The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-02
The RIvaI MIssIssiPpI River Pilots.

her day, and had two OF the best pilots on
the Mississippi river. Between these men
whom We shall call Smith and Brown
there existed bitter spirit Of rivalry
The first engineer sided with Smith, thc
first pilot, and the second engineer, with
Brown.
One day, when the boat was leaving
Natchez, Brown, who was steering. ian
her o short distance down stream in y. der
to pass the town under a full head Of
steam. Just as he was abreast Of the
town, the first engineer, who was working
the boat, shut the steam entirely off nor
would he put il on again until they final.
ly, and very slowly, had passed the town
Brown, who saw the finger Of Smith il
this manpuvrr. swOre that he would have
revenge lie got it.
On the next down trip, heavy co.
arose at sunset; an! Smith, who at that
time gave up the wheel Il Brown, order
ed him IL run the hont ill nine o'clock,
aud tirn tie her up; tn have steam kept
up Vi, night, aud il the fog should lift, to
call him.
"lie the boat up ?" SAID Brown, II can
run her in any such fog MS there is tn.
night. Ill run her till twelve, and tlIcli
call you up, il you arc alrnil."
IL can run hernny night and anywhere
that you cal" replied Smith "and if you
do run her until twelve, call me thcn.-
That's all"
Brown kept on for time, hut the fog
grew heavier md having made sure that
his competitor was fast asleep, he rounded
the boat tn at II woodward, and tied her
up. His GIi,nd, the second engineer, was
on duty, and according To Browns dircr
ton, the wheel VAS unShippcd aud tn
st,am kept up.
At twelve, Brown went to tn wheel
again, and sent Il waiter To ca Smith. Nhn
soon made his appearance, rubbing his
eyes, and anything but pleased at thc
prospect before him.
"llallo!" said Brown, care you Their =
I've called you according to orders. Now,
| think you had better tie up, aud turn in
again, or You will make Il smash before
morning."
/ Smith grnwlrd cut that lr was able To
steer any boat in fog. where ANYBODY
else could, aud took the wheel. Brown
went below.
The boat was fast to the bank, but nci-
: thcr the bank nor anything els could b.
seen by poor Smith
| The un>hipprd whcr's turned round and
rbund with the swift current. and the
siashing reaching his ears, the hi>>lrg
steam in the low.prc>Sure boilers Soun'l' Il
all right to him; and So, cur>inS his bad
luck, Browns obStinacy, and his own stu
pidity in accepting the banter. he turn'l
the wheel now this way aud now that,
expecting every moment to feel the boat
strike against something. 4 thousand
times, during his drrary watch, did he de-
tcrminc to give up his desperate undrrta-
king, and as often did pride step in and
prevent him; anu so, finally, having made
pup his mind to let the wnlSt- come u The
worst, he ordered the engineer TO work
very slowly, and Determined To keep ON.
About daylight, Brown accompanied by
the captain and other officers, came on
deck.
Halo, Smith," said Brown, as that
you"
"Ycs, it is" replied Smith, snarpi>hIy.
"You haven't been running all night, |
reckon, continued Brown.
Don't yon see | have?" answered ".
Don't you know where you are: Ifydu
don't, you'd better have your eyes scrub.
bed out"
NO." said Brown 81 can't say that |
do. Where are wr?"
Just above Natchez," was the reply
"Wel|, smnrty," said Brown, you've
done il this time; and | wouldn't b. in
your boots Gnr huSShea. Of niggerS!'
"What have done, and what do You
mean =" demanded Smith, ferociou>ly.
" Done: Done enough ~ roarcd his
prosecutor. 81 left the boat tied up at
old Jones' plantation, and you've lowed it
down to Natchez. They'll have you up
for abduction and lnnd-piracy, aud niger,
stealing, aud putting INSTRUCTIONS in the
channel Of the river!' ~
4 very moist ray "f the sun pecrins
through tho mist at this moment, partial
~ disclosed the situation Of the boat and
the shore to the a$tnniS"ed Smith, aud
darting below, he remained there until
the boat did reach Natchez. From that
time, ever alter, neither the Uncle San
nor Mississippi river knew him more.