The Shasta courier., 1861-09-07
SHASTA COURIER.
THE FEMALE PILOT.
BY INIZ Z. BUFFERS.

QOuSekeeper B rOOIi Ut uuCic OhO SoAus
bitter night in December, while the storm
was such as Montreal only can boast of. The
housekeeT er was his niece. and the old man
would often come hith and enjoy a social
chat rather than remain at home in his cabin,
which was midway between Montreal and
Lachine, while room over the kitchen was
ALWAYS preserved for his use. He was an es-
pecial friend of my uncle, and none was
more welcome than he. Age had crowned
his head with hoary hairs. and many a noble
barque had he guided over the deep water of
the belle river of the Canadas.
''And what shall / tell you, love ?' que
ried the old man, ,.as seated myself by his
side, and placed brimming goblet of ale by
him to help his memory in reviewing the
past.
I" Tell me story of the St. Lawrence" l
answered, " something real and true"
For moment he was silent; then slipping
his ale, he commenced:
Many years ago when I was so small
boy as to hardly recollect it now, my brother
ami myself were placed on board one of the
river steamers as cabin boys and walters,
with view to become pilots when we were
older. That was nearly fifty years ago, and
boats were not fitted up in the style they are
now, nor were good pilots a thing to be found
every day. We had run up and down sew
eral times, when one morning, about ten
O'Clock we stopped at Brockville to take on
board, as usual, a government pilot to guide
US down the river.
1t was late in the season, and we had
strong wind the night before, leaving the
river rough, and our usual pilot had hard
work to keep the boat in its proper track,
while it brought us into Brockville two hours
later than the usual time. The clouds over
head still looked cold, and the wind blew
fresh and strong when, making all possible
haste, we again put out of the harbor and
were soon bounding on our way. Through
out the morning | had noticed an anxious
look on the captains face which bespoke the
uneasiness about the final termination of our
journey.
We had a good many passengers on board,
and although we usually reached Montreal
by four O'Clock in the afternoon, we should
be delayed until six, if not later. About ten
miles this side of Lachine storm Of rain
commenced, which rendered it almost impos-
sible to guide the boat at all ; while the rap.
ids of that ma ne, the most terrific in the
whole river, were yet to be passed. The pi-
lot was one of the best on the route, but
man of passionate temper, with a peculiar
dbgged look. Between him and the ordina-
ry boat pilot there existed an old grudge,
which had once or twice led to blows, when
they came in contact with each other. That
morning. while passing one of the higher
falls, they stood together at the wheel, when,
owing to the strong current of the water
and the almost exhausted strength of him
who guided us all night, one spoke of the
wheel slipped from his hands, had nearly
caused an accident of pretty serious nature
This annoyed his companion, and hard words
passed between them, since which time a
sullen silence has been preserved.
When about two miles above the Lachine
rapids, some of the rigging aloft gave way,
and the night pilot mounted the upper deck
with ladder and attempted to make it fast.
The wind blew fereely, and while exerting
all his strength to stay the mischief he lost
his hold and fell, the ladder coming down
directly upon the head of our government
aid, wounding him pretty severely. Not
pausing to look at the mischief, he seized the
unfortunate man, and, with almost super
human strength, lifted HIM above the boat
railing. The other, quickly guessing his
meaning, and winding his arms around the
neck of his companion, they fell together in
the boiling food below. We lowered the
life boat as quickly as possibly, ropes wers
thrown out and every effort put forth to save
them-but in vain. They rose to the sur.
face of the water still locked in each others
arms, and then sank from our view forever
The boat now rapidly rushed on, coming
nearer the frightful rapid, while terror.
struck faces were around US, at the thought
that no master hand was near to guide us
through the dark passage below. The scene
that we had Just been called to witness, only
made our situation more terrific, while wild
fanrf fftl nd hocp nk,t
izing apprehension of the passengers and
crew, as we went plugging madly into de.
struction- scarcely half a mile from the gulf
whose dashsng waves we could distinctly
hear. The captain had frankly told us Of
his incapability to guide us through the peril
GUS passage, while deck, gangway and cabin
were filled with men, women and children,
some of whom were praying, some weeping,
othcs intensely crazed with an agony too in.
tense for utterance- Women eagerly clutch
ed their children, and husbands pressed their
wives to their bosoms with only the hope oi
dying together. The captain stood at the
wheel, assisted by one Of the passengers,
yainly endeavoring to hold out to the last
and guide her until every effort should prove
fruitless, while with strained ewes and looks
of despair, they gazed through the almost
binding storm upon the craggy rocks, lift
ing high their gray bare heads out of the
water, and upon which they expected every
moment to be dashed to pieces.
just as frenzy had begun to calm down
into sober, earnest preparation for the doom
which awaited them, there came out of the
state-rooms. fair young creature over
whose head scarce sixteen summers had pas
sed. She was ofmedium hight, and fair as
the lilly of her northern cline She donned
dress of plain black stuff, while the coat of
enc of the deceased pilots was buttoned tight.
ly around her slight form. Her face was
ashy pale as she mounted the stairway. and.
with her hair disheveled by the wind. she
exclaimed in voice which rung clear as tn
notes of bugle above the storm:
know something of this Lachine rapid.
and will use my best endeavors to guide Won
although we have everything of wind and
water against us. Let two of YOU who are
the strongest and the most self possessed.
stand by me at the wheel, while the rest in.
woke HIS aid, who ever stilleth the tempest.
to guide our poor life laden bark safely
through the troubled waters"
As if in derision of her matchless courage.
the mad waves dashed higher, while the
thunder pealed loud defiance to her words.
With pallid face and lips compressed, she
took her station at the wheel. while two pow
erful men stood by to aid her as far as posi-
Bile. With firm hand she raised the glass
and swept the scene before her, then bidding
hA, AL IL I.