noon
Boats were a common topic of conversation -- their build , their engines , their speed , their officers , their mishaps , and all the incidents of their history . So it was that from the love of steam-boats , which burned so brightly in the bosom of the boy who lived on the banks of that great and lovely river , there grew up the peculiar game of `` boats ' names . '' I think the game was started at Louisville or New Albany , where the falls interrupt navigation , and where many boats of the upper and lower rivers are assembled . One day , as the warm air of Indian summer in this mild climate made itself felt , the boys assembled , on the evergreen `` bluegrass , '' after the snack at the noon recess , to play boats ' names . Through Jack 's influence , Columbus , who did not like to play with the A B C boys , was allowed to take the handkerchief and give out the first name . All the rest stood up in a row like a spelling-class , while little Columbus , standing in front of them , held a knotted handkerchief with which to scourge them when the name should be guessed . The arm which held the handkerchief was so puny that the boys laughed to see the feeble lad stand there in a threatening attitude .