Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-04-16

CoAxING \ STEAMBOAT THRojcu a CROOKED
PASS IL ThE DARK-ONE or TIE MYSTERIES OF
MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAYICATIoN-

toAAlNb y Steamboat THRU tfu Ahpbhh ~
PASS IN ThE DARE-oNEo or TIE MYSTERIES OF
MISSISSIPPI RIVER NAylcATIoN-
From the Atlantic Monthly.
There used to be IN excellent pilot On the
river, Mr. y, who was q somuambulist.
1t was said that if his Iaiad wa- troubled
about bad piece of river ne was pretty sure
to get up and walk in his sleep and do
strange things. lie was once fellow pilot
for trip or two with George T. on a
great New Orleans passenger packet. Late
one night the boat was approaching Helena,
Ark; the water was low. AMI the crossing
above the town in a very blind and tangled
condition. y. had seen the crossing since
= had, and As the night was particular
" drizzly, sullen, and dark, D. was con-
sidering whether he lad not better have y.
called to assist in running the place when the
door opened and y. walked in.
let me take her. Mr.. E.; I've seen
this place since You have. aul it is 50 crook
ed that | reckon can run it myself easier
than could tell you now to dl IT,
1T is kind of you, and swear am will
ing haven't got another dr1p of per
spiration left in me. haze been spinning
around and around the wheel Ike squirrel.
1t iSso dark ! can tell which way ei-SwinE-
ing I'll! sh > is coming around ike awhirligls." "
So = took 4 scat nn tire bench. rant-
ing and breathles- N-- assumed the
wheel without saying anything, steadied the
Waiting steamer with tlru or Two. and
then stood at ease, coaxing her a little 70
this side and then to that, as gently and H.
sweetly as If the time had been MONDAY
! u
ing, he wished he had NJ, confessed lie
stared and wondered, and finally said
We'll, thought knew bow 10 seer a
steamboat, but that was another mistake Of
mine
Y said nothing. but weat sar5nely on
with his work tie ranE for leads he rang
10 slow down the steam he worked the
boat carefully and neateiy into Invisible
marks, then stood at the centre ,' the wheel
and peered out blandly INFO tie lhckucs-.
fore and aft, to verify his position rs the
leads shoaled more and more. he stopped the
engines entirely, and the dead silence and
susRence Of drifting liipwci when the
shoalest water was struck hc era kCl 90 the
stream, carried her handsomely over, and
then began to WORK her wlriiy into the next
> IN u 7i4vnt All. n '.-' 7'-4 ''-4-. -
heedful use OF leads and engines followed I;
the boat slipped through without touching
bottom, and entered upon tie third aud
last iutricacy of the crossing imrcrccpub.y
she moved through the gloom, cgepr ly
inches into her marks, driitci tciIi-ly I'll
the shoalest water was cried, AMI then. nn-
der tremendous head OF steam. went swing
Ing over the rec. and away lgio deep water
and safety
E let his pen. breath Ie1r o1t .1 q
laag. rslisFiag -isn. and Si'
" That s the sweetest rieee oi l"o.'ns
that was ever done ON the Mi-Ss-irii river
| wouidn have believed IT could he DONE "
nadn seen H.
There was no reply, anl De aided -
just hold her five minute .'';e1- part
ner' ana let me run down ana 2a' cup 'i
couee'
y minute '4lteF J. "'' .''.''- i".'
Pie uVMh IN the leA'7' anu ''l''f''I'-
niinseH with eoiee- 'A7- 'i'" ''' "i7''
Waterman happenei in' ann Was ,''' ''''ll
pen Out again "nen lie h'-','' ana
,Ia exclaimed
W no Is al the wheel SIP
=. parl 10Y Tue l'l'' mousse t"'H'' ''''"
4lsntlhs
me he1' moment "'ln men "-ly -f'-H
up the pilol mouse com 'n''h WY 'i''e
steps at luhp Noo,u5 ''ele i-e -'9'S