One of Twain's most telling experiences occurred when, as a young man, he was serving as an apprentice to a riverboat captain. While at the helm one day, Twain perceived danger lurking under the surface and, without consulting the captain, suddenly changed course. The captain, a man named Bixby, immediately asked him to account for his action and Twain replied that he had seen an underwater hazard, a bluff reef, just ahead. Bixby, however, declares that Twain has made a mistake and that he should resume the original course.
