Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-04-12

promptly at twelve o'clock to receive the ex-
cursioDists. Captain Msingault had bis boat
decked with flags; all around the railing on
the hurricane deck scores of little United
States flags hoated and futtered in the
breeze. From the staff fioated the pennant
Of the boat, fancy flag bearing the name
General Person" From the stern hoated
n large United States flag. By one O'Clock
the boat was well filed with excursionists.
The hetricsre decks, bridge and pilothouse
were crowded by lads and CHILDREN, and
the main deck and guards were covered with
men and coys. A ten-popnder Parrott gun
fred repeated sig Gals, to announce to the
Gil zens that the hour of departure drew near.
Mr.. MOyston and assistants, w9ft-know
photogi aphic artists, had placed an insttu-
ment on the landing, some fifty yards away,
end took q pilot d raph of the General Pier
son and passengers. The landing, steam
boats, wharfboats and the bluffs were
crowded with people witnessing the de-
parture of the excursioBists.
THE DEPARTURE.
At half-past one o'clock, the signal guns
belched forth from the bow of the Pierson,
he shore hines were taken IN and the pilots
DELL rang out as the boat sheered away and
moved up the river, increasing her speed at
every revolution Of the engine. Cheers went
up from the spectators, and a thousand white
barGkerchiefs huttered in air like Heecy
clouds IN the sky upon a summer evening In
a tropicsl latitude. Passing by the Little
R3ck and Padncah railroad yards, near the
navF-yard, the locomotives sent forth shrill
whistling as a salute to the General Pierson,
which was duly answered by the latter. The
harbor steam tugs and the lumber and OIL
mills also whstled forth pleasant trip and
happy retuln. The boat ran over toward the
point at Hopeheld, and again the railroad
locomotives at that place sent forth the wild
shrieks more loud than musical. and gave
utterance to sounds that echoed along the
banks of the Great Father of Waters. The
steam tIg Oriole, Captain M'Neely, accom-
panied the General PiersoD, and on the tug
were few friends OF Captain NJ Nicely. The
PIerson steamed away around the poiut into
the bend formed by the islands known as the
Old Hen and Chickens. The Forest City
chute was reached and all ewes were d.
rccted up the river. The questions
asked and the spccolations INDUCED in by
the eEcursionists, we're in many instances
amusing. CAPTAIN Boyton as in Memphis
lest right" sa,d one; "He's up here on the
river pank,n said another; HE has boat
with him that he 1ides in," said another;
NO, replied another person, she has no
bat, he swims all time. " But he sleeps
at night on snore," put in strapg ger; 'Of
cou,se he Does chined In several ladies';
mot at all, " answered would-be wise mao,
che sleeps ON the water. "But he has to
come on land sometime, " suggested pretty
and inncceut-lCoking Rirl. And SO the con-
versatlon wa2ged until the stow head" of
the 'tOld Hen" hove in sight. At this. point
some one exclaimed, "Yonder he iis'' Peo-
nle, rushed to the forward part of the boat
and sTrdTIIvA- ILair avas OF q sneoly nm ~
river close to the Arkansas s,iure ~ 49,
" th an ODera-glass said it was a snag, and
then everybody became disguised and felt as
If they had struck a snsg and sunk. In a
few minutes the Pierson s commenced swing
ing the bend around the tow-head, when
dozen voices exclaimed, 81 see him. yonder
he isl" and sure enough it was
CAPTAIN PAUL BoYToN
the maritime floating turtle, who appea Ted
ike black ball far away up the river IN the
shadow cast by the Arkansas woods. A
couple OF skitfs were seen pulling out from
the shore in the direction of the adventurous
C0yd0e1Gr. Every body kept silent, and all
eyes were directed at the floating object
Soon the rise and dip Of the paddle could be
seen, and then hope changed into certainty,
and rousing cheer went up from the exeur-
sionists, the General Pierson blew her whis-
les loud and long, end the Parrot gun
fetched forth fiery greeting. AS Captain
Boyton approached the wheels of the General
Pierson were Partially stopped, and the boat
was held in mid-stream. Soon a trumpet
was heard sounding over the waters end
Captain Boyton's musical response was re-
celVed with cheers End waving of handker-
chiefs. Captain Boy ton looked ike sea-
porpoise rolling slong on the waves. His
paddle rose and fell with the regularity of
clockwork, as be propelled himself feet fore.
most down toward the Pierson. He was soon
alongside, and was surrounded by skiffs
he received many congratulations from those
en- board. In a few moments a rowboat
crew, with Mr.. Louis o Shaughnessy, of Gin
clnnatl; Mr.; James Creelman, correspondent
OF the New York Herald, and Miss Jeanette
Boswell, of this city, put off in a gig to hail
Captain Boyton, who was by this time whirl-
ing and frolicking around the excursion boat.
Captain BoytOn had his little boat, "Baby-
Mine" fastened to his body by wire cord
The little boat is made of zinc, is about two
feet in length, and holds his provisions,
lamps, signals, etc.
THE WATER FIEND.
When floating he seems to rest on his back
IA perfectly natural easy position. He car
ries double-b!aded paddle across his breast,
and with it propels himself, feet foremost.
He Strengthened himself up and stood waist
high above the liver. Reaching around to
Baby Mine," be secured cigar and light,
then INDUCED in a smoke; then, lying on his
back, he enjoyed his 0tiunl cum dignitate. lust
as well as the landsman could on shore He
placed a flag above his feet, and erected
fore and aft sail, which enabled him to take
advantage of wind in his favor. The ease
and CELEBRITY with which he moved around In
the water were wonderful. After giving
series of aquatic performances, he APP
preached the & g which contained Miss jean
nette Boswell, and that young lady presented
him with his colors in the following pretty
address:
PRESENTATION SPEECH.
Allow me, gallant captain, to welcome you to the
Bluff City. Let me express the honor we feel In
being able to extend 10 you the hospitality which
every true American readily extends 10 one who,
like yourself, has shed the brightest lussr upon our
nation by your wonderful discoVeIieJ. From the
OF the steamer Que en-, and Drawing all the furJ of
wind and wave, reached the shore In safety, have
watched you arXlousy when in danger, and our Joy
knew no bounds when, achieving some new success,
the &C ddeSS or victory again CROWDED you with glory
Wren NAVIGATING the IIver5 of the old world we |
watched you with SOcilude. When DISPLAYING the
wonders of your invention to the wonder rg eyes of
the cIOwned helds OF EpTops, the Amel.ca1 he ms
in orr boSoms trrobbtd exutugly. When the press |
Whsr red or yoUr retprn 10 your native land, we |
watched eagerly for It. When you at last float; |
from the Ohio Into the mighty Flthsf of We ers we
b. gan 10 antclpatS the joy would fC 81 when you
would be with us. And now, With Joy for your sue
cess, and the hops that the day is not far distant
let me egan bid you hearty welcome, and beg ycti
to accept these C0lors not only slight memento
OF the regard in which We hold you bur yours by
right, as Americas nobleSt and bravest saIlor and
that though the dazzling OF the troD-
les NAV shed its radiance upon them. they never
be brighter thaa QUE remembrance Of you.
hn oh as11 riaoo IL I