The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1875-04-15

There used to be an excellent pilot 0n
tho river, q Mr.. X, who was q a0mnambu
list. It was said that, Il h;s mind was
troubled about o bad piece of the river, 1c
was pretty sure to get pp and walk II his
sleep and do strange things. Ho was once
fellow pilot Tor trip or two with George
Es..., on great New Orleans passenger
packet. Late one night tho boat was ap-
proaching Helena, Arl<ansaa she water vas
low and The crossing above the town Iu
very blind and tangled contition. y had
seon the crossing since had, and. as
the might was particularly drizzly. apllen
and dark, E... wns considering whether
nc had not better have x called 10 asaistin
running the place, wien the door opened
and X walked IN.
sLet me take her, Mr.. E pfc seen
this place since you have, and i g 60
crooked that reckon 1 can run it myself.
easier than could tell you how to DO il
1t is kind Of you, and swear ! am
willing. lhaven't got another drop Of per-
| spiration left II me. I have been spinning
around and around the wheel like q sqpir.
rel. 1t Is SO dark / can't tell which way,
she is swinging till she Is coming around
like q whifligig."
So E.. took q scat on the bench. pant.
ing and bFeathless. y assumed tho wheel
without saying anything, slcodiod lho
WALKING steamer with q turn or two and
then stood at ease, coakine her a little %
this side and then TO that as gently and
as sweetly as II the time had been MONDAY.
When E.. observed this marvel Of steer.
ing, he wished be had not confessed he
stared andswondersd, and finally said
'sWell, Thought knew hoR 70 steer
.steamboat. but that was another mistake e
mine"
x said nothing, but went sefonoly on
with his work. he rang for leads be rang
70 slow down the steam; be worked tie
boat carefully and neatly into iDrinbIc
marks, then stood at the centre of lhe
wheel and pecred out bInndly into The
blaokness, fore and Oft, 70 verify his posi-
tion; as the leads sboaled more and nlofo
he stopped the englne1 entirely, and the
dead silence and suspense Of drifting fol-
lowed when the shoale8l water was struck
/ be cracked on the steam, carried her hand
somely over, and then began to work her
warily into the next system Of shoal marks
The same patient, heedful use Of leads and
engines followed the boat slipped through
without touching bottom, and entered upon
the third and last intricacy Of the crossing,
impercepti she moved through tho gloom.
crept by inches into her marks, drilfcd te-
diously till the shoalest water was erred,
and then, under tremendous bend Of tiesn,
went swinging over the ref and away into
deep water aud safety.
E.... let his long pqnt breath pour out
IN q long, relieving sigh, and said
That's the sweetest piece 81 pilotinr
that eyer was done on the Mississippi river
] Weuldu't h1vD. bleafed Il could Be done.
II hadn't seen Il.
There was no reply, and be added
Just hold her five minutes longer. part
neI. and let me run down and get cup o.
coffee
A minute later = vas biting into d
pie down ~ the texas. and comforting
himself With coffee Just then The night
watchman happened IL, and was about %
happen o1t again, when BE- noticed 3 .,
and exclaiB.cd
who is at the wheel, sirl1
.'Dart for the pilot house quicker lhah
liehtningn
The next moment both men were flying
mp the pilot house companion way three
steps ot q jump Nobody thcrc The
great steamer was Whistllpg down the nin.
de of the river &c hcf own sweet HI.I
The Batchmnn shot ont q che place again
+ E.. seized che Wheel ~ Ga engine back
With power. an6neld bH breath while ha
boat felucEerzg swung eWey from I1o
heado y.s1ch she vas about 10 knock into
The s-f1dle 81 the Gulf oT hlcxfcof
~ ana ~ the WEtcbman came back and
.DIdn't that iaA
aslecp y ben ~ ntlt carse up lere
mo
well Be was. I found him Nalkins
~.