The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-05-27
The Rival Pilots.

lue Uncie Sain was tHe largest boat OF
her day, and had two Of the best pilots on
the Mississippi River. Between these 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 sided
with Brown.
One day, when the boat was leaving
Natchez, Brown, who was steering, ran her
short distance down stream, in order to
pass the town under a full press 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 it on again until they finally, and very
slow ly, passed the town. Brown saw the
finger Of Smith in this maneuver, and swore
revenge. He got H.
On the next down trip, heavy fog arose
at sunset; and Smith, who at that time
abandoned the boat 10 Brown, ordered him
to run the boat till nine o'clock, and then
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
III run her till twelve, and then call you
up, as you are afraid"
IL can run her any night and anywhere
that you can replied Smith; land if you
do run her till twelve, call me then. That's
ALL"
Brown kept on for time, but the fog
grow heavier; and having made sure that
his coadjutor was fast asleep, he rounded
the boat to wood yard, and tied up
His friend, the second engineer, was on
duty, and according to Browns direction,
the wheel was unshipped, and the steam
kept up.
At twelve Brown went to the wheel
again, and sent waiter to call Smith, who
soon made his appearance, rubbing his eyes
and anything but pleased at the prospect
before him.
Halo" said Brown. "Are you there
I've called you according to orders Now
| think you had better tie up and turn in
again, or you will make q smash before
morning.
Smith g,owled out that he was able tc
steer any boat in fog, where anybody else
could and took the wheel. Brown went
below.
The boat was fast to the bank, but
neither bank nor anything else could poe,
Smith see.
The wheels, which were unconnected
turned round and round with the swift
current, and the splashes reaching his ears
the kissing Of steam in the low pressure
boilers sounded all right to him and so
cursing his bad luck, Browns obstinacy
and his own stupidity in accepting the ban
ter, he turned the wheel now this way ant
now that, expecting every moment to fee
the boat strike against something. A
thousand times, during his dreary watch
did he determine to give up his desperat,
undertaking, and as often did pride step il
and overtake him; and so, having made ul
his mnd to let the worst come to the worst
he gave a tubular order to the engineer t,
work very slow, and kept on.
About sunrise, Brown, accompanied BY
the captain and other officers, came OF
deck
'Hallo, Smith" !" said Brown. "Is tha
you!"
"Yes it is" said Smith, GROSSLY enough.
"You haven't been running all night,
reckon ?" continued Brown.
"Don't you see [ have ~ answer
Smith. Don't you know where you are
If you don't you had better get your eye
scrubbed out"
| ANos soiu AiONb, ! SAil Suy tllAl
do. Where are we"
"Just above Natchez," was the reply.
"Well, smarty," replied Brown" yo,
have done it this time; and | wouldn'
b. in your boots for q hogshead of mig
gers"
"What have done, and what do 20,
mean" demanded Smith ferociously.
"Done? Done enough ?' roared Brown
81 left the boat at old Jones' plantation, ant
you've gone and towed that down to Nat
chez. They'll have you up for abduction
and land piracy, and niger stealing, an.
putting distractions in the channel of tn
river; and the Lord have mercy on your
A very moist ray of the sun peepin!
through the mist at this moment, PARTIAL.
discovered the situation of the boat and tn
shore to the astonished Smith, and dartin;
below, he remained there until the boat dit
reach Natchez. And from that time, eve
after, neither the Uncle Sam nor the Mis-
sissippi River knew him more.