Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1861-10-25
$15O A YEAR IN ADVANCE
The Rival Pilots.

Our readers VIII he amused ny TeauiiG =
the following yarn, by Glare Clinton.
The Uncle Sam was the largest boat Of
the day. and had two of the best pilots or
the river. Between these two men
whom we will call Smith and Brown
there existed bitter spirit of rivalry.
The first engineer sided with Smith, the
first pilot and the second engineer with
Brown.
One day when the boat was leaving
Natchez, Brown who was steering ran her
short distance down the stream in order
to pass the town under full head of
steam. Just as he was abreast the town,
the first engineer, who was working the
boat, shut the steam nearly off; nor
would he put it on again until they final
ly, and very slowly passed the town.
Brown saw the finger Of Smith in his ma
nnuvers and swore revenge. He got it.
On the next down trip, heavy fog
arose at sunset and Smith, who at that
time abandoned the boat to Brown, order
cd him to run the boat till nine o'clock
and than tie her up; to have steam kept
UP all night, and if the fog should lift to
call him.
Tie the boat up said Brown. 81
can run her in any such fog as there is to-
night. LII run her till twelve, and then
tie her up, as yol are afraid.
81 can run her any night and any
where that you can" replied Smith;
.'and if YOU do move her till twelve, call
me then that's ALL"
Brown kept on for a time, but the fog
grew heavier and having made sure that
his coadjutor was asleep, he run the boat
to Il wood yard, and tied up. His friend
the second engineer was on duty and ac-
cording to Browns direction, the wheel
was unshippcd, and the steam kept up.
At twelve, Brown went to the wheel
again and sent a waiter to call Smith,
who soon made his appearance, rubbing
his eyes and anything but pleased at the
prospect before him.
"IIaIlo !" SAID Brown, care you there ?
Eve called you according to orders. Now
| think you had better tie up and turu
in again OF you will make a smash before
morning"
Smith growled out that he was able to
steer any boat in any tog, aud took the
wheel. Brown went below
The boat was fast to the bank but nei
thcr bank nor any thing else could poor
Smith see
The wheels which were unshipped,
turned round and round with the swift
currant aud the splashes reached his ears
the kissing of steam in the low boilers
sounded all night TO him; and 50 cursn.
his bad luck, Browns obstinacy and his
own stupidity in accepting the banter,
he turncl the wheel now this way and
now that, expecting every moment to feel
the boat strike against something. \
thousand times during his weary watch,
did he determine to give up his desperate
undertaking, and as often did pride step
in and ovcrtake him, and so, finally hay
ing made up his mind to let the worst
come to the worst, he gave a tubular or
der to the engineer to work very slow, and
keep on.
About sunrise, Brown accompanied by
the captain and other officers, came on
deck.
"Hallo, Smith !" said Brown, sis that
you? ~
Yes, it is" replied Smith, GROSSLY
enough
you hav'nt been running all night, |
reckon ?" continued Brown.
Don't YOU see have ?" answered Smith.
Don't you know where you are? il you
don't you had better get your eyes scrub
bed out"
NO said Brown, Il can't say that
do. Where are we?"
just above Natchcz," was the reply.
"Well, smartly," said Brown, .'you
have done it this time, and | wouldn't be
in your boots for Il hogshead of niggcrs. "
"What have done, AID what do you
mean ?" demanded Smith fcrocious y.
,.Done? done enough, roared Brown.
u left the boat tied up at old Jones
plantation, and you've gone and towed
that down to Natchez They'll have you
up for abduction and nigger stealing, and
putting Instructions in the channel of the
river, and the Lord have mercy on you. y
\ very moist ray of the sun, pccping
through the mist at this moment partially
disclosed the situation OF the boat and
the shore to the astonishcd Smith, and
lartinc below he remained there until the
boat did reach Natchcz And from that
time ever after neither the Uncle Sam
nor the Missippi river knew him more.