The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1880-08-31

tchicaso Trlbuns,i

These words were epoken Dy
dark featured and full bearded nan
10 his companion. . swarthy Fellow
whose every look betokened the fiefce
nature within, as the two assembled
the cabin in the Mary Ann, of Bitter
creek. and stepped quietly on the
quarter deck. The older OF the two
tUOk o few turns OF the somewhat
confined space between the binnacie
and partly used chew OF tobacco
which the ,econd mate had left on the
port rail. and ihc;. went below TO con-
sult his charts.
The situation was indeed critical
une for tho beautiful vessel, whicn
rcsted like "a swan OH the heaving
surface Of the Miami canal. For
three hours she had been bccalned
by balky mule. frcighted with \
cargo ~ golden hued pumpkins, II
was Important that there shou!d bc
no delay IN reaching the port to-
which they were consigned. Hence
the skipper's anxiety was but natural.
The black clouds that were scurrying
across the southsrn sky told too
plainly that q storm was approaching,
and woe TO the vessel Il found TIN.
prepared. The Captain knew that IN
the present situation Of his stately
ship y wreck was inevitable shUiild
the storm strike her. II was an anx.
ipus momem,, but his check never
tlxnched. II couldn't unless washed,
aud Of this none who knew our hero
had any fear. CHANGING hastily AT the
compass, he saw that the vessels
proper course was cast by south, and
that the lead mule was nc least two
points awsy aud on his beam ends.
The storm was rapidly approaching,
and the oninous muttcrings Of lIeav-
ems artillery was evidence enough
that ere long The now placid surface
Of the canal would he lashed into
white capped tillows, any one Of
which would engulf the Mary Ann.
To think waa to ACT with the Captain.
Hastily selling a, glittering fog horn
from its place in the rafliner. he
placed Il quickly to his mouth aud
shouted. Il,iIg "a, 4qsH n sfr.i
"Tie Up the cook" i8an ~,
1t was q wise move. The cook was
liable to have Mysteries when any
Thing went wrong, aud frequently
tipped over the supper. xxx ~.
"rhc Cap'n's all right" said Co.
shocton Joe to the ships carpenter,
tall athletic fellow from Brrea, whose
brawny arm had often directed the
fatal fishline III pickerel season.
AYE, aye, messinaie." was the re,
spouse andthough I'm sore afeared
well ne'er see wife and children
again, or steal grapes In the Saudusty
valley, It's not that will shrink back
or step ashore at time like this.
"Wcll said, my hearty" came ~ q
gruff voice from tho ships waist.
sour binnacle light may go oui this
night forever, but lot US die like
Ohioans.' ff s4 na1 nsitsfd
BY this time tho first pufls oftbc
approaching tempest were plainly
10 he telt, and the shrill notes OF the
boss hens on the ncighbofing farms
showed that even they had scented
the danger and were seeking shelter.
II was aterrible moment. .i'i'
The mule was tho only animate thing
that did not comprehend the danger.
lie lay obliquely across the towpath
occasionally whisking fly from his
ear with one OF his hind feet, but gave
no other evidence Of life. 81
Unless he could be gotten or his
feet the ship would DC lost. What
Whist could be done Z
While all were standing IN speech
less amaze at the phcnoiheI,a' cussed-
ness Of the beast, sloucil hat was
seen TO emerge from the iorecastIe,
! quickly followed by small boy:
Que glance at the angry sly and
another at the mnle was enough
Quickly leaping upon the slop.puck-
OF, he sprang lightly from thc lar.
bord rail 70 the towbath and advanced
toward the apparently sleeping mule.
The crew looked on with astoi'isii-
ment. .ti
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