Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-09

should nave FeInOUSlTdtcu. anu r.
Jar;pr trial of skill. But accompanied by
couole of English tourists, who had scarcely ever
been beyond the sound of the Bow Bells; and VINO
were travelling post the United States 10 make
ND book OF observations. on our manners anu Gus
toms There were, also. among the passengers,
few blootls from Philadelphia and Baltimore, VINO
could conceive Of nothing equal to Chestnut or How
ard streets and who expressed their great dlsappont
mont at not being able 70 find errapns and oysters
~ eyery yiaee-mar, enusy laudins the comforts
of Rubcum's My tramontane pride was aroused; =
/ resolved to give them an opportunity OF seeing
Western Iion--for such Mike undoubtedly was-'h
all his glory. The pbiIanhropist may start, ami ac
cuse ,ne Of want of humanity. | deny the charSe,
and refer for apology to one OF the best anuers'oo
principles of human nature. !,
Mike. followed BY several Of his crew. led 'hc
way to a beech grove, some little distance IRON tue
landing. Invited my fellow passengers to witness
the scene. On arriving at the spot, Stout D y"
headed boatnan, dressed in IA huntng-shirt-ou'
re-footed--in whom recognized younger brother
Of Mike, drew line with his toe (; and stepping oil
thirty wards, turned round fronting his brother
took tin cup which hung from his belt, and placed
it on his head. Although had seen this feat per
formed before, acknowledges felt uneasy, whilst
this silent preparation was going on. But nau ho'
much time for reflection for this second Albert eX-
claimed
Is. blaze away, Mike and let's have the quartz
MY - cOUpdnnUHS tie WY dSc' a. s""" 49, N'~J
recovered from the first effect of their astonlshmen
exhibited disposition to interfere But Mike throw
ing back his left leg, evelled his rifle at the head Oh
his brother. In this horizontal position the wca
non remained for some seconds as immoveabe, as II
the arm which held it. was affected by no puisaton'
Elevate your piece little lower NIKE Or No"
will pavthe corn cried the impcrurbabie brother.
| know not if the advice obeyed or not but
the sharp crack of the rifle Immediately followed,
and the Gun flew of SO or 40 yards-rendered un
fit for future service. There was cry of admra
ton from the strangers, who pressed forward to see
ifthe fool hardy boatman was really safe. lie re
manned as imuoveabe, as it he had been a figure
hewn out of stone He had not even winked; wncr
the ball struck the cup within two inches OF his skull
mike has won!' exclaimed and my decs
ion was the signal which, according to their rules
permitted him of the target to move from has posi-
ton. No more sensation produced among tn,
boatmen than it a common wager had been won. In,
bet being decided. they hurried back TO their boat
giving me and my friends an invitation to partak,
Of "the treat" We declined, and took leave o
the thoughtless creatures. In few minutes alter
wards we observed their keei'' wheeling into tn
current,--the gigantic form OF Mike. brstrlding III
large steering oar, and the others arranging then
selves in their places in front Ut the cabin. that ex
1ended nearly the whole length Of the boat, cover
ing merchandise of immense value. AS they lef
the shore, they gave the Indian yell, and broke
into sort OF uncunnected chorus commencing with
: Hard upon the beach oar -
she oSes too slow -
All the way to shan ncetown,
Long while ago"
In few moments the boat s'took the chute {
Letart's Falls, and disappeared behind the point
with the rapidity Of an Arabian coutser.
Our travellers returned to the boat, lost in specl
la0n on the scene. aud the being theY had lust b,
hed and, no doubt the circumstance has been r.
lated thousand times with all the necessary ampl
fcatons of finished tourists.
Mike Fink may be viewed. a correct represel
tatlve OF a class OF men now extinct but who ont
possessed as marked character as that of The GI
sizes of England, or the Lazaronl of Naples. III
period ui their existence was not more than the tb
of a century, The character was created by II
introduction of trade on the Western waters: ar
ceased with the successful establishment of Il
steamboat.
There 10 something inexplicable in the fact tn
there could be men found, for ordinary wages wi
would abandon the systematic, bu: laborlous pu
suits OF agriculture, TO follow life, of all Other
except that of the soldier, distinguished BY the are,
est exposure and prlvation The occupation of
boatman was more calculated To destroy the co
stution, and to shorten life, than any other busine.
In ascending the river, II was continued series
toll, rendered more irksome by the snail like rat
at winch they moved. The boat was propelled
poles, against which the shoulder was placed; n
the whole strength, and skill of the Individual we
applied in this manner. As the boatmaD moved alo
the running board, with their heads nearly touchi
the plank on which they walked the effect produc
on the mind of an observer was similar 10 thai
behoting the OK. rocking before an overloaded "a
The bodies, naked to the waist. for the purpose
moving with greater ease, and of enjoying The bree
OF the river, were exposed to the burnDn SIMS
summer, and to the rays of autumn After hard ta
push they would take their fillee'' or rations
whiskey, and having swallowed miserable snnu
of meat half burnt, and bread half baked. stret
themselves, without covering on the deck & slu
Der until the steersmans call invited them TO t
morning C. file" Not,yithsandng tL;O tb H.