The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-07-30
MISCELLANY.
The Heroine of the ST. Law
renee

Many years ago when | was so small a
bny as TO hardly rccollcct it nov, my
brother ana myself were placed on board
one of the st. Lawrence river steamers as
cabin boys and walters, with Il 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 nov,
nor were good pilots TO be found every
day. We had to run up and down sew
eral times, when one morning. about ten
o'clock, we stopped at Brockville to take
on board as usual, a government pilot to
guide 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 in its proper trace,
while it brought us into. Brockvlie two
hours later thHn the usual time. The
clouds overhead still looked cold, and the
wind blew fresh and strong. when, making
all possible haste, we again rut cut of the
halbOr, and were soon bounding on our
way. Throughout the morning | noticed
an anxious look on the clptain's fac,,
which bespoke his uncasiness about the
iral termination Of our journey.
We had a good many passengers on
board and, although we usually reached
Montreal at four o'clock in The afternoon.
we should be delayed till SIX, if not later.
About ten miles this side of Lachine II
storm of rain commenced, which rendered
it almost impossible 10 guide the boar ut
all while the rapids of that name, the
mos; terrific in the whole river were We;
to be passed. The pilot was one of the
best on the route, but a man of pa,.ionrte
temper with peculiar doaged look.
Between him and the ordinary boat pilot
there existed an old grudgc, which once
or twice led to blows, when they came
in contact with each other. That morn
ing, when passing one Of the higher tails,
they stood together at the wheel, when
owing to the strong current Of the water,
and the almost exhausted strength Of him
who had guided it all the night, one. spoke
Of the wheel slipped from his hands, and
nearly cau>c an accident of a pretty
serious nature. This annoved his com
panion, and hard words passed between
them, since which time a suIlen silence
had been preserved.
When about two miles above the La
chine rapids, some of the rigging alof:
gave way, and the night pilot mounted
the upper deck with ladder. and attempt
ed 10 make it fast. The winl blew fierce
ly, and while eXerting all hi, strength TO
stay the mischief, he lost his hold and
fell, the ladder coming dow n on the head
Of our government all, woun ming him
pretty severely. Not pausing to look at
the mischief, he seized the unfortunate,
and, with almost superhuman strength
lifted him above the boat railing. The
other quickly guessed his meaning, and
winding his arms around the neck
of his companion, they fell together
into the boiling food below. We lowered
the life boats as quickly as possible, ropes
were thrown out, and every effort put
forth 10 save them-but in vain. They
rose 10 the surface of the water, still lock
cd in each others arms, and then sank
from our view forever.
The boat now rapidly rushed on,
coming near the frighllul rapids, while
terror stricken faces were around us, at
the thought that no master hand was