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CHAPTER XXXI
THE HEROINE OF THE UPPER RIVER
As speedy a craft as the river?d float,
She could buck the bends like a big horn goat.
THUS far in its eventful history, every steamboat which had braved the perils of the upper Yellowstone had been commanded by Captain Marsh. He had consequently acquired an intimate acquaintance with the changeful stream not possessed by other navigators, and it was but natural that General Sheridan should look to him to command the supply boat when plans were being formulated for the campaign of 1876. Early in the spring the General notified Captain Marsh, through Commodore Coulson, that his services would be required and requested him to select a steamer adapted to the work ahead.
After thoroughly considering the situation, the captain decided that of the several boats of the Coulson Packet Company at his disposal, the Far West would be the most suitable. She was not so comfortable nor commodious a craft as the Josephine, but she possessed ample freight carrying capacity together with light draught, and the fact that she could accommodate but few passengers was one of his chief reasons for selecting her. He knew
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