North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1870-06-29
The Pilots Story.

The Pilots Story.
In the fall of lS-, I was called upon t.
transact some legal business in New Or
leans. Residing at the time in St Louis
it was necessary for me to embark on
Mississippi steamer, as the iron rail had
not advanced to the Southwest then. Pack.
ing my trunk and arranging my Office bus
iness was but the work Of few minutes,
and in the mean time my partner informed
me that the Southern Star was ready ia
leave at once.
l was fortunate in securing a state room
for at that time the lower river boats were
usually crowded. The wild, reckless life
Of the passengers, and character, or rsth-
or want of character-of the cabin amuse-
ments, did not harmonise with my North
ern ideas and sentiments, and therefore
the time hung heavily on my hands.
Having disposition to keep aloof from
games, discussions and drinking - the
three great elements of discsrd- that often
led to bloodshed in those days, passed
most Of my time in the pilot house, and
especially during the taft watch"
l became much interested in the pilot,
for he was man of more than ordinary
intelligence, possessing fine face, kind
manner and genial heart. His hair which
was once black, had yielded to the touch
of time, and the silver threads plainly
marked the dividing line between the
prime of manhood and the sure decay that
comes to us all after passing certain mile
stone in our life's journey. He always
answered my questions pleasantly, and
seemed very willing to exchange his vast
river experience for my early sea going
life-in fact, but q few days passed before
we found ourselves mutual friends.
One day as we were nearing our desti-
nation, the clouds that had been gathering
for some time, began to let fall = pelting
rain; to keep the spray from driving thro'
the pilet house, the side sashes were slid
forward, and the apron dropped. Observ-
ing peculiar hole in one of the lights, as
if bullet had passed through it, l ven
tured to ask how mark of that character
came to be made in his glass house. He
did not answer me, and I saw a shadow
rest on his face for moment. We both
remained silent for moment, when he
broke the silence by saying "The Island
we just passed on our port side, with the
dead trees on its foot, was where the Lilly
sunk in 18-. 1t was bad work, sixty
persons drowned, men, women and chill.
dren. My partner can tell you all about
it he and l were on the Vernon at the
tine, and came in sight of tae wreck just
as the cabin floated off, We had about .
mile to run before reaching the wreck, and
it seemed as if we would never get there,
though We made the fastest time ever run.
When l rang the stop bells the wreck was
breaking up badly, and a few minutes
more would have sent three hundred pas
sengers to rest. As it was, enough were
lost to send pang to hundreds Of hearts.
Bat, as remarked, my partner will tell
you all about it. l could not see what was
going on near the lower guards, 10 the
midst of the wreck, but could hear and
the agonizing calls for help, together with
the confusion that reigned among our pas.
sengers was enough. always feel thank
full that did not see more of it.
As he was not inclined to give me the
details Of the sad disaster, I said: swell,
if you are determined to transfer this
wrecking scene to your partner, can you
tell me about the bullet hole in the glass ?
Was it made from the outside or inside?"
SWELL" said he, II have never men,
toned the facts concering the bullet hole
but once, and that was to clear up some
matters Of importance to myself and 9TH
ers; but as you have been very kind in
giving nae much useful information, and !
may say in extending your confidence to
me, l will relate the history.
~ call that particular pane of glass my
card case. By looking at it closely you
will observe that part of two names are
still visible, either side of the break"
! did as requested, and in the shattered
points that bordered the shot hole, could
discern the broken parts of two names that
had been cut on the glass with diamond.
Hardly enough of either name remained
to justify an attempt to make them out,
but it was certain that they were those ol
. man and woman.
'It came about like this" said the pilot
as he steadied the boat on her course /"
heard foot steps on the boat one afternoon
and before l had time to extend an invita-
ton, gentleman and lady seated them.
selves in the corner there, and after asking
if their preseuce would disturb me-begau
a spirited conversation. From what l co d
learn in hearing them talk, it was evident
he had been in Europe number of years,
and but lately returned. Their meeting
seemed to have been accidental, and both
regarded it as extremely fortunate, and al.
though much of their conversation was oil
a general character, could plainly under
stand that they both occupied some sacred
ground that neither dared to tread upon
Night coming on, the air became chilly
and my friends went below, leaving me tc
fill the remainder Of my watch alone, and
yet not wholly alsne, for the presence ol
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