The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1875-11-27
NATCHITOCHES LOUISIANA, NOVEMBER p. 1875
The Truthful Pilot.
From the vicksburg Herald.l

From the Vicksburg Herald.
The passenger, who was going down
the big river for the first time in his
life, secured permission to climb up
beside the pilot, grim old grayback
who never told liz in his life.
"Many alligators 10 this river I" in.
quirsa the stranger, after look
around.
"Not 60 many now, since they got
to shootin' 'em for their hides and
taller" was the reply. ...
FUSED to he lots, Ell ~
~ don't want to tell you about 'em,
stranger replied the old pilot sigh
ing heavily.
"Why {"
"Cause you'd think l was lynn to
You, and that's sumthin' never do.
/ kin cheat at keri1a. drink whiaky nr
chaw poor terbacker, but can't lie"
"Then there used to be lots Of 'em !"
inquired the passenger.
lfIs'fm most afraid to tell you, Mis-.
ter, but I've counted mp 'leven hun.
dred allygators to the mile from
Vicksburg, cl'sr down to Orleans !!
That was years ago, afore . shot was
ever fred at EN-" .raa.a
''Well, l don't doubt it," replied
the stranger. ss
"And I've counted 1850 Of 'em on
one saudbar," continued the pilot.
1T looks big to tell, but government
surveyor was aboard, and be check.
ed EN- off rs called ont"
~ haven't the least doubt Of II"
said the passenger as he heaved a
Sigh. fa.
"I'm glad Of that stranger. Some
fellurs would think l was . liar, when
I'm telling the solemn truth. This
used to he paradise for allygators,
and they were 80 thick that the
wheels Of the boat killed an average
of forty.nine to the mile!
SIS that 60 :"
"True as gospel, Mister! I used
to almost feel sorry for the cussed
bruteA cause they'd cry out e'euamo
most like . human beiag, We killed
lots Of 'em, ~ / said and We hurt a
pile more. ! sailed with one captain
who allus carried . thousand bottles
Of liniment to throw over the wound
ed ones !" I.s e.j
"He did n
"True as You live, be did. don''
aspect I'll ever Gee another such q
kind, christian man. Aud the alliga.
tors got to know the Nancy Jane, and
to know Captain Tom, and they'd
swim out and rub their tails agin The
boat an pnrr like cats an look up and
try tn smile ="
"They would !"
"Solemn truth, stranger. And once
when We grounded On . bar, with II
opposition boat right behind the al
ligators gathered around, got unde
her stern, and bumped her over tn
bar by q grand push Itlooks like I,
big story, but ! never told q lie yet
and l never shall. l wouldn't lie 70
all you could put aboard this boat
There was a painful pause, an,
after awhile the pilot continued
"Oar engines gin out once, and
crowd Of alligators took q tow line an
hauled us forty.five miles up streau
, TO Vicksburg!"
"They did ~ Is 81
"And when the news got along tn
) river that Capt. Tom was dead ever.
!. alligator in the river daubled his LEI
, ear with black mud a. . badge Q
mourning" aud lots Of 'em pine
! away aud died!" Il
: The passenger left the pjlot.houe
3 with the remark that he didn't dout
: the statement, and the old man gas
}, the wheel turn and replied:
9 'Thar's one thing 1 won't do fl
{ love nor money, and thsts make
i. liar Of myself. ] was brung up BY
3 good mother, and Igoing to stick
9 the truth if this boat doesn't NAL
= 9 cent" . i...r, 81