Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-08-19

surrender. and pitched pocket book aud mon
ey out of tho window.
A man who had been for many years a
mate upon the river boats, and whom | fell
10 with travelling, told me many amusing in
cidenis Of his life ahoa', but among all his
yarns one touching certain doines Of two an-
cieut pilots of the we'll known old steamer
Uncle San, amused me most
The Uncle Sam was the largest boat Of
her day, and had two Of the best pilots on
the river. Between these two men, whom
we will call FOR the nonce, Smith and b rown,
there existed bitter feeling Of rivalry. The
first engineer sided with Smith The first pilot;
and the second engineer with Brown who
was steering, ran her short distance down
stream in order 10 pass the town under fan
head of steam. Just as lie was abreast ofis,
the first engineer who was working the boat.
shut the steam nearly off; nor would he put
u on again until they finally and very slowly
passed the town.
Brown saw the finger Of Smith in this
manGuvre. and determined TO be revesged
in kind. He was. On the next down trip
heavy fog arose at sunset, and Smith who
at that time abandoned the wheel 10 Brown,
ordered him to run the boat until nine o.
clock aud then to tie her up; to have steam
kept up all night; and, If the fog should lit,
TO call him.
Tie the boa; up!' exclaimed Brown. Il
can run her in any such fog as there is To-
night. I'll run her till twelve, and then tie
mp, as you are afraid
Il can run her any night, and any where
that you cam replied Smith; 'and il you do
move her ill twelve. call me then, that's ALL
Brown kept on for "A time, bat the fog
came on heavier and heavier, and having
made sure that his coadutor was fast asleep,
I he rounded the boat TO, at wood yard and
tied up. AT twelve Brown went TO the wheel
again. and sent waiter TO call Smith, who
soon made his appearance. rubbing his eyes
and anything but pleased nj the prospect be-
fore him; although, strictly speaking, pros
pect there was none, for he could nor fairly
discern the tip Of his nose TO, the fog.
'HdIOr said Brown, are yoa there! I've
called you according TO orders, and now
think You better just tie up and turn in again,
or you make a smash up before morning.
Smith growled out that he was able 10
steer any boat in any fog, and took the wheel.
Brown went below.
The boat was fast TO the bank, but neither
bank nor anything else could poor Smith
see. The wheels which were ungeared.
turned round with the swift current. and the
splashes reached his ear, the kissing ol steam
in her low pressure boilers sounded all right
to him; and so cursng his bad luck, Browns
obslinacy and his own stupidity 10 accepting
the banter, he turned the wheel now this
way and now that expecting to hear and feel
the boat crash against something. A thou
sand times, during his dreary watch. did he
determine TO give up his desperate uuderta-
king, and as often did pride step in and pre-.
vent him; and so finally, having made up his
nlnd TO the let the worst come, he gave
tubular order 10 the engineer to work her
very slow, and kept on--as he supposed.
About sunrise, Brown. accompanied nv
the Captain and other officers, ascended the
hurricaee deck.
Halo! Smith, said Brown, is that your
Yes, it is replied Smuh, GROSSLY enough.
You haven't been running all night,
reckon! continued Brown.
Cant you see haver answered Smith.
DONE you know where you are? IL you
don't. you had better get your eyes scrub.
he'd out.
No. said Brown, Il can't say do. Where
are wef
'Jcst above Natctez, was the reply.
We'll, ma,ey,' said Brown. You have
done it this time, and wouldn't be in your
boots for hogshead OF niggers.'
What have | done. and what do you
meanf demanded Smith ferociously.
Done! Done enough!' roared Brown. Il
LEFT the boat tied up TO old Jones' plantation.
| and if you have gone and towed that down
to Natchez. they'll hav you up Tor abduction,
and sea duciion. and niger stealing. and
putting distractions in the channel of the
river, aud the Lord marcy on ye,'
A very moist ray Of the sun peeping thro'
the mist at this moment, partially disclosed
the situation Of the boat and shore TO the as
tonished and discounted Smith. and darling
below. he remained there until the boat d lid
reach Naichez And from that time ever
after, neither the Uncle Sam nor the Mis-.
sissippi river knew him more,-[ Literary
World.