Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-09-14
The Fem al PiIot
BY lNEz e. BUFFERS.


cember, while the storm such as Montreal
only can boast of The housekeeper was his
niece and the old man would often come hither
and enjoy social chat rather than remain at
home in his cabin, which was midway between
Montreal and Lachine, while q room over the
kitchen always preserved for his use He
was an especial friend of my uncle. and none was
more welcomed than he. Age had crowned his
head with hoary hairs and many noble barque
had he guided over the deep water of the belle
river of the Canadas.
"And what shall tell you, love?' queried the
old man, as | seated myself by his side, and
brimming goblet of ale by him to help his MEM
DRY in reviewing the past.
a Tell me story of the St. Lawrence" an
swered, ]" some thing real and true"
For a moment he was silent then slipping his
ale, he commenced
"Many years ago when was so small boy
as to hardly recolect it now, my brother and
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 pi-
lots thing to be found every day. We had run
up and down several times, when one morning,
about ten o'clock we stopped at Brockville to
take on board, as usual, q 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
Brockvlle two hours later than the usual time.
The clouds overhead 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 op our way. Through
out the morning had noticed an anxious look
on the captain face which bespoke the uneasipess
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 sin if not later. About ten miles this side
of Lachine storm of rain commenced, which
rendered it impossible to guide the boat at all !;
while the rapids of that name, the most terrific
in the whole river. were yet to be passed The
pilot was one OF the best on the route, but q man
of passionate temper, with q peculiar dogged
look. Between him and the ordinary boat pilot
there existed an old grudge, which had once or
twice led to blows, when they came i'll 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 Va AL night, one spoke of the wheel
slipped from his hands, had nearly caused an ac-
cdent OF pretty serious nature. This annoyed
his companion, and hard words passed between
them, since which time u sullen silence had been
preserved.
When about two miles above the Lachine rap
ips, some OF the rigging aloit gave way, aud the
night pilot mounted the upper deck with a ladder
aud attempted to make it fast. The wind blew
dercely, 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 severe
ly. Not pausng to look at the mischief, he seiz
ed 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 round the neck OF his eompan-
ion, they Tell together in the boiling flood below.
! Va fl,.al C, hoa ,,,icl ltya
ropes were thrown out and every effort put forth
to save them-but in vain. They rose to the
surface 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 frghtful rapid while terrOr-struck faces were
around US, 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 and fearful eyes around US bespoke
the agonizing apprehension of the passengers and
crew, as we went plugging madly into destruction,
scarcely half mile from the gulf, whose dashing
waves we could distinctly hear The captain
had frankly told US OF his ncapablity to guide
US through the perilous passage, while deck,
gangway and cabin were filled with men women
and children, some Of whom were praying, some
weeping, others intensely crazed with an agony
too intense for utterance. Women eagerly
clutched their children, and husbands pressed
their wives to their bosoms with only the hope OF
dying together. The captain stood at the wheel,
assisted by one of the passengers, vainly endeav-
orng to hold out to the last and guide her until
every effort should prove fruitless, while with
strained eyes and looks Of despair they gazed
through the almost binding storm upon the
craggy rocks lifting 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 ont OF the state rooms,
q fair young creature over whose head scarce
sixteen summers had passed. She was OF medium
hight, and fair the lily OF her northern cline.
She dOnned a dress of plain black stuff, while the
coat Of one Of the deceased pilots was bultoned
tightly around her slight form. Her face was
ashy pale as she mounted the stairway and
with her hair disheveed by the wind, she ex
claimed in voice which rung clear as the notes
ofa bugle above the storm
Il know something oil this Lachine rapid, and
will use my best endcavors to guide you, although
we have everything OF wind aud water against
US. Let two OF you who are the strongest and
the most self-possesscd stand by me at the wheel
while the rest invoke His aid, who ever stilleth
the tempest to guide our poor lte-laden bark
safely through the troubled water
As if in dersio1 of her matchl ess courage, the
mad waves dashed higher, while the thunder
peaed loud defiance to her words. With pallid
face aud lips compressed, she took her station at
the wheel, while two powerful men stood by to
aid her as fast possible. With firm hand she
raised the glass and swept the scene before her,
then bidding them to have courage, the boat en-
tered upon its fearful course, bounding onward
as if conscious of the hand that guided its desti-
n.y. Her orders were given in loud. clear tones,
while she stood proudly erect, her eyes brighten
ed into darker blue until Que would have fan
ced her the ruling spirit of the storm. The water
dashed against the side of the boat, GROWING her
fair head with gittering drops; yet still she
stood uuheeding, while not an eye in that group
but gazcd in mingled awe and confidence upon