Connecticut western news., 1874-01-23

Soon the boat was plunging and quivering, and screaming more madly than ever. But the Amaranth's head was almost abreast the Boreas's stern.
 "Hows your steam, Harry2"
 " Hundred and eighty-two, sir P
 Break up the casks of bacon in the forrard hold Pile it in 1 Levy on that turpentine in the fantnil-drench every stick of wood with it !''
 The boat was moving earthquake by this time.
 "How is she now?"
 "A hundred and ninety six and still swelling-water below the middle gauge ccck-carrying every pound she can stand-nigger roasting on the safety valve p
 "Good How's your draft ?"
 "Bully! Every time a nigger heaves stick of wood into the furnace he goes out the chimney with it p
 The Amaranth drew steadily up till her jack-staff breasted the Boreas's wheel house climbed along inch by inch till her chimneys breasted it crept along further and further until they closed up with heavy jolt and
 
 middle of the big river, under the flooding moonlight A roar and hur- rah went up from the crowded decks of both steam CTS all hands rushed to the guards to look, and shout, and gesticu- late; the weight careened the vessels.
 The boat was strainine: and grooming and quivering like monster in pain. Both pilots were at work now, one on each side of the wheel, with their coats and vests off, their bosoms and collars wide open, and the precipitation flowing down their faces. They were holding the boat so close to the shore that the willows swept the guards almost from stem to stern.
 "Stand byp whispered George.
 "All ready" said Jim, under his breath.
 "Let her come p
 The boat sprang away from the bank like deer, and darted in long diag- onal toward the other shore. She closed in again and thrashed her fierce way along the willows as before. The Captain put down the glass.
 Lord how she walks up on us. do hate to be beat"
 "Jim," said George, looking straight ahead, watching the slightest waving of the boat, and promptly meeting it with the wheel, "how'n it do to try Murderer's Chute ?''
 "Well, it's-it's taking the chances. How was the cottonwood stump on the false point below Boardman's Island this morning ?"
 "Water ust touching the roots."
 "Well, it's pretty close work, That gives six feet scant in the head of Mur- derer's Chute. We can just barely rub through if we hit it exactly right. But it's worth trying. She don't dare tackle t"-meaning the Amaranth.
 In another instant the Boreas plunged into what seemed crooked creek, and the Amaranth's approaching lights were shut out in moment. Not whisper was uttered now, but the three men started ahead into the shadows, and two of them spun the wheel back and forth with anxious watchfulness, while the steamer tore along. The chute seemed to come to an end every fifty yards, but always opened out in time. Now the head of it was at hand. George tapped the big bell three times, two leadsmen sprang to their posts, and in
  night air, and were caught up and re-
 "No-o bottom y
 "De-ep four P
 "Half three !'
 "Quarter three p
 Mark under wa-a-ter three p
 "Quarter twain !''--
 Davis pulled couple of ropes-there was jingling of small bells far below, the boats speed slackened, and the pent-up steam began to whistle, and the gauge cocks scream.
 "By the mark twain p
 Quar-ter--her-e er-I less twain Y
 "Eight and half p
 "Eight feet !''
 Seven-an' a. half P
 Another iingling of little bells and the wheels ceased turning altogether. The whistling of the steam was some- thing frightful now-it almost drowned all other noises.
 "Stand by to meet her !"
 George had the wheel hard down and was standing on the spoke.
 "All ready !"
 The boat hesitated-seemed to hold her breath, as did the captain and pilots and then she began to fall away to starboard, and every eye lighted.
 "Now, then meet her meet her Snatch her l'
 The wheel flew to port so fast that the spokes blended into a spider web the swing of the boat subsided- she steadied herself
 "Seven feet p
 "Sey-six and half p
 "Six feet ! Six f--"