ! B[4  ,A GREAT BLACK SOLID MASS LOOM$ 9 FRONT ( US TWO MILES T[>D ! NOR?WE/ -- IT WAS ! ISL& ( ,MONTS]RAT4  ,?R\< ! DEEP BLUE ( ! AIR1 9 :I* SOME?+ LIKE DIMLY GL[+ P>TICLES W]E FLOAT+1 WE MADE \T P]FECTLY ! %>P PR(ILES ( TW9 M\NTA9S ABOVE ! HORIZON4 

 ,?IS WAS ! FIR/ TIME ?AT ,I HAD SE5 ,AM]ICAN SOIL1 & YET ,I WAS NOT SORRY ?AT IT WAS NI<T4  ,! C\NTRY ( MY IMAG9ATION DID NOT APPE> TO ME SUDD5LY LAID B>E BY ! BRUTAL HEAT ( ! SUN1 BUT P]MITT$ SPECULATION BY ! LI<T ( ! />S & ALL[$ ME TO GIVE FREE RE9 TO MY DREAMS4  ,ON ?IS BLACK SOLID MASS1 ,I IMAG9$ GAZ+ ON ALL ITS TROPICAL SPL5DORS -- ! IMP5ETRABLE =E/S TEEM+ ) LIFE1 DEEP GORGES ) %IMM]+ WAT]FALLS1 :ITE H\SES %9+ ?R\< ! ?ICK FOLIAGE ( MANGO TREES1 & FIELDS ( CANE OR ( PLANTA9 SWAY+ 9 ! BREEZE4 

 ,:ILE ,I IMAG9$ ?AT ,I WAS CAT*+ A GLIMPSE ( !SE SPL5DID SI<TS1 ! %IP ADVANC$ RAPIDLY1 & SOON ,MONTS]RAT WAS ONLY A NEBUL\S1 HOV]+ CL\D AT ! HORIZON4  ,I LET MYSELF S9K BACK TO ! BOTTOM ( ! LAUN*1 & DREAM$ ( LEISURELY WALKS UND] GROVES ( ORANGE TREES4  ,MY WALK LA/$ = A LONG TIME1 = ,I SLEPT EV5 PA/ SUNRISE4  ,A RUDE /REAM ( WAT] WOKE ME UP SUDD5LY -- ! SAILORS DID !IR MORN+ WA% FROM ! %IP1 & )\T SEE+ ME1 HAD DIRECT$ !IR WAT] HOSE RI<T ON ME4  ,AS ,I WAS DRESS$ LI<TLY1 ,I WAS NOT TOO AL>M$ BY ?IS IMPROVIS$ %[] ?AT CRA%$ ON MY HEAD1 & ,I LET MYSELF BRAVE ! BA? LIKE A ,TRITON4 

 ,! PHYSIOLOGY ( A GOOD MANY IDL]S HAS BE5 DESCRIB$1 BUT ! IDL] :O PR[LS >\ND ON BO>D A %IP HAS USUALLY BE5 OV]LOOK$4  ,HIS LIFE IS MU* MORE AGREEABLE & V>I$ ?AN ONE MI<T ORD9>ILY ?9K1 & IF HE LOVES NATURE1 HE WILL NEV] BE BOR$4 ,:5 ! %IP IS /ILL 9 ! H>BOR1 MOOR$ BY A CABLE FROM ! DOCK1 ! TRAVEL] WOND]S ) A C]TA9 TREPIDATION :E!R IT IS NOT FOOLI% TO RISK HIS LIFE ON SU* A SMALL FLOAT+ H\SE & TO BE IMPRISON$ !RE *E]FULLY = MON?S AT A TIME4  ,BUT IF HE W\LD ONLY 5T] -- SOON 5\<1 ?IS N>R[ CRAFT1 ?IS SIMPLE PLANK ?AT ! POETS SAY SEP>ATES LIFE FROM ET]NITY1 ?IS TREMBL+ HULL ON ! SEA1 5DS UP BECOM+ A WORLD4  ,ONE IS CON/ANTLY MAK+ NEW DISCOV]IES H]E1 & MORE (T51 AT ! 5D ( ! VOYAGE1 MANY >EAS ( ! %IP REMA9 UNKN[N T]RITORY = ! PASS5G]4  ,I'M NOT SPEAK+ ONLY ( ! HOLD1 ! /OR]OOM1 ! /EW>D'S ROOM1 & ALL ?OSE D>K MY/]IES HIDD5 BY ! %9Y WOOD5 FLOOR ( ! CAB9S4  ,!RE >E VATS ( FRE% WAT] ?AT MI<T /IFLE =EV] ! CRIES ( ! DR[N+1 ! HID+ PLACES & HOLES :]E BR[N RATS & BLACK RATS ORGANIZE !IR 5EMY REPUBLICS1 & ! HIDE\S DEP?S ( ! HOLD1 :]E SEAWAT]1 /REAM+ ACROSS ! OAK & M+L+ ) ! RUBBI% ( ! C>GO1 EMANATES ITS F\L & NOXI\S ODOR4  ,EV5 A SAILOR H>DLY KN[S H[ TO F9D HIS BE>+S 9 ?IS UNHEAL?Y LABYR9?4  ,ALL ! MORE W\LD A PASS5G] ACCU/OM$ TO OP5 AIR & SUN GET MIS]ABLY LO/ 9 !SE GLOOMY %AD[S4 

 ,! RE/ ( ! %IP (F]S A GOOD DEAL MORE TO ! %>P OBS]V]1 & !RE IS NO LACK ( SUBJECTS TO /UDY4  ,EV5 REMA9+ 9 ONE'S CAB91 ONE IS SURPRIS$ TO F9D A HO/ ( DELI<TFUL OBJECTS1 = ON BO>D1 EV]Y?+ IS 9 CON/ANT MOTION1 & ! LEA/ ( OBJECTS SEEM TO TAKE ON !IR [N LIFE4  ,!RE'S A B>OMET] ?AT DANCES & FLICK]S1 SUSP5D$ BY ITS ELA/IC LIGAM5TS1 & A COMPASS DIAL ?AT SPR+S 9TO ACTION ) EA* MOVEM5T ( ! TILL]4  ,TABLES & *AIRS LEAN =W>D ) A MOAN1 !N RI<T !MSELVES1 9CL9E1 & KNOCK AGA9/ EA* O!R4  ,FROM ALL CORN]S COME /RANGE CRIES & MY/]I\S GROANS4  ,EA* PLANK MAKES ITS [N CREAK+ S\ND1 EA* METAL NAIL ITS %RILL GRAT+1 & ON ! DECK1 VIOL5T %OCKS TRANSMITT$ BY ! SEA MAKE ! *A9S JO/LE AB\T ) A T]RIBLE CLATT] LIKE A GALLOP+ SQUADRON4  ,FROM TIME TO TIME1 A WAVE ?AT IS /RONG] ?AN USUAL CRA%ES AGA9/ ! SIDE ( ! %IP1 & :5 ONE FEELS IT PASS+ V]Y CLOSE BY1 JU/ \TSIDE ! %IP'S FRAME1 ONE CANNOT HELP %UDD]+ ) FE>4  ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! LUR*+ BECOMES MORE VIOL5T1 & ALL ( ! OBJECTS 9 ! CAB9 SUCCUMB TO AN UNEXPECT$ GYMNA/ICS4  ,POORLY FA/5$ DOORS OP5 & %UT AGA9 ) A L\D CRA%1 & BOTTLES & GLASSES >E HURL$ FROM ! TABLE & SMA% AGA9/ ! WOOD5 FLOORS4  ,EV]Y?+ COMES TO LIFE 9 M]RY MOTION1 & ?IS DIZZY+ DANCE1 !SE CRAZY OSCILLATIONS1 SEEM TO GIVE LIFE EV5 TO ! SMALL BLACK5$ BEAMS ( ! CEIL+4  ,BUT NO?+ IS MORE *>M+ ?AN ! PLAY ( SUN RAYS P5ETRAT+ ! ROOM ?R\< ! DEADLI<T4  ,!SE RAYS SCAMP] AB\T 9 EV]Y NOOK & CRANNY1 5T]+ FURTIVELY 9TO ! CAB9S1 HID+1 *AS+ EA* O!R1 REFLECT+ = A MOM5T 9 ! MIRRORS1 !N FLITT+ AWAY AGA9 LIKE />TL$ BIRDS4  ,:5 ! %IP IS SWAY+ HEAVILY1 !Y COME 91 FLICK]1 & VANI% SO RAPIDLY ?AT ! EYE CANNOT FOLL[ !M4 

 ,IF ! PASS5G] GOES = A WALK ON ! POOP DECK1 O!R SI<TS AWAIT HIM4  ,FIR/ ( ALL1 HE HAS TO WALK ) SMALL /EPS TO AVOID FALL+1 & KN[ H[ TO KEEP HIS BALANCE ?R\< IMPROBABLE & COMPLICAT$ MOVEM5TS4  ,! GR\ND UNDULATES1 QUAKES & SLIPS AWAY FROM UND] HIS FEET4  ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! WAVES RISE UP CURI\SLY ONE AFT] ANO!R ALONG ! SIDES ( ! %IP1 AS IF TO EXAM9E HIS CLUMSY MANEUV]+4  ,BUT HE F9ALLY >RIVES1 & HIS PROM5ADE SEEMS TO HAVE BE5 SO MU* LONG] BECAUSE ( ALL HIS /UMBL+ 5 R\TE4 

 ,ONE ( MY FAVORITE RETREATS ON ! %IP WAS ! F> 5D ( ! /]N BEH9D ! *A9S ( ! RUDD]4  ,LEAN+ OV] ! SIDE1 ,I GAZ$ AT ! WAKE = H\RS ON 5D4  ,! WAVES CAME ONE AFT] ! O!R TO LURE MY VISION 9TO !IR SPIRALS1 & TO LOOK AWAY REQUIR$ A /RONG EF=T4  ,! CURLS1 ! CIRCUL> RIPPLES1 ! B$LAM1 ! $DY+ WAVELETS1 ! DANCES ( ! FOAMY TRAILS1 ! /RUGGLES BETWE5 ! WAVES ?AT REUNITE BEH9D ! KEEL1 CLUT*+ & WRI?+1 ! =MATION ( SWIFT FUNNELS TRAIL+ CLU/]S ( TRANSP>5T BUBBLES 9 !IR VORTEX -- ALL !SE LITTLE DRAMAS ( DROP & ( FOAM EX]CIS$ ON MY EYES AN IRRESI/IBLE FASC9ATION4  ,BEYOND ! SWIFT & TWI/+ L9E ( ! WAKE1 L>GE SURFACES ( FOAM PASS BY1 ?R[N ASIDE TO ! RI<T & LEFT BY ! PR[ ( ! %IP4  ,!RE >E ISL&S1 >*IPELAGOS1 & CONT95TS ?AT COALESCE1 BREAK AP>T1 DIM9I%1 DISSOLVE & VANI%4  ,9 REALITY1 !RE IS NOT A GREAT DIFF]5CE1 GEOLOGICALLY SPEAK+1 BETWE5 !SE CONT95TS ( FOAM & ! CONT95TS ( L& ?AT WE 9HABIT4  ,SMALL OR L>GE1 ALL PH5OM5A >E ANALOG\S3  \R CONT95TS ALSO WILL DISSOLVE & RE=M ELSE:]E1 LIKE CLU/]S ( :ITE BUBBLES C>RI$ ALONG BY ! WAKE ( ! VESSEL4 

 ,LEAN+ OV] 9 ORD] TO SEE ! D>K MASS ( ! %IP REFLECT+ 9 ! SEA1 ONE CAN DI/+UI% /RANGE ANIMALS 9 ! 5ORM\S DEP?S -- NEM]T9E WORMS ROLL$ UP LIKE BLACK RIBBONS2 JELLYFI% SPREAD+ \T !IR TRANSP>5T MANTLE UNTIL ALMO/ 9VISIBLE1 & FLEX+ IT AGA9 9 ! %APE ( A YELL[ OR :ITE SPH]E2 /EPHANOMIES LIKE QUIV]+ EMBROID]IES ( F9E LACE2 SQUID2 & CUTTLEFI% ) GREAT CORDS ( SUCK]S4 ,!N !RE >E VAGUE1 =MLESS CREATURES1 ALMO/ COMPLETELY DISSOLV$ BY ! WAT] ?AT CONTA9S !M4  ,9 ! MID/ ( !SE LIV+ DEP?S TEEM+ ) ORGANISMS1 ONE OCCASIONALLY SEES AN 5ORM\S GRE5 OR BLUI% MASS ) AN ELUSIVE \TL9E PASS BY4  ,IT C\LD BE A %>K ?AT ) A SIMPLE VIBRATION ( ITS P[]FUL TAIL CAN HURL ITSELF T[>D ! SURFACE UP TO TW5TY MET]S1 OR A FAMILY ( PORPOISES PLAY+ HIDE-&-GO-SEEK UND] ! KEEL ( ! %IP4 

 ,T[>D NOON1 ! OV]:ELM+ HEAT W\LD =CE ME TO SEEK %ELT]1 & ,I W\LD /RET* MYSELF \T ON ! SAILS 9 ! %ADE ( A MA/4  ,!RE1 ,I W\LD READ OR NAP = SEV]AL H\RS1 & :5 ! SOME:AT COOL$ ATMOSPH]E P]MITT$ ME TO LEAVE MY HIDEAWAY1 EV]Y?+ SEEM$ MORE BEAUTIFUL ?AN BE=E4  ,! AIR HAD BECOME MORE LUM9\S1 ! WAVES MORE JOYFUL1 ! %IP MORE AL]T TO ITS C\RSE4  ,!N ,I W\LD GO /AGG]+ (F TO F9D SOME OBS]VATION PO/1 SU* AS ! MA9 MA/ OR ! =EMA/4  ,CL++ TO ! VIBRAT+ L9ES ( ! RIGG+1 ,I CLAMB]$ UP SL[LY1 )\T LOOK+ D[N = FE> ( BE+ OV]COME ) V]TIGO 9 SEE+ ! SEA UND] MY FEET4  ,MY HE>T BEAT+ ) A NOT V]Y VIRILE EMOTION1 ,I HOI/$ MYSELF ) ! /R5G? ( MY >MS ACROSS ! B>S ( ! MA9TOP & LEAN$ SOLIDLY AGA9/ ! MA/4  ,!RE1 A TRUE C[>D 5JOY+ ! EMOTIONS ( DANG]1 ,I LOV$ FEEL+ MYSELF SWAY+ BY ! %IP'S LUR*+1 & TRAC+ VA/ CURVES 9 ! ATMOSPH]E4  ,! SAILORS :O CLIMB$ UP ! RIGG+ OR SLID D[N ! L9ES ) ! DEXT]ITY ( MONKEYS NEV] GUESS$ ?AT ,I HAD A GREAT] PLEASURE ?AN !Y -- ?AT ( V]TIGO & ( FE>4 

 ,FROM ! HEI<T ( ?IS OBS]VATION PO/1 SWAY+ P[]FULLY 9 SPACE1 ,I P]CEIV$ ! BEAUTY ( ! SEA ALL ! BETT] 9 SEE+ IT FROM AN UNUSUAL P]SPECTIVE4  ,FIR/ ( ALL1 MY HORIZON 9CREAS$ BY SEV]AL LEAGUES1 & ! VA/ CIRCUMF]5CE ?AT SEEM$ SO RUFFL$ ) WAVES FROM ! DECK HAD BECOME CALM1 LIKE A BEA* ( BRONZE4  ,CLOS] UP1 ,I HAD SE5 DI/9CTLY ! WAVES ROLL+ 9 MILIT>Y ORD]1 & :51 UND] ! 9FLU5CE ( TWO OPPOS+ W9DS1 TWO SY/EMS ( WAVES CROSS$ AT RI<T ANGLES1 ,I GRASP$ ALL ! DETAILS ( !IR H>MONI\S & P]IODIC 9T]F]5CE4  ,ON ! %IFT+ SURFACE1 SP]M :ALES SOMETIMES APPE>$1 BL[+ JETS ( MI/ & WAT] ?R\< !IR SP\TS & LIFT+ !IR 5ORM\S TAILS 9 ! AIR1 & TRIBES ( PORPOISES CROSS$ ! SEA ) A S]IES ( LEAPS & DIVES4  ,>\ND ! %IP1 LONG TRAILS ( SEA WRACK OR SEA GRAPES FLOAT$1 & TRI-COLOR$ ,PORTUGUESE M5-(-W> SWAY$ !IR LONG >MS AT ! :IM ( EA* WAVE4  ,SOMETIMES WE CAME UPON A BROK5 Y>D1 ! REMA9S ( SOME %IPWRECK4  ,SEA BREAM & DOLPH9S CIRCL$ >\ND ?IS WRECKAGE LIKE WOLVES 9 ORD] TO DEV\R ! LITTLE FI% HIDD5 9 ITS %AD[4  ,?IS FLOAT+ Y>D CREAT$ WAS A WORLD UNTO ITSELF 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SEA1 & C\NTLESS DRAMAS ( KILL+ TOOK PLACE REL5TLESSLY >\ND IT4 

  ,LOOK+ D[N BEL[ ME1 ,I F\ND ! %IP /RANGELY DIM9I%$ 9 SIZE1 & ,I WOND]$ H[ ! WEI<T ( ! DI/5D$ SAILS DID NOT CAPSIZE ! HULL4  ,! POOP DECK1 ! LAUN*ES1 ! *A9S1 & ! AN*ORS SEEM$ TO HAVE BECOME IMPOSSIBLY T9Y1 & ! CREAK+ RIBS ( ! %IP1 ! CL9K+ *A9S1 & %\TS ( ! SAILORS M]G$ 9TO A PLA9TIVE MOAN4  ,>\ND ! L[] HULL1 ! FOAM LIFT$ UP BY ! PR[ :IRL$ 9 :ITE SPIRALS ON ! BLUEGRE5 BACKDROP ( ! SEA4  ,SE5 FROM A HEI<T1 IT HAD ! TRANSP>5CY & ! LU/] ( A VA/ SURFACE ( LIQUID & BUBBL+ PORCELA94 

 ,I DID NOT EASILY TIRE \T :5 ,I LOOK$ AT ! SEA FROM ! HEI<T ( ! TOP MA/1 BUT ,I HAD AN EV5 MORE AGREEABLE PO/1 ! UPP]MO/ P>T ( ! B[SPRIT MA/4  ,!RE1 ,I WAS COMPLETELY \TSIDE ( ! %IP1 & LOOK+ D[N1 ,I SAW IT BEH9D ME1 CLEAV+ ! WAVES ) ITS PR[1 & ,I DEFI$ ?IS 5ORM\S 5RAG$ MASS ?AT *AS$ ME1 BUT C\LD NEV] CAT* ME4  ,) EA* SUDD5 PIT*1 ,I SWOOP$ ALMO/ TO ! LEVEL ( ! WAT]1 !N ,I WAS ?R[N TO A GREAT HEI<T ABOVE IT4  ,! MA/ RE>$ UP UND] ME1 OR PLUNG$ WILDLY1 )\T BE+ ABLE TO ?R[ ME (F4  ,9TOXICAT$ ) MOTION1 ,I ALMO/ ?\<T ,I COMM&$ ! MON/] ?AT C>RI$ ME1 & LEAN+ 9TO ! SEA1 SUCK+ 9 ! SPACE BY MY GAZE1 ,I IMAG9$ ?AT ! GREAT W+S ( ! %IP W]E 9FLAT$ NOT BY ! W9D BUT BY ! BREA? ( MY WILL4  ,) A NAIVE >ROGANCE1 ,I FELT MYSELF TO BE ! C5T] ( ! UNIV]SE4 

 ,?US ,I W&]$ >\ND ! %IP1 5DLESSLY F9D+ WOND]FUL SI<TS TO CONTEMPLATE4  ,BUT ESPECIALLY S9CE REA*+ ! ,C>IBBEAN1 ,I LOV$ TO GO FROM MA/ TO MA/1 SCANN+ ! HORIZON1 SE>*+ = L&4  ,?IRTY-SIX H\RS AFT] HAV+ PASS$ ,MONTS]RAT1 WE DID 9DE$ SEE L&1 AS ! S\!RN COA/ ( ,HAITI1 BLURRY AT FIR/1 !N BECOM+ L>G] & BOLD]1 ROSE UP T[>D ! NOR?4  ,! P59SULA ?AT 5DS AT ,CAPE ,REQU9 OR ,TIBURON IS ACTUALLY A N>R[ *A9 ( M\NTA9S /REWN 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SEA1 & ! PEAKS L9$ UP ON ! RIDGE HAVE A MAGNIFIC5T1 AUDACI\S *>ACT]4  ,! HI<E/ PEAK REA*ES AB\T #bh MET]S1 & FROM ?IS PO9T1 ONE LOOKS D[NW>D TO A SUCCESSION ( T]RACES & PYRAMIDS1 & !N F9ALLY TO ,CAPE ,TIBURON1 :]E ! JAGG$ RIDGE PLUNGES 9TO ! BLUE ( ! WAT] ) A L(TY & PR\D DESC5T4  ,ALEX&RE ,DUMAS' 9SI<TFUL IMAGE ( A CAPE AS A BULL LIFT+ HIS HORNS TO ! WAVES RETURN$ CON/ANTLY TO MY M9D4 

 ,! M\NTA9S T[>D :I* \R %IP WAS HEAD$ >E RA!R B>E1 & L>GE TREES GR[ ONLY 9 ! GORGES & 9 ! N>R[ HOLL[S SET AT 9T]VALS BETWE5 ! %ORE & ! FOOT ( ! ESC>PM5TS4  ,=E/S ( MAHOGANY1 MAGNIFIC5T ,AFRICAN BAOBABS1 & MANGROVES >E G5]ALLY F\ND MORE TO ! EA/1 ON ! COA/ ( ! ,DOM9ICAN ,REPUBLIC1 BUT H]E ! %ORE ( ! ISL& IS MU* TOO /EEP TO ALL[ A SIGNIFICANT AM\NT ( VEGETATION TO TAKE HOLD4  ,9 SEV]AL PLACES1 CLIFFS GLEAM+ LIKE METAL RISE UP AT ! %ORE1 & ! FI%]M5'S HUTS CL+ LIKE GOATS TO ! L$GES 9 ! ROCK4  ,9CUBAT$ BY A REL5TLESS SUN1 ALMO/ ! 5TIRE COA/ HAS TAK5 ON A R$DI% & SEV]E ASPECT ?AT W\LD SEEM BETT] SUIT$ TO SOME PROMONTORY 9 ,>ABIA4 

 ,! ESC>PM5TS ( SEV]AL M\NTA9S >E 9T]RUPT$ BY HORIZONTAL T]RACES ?AT >E EVID5TLY ANCI5T BEA*ES4  ,!SE T]RACES1 SPAC$ ONE ABOVE ! O!R AT MORE OR LESS EQUAL HEI<TS1 >E PRO( ?AT !RE MU/ HAVE BE5 SUCCESSIVE P]IODS ( HALTS & ASC5SIONS TO BR+ AB\T ! UP?RU/ ( ! :OLE ISL&4  ,AT 9T]VALS1 HEAVY TROPICAL RA9S HAVE TAK5 ADVANTAGE ( ! LEA/ FOLD 9 ! SOIL TO DIG DEEP RAV9ES ?R\< ! P>ALLEL RIMS ( ! SUP]POS$ T]RACES4  ,FROM A DI/ANCE1 ONE C\LD IMAG9E ?AT ALL ( !SE /EPS1 SEP>AT$ FROM EA* O!R BY 5ORM\S TR\<S1 W]E C>V$ 9TO ! ROCK BY A RACE ( GIANTS4  ,!RE IS NO LACK ( T]RACES EXCEPT 9 PLACES :]E ! ROCK IS TOO H>D = ! SEA TO CUT 9 V]Y DEEPLY1 BUT ALMO/ EV]Y:]E ELSE1 ! ISL& IS SURR\ND$ BY AN UN9T]RUPT$ BELT ( /AGG]$ TI]S4  ,!SE TI]S (T5 TAKE A REM>KABLE %APE4  ,?US1 NE> ! PORT VILLAGE ( ,/4 ,NICOLAS1 AN ISL& ?AT EM]G$ 9 A RA!R REC5T GEOLOGICAL AGE IS =M$ LIKE A =TIFI$ H>BOR4  ,IT CREATES ! IMPRESSION ( AN ELABORATE RAMP>T ?AT MI<T HAVE REQUIR$ = ITS CON/RUCTION MANY C5TURIES & HUMAN LIVES4 

 ,NE> ,CAPE ,TIBURON1 WE HAD ! PLEASURE ( OBS]V+ ! M>VEL\S CL>ITY ( ! WAT]4  ,%ELT]$ BY ! COA/AL M\NTA9S1 ! %IP FELT ONLY ! EFFECTS ( PUFFS ( ! TRADE W9DS4  ,! SEA BECAME AS SMOO? AS A MIRROR1 & ! CALM BEGAN TO SPREAD ITS SILV] COAT+ OV] ! DI/ANT WAT]S4  ,I WAS LY+ AT ! F> 5D ( ! CAB9 ON ! SAILS1 & ,I PUT MY HEAD ?R\< ! POR?OLE TO OBS]VE ! H>MONI\S RUFFL+ ( ! WAVES4  ,= A LONG TIME1 ,I SEEM$ TO SEE BLACK TRAILS RESEMBL+ DRIFT+ ALGAE AT ! BOTTOM ( ! WAT]1 BUT ,I BELIEV$ MY SI<T TO BE DECEIV$ BY ! PLAY ( %AD[ & LI<T4  ,ALL ( A SUDD51 ,I SAW CLE>LY SOME ROCKS & M>9E PLANTS4  ,I CALL$ \T TO ! CAPTA91 & A SAILOR HEAV$ ! LEAD1 :I* 9DICAT$ TW5TY-SIX MET]S ( DEP?4  ,! WAT] WAS AS PURE AS COND5S$ AIR4  ,! FI% W]E MOV+ 9 JOLTS1 & ! %>KS1 SO COMMON & SO DANG]\S 9 !SE WAT]S1 SEEM$ TO BE SUSP5D$ !RE ABOVE ! VOID4  ,MEAD[S ( ALGAE1 COLONIES ( POLYPS1 & TRAVEL+ S*OOLS ( JELLYFI% PASS$ BY 9 TURN UND] \R EYES1 & WE C\LD SEE CREEP+ AT ! BOTTOM ( ! SEA *AOTIC & BLURR$ ASSEMBLAGES ( 5ORM\S LEGS & MON/R\S HEADS4  ,F9ALLY1 ! EV5+ BREEZE LIFT$1 & PROPELL$ US 9 ! DIRECTION ( ,JAMAICA4  ,! NEXT MORN+1 WE W]E 9 SI<T ( ! ,BLUE ,M\NTA9S4 

 ,9 !SE WAT]S1 ! HI< PEAKS ( ! ,ANTILLES 9T]RUPT ! /EAD9ESS ( ! TRADE W9DS1 & (T5 MAKE !M SP9 9 A]IAL :IRLPOOLS4  ,SOMETIMES A RAG+ W9D WAS FOLL[$ BY ABSOLUTE CALM1 & ! SAILS1 ONLY A MOM5T BE=E /RA9$ TO ! PO9T ( TE>+1 DROPP$ BACK HEAVILY ALONG ! MA/S4  ,!N1 ON ! COA/ ( ,JAMAICA1 ! W9D SUDD5LY DROPP$ & ! HEAVY WAVES FLATT5$ \T LITTLE BY LITTLE1 GRADUALLY TAK+ ON ! COLOR & APPE>ANCE ( OIL4  ,SOON1 ! %IP WAS AFFECT$ ONLY BY ! PRESSURE ( ! EQUATORIAL CURR5T1 & = TWO :OLE DAYS1 ! ISL& SL[LY REVEAL$ BE=E US ITS MAGNIFIC5T PANORAMA ( M\NTA9S & =E/S1 ( AZURE & LI<T4 

 ,ON ! EV5+ ( ! SECOND DAY1 ! SI<T WAS ESPECIALLY DAZZL+ 9 ITS SPL5DOR4  ,! SUN WAS SETT+ & HAD ALREADY ASSUM$ ?AT OVAL %APE ?AT IT ALWAYS HAS ON ! HAZY HORIZON4  ,! WE/]N SKY WAS FLOOD$ ) ! MO/ 9T5SE VIOLET GL[ UP TO ! Z5I?1 & ! POLI%$ SEA REFLECT$ ?IS GL[ SO WELL ?AT ! SUN1 ALREADY GRAZ+ ! SURFACE ( ! WAT]1 APPE>$ LIKE ! KEY/ONE ( AN IMM5SE CUPOLA ( LI<T4  ,L>GE FI%+ BIRDS :EEL$ 9 ! AIR4  ,SOMETIMES AN EAGLE SO>$ BY1 WAIT+ = AN EASYGO+ BIRD TO MAKE A LUCKY CAT*4 ,! EAGLE W\LD !N PURSUE IT & =CE IT TO RELEASE ITS PREY1 :I* ! EAGLE !N CAU<T BE=E IT C\LD FALL BACK 9TO ! WAT]4  ,NE> ! %ORE1 ! ,NEGROES' PIROGUES GLID$ LIKE WAT]BUGS1 & F>!R AWAY1 9 ! BAYS ( ! ISL&1 %IPS ) :ITE SAILS APPE>$1 LIKE DRAGONFLIES POIS$ ON A LEAF AT ! $GE ( A POND4  ,FIELDS ( CANE EXT5D$ EV5 ALONG ! %ORE1 9T]SP]S$ ) VILLAGES & COV]$ ) ! TRAIL+ SMOKE FROM FACTORIES4  ,F>!R ON1 ! HILLS ROSE UP1 CUT ?R\< 9 ALL DIRECTIONS BY RAV9ES & BE>+ ?ICK =E/S 9 !IR VALLEYS4  ,BEYOND ?IS FIR/ RANGE ( GRE5 HILLS WAS ANO!R RANGE D>K5$ BY DI/ANCE1 & BEYOND ?AT1 A BLUE JAGG$ RANGE4  ,F9ALLY1 ABOVE ALL !SE LEVELS ( SUMMITS1 A GREAT PEAK ?RU/ ITS PO9T TO A HEI<T ( #bd MET]S1 & SEEM$ TO WANT TO EXT5D ITS 5ORM\S CLOAK ( AZURE OV] ALL ! ISL&4  ,& ! PEACE1 ! TRANQUILITY1 ! P[] CONTA9$ BY ! E>? & ! SEA -- H[ CAN !Y EV] BE DESCRIB$8  ,IT IS SAID ?AT NATURE KN[S H[ TO 5JOY ITS [N BEAUTY & DOESN'T ASK = ! SYMPA!TIC ADMIRATION ( HUMANS4  ,9 TROPICAL PASSAGES1 !RE IS NO?+ G5TLE1 DELICATE1 MELAN*OLY1 & FAMILI>1 LIKE ! LAWNS1 ! BROOKS1 & ! MI/S ( \R NOR!RN C\NTRY4  ,H]E1 NATURE IS DISDA9FUL1 IMPASSIVE1 & REL5TLESS 9 ITS BEAUTY2 IT SEEMS UNAW>E ( ITS *ILDR54 

 ,! FOLL[+ DAY1 T[>D F\R O'CLOCK 9 ! AFT]NOON1 WE W]E OPPOSITE ! ,GR& ,CAIMAN1 =M]LY ! HIDEAWAY ( BRIG&S :O HAD SITUAT$ !IR D5 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! REEF 9 ORD] TO BETT] CONFRONT ! 5EMY FRIGATES4  ,?IS ISL& WAS N[ REM>KABLE ONLY = ITS MEMORIES1 & ,I PROBABLY W\LD HAVE =GOTT5 AB\T IT IF1 EV5 :ILE WE W]E /ILL 9 SI<T ( ITS %ORES1 A VIOL5T SQUALL HAD NOT ASSAULT$ \R %IP4 

 ,NO MATT] H[ C\RAGE\S ONE IS1 ONE CANNOT HELP BE+ %AK5 TO ! V]Y CORE ON SEE+ A /ORM AMASS+ 9 ! SKY4  ,BUT :5 ! %IP IS ALREADY BE+ BOMB>D$ & ALL ( ITS RIBS CREAK UND] ! =CE ( W9D & WAVE1 ONE ASSUMES A BRAVE SPIRIT AT ! HEI<T ( DANG]1 & FEELS ONLY VIRILE C\RAGE 9 ! FACE ( ! RAG+ SEA4  ,AT LEA/1 ?AT IS ! G5]AL IMPRESSION ( ?OSE :O HAVE CONFRONT$ SU* BLA/S ( W9D1 & ,I EXP]I5C$ IT ALSO1 LIKE ANYONE ELSE4  ,= QUITE A :ILE1 A LITTLE GRAYI% CL\D HAD HOV]$ OV] ! ISL&4  ,T[>D EV5+1 IT GREW LITTLE BY LITTLE1 & SOON1 BEA* BY BEA*1 REEF BY REEF1 IT COV]$ ! 5TIRE ISL&1 LIKE AN 5ORM\S VEIL DRAWN OV] ! SKY4  ,ABOVE \R HEADS1 ! ATMOSPH]E WAS /ILL A /UNN+ BLUE %IMM]+ LIKE A S(T FABRIC ( SUNBEAMS1 BUT ! BLACK SELVAGE ?AT SEP>AT$ ! CL\D FROM ! BLUE SKY CON/ANTLY DREW NE>] TO \R Z5I?4  ,A BRILLIANT RA9B[ ADVANC$1 C>RI$ ON ! MI/S ( ! /ORM1 & ITS TWO 5DS1 S(TLY %AD+ 9TO ! SEA1 EXT5D$ ANO!R ALMO/ 9VISIBLE SEMI-CIRCLE ONTO ! FOAM ( ! WAVES4  ,PREC$+ ! D>K MASS1 LITTLE WAVES >OSE AS IF SPURR$ ON BY AN UND]WAT] =CE1 & !IR CRE/S SCATT]$ 9 SPURTS ( DROPLETS4  ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! W9D RO>$ ) A HEAVY BELL[+ NOISE1 LIKE DI/ANT ?UND]4  ,! SAILORS1 RESOLUTE & CALM1 AGILE & /RONG1 CLIMB$ UP TO ! Y>DS & CLAMB]$ ALONG ! RIGG+1 CLEW+ UP ! SAILS 9 ! BL9K ( AN EYE1 LOOK+ AT ! RIGG+ ( ! %IP & ! APPROA*+ /ORM ) ! SAME FE>LESS EYES 4  ,! VOICE ( ! CAPTA9 ROSE & PROJECT$ ) ITS CLE> & RESONANT TIMBRE OV] ! DISMAL RUMBL+4  ,! SAILS W]E SC>CELY CLEW$ UP BE=E ! GU/+ W9DS ( ! /ORM ROCK$ ! %IP & LEAN$ IT T[>D ! SEA4  ,! RIGG+ /RET*$ & VIBRAT$1 ! Y>DS CREAK$1 & TO )/& ! VIOL5CE ( ! W9D1 ! PILOT TI$ HIMSELF TO ! HELM4  ,9 A FEW M9UTES1 ! SEA HAD BECOME WILD4  ,EA* WAVE BECAME A HORRIBLE BATT]+ RAM HURL$ AGA9/ ! SIDES1 & ) EA* NEW ROLL+1 ! %IP TOOK ON MORE WAT]4  ,! *A9S CLATT]$ ON ! DECK1 ! B>RELS ROLL$ FROM PORT TO />BO>D1 ! SP>S HAMM]$ =CEFULLY AGA9/ ! P>TITIONS1 ! %IP PLUNG$ & RE>$ UP LIKE A FRANTIC HORSE1 & FROM !IR CAB9S1 ! PASS5G]S C\LD SEE ! WAVECRE/S RIS+ UP ABOVE ! POOP DECK4   

 ,BUT !RE WAS NO NE$ TO WORRY1 = EV]Y?+ TURN$ \T WELL4  ,WE W]E A CONSID]ABLE DI/ANCE FROM ! %ORE1 ! C>E5+ HAD /ABILIZ$1 & ! /ORM WAS %ORT-LIV$4  ,\R %IP HAD BEHAV$ BRAVELY & WEA!R$ ,CAPE ,SAN ,ANTONIO )\T ACCID5T4 

 ,\R VOYAGE HAD ALREADY LA/$ =TY-FIVE DAYS1 & DESPITE MY EXPLORATIONS ( ! HOLD1 ! LAUN*ES1 & ! MA/S ( ! %IP1 ,I LONG$ TO T\* SOIL4  ,:5 ,I ?\<T AB\T ! WALKS ,I W\LD SOON TAKE ON ! BANKS ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI & 9 ! WOODS ( ,L\ISIANA1 AN IMPATI5T %IV] PASS$ ?R\< MY BODY4  ,T[>D ! SECOND DAY ( \R VOYAGE ?R\< ! ,GULF ( ,MEXICO1 ,I LOOK$ ANXI\SLY T[>D ! NOR? & WAS COMPLETELY UNABLE TO CONC5TRATE ON ! BOOK AT :I* ,I GLANC$ FROM TIME TO TIME4  ,SUDD5LY1 IT SEEM$ ?AT ! COLOR ( ! WAT] HAD *ANG$4  ,9DE$1 IT HAD TURN$ FROM A D>K BLUE TO YELL[1 & ,I SAW A /RAI<T L9E ( SEP>ATION1 AS IF DRAWN ) A TAUT /R+1 EXT5D+ FROM EA/ TO WE/ BETWE5 ! TWO DIFF]5TLY COLOR$ ZONES4  ,TO ! NOR?1 A ?9 BLACKI% L9E HALF-HIDD5 BY ! FOG 9DICAT$ L&4  ,WE W]E 9 ! WAT]S ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI6  ,SOON AFT] ! %IP HAD SLACK5$ ITS PACE1 IT ADVANC$ ONLY ) DIFFICULTY & !N CAME TO A DEAD HALT -- ITS HULL WAS /UCK 9 ! MUD4  ,?US ! VOYAGE HAD COME TO AN 5D1 & WE C\LD DO NO?+ BUT WAIT PATI5TLY 9 \R SLU%Y HOLE ( LIQUID MUD4 

,I,I4 

,! ,MISSISSIPPI ,DELTA 

 ,ALL NI<T1 ! %IP SWAY$ ON A B$ ( F\L-SMELL+ SILT4  ,BUT F> FROM COMPLA9+1 ,I REJOIC$ 9/EAD TO FEEL MYSELF ROCK+ ON ?IS MUD1 AS ,I HAD JU/ TRAVEL$ TWO ?\S& LEAGUES TO SEE IT4  ,FROM A GEOLOGICAL PO9T ( VIEW1 NO?+ WAS MORE 9T]E/+ ?AN !SE VA/ ALLUVIA /ILL 9 A SEMI-LIQUID /ATE4 ,!SE S&S & CLAYS1 SL[LY WORN AWAY BY FLOOD+ & BY C5TURIES ( ]OSION FROM ! M\NTA9 RANGES (  ,NOR? ,AM]ICA1 =M A ?ICK /RATUM ( TWO OR ?REE HUNDR$ MET]S4  ,SOON] OR LAT]1 ?R\< SETTL+ & ! 9FLU5CE ( GEO!RMAL HEAT+1 !Y WILL BE TRANS=M$ 9TO VA/ F\NDATIONS ( ROCK & WILL S]VE AS ! BASIS = F]TILE & POPULAT$ REGIONS4  ,9 A CREATIVE PROCESS1 !SE F9E P>TICLES FILT] ?R\< ! SEA CONT9U\SLY TO ADD ISL&S1 P59SULAS1 & COA/L9E TO ! CONT95T1 OR ELSE1 C>RI$ BY ! ,FLORIDA CURR5T1 >E DEPOSIT$ A ?\S& LEAGUES AWAY ON ! BANKS ( ,NEWF\NDL&4 

 ,T[>D DAYBREAK1 ! CAPTA9 POND]$ H[ TO ESCAPE \R B$ ( MUD1 & S5T ONE ( HIS LAUN*ES TO ! M\? ( ! RIV] TO F9D A PILOT4  ,! CRAFT SOON DISAPPE>$ 9 ! MORN+ MI/ & ! S\ND ( ITS O>S1 GR[+ MORE & MORE FA9T1 F9ALLY DI$ AWAY T[>D ! NOR?4  ,WE TRI$ 9 VA9 TO FOLL[ IT BY SI<T & S\ND )\T BE+ ABLE TO P5ETRATE ! ?ICK LAY] ( FOG ?AT SEP>AT$ US FROM IT4  ,SUDD5LY1 LIFT+ \R EYES1 WE CAU<T SI<T ( IT AGA91 SEEM+LY SUSP5D$ FROM A CURTA9 ( CL\DS4  ,! LAUN*1 AFT] HAV+ CROSS$ ! FIR/ TRAIL ( MI/ ?AT CREPT ON ! SEA & CLOS$ \R VI/A = A FEW CABLE L5G?S1 REA*$ A SPACE P]FECTLY FREE ( HUMIDITY &1 APPE>+ TO US BEYOND ! FOG1 SEEM$ TO DRIFT ?R\< LIMPID AIR4  ,!SE P>ALLEL ZONES ( MI/ & ( TRANSP>5T ATMOSPH]E >E NOT R>E AT ! M\? ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI1 :]E CURR5TS ( FRE% WAT] & SALT WAT] MEET & M+LE 9 DIFF]5T TEMP]ATURES4 

 ,DUR+ TWO H\RS ( WAIT+1 WE C\LD LEISURELY OBS]VE ! :ALES ?AT >E PL5TIFUL 9 !SE WAT]S4  ,!SE ANIMALS ALWAYS FROLICK ) !IR FAMILIES1 & GA!R 9 GR\PS ( TWO OR ?REE :O ALWAYS /AY TOGE!R4  ,ALL !IR MOVEM5TS >E RHY?MIC & 9T]DEP5D5T4  ,SOMETIMES1 SEV]AL :ALES LEAP \T ( ! WAT] ONE AFT] ! O!R & PLUNGE BACK AFT] TRAC+ AN 5ORM\S P>ABOLA4  ,! GAVE ! IMPRESSION ( SEV]AL COGG$ :EELS SL[LY ROLL+1 ALL 5GAG$ 9 ! SAME SY/EM ( GE>S4 ,A GR\P ( :ALES SEEMS TO =M A S+LE ME*ANISM4 

 ,F9ALLY1 WE SAW A BLACK PO9T LEAVE ! M\? ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI & HEAD T[>D US -- IT WAS ! TUGBOAT COM+ TO EXTRACT US FROM ! MIRE4  ,IT GRADUALLY  9CREAS$ 9 SIZE1 & SOON ,I WAS ABLE TO OBS]VE ALL ITS DETAILS4  ,I HAD NOT YET SE5 AN ,AM]ICAN /EAM VESSEL1 & ,I HAVE TO SAY ?AT ?IS ONE DELI<T$ ME1 FIR/ ( ALL BECAUSE ( ITS BOLD %APE1 ITS SPE$1 & ITS RESOLUTE AIR4  ,I F\ND 9 IT A Y\?FULNESS1 & ALSO A H]OIC BE>+ ?AT ,I HAD TO ADMIRE -- AS ?\< IT HAD L$ A LIFE SUP]IOR TO ?AT ( HUMANS4  ,LEAN+ SLI<TLY TO ONE SIDE1 MOV+ ! P[]FUL LEV]S ( ITS MA*9]Y ON ITS DECK LIKE GIGANTIC >MS1 UNFURL+ ITS ?ICK PLUMES ( SMOKE UP TO ! HORIZON1 & HEAV+ A PROLONG$ & L\D RUMBL+ AT REGUL> 9T]VALS1 IT SEEM$ LIKE A SUPREME REALIZATION ( P[]4  ,) EA* TURN ( ! :EEL ?AT BR\<T IT CLOS] TO US ,I F\ND IT /ILL MORE AMAZ+4  ,SOON IT WAS AT \R SIDE4  ,IT PIR\ETT$ GRACEFULLY1 TOOK HOLD ( A CABLE ?AT WE ?REW \T TO IT1 & )\T A TREMOR ATTA*$ ITSELF SIDE BY SIDE TO \R %IP4 

 ,! TWO B[S W]E H>DLY T\*+ :5 A Y\NG MAN LEAP$ FROM ! PADDLE BOX ( ! :EEL & JUMP$ ONTO \R DECK4  ,HE KEPT HIS CAP ON HIS HEAD & AT BE/ MUMBL$ BETWE5 HIS TEE? ! WORD 0CAPTA910 :I* C\LD1 P]HAPS1 BE TAK5 = A GREET+4  ,9 AN 9/ANT HE WAS ON ! POOP DECK1 GRASP+ ! HELM & GIV+ ORD]S TO ! FLABB]GA/$ SAILORS4  ,HE WAS NOT ON BO>D ?IRTY SECONDS :5 ! KEEL ( \R %IP1 UND] ! PULL ( /EAM P[]1 BEGAN TO PL[ ?R\< ! SILT4  ,A TRUE ,AM]ICAN1 ! PILOT DID NOT WA/E A S+LE SECOND ON POLIT5ESS4  ,& TAK+ A LIK+ TO ?IS MAN ( A DIFF]5T RACE1 ,I W5T UP TO HIM4  ,HE DIDN'T SEE ME AT ALL1 BUT HE>+ MY APPROA*+ /EPS1 HE DREW \T ( HIS POCKET A BUNDLE ( NEWSPAP]S :I* HE HELD \T )\T LOOK+ AT ME1 )\T EXPECT+ ! LEA/ GRATITUDE FROM ME4  ,9DE$1 ,I DIDN'T HAVE ! GL>+ NAIVETE TO ?ANK HIM1 & ,I GOT AS F> AWAY FROM HIM AS POSSIBLE1 TO 5GROSS MYSELF 9 READ+ ,! ,NEW ,ORLEANS ,DAILY ,DELTA4 

 ,?ANKS TO ! SPE$ ( ! TUGBOAT1 WE ADVANC$ RAPIDLY4  ,I FOLD$ ALL MY NEWSPAP]S & /OPP$ ?9K+ AB\T ,SEBA/OPOL#a  TO OBS]VE ! APPE>ANCE ( ! ,S\?WE/ ,PASS1 ! MA9 M\? ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI1 9 ALL ITS DETAILS4  ,SEV]AL MILES 9 FRONT ( ! %IP1 A LONG1 ?9 BLACK L9E SEEM$ TO EXT5D ACROSS ! SEA LIKE AN IMM5SE JETTY4  ,BEYOND ?IS D>K L9E1 ! RIV] APPE>$ LIKE A GREAT :ITE SILK RIBBON1 !N CAME ANO!R BLACK L9E P>ALLEL TO ! FIR/1 & F>!R AWAY ! BLUE WAT]S ( ! SEA /RET*$ \T TO ! GRAY CURVE ( ! HORIZON4 ,! ,MISSISSIPPI RESEMBL$ A CANAL ADVANC+ T[>D ! OP5 SEA BETWE5 TWO LONG JETTIES1 & ! #d OR #e %IPS1 :OSE TAP]$ MA/S WE SAW /&+ \T VAGUELY AGA9/ ! SKY1 COMPLET$ ! PICTURE4  ,IT IS A SPECTACLE ?AT SOME DAY WILL BE WITNESS$1 ON A MU* R$UC$ SCALE1 AT ! ,SUEZ ,CANAL PLANN$ = ! WAT]S ( ! ,M$IT]RANEAN4 

 ,AS SOON AS WE >RIV$ AT ! M\?1 ! TUGBOAT SL[$ ITS PACE A LITTLE TO MAKE ITS WAY CAUTI\SLY AMONG ! BUOY$ *ANNELS ?AT LEAD TO ! 5TRANCE ( ! RIV]1 = !SE *ANNELS >E TREA*]\S1 & ALL ! MOVEM5TS ( ! CURR5TS & ( ! TIDE CREATE V>IATIONS 9 DEP?4  ,ORD9>ILY1 ALLUVIAL ISL&S EM]GE IMP]CEPTIBLY4  ,DUR+ /ORMS1 ! UND]WAT] T]RA9 ( ! RIV]'S M\? *ANGES COMPLETELY1 & ! %IPS CAN ONLY ATTEMPT TO 5T] AFT] NUM]\S S\ND+S4  ,9 SPITE ( HIS ,AM]ICAN AUDACITY1 \R PILOT /ILL HAD SEV]AL S\ND+S TAK54 

 ,F9ALLY1 WE 5T]$ ! RIV]B$ ITSELF & JOYFULLY FELT ! PRESSURE ( ITS CURR5T AGA9/ ! SIDES ( ! %IP4  ,H[EV]1 WE /ILL C\LDN'T SEE ! BANKS ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI ON :I* WE W]E FLOAT+4  ,IT SEEM$ LIKE A RIV] FL[+ MIRACUL\SLY 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! SEA1 EXCEPT ?AT !RE W]E SLI<T SWELL+S  TO ! LEFT & RI<T ( SILT SPREAD+ !IR VAGUE CONT\RS ON ! WAT] & M>K+ ! ELEVAT$ >EAS ( ! UND]WAT] /R& ?AT >ISE BETWE5 FRE% & SALT WAT]4  ,AS WE ADVANC$1 !SE ISL&S ( MUD BECAME MORE NUM]\S & ELONGAT$4  ,SOON1 !Y W]E CLOSE TO ONE ANO!R1 RESEMBL+ SOLIDIFI$ WAVES1 !N CONNECT$ 5D TO 5D1 F9ALLY =M+ AN UNBROK5 %ORE ABOVE ! LEVEL ( ! CURR5T4  ,H]E ! S&B> OR ALLUVIAL EMBANKM5T ?AT =MS ?R\< ! M\? ( ! RIV] REA*ES ITS GREATE/ HEI<T4 

 ,UP TO ?IS PO9T1 ! WAT] DISPLAC$ BY ! KEEL & PU%$ BACK ) GREAT *URN+ 9 ! WAKE WAS ! CLE> BLUE WAT] ( ! UND]WAT] C\NT]-CURR5T ?AT SPREADS UND] ! YELL[ SURFACE ( ! RIV]4  ,BUT AS SOON AS ! KEEL T\*$ ! S& B> & ! IMPETUS ( ! %IP WAS SL[$ D[N BY ! RESI/ANCE ( ! SILT1 ! COLOR ( ! WAKE IMM$IATELY *ANG$ TO DIRTY YELL[1 & SWIRLS ( MUD AGA9 ROSE 9 ! ALREADY MUDDY CURR5T4  ,!N1 ! PILOT HAD TO GRASP ! HELM ) A FIRM H& & FOLL[ ! *ANNEL ) A SURE EYE1 = ! S&B> WAS CLOSE TO A MILE LONG1 & A SLI<T DEVIATION TO ! RI<T OR LEFT W\LD BE 5\< TO COMMIT ! BODY ( ! %IP IRREVOCABLY4  ,ONCE ! KEEL IS 5GAG$ 9 ! MUDDY BOTTOM1 IT LIFTS UP F9E P>TICLES ( SILT BY ITS LI/+ & MAKES !M COME UP AGA9 T[>D ! %ALL[ CURR5T ?AT PULLS !M ALONG1 :]EAS HEAVY GRA9S ( S& ACCUMULATE >\ND ! HULL &1 PIL+ >\ND IT1 F9ALLY HOLD IT BACK LIKE WALLS ( ROCK4 

 ,?US IT TAKES V]Y LITTLE TO DET]M9E :E!R A %IP WAS LO/ OR SAFE4  ,WE SAW %IPS ) KEELS /UCK F\R FEET 9 ! SILT1 ?AT EASILY FRE$ !MSELVES ) NO TUGBOAT1 & REA* DEEP WAT]S1 FLAGS WAV+1 SAILS UP4  ,ON ! O!R H&1 MANY %IPS ATTA*$ TO A TUGBOAT & PASS+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! CANAL MU/ HAVE BE5 TAK5 CROSSWISE BY ! CURR5T & PU%$ T[>D ! BANK 9 A MOM5T ( 9DECISION4 ,SOME MET]S FROM US1 WE PASS$ BY A MAGNIFIC5T ?REE-MA/] ?AT WAS RU9$ 9 SU* A MANN]1 & :I* C\LD NOT BE SET AFLOAT4  ,5ORM\S BANKS ( S& W]E ALREADY =M+ >\ND IT1 LIKE GREAT MASSES ( CORK FLOAT+ ON ! SURFACE ( ! RIV]4 

 ,AFT] HAV+ LAUN*$ US 9TO DEEP WAT]1 ! PILOT TOOK HIS MONEY & LEFT US )\T SAY+ A WORD1 )\T EV5 ! SEMBLANCE ( C\RTESY4  ,!N1 LEAV+ \R %IP 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! RIV]1 HIS /EAMBOAT SET (F AGA9 AT SEA TO FET* ANO!R ?REE-MA/]4  ,BUT WE DIDN'T REMA9 !RE ALONE V]Y LONG1 = SOON SW>MS ( BOATS LOAD$ ) ORANGES1 LIQUOR1 SUG>1 & %ELLFI% UNTI$ !MSELVES FROM !IR PIL+S AT ! $GE ( ! RIV] & CAME TO (F] US !IR GOODS4 

 ,! VILLAGE ( ,PILOTSVILLE1 :]E %ACKS MADE ( BO>DS RISE UP ALONG ! WE/ BANK1 IS COMMONLY KN[N BY ! NAME ( ,BALIZE4  ,ACTUALLY1 ?IS NAME BELONGS TO ANO!R VILLAGE E/ABLI%$ BY ! ,FR5* SETTL]S AT ! ,S\!A/ ,PASS1 BUT S9CE ! ,S\?WE/ ,PASS HAS BECOME ! PR9CIPAL M\? ( ! ,MISSISSIPPI1 ! PILOTS HAVE TRANSPLANT$ BO? !IR 9DU/RY & ! NAME ( !IR MIS]ABLE T[N4  ,SURELY !RE >E V]Y FEW PLACES 9 ! WORLD ?AT LOOK AS SAD & DESOLATE AS ,BALIZE4  ,! N>R[ /RIP ( L& :]E ! H\SES >E CLU/]$ IS ! %ORE ( BO? RIV] & SEA4  ,WAVES ( SALT WAT] & FRE% WAT] LAP OV] IT 9 TURN & MEET !RE 9 A MAZE ( DIT*ES FULL ( A VISC\S1 PUTRID MIXTURE4  ,:]EV] A SPONGY BULGE ALL[S PLANTS TO TAKE ROOT1 WILD CANE & RE$S GR[ 9 IMP5ETRABLE ?ICKETS4  ,! HUTS >E CON/RUCT$ ( BO>DS AS LI<T AS POSSIBLE SO ?AT !Y DON'T S9K 9TO ! WAT]LOGG$ SOIL1 & !Y >E P]*$ ATOP HI< PIL+S LIKE ROO/S SO ?AT ! MOI/URE WILL P5ETRATE !M LESS4  ,ALSO1 :5 A /ORM BL[S & ! WAVES ( ! SEA CRA% ONE AFT] ANO!R OV] ! COA/AL /RIP 9TO ! RIV]1 ! H\SES ( ,BALIZE C\LD V]Y EASILY BE SWEPT AWAY1 W]E !Y NOT AN*OR$ LIKE %IPS4  ,SOMETIMES ! VILLAGE IS EV5 TO ! PO9T ( DRAGG+ ITS AN*ORS4  ,FEV] & DEA? CEASELESSLY EMANATE FROM ! BLANKET ( MIASMA COV]+ ,BALIZE4  ,NEV]!LESS1 F\R HUNDR$ ,AM]ICANS HAVE ! C\RAGE TO ROO/ 9 !SE HUTS & SLEEP (F !IR FEV] 9 HOPES ( BE+ ABLE TO FLEECE ! %IPS PASS+ ?R\<4 

 ,A LI<T W9D BLEW FROM ! S\?1 & \R CAPTA9 WANT$ TO TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE ( IT BY SAIL+ UP/REAM4  ,UN=TUNATELY1 !RE W]E NUM]\S B5DS 9 ! RIV]1 & ! SAILORS CON/ANTLY HAD TO TACK1 BRAC+ & CLEW+ UP ! SAILS ONLY TO BRACE !M AGA94  ,!Y W]E AT ! PO9T ( EXHAU/ION :5 ! %IP DID !M ! FAVOR ( GETT+ /UCK SEV]AL FEET 9 ! S(T MUD ( ! %ORE4  ,! SAILORS H>DLY COMPLA9$ AB\T ?IS MI%AP1 & AS = ME1 ,I HAPPILY HA/5$ TO ! AN*OR *A9 HANG+ AT ! B[1 & SLID D[N & JUMP$ ONTO ! BANK4 

 ,IT'S A /RANGE S5SATION TO T\* SOLID GR\ND AFT] TREAD+ ON ! MOV+1 QUAK+ SURFACE ( ! %IP = WEEKS ON 5D4  ,ONE FEELS DIZZY LIKE A CONVALESC5T TRY+ TO WALK AFT] A LONG ILLNESS4  ,! FEET BECOME ACCU/OM$ TO A MOV+ SURFACE & F9ALLY GET US$ TO IT SO WELL ?AT BY CONTRA/1 ! E>? SEEMS TO BE UN/ABLE1 & IT SEEMS TO VIBRATE AS IF %AK5 BY A VOLCANIC TREMOR4  ,?IS /RANGE S5SATION DID NOT DIM9I% ! PLEASURE ?AT ,I FELT 9 TREAD+ ONCE AGA9 ON SOLID GR\ND1 & ) ! JOY ( A LIB]AT$ PRISON]1 ,I SANK 9TO A ?ICKET ( WILD CANE4  ,I HAD SC>CELY SUCCE$$ 9 CREEP+ ALONG A FEW MET]S 9 ?IS ?ICK MASS ( VEGETATION1 & ,I WAS ALREADY UNABLE TO DI/+UI% ! %IP ?R\< ! IMM5SE NUMB] ( /ALKS WAV+ BACK & =?4  ,MY EV]Y /EP MADE ! DRY RE$S /REWN AB\T ! GR\ND CRACKLE & CRUN*1 & ,I WAS ALMO/ AFRAID ?AT ALL ! NOISE ,I WAS MAK+ MI<T AWAK5 SOME SNAKE COIL$ >\ND A ROOT4  ,! CANE ROSE TW5TY FEET ABOVE MY HEAD1 & ONLY ALL[$ A N>R[ VIEW ( ! SKY & 4 4 4 AN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH WIRE4 

 ,SCI5CE SEEMS \T-(-PLACE 9 ! WILD]NESS ( ,L\ISIANA1 & ?IS WIRE ?AT MY/]I\SLY TRANSMITS ?\<T SEEM$ ALL ! MORE /RANGE 9 ?AT IT PASSES ABOVE ! RE$S1 F> FROM ALL CULTIVAT$ FIELDS1 BETWE5 /AGNANT M>%ES & A MUDDY RIV]4  ,SU* IS ! M>* ( CIVILIZATION 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES3  H]E1 ON SOGGY GR\ND ?AT IS NOT EV5 P>T ( ! CONT95T YET1 BUT ONLY ! RESIDUE ( WAVES1 ! TELEGRAPH IS ! FIR/ WORK ( HUMANS4  ,BE=E HAV+ DI/URB$ ?IS E>? ) PICKAX OR PL[1 ! ,AM]ICAN ALREADY HAS HIS ?\<TS CIRCULAT+ H]E -- OR AT LEA/ HIS CALCULATIONS4  ,AS SOON AS A %IP >RIVES AT ,BALIZE1 ?IS WIRE ANN\NCES TO ! ,ORLEANIAN M]*ANTS H[ MANY B>RELS ( SALT1 H[ MANY IMMIGRANTS1 H[ MANY BOLTS ( COTTON FABRIC ! C>GO AM\NTS TO4  ,R>ELY DOES AN EMPLOYEE COME TO EXAM9E :E!R ! WIRE IS SUFFICI5TLY 9SULAT$4  ,IT SWAYS AMID ! HI< /ALKS ( CANE1 & SO LONG AS A SPECULATOR DOES NOT HAVE IT CUT1 IT TRANSMITS ! NEWS QUITE WELL4  ,SOMETIMES1 WILD CATTLE W&]+ ?R\< ! ?ICKET KNOCK D[N ! POLES ) !IR HORNS1 BUT AS LONG AS ELECTRICITY FL[S OB$I5TLY ?R\< ! WIRE1 NO ONE EV5 ?9KS ( PUTT+ !M BACK UP4  ,!SE W&]+ C[S BELONG TO ! ,ISL+UES1 SEMI-B>B>IC PEOPLE :O >E DESC5D$ FROM ! ,ISL5OTS OR ,CAN>IOTES SO NUM]\S 9 ,CUBA & 9 ! O!R ,ANTILLES #b4 

 ,T[>D EV5+1 A TUGBOAT CAME TO PULL \R %IP FROM ITS RIDICUL\S POSITION & />T IT (F ON ITS LA/ /RET*1 ACCOMPANI$ BY ?REE O!R SAIL+ %IPS4  ,IT IS A ?RILL+ SI<T TO SEE F\R %IPS CR[D$ TOGE!R1  ) !IR TWELVE MA/S1 !IR Y>DS1 !IR 9FLAT$ SAILS1 !IR C\NTLESS RIGG+S /RET*$ 9 ALL DIRECTIONS1 !IR /REAM]S1 & !IR WAV+ FLAGS =M+ SOME?+ LIKE ONE GIGANTIC /RUCTURE4  ,A ?ICK SMOKE ]UPT$ FROM ! MIDDLE ( !SE %IPS4  ,?IS1 ALONG ) ! BELL[+ ( ! /EAM ESCAP+ AT REGUL> 9T]VALS1 W]E ! ONLY ?+S ?AT REVEAL$ ! P[]FUL TUGBOAT HIDD5 BEH9D ! HI< BULW>KS ( ! ?REE- MA/]S4  ,! LITTLE /EAM] GRASP$ ! F\R %IPS AS IF 9 A VISE & DRAGG$ !M ALONG AGA9/ ! CURR5T ( ! VA/ ,MISSISSIPPI ?AT FL[S LIKE A SEA 9TO ! SEA4 ,! /R5G? ( ?AT LITTLE /EAM] HAS SOME?+ T]RIFY+ & 9EXORABLE AB\T IT4  ,IT IS ) GOOD REASON ?AT ! TUGBOATS TAKE SU* PR\D NAMES AS ,TITAN1 ,BRI>EUS1 ,H]CULES1 ,JUPIT]1 & ,5CELADUS4 

 ,?ANKS TO ! P[]FUL 5G9E1 WE REA*$ ! PLACE :]E ! RIV] BRAN*ES \T 9TO SEV]AL M\?S 9 LESS ?AN ONE H\R4  ,= ! LA/ #ae KILOMET]S ( ITS C\RSE1 ! ,MISSISSIPPI RESEMBLES A GIGANTIC >M PROJECT+ 9TO ! SEA & SPREAD+ ITS F+]S ON ! SURFACE ( ! WAT]S4  ,TO ! WE/ EXT5DS ! ,GULF ( ,B>AT>IA1 TO ! EA/ ! ,GULF OR ,LAKE ,BORGNE1 & TO ! S\?1 BETWE5 EA* ( ! M\?S1 ! SEA ALSO ?RU/S ITS LITTLE GULF1 SO ?AT EV]Y:]E ! L& CONSI/S ONLY ( ?9 /RIPS ( COA/AL MUD CON/ANTLY DEMOLI%$ BY ! WAVES A 

,FROM 3 ,AN>*Y ,>*IVES4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ah$ 3 ,FRAGM5T ( A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,FEBRU>Y #a1 #bag 3 ,FRAGM5T ( A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS -- ,ADD$4 
,DECEMB] #c1 #bba 3 ,FRAGM5T ( A ,VOYAGE TO ,NEW ,ORLEANS -- ,UPDAT$4 

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