The weekly Butte record., 1861-05-11
The Female Pilot.
BY INEz f. BUFFERS.

pilot of the St. Lawrence, as he was in the
housekeeper's room at my uncle's, one cold,
bitter night in December, while the storm was
such as Montreal only can boast of. The
housekeeper was bis niece, aud 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 room over the kitchen was always pre-
served for his use. He was an especial friend
OF my uncle, and more was more welcome than
lie. 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 l tell you, love ?" uueried
the old man, as seated myself by his side,
and placed brimmiHg goblet of ale by him to
help his memory in reviewing the past.
" Tell me story of the ST. Lawrence" /
answered, something real and true
For moment be was silent; then slipping
his ale he commenced
q
as to hardly recollect it now, my brother and
myself were placed on board one of the river
steamers as cabin boys and walters, with a
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 several times,
when one morning, about ten o'clock we stop
ped at Brockville to take on board as usual, a
government pilot to gnide US down the river.
1t was late in the season, and we had a
strong wind the night before, leaving the river
rough, and our usual pilot had hard work to
keep the boat 10 its proper track, while it
brought us into BrockvIle 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 on our way. Throughout the morn
ing 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 de-
layed until six, if not later. About ten miles
this side of Lachine storm of rain commenced,
which rendered it almost 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 man of passionate temper,
with 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 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, and nearly caused an
accident of a pretty serious nature This an
noyed his companion, and bard words passed
between them, since which time a sulen silence
has been preserved.
When about two miles above the Lachine
rapids, some Of the rigging aoft gave way,
and the night pilot mounted the upper deck
with ladder and attempted to make it fast.
The wind blew fercely, 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, wound
ing him pretty severely. Not pausing to look
at the mischief, he seized the unfortunate man,
and, with almost superhuman strength, lifted
him above the boat railing. The other, quick
ly guessing his meaning, and winding his arms
around the neck of bis companion, they fell
together in the boiling food below. We low
cred the life-boat as quickly as possible, 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 en-, coming
nearer the frightful rapid, while terror-struck
faces were around US. at the thought that no
master band was near to guide US through the
dark passage below, The scene which we had
just been called to witness, only made our sit
uaton more terrific, while wild and fearful eyes
around us bespoke the agonizing apprehension
of the passengers and crew as we went plung-
ing mady into destruction, scarcely half mile
from the gulf, whose dashing waves we could
distinctly hear. The captain had frankly told
us of his inability to guide US through the per-
ilous passage, while deck, gangway and cabin
were filled with men, women and children,
some of whom were praying, some weeping.
others intensely crazed with az agony too in
tense for utterance. Women eagerly clutcbed
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
endeavoring 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 blinding storm
upon the craggy rocks, lifting high their gray
bare deads out Of the water, and upon which
they expected every moment to be dashed to