The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-06-25
The Captain Who Wouldn't Race.
BIZ THE YOUNG 'uN.

magnlhcent new steamer was launched up
on the Ohio river, and shortly afterwards
made her appearance at the levee opposite
the fourisning city of Cincinnati. Gilt
edged covers enveloped tho captains res
pects,' accompanied with invitations to see
her through upon her first trip, being for
warded totbe editorial corps in that vicinity,
the chalkede hats were numerous on the
occasion. It was q grand affair, this debut
Of floating palace, whichN has since main
tanned her Iepute nntarnished as the crack
boat par ssesllsncssupons the Western wa.
ters. Your humble servant was among the
invited guests-and nice time be had Of
it!
found myself on board this beautiful
craft, in close communion with score of
unGuestionable beauties. The company
proved to be heterogeneous conglomera-
ton OF character-made up of editors, law
yers, auctioneers, indescribables and 'fancies'
with sprinkling of 'nonesuches.' There
was stray person, too, in the crowd, but
as bis leisure time between meetings. was
spent in trading horses, we dispensed with
his grace before meals
We left our moorings an hour before
sunset, upon clear cold afternoon, and pas
sed rapidly down stream for considerable
distance, without experiencing any out-of.
the-way occurrence. The son of temper
ance' and the parson aforesaid amused
themselves over smoking whisky toddy-
the boys were relieving each other Of their
superfuous dimes and quarters at euchre,
when tall gentleman, who was some when
he was sober, stepped suddenly into the
cabin with the information that we'll
known fast boat had just hove in sight at
the mouth of the Kentucky river. The
card were dropped instauter, the punches
disappeared, and the smourners' were soon
distributed in knots upon the promenade
deck to note the progress of events.
Our -'bully' boat speed away like bird,
however, and the craft behind gave us early
evidence that she should offer no childs
play. The 'fat was in the fire. at once-a
huge column of black smoke curled up in
the clear atmosphere-an extra turn or two
was visible upon our own boat, and away
we went! A good deal of excitement exist.
ed among the party, as the rival steamer
was clearly gaining on US. A craft like
ours, with such company aud such cap
tain, mustn't be beaten.
; AS the boat behind us fell in under our
stern, and we could count her passengers, a
sort Of impression came over us that, bv
some mistake, we had got upon the wrong
boat! At least, that was the expressed
opinion of the parson, as lie threatened to
60 down stairs and take another drink.
Our captain was noble felow-he paced
the deck quietly, With constant eye to the
windward; but be said nothing. A bevy
Of the mourners stepped:up to him with
what speed cap'ni'
Fair, gentlemen think it is very fair
responded the captain, calmly, asshe placed
his hand: upon small brass knob at the
back of the pilot house. This movement
was responded to by the faint jinglng of a
bell below, followed Immediately by rush
offenders from the smoke pipes, and an i'm
proved action of the paddles.
Now we move again.
Some, was the response, and momen-
tary tremor pervaded the boat as she slid
along right smartly.
But the craft in our rear moved like our
shadow on the calm waters, and as we shot
down the river, it seemed as if we had her
in tow, so calmly and uniformly did she fol-
low in our wake.
The excitement Of the congregation upon
deck had by this time become intense, and
twas pretty plain that the boats must
shortly part company or spIit something's
The rascal behind us took advantage of a
turn in the channel, and helm a starboard =
was clearly heard from the lookout of our
rival, as she hove off and suddenly fell along
side usl The parson went below at once
TO PVT his threat into execution, as we came
up the current again, 'neck and neck, and
when he returned were running twenty
five knot lick,i the steam smack on to 4e
degreesl
She's going-going, CO. muttered
an auctioneer to himself.
a perfsct:nonsuit,' remarked lawyer to
bis s5friend.
Beaten, but not vanquished,' added a
politician; aud away We scudded side, by
side for half 4 mile. -
Would'nt shebear leetls more meekly
asked the lparson.
She's doing very well,' replied ,the,cap-
tain. Don't get excited; gentlemen; my.
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