The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-09-17

cabin OF the Mary Ann, Of Bittel
Creek, and stepped quietly on tn,
quarterback. The older Of the two
took few turns of the somewhat con
fined space between the pinnacle, and
a partly.used chew Of tobacco which
the Second Mate had left on the port
rail, and then went below 10 consult
his charts.
The situation was indeed a critical
one for the beautiful vessel, which
rested like a swan ON the heaving sur.
face of the Miami Canal. For three
hours she had been becalmed by a
balky mule. Freighted with a cargo
Of goldcn-hued pumpkins, it was i'm.
portant that there should be no delay
in reaching the port to which they
were consigned; hence the skipper 5
anxiety was but natural. The black
clouds that were scurring across the
Southern sky told too plainly that a
storm was approaching, aud woe to
the vessel if found unprepared. The
Captain knew that in the present sit
uation of his stately ship wreck was
inevitable should the storm strike
her. II was an anxious moment, but
his check never blanched. II couldn't,
unless washed, and Of this none who
knew our hero had any fear. CHANGING
hastily at the compass, he saw that
the vessels proper course was east by
south, and that the lead mule was at
least two points away and on his beam
ends. The storm was rapidly ap.
preaching, and the ominous mutter.
ings Of Heavens artillery was evidence
enough that ere long the now placid
surface Of the canal would be dashed
into white-capped pillows, any one Of
which would engulf the Mary Ann.
To think was to act with the captain.
Hastily seizing a glittering fog-horn
from its place in the ratlines, he
placed il quickly to his mouth and
shouted
Tie up the cook !"
II was a wise move. The cook was
liable to have Mysteries when any
thing went wrong, and frequently
tipped over the supper.
The Cap'n's all right" said Cos
hocton Joe to the ships carpenter, a
tall, athletic fellow from Berea, whose
brawny hand had often directed the
fatal iish-line in pickerel season.
aye, aye, messmate," was the re-
sponse, "and although I'm so aieared
we'll never see wife and children
again, or steal grapes in the Sandusky
Valley, its not l that will shrink
back or step ashore at a time like
this"
"Well said, my hearty" came in a
grua voice from the ships waist.
"Our pinnacle lights may 60 out this
night forever, but let us die like
Ohioans"
BY this time the first puils of the
approaching tempest were plainly to
be felt, and the shrill notes of the
boss hens ON the neighboring farms
showed that even they had scented
the danger, and were seeking shelter.
II was a terrible moment!
The mule was apparently the only
animate thing that did not compre-
hend the danger. lie lay obliquely
across the tow-path, occasionally whis-
king fly from his ear with one OF
his hind feet, but giving no other evi.
dence of life.
Unless he could be gotten on his
feet the ship would be lost. What
could be done?
While all were standing in speech
less amazement at the phenomenal
cussedness of the beast, "a SLOUGH hat was
seen to emerge from the forecastle,
quickly followed by small boy.
One glance at the angry sky and an
other at the mule,was enough. Quick
ly leaping upon the slop- bucket, he
sprang lightly from the larboard rail
to the tow-path, and advanced toward
the apparently sleeping mule.
The crew looked on with astonish-
ment.
With stealthy tread he crept along.
side Of the animal, and with one sud
den bound he alighted on his back.
Like flash he grabbed its tail and
gave that member a violent twist.
In an instant the mule was ON his
feet and kicking in seventeen direc-
tions at once. The boy was on his
back holding the lines with a grasp
of iron. With u terrible yawhaw of
rage, the now thoroughly infuriated
animal dashed madly forward. The
strain ON the cable was immense, and
the good ships timber groaned as
if in agony. In moment, however.
she felt the breeze created by the mule
going ahead. and her cut.water cleft
the blue waters like knife as she
keeled to starboard aud stood away on
her course.
The boy on the mule had saved her,
and when the captain saw him twist
the animals tail, he said loud enough
for all TO hear;
ffihof uaa the act az a stafa. mas, /