The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1870-12-03
MISSISSIPPI REMINISCENCE.
A Race Against Time-Humanfty VS..
Steam.

A MISSISSIPPI "REMINISCENCES.
A Race Against Ttme-Humanity vs..
From the New York Evening Post
A trip down the Mississippi River is al
WAYS productive of more or less exciting
scenes, particularly to the Northern man,
to whom everything is SO fresh and novel.
It was just after the close OF the war that
be writer took passage st st. Louis 1or
Memphis, on the steamer Marble Clty, 10
whose captain he bore letter OF lntroduc-
ton from q mutual friend. As is usual,
fresh crew Of negroes had been shipped at
st. Louis, to the number Of about thirty
They frequently gathered on the bow OF
the steamer and sung their quaint songs,
and danced to the music of fiddle, banjo
and the bores, to their hearts content.
Our arrival at the first landing had, how
ever, put a stop to all frolic, and hard
work began for the crew in earnest.
After two or three landings had been
made, the mate reported to the captain
that the crew comprised some very 'hard
negroes, and he was afraid he should have
much difficulty In keeping them IN order.
This was Immediately after the close OF the
war, and the negroes had not then become
accustomed to their liberty; Of the few who
would work at all, many did so as cover
to rob and steal; and, under the belief
that 1.-The Bureau" would do anything and
everything for them, acted very much as
they pleased.
Nothing unusual occurred, however, till
neatly sunset, when, as the captain and the
writer were seated upon the uppermost
deck of the steamer and near the pilot
house, sudden noise and tumult, mingled
with q couple of pistol shots, was heard
below and on the bow of the boat.
Looking over, the captain seemed to
comprehend in moment the trouble, and
at once sprang for the companion ladder.
Descending about half way down it, he
leaped thence into writhing mass of ne
groes who were engaged in fight on the
lower deck, and evidently were beating the
PROSTATE man. After him plunged one of
the two pilots then at the wheel; and the
other white officers of the boat speedil,
coming 10 the scene, the negroes were y
once taken from the PROSTATE man, ami
one who was evidently the ringleader, WIS
captured with knife in his hand, 40
doubt intending murder. The man RS
cued proved to be the mate, who, having
ordered the captured negro to do sone
work. had been sauclly answered, and 5lil
insisting. had been struck by the mUtiner.
The whole gang at once attacked the mate,
and but for the promptness of the capaln
and officers, would probably have killed
him.
A council was held, and it was deternin-
ed to put the captured ringleader ashore in
the woods, as the captain said that ifhe
took him to the authorities of the mkt
stopping place, he would probably ltse
several days at his trial, and would bt
marked man by the negroes
1t was now nearly dark. and word wasat
once given 20 run the bow OF the beat
ashore, which being done, the ringlea69r
jumped from off the bow and disappeared
in the darkness. The boat then swung #
into the river and We proceeded on or
Journey. But a short stay was made It
Cairo, and after a pleasant journey down
the river, we arrived at Memphis on tie
evening of the second day following. AS
we approached the levee the captain AIMS
ed the passengers with an account of nis
previous trips to the city since the var,
and remarked that every time he had az
rived he had found tho provost marsal's
guard awaiting him to escort him t. the
.'office," there 10 answer some absurd
charges trumped up by the negro hands of
the previous voyages. This time he cen
graduated himself that the skirts Of his
coat were particularly clean, as he had had
no difficulty with his hands on the last two
trips, and the little trouble with the negro.
as mentioned above, had been settled by
leaving that parsonage in the woods above
Cairo.
AS We neared the shore, however,a guard
did show themselves upon the levee, and
our captain facetiously wanted to know
which of his passengers or crew were
needed.
As the boat was made fast, the officers of
the guard approached and requested to
speak with the captain. The latter's face
was treat to see, as he took paper fram
the officer and read therein an order re
questing him to appear before the Provost
Marshal and answer to q charge OF at
tempting 10 murder, three nights previous
~, one Pompey Smith, COY fierce blows
and pistol shots, and by placing him in a
wounded condition and at night In the
sWamps to die"
''Why," quoth the Captain, chats the
darkey we put ashore above Cairo. How
in thunder did he ever get there? We ore
the first boat down, and there is no rail-
road except the one running from Mem
phis short way up the river; and besides,
he never could have got out of the woods
so SOON"
Cant help that" said the officer; "but
he is at the Office awaiting Us So let Us be
going"
All the officers and passengers repaired
to the place. There IN very sooth Was the
negro, grinning in great glee at getting
ahead OF Massa Captain. Somehow his face
seemed familiar to me, more SO than it
should be from only seeing him the few
minutes | did before ne was put off; but
these negroes were SO plentiful, and some.
how they all seem alike, that thought lit
tie OF it.
The complaint WAS read and as quickly
answered. The negro could show 10
wounds, and our testimony went far to-
wards establishing against him an attempt
to kill, instead of sustaining his charge
against the Captain. SO the case was at
once dismissed, and the Captain was offer
ed a chance to prefer his charge against
Pompey. Mindful, however, OF long de-
lays before the courts, he refused, and
Captain, Pompey, officers and Passengers
walked out of the Office together.
When We got outside, the captain, sud
denly said, "Pompey I'll give you So if you
will tell me how you got down ahead Of my
boat"
Oats bully, Massa Captain" was the
negro's ready reply, ''you put dat five dol
lars in dis gen'lman's hand, and I'll tell
you how got down"
The money was placed, therefore, in my
possession, and Pompey, striking an atti-
tude, proceeded with his explanation, evil
IDENTIFY hugely delighted at his numerous
and attentive audience
You mind, Massa Captain, when l
jumped ashore?"
"Yes, yes, said the captain.
"Weu, Mass, / land in de water and de
mud and thinks GOOD deal 7 frai1 m