Mississippi river dynamics, the creation of cut-offs. Followed by a brief anecdote about a pilot named Stephen.

The carnival atmosphere of riverboat racing.

A discussion of a rather short lived but very powerful union of riverboat pilots. This is a brief sketch of their formation and development and the demise of the industry.

Testing Mark's faith in his own knowledge.

Early environmental damage to the rivers by plantation owners and an interesting bit of river piloting by a sleep walker.

As a cure for his developing airs, Mr Bixby gives Mark advanced lessons in navigating the river.

This chapter contains an eloquent passage on the attendant lose of beauty resultant from a gain in knowledge.