The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-10-10

haQ scarcely ever Deen DeyOnQ the
sound of Bow Bells; and who were
travelling post over the United States
to make up book observations on
our manners and costumes. There
were, also, among the passengers, a
few bloods from Philadelphia and
Baltimore, who could conceive. of
nothing equal to Chestnut or Howard
street; and who expressed great disap-
pointment at not being able to find
terrapins and oysters at every village,
marvelously lauding the comforts of
Rubicum's. My tramontane pride was
aroused, and / resolved to give them
an opportunity of seeing a Western
Lion-for such Mike undoubtedly was
i'm all his glory. The philanthropist
may start, and accuse me Of want of
humanity. Ideny the charge, and re-
! fer for apology to one of the best un-
derstood principles of human nature.
Mike, followed by several Of his
crew, led the way to beech grove,
some little distance from the landing.
invited my fellow passengers to wit
ness the scene. On arriving at the
spot, a stout bull-headed boatman,
dressed in hunting shirt-but bare
footed-in whom / recognized a
younger brother of Mike, drew line
with his toe; and stepping off thirty
yards-turned round fronting his
brother-took tin cup which hung
from his belt, and placed it on his
head. Although / had seen this feat
| performed before, / acknowledge /
| felt uneasy, whilst this silent prepara-
ton was going on. But / had not
much time for reflection; for this
second Albert exclaimed:
Blaze away, Mike! and let's have
t he quart"
My companions du voyage" as
soon as they recovered from the first
effect of their establishment, exhibited
a disposition to interfere. But Mike,
rifle at the head of his brother. In
this horizontal position the weapon
remained for some seconds as immove-
able as if the arm which held it was
affected by no pulsation.
Elevate your piece little lower,
Mike! or you will pay the corn" cried
the imperturnable brother.
/ 1 know not if the advice was obeyed
or not but the sharp crack of the rife
Immediately followed, and the cup
few off thirty or forty yards rendered
unfit fol, future service. There was a
cry of admiration from the strangers,
who pressed forward to see if the fool
hardy boatman was really safe. He
remained as immovable as if he had
been affgure hewn out of stone. He
had not even winked when the ball
struck the cup about two inches from
his skull. l,f .3la !.na .trs',d syaH .tos 5t.s
Mike has won," exclaimed; and
my decision was the signal which, ac-
cording to their rules permitted him
of the target to move from his position.
No more sensation was exhibited
among the boatmen, then if common
wager had been won. The bet being
decided, they hurried back to their
boat. giving me and my friends an in
vitation to partake ofH''th treat. =
We declined and took hayefof the
thoughtless creatures. In few min
utes afterward we observed their
keel wheeling into the current the
gigantic form of Mike bcstriding the
large steering oar, and the others ar
ranging themselves in their places in
front of the cabin, that extended near
ly the whole length of the boat, cover
ing merchandise of immense value
As they left the shore, they gave the
Indian yell, and brokeou into sort
of unconnected chorus, commencing
with fssa ie.t
Hard upon the beech oarl
Ht She moves too slow aI
All the way from Shawneetown,
Long while ago"
In few moments the boat took
the chute" of Letart's Falls, and dis
appeared behind the point, with the
rapidity of an Arabian courser.
Our travellers returned to the boat,
lost in speculation on the scene, and
the beings they had just beheld, and
no doubt, the circumstance has been
related thousand times with all the
ampifcation of finished tourists.
c Mike Fink may be viewed as the
men now extinct, but who once pos
of the gipsies of England. or the laz-
zaroni of Naples. The period of their
existence was not more. than third
/ of a century The character was
formed by the introduction of trade
on the Western waters, and ceased
with the successful esta blishment of
the steamboat.
There is something inexplicable in
4 the fact, that there could be men
found for ordinary wages, wholwould
4 abandon the systematic but not la
4 .borious pursuits of agriculture TO
4 follow life, of ALI others, except that
1 OF the soldier distinguished By the
greatest exposure and priyation. !, The
occupation of boatman was more
ia~r. \ 4 L