The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-22
The Pilots Story.

nor were good pilots 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 Brocllville to take On board, as usual, a
government pilot to guide us down the river
1t was late in the season, and we hada strong
wind the night before, leaving the river rough,
and our usual pilot had hard work to keep the
boat in its proper trace, while it brought us into
BrockVllle two hours later than the usual time.
The clouds overhead still looked cold and the
Wlnd blew fresh and strong, when, making all
possible haste, We again put out of the harbor
ana were soon bound on our way. Throughout
the morning | noticed an anxious look on the
captains iAee, which bespoke his uneasiness
about the 1nal termination Of our journey.
we mad good many passengers on board,
ana although we usually reached Montreal by
four o'clock in tile afternoon, we should be de-
layed until six, if not later. About ten miles
this side OF Lachine storm of rain commenced,
winch rendered it almost impossible to guide
the boat at all while the rapids of that name,
the NEST terrific in the whole river, were yet to
DO passed. The pilot was one of the best on
the route, but man of passionate temper with
a peculiar logged look. Between him and the
ordinary boat pilot there existed an cid grudge,
winch 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.
10 the strong current of the water and the al
most exhausted strength Of him who had guided
US all The night, one spoke of the wheel slipped
: from his hands and nearly caused an accident
ol d pretty serious nature This annoyed his
companion, and hard words passed between
theAi' SINCE which time a sullen silence had
! been preserved.
men nbous two miles above the T.oot;no
rapids, some of the rigging aloft gave wa~ and
IDC night Pilot mounted the upper deck with n
ADDER and attempted to make it fast, The
Wlnd blew iercely, ard while exertinp ali his
strength to stay the mischief he lost his hold
ana 1eIi, the ladder coming down directly upon
'ile mead OF our.government aid, wounded him
; pretty severely. Not pausing to look at the
i!schief, he SEXES the unfortunate man, and
Win almost superhuman strength lifted him
ABOVE tho boat railing The other, quickly
guessing his meaning, and winding his arm
around the neck Of his companion, they fell to-
getheI into the boiling food below Welowered
me HE boat as quickly as possible. ropes were
thrown out anG every effort put forth to save
thenl-but III 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 OH. coming
nearer the frightful rapid, while terror struck
races were around US, at the Thought that no
inastef-hahd was near TO guide us through the
DARK passage below. The scene which we had
JUST been called to witness only made our situa-
uon more terrific, while wild and fearful ewes
around Us bespoke the agonizing apprehension
OF the passengers and crew as we went plunp-
ing madly TO destruction, scarcely half mile
rom the gdlt, whose dashing waves we could
olsuhcuy Aear. The captain had frankly told
Us OF his inability TO guide us through the Dar
ilops passage, while deck, gangway and cabin
were filed with men, iwomen and children some
OF Whom were praying, some weeping, Others in
tenseiy crazy with an agony too intense Tor ut
teIahce. Women eagerly cutched their chill
dTen and husbands pressed their wives to their
bosons with only the hope of dying together.
me captain stood at the wheel assisted by one
| OF the passengers, vainly endeavoring 20 hold
out to the last and guide her until every effort
should prove fruitless while with strained ewes
ana LOOKS OF despair they gazed through thu al
most binding storm upon the craggy rocks, lift
ing nigh their gray, bare heads out of the water.
and upon which they expected every moment
/ TO De dashed to pieces.
Just as frenzy had began TO calm down into
SOBER earnest preparation for the doom which
awaited them, there came out Of the staterooms
| lar young creature, over whose head scarce
sixteen summers had passed. She was of nedi-
um height, and fair as the lily Of her northern
cline She dcnned dress of plain black stuff,
wmie the coat OF one of the deceased pilots was
buttoned tightly around her slight form. Her
lace was dshy pale as she mounted the STAR
Way,and with her hair dlsbevelled by the wind.
she eXcaimed,in voice which rung clear rs the
notes OF bugle above the storm:
! i know something Of this Lachine rapid. and
Wlil use my best cndeavors to guide YOU, al |
though We have everything of wind and water
against US Let two Of you who are the strong,
est and most selfpossessed, stand by me at the |
wheel, while the rest invoke His aid who ever
suiieth the tempest, to guide our lifeladsn bark
safely through the terrible waters =
AS Ii IN derision Of her matchess courage .he
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 vince with two powerful men who stood by
to aid her as far as possible. With firm hand
she raised the glass and swept the scene before
hef, then bidding them to have courage, the
boat entered upon its fearful course, bounding
onward, as l. conscious of the hand that guided
us destiny. Her orders We're given in clear, |
LOUD tones, while she stood proudly erect, her |
eyes frightened into darker blue until one would
| have tanoed her the ruling shirt az the storm |
The water dashed against the side of the boat |
GROWING her fair head, with glittering drons
| ye1 sun she stood unheeding, while not an eve |
Iii all that group but gazed in mingled awe and
coincidence upon that delicate form. Opca aoain
the spoke OF the wheel slipped from the CRASH
OF MN who held 1t, but fair ieweed hand ar
rested ITS progress, and stayed Tie destruction
whlch otherWIse would have followed its swerve |
IRON apty' Onward sped the noble bark, and
"hen darKness Shut the last rock from our sight |
one deafenlng shout arose high above the Storm
Tor her who had so bravely guided us through
the shadow of death.
She would receive no thanks for herself, but
nldolng Us give thanks to him whose voice ever
iueIh the Storm she retired to her siateroom, |
ana was lost to view
around the cabin-table that night, about an !
Houf before we entered the harbor Of Montreal, |
we learned her history. Sho was the daughter
| OF Inc merchant who owned the line of boats |
ono OF which she had just saved from ruin. Her
lnotA9f aled when she was child, and her faith I
eF hao yielded to her wishes, and allowed her TO |
accompany him in the boat OF which he was |
captain. By degrees she became acquainted !
WITH every bend in that beautiful river while !
cam ana storm alike brought scenes of beauty |
70 AeF eye, She was now on her way to visit !
some TRENDS IN Quebec, where her father pro-
posed joining her to spend the winter.
a gentleman artist sketched her likeness on
leai on ms poTtloio,as she stood at the wheel, I
wrapped ~ the pilots coat, with the glass in |
her hand and her full length portrait still I
graces the gallery Of fine arts N Montreal. MANY
a rough hand gTasped the snowy fingers a. part /
inS' and many blessing crowned that noble /
head.
'A4LSSHs uldulon0 bracelet bearing up !
on an inside plate the name Of the vessel and |
Gate Of the occurrence, was presented 10 her
ABOUT week after her arrival in Quebec. bv the
passengers who were on board at the time while I
loud aud triumphant were the praises borne 10 |
the ears Of fond parent OF the noble conduct
OF that frail but fearless one who had brayed |
the dangers before which stout hearts and
strong forms had quailed.
And what became of her afterwards | en-
quired.
ohe married an officer in Quebec, and her
rather man now, and plows the ocean in one of
the noble battle-ships of England.
o! THE TYPES NO amount of canton can
prevent the occurrence of anuoyinc hlnnders |
The SDrinrfield Rnnr,hi;rns, of NNna..o. -. |