Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-09-16

feW extra busheLs for the sake o tho
accommodation.
This idea seemed 70 greatly please
both men, although Brown observed
that be would not 90 10 - much trou-
bic, and volunteered 70 do ali the lying
Ia case they were stopped and ques-
toned
To this Leathers would not consent;
50 The matter was dropped.
Day aEd night the hroadhorn fOated
TRANQUILITY down the Ohio. One after
another the large towns aud cities were
passed, and or friends could see that
everywhere on shore great excitement
prevailed
They were now J0uFneying through
what might he termed d neutral coun-
ny, for the people at this time had not
openly espoased the cause Of the other
side.
Nearly a week they had been absent
from HttsOuTg when they arrived at
Louisville. Here they were obliged 10
haul up and await their turn IN passing
through the canal
You uas won't get very far with that
Yankee coal, observed y loafer on the
leFee
The boats from down river say that
they uns are Just loOkin for such chaps
as You uns."
Reckon they be-" replied Brown, TO
whom the remark was addressed. "And
they won't have 70 look hard 10 find us,
for broadhOrn amt so small an object
that II can't be seen from one bank TO
another
That was the only comment made
which would tend To cause the boatmen
10 fear for their safety farther along.
When again we'll on their way, leaving
the city behind them, the pilot said:
I've hxed il, Billy. I've fixed it all
right. You know Hub SHELTON, the
cap'n O the Sandusky? Well, he's com
ing ont o Louisville some time tonight.
and'u overhaul Us a long way this side
o. Cairo. He's agreed 10 slow down an
make fast, an give Us 100 bushels o
secesh coal for 100 o. ourn. What do
you think o. that, my boy?'
''It's right pert scheme" was the
reply, "seein it amt a-goin TO delay us
any, an viii be heap of relief 10 your
mind"
THAT'S just it, my lad"
Some hours after midnight the heavy
putting Of high pressure boat was
heard approaching from up the river.
There's the Sanduskyl" exclaimed
feathers. Snow, light another lantern,
Bill, and swing it so Skeltonn know
its Us"
the experienced boatrnen could tell by
the sounds that reached them that the
steamer was slowing down.
''It's all right" said the pilot. ''Stand
by for her lines. And you fellows get
ready TO roust 40 bushels aboard of
her lively"
Gurus. boat Jest out o. Louisville
wantin ter buy COAL" grumbled one of
the men.
"P'raps she's secesh an the Yanks
wouldn't sell it to her, or p'raps she's a
Yank and the secesh wouldn't sell it TO
her" returned another of the crew.
"You can't tell how 1t is in these times"
II did not take long TO secure the
hawsers. and the big steamer and the
brosdhorn foated on down the river side
by side.
When the boatmen saw the negro
crew of the Sandusky pass them with
filed baskets and dump coal on their
own pile, they came 10 the conclusion
that either Leathers, the pilot, or the cap
tain of the steamer, or both, were crazy,
but they continued their labor until
ordered 10 cease.
Then The big boat drew ahead, and
soon her red hot snokestacks disap-
peared sruund the band farther down.
Leethers fairly danced with delight
when The exchange had been completed
and he was again alone with his little
band. Calling his crew to him, he said:
Now. boys, il we're hauled up afore
we reach the Mississippi, or leastwise
afOrc we pass Island Number Ten, and
any ono asks what we've got aboard
tell EN- 'Pittsburg coal. but after that
mind You. it's Kentucky, for we've just
taken sone out o. the Sandusky."
As the oleverness Of the pilots scheme
dswned npon the none too brilliant
minds Of the boatmen, they burst into
a hearty laugh and congratulated their
superior upon his strategy.
On. on they drifted, until the Missis-
sippi opened before them. Although
tany boats were met, some containing
officers and soldiers in uniform, they
were interrupted but once before they
reached the Father Of Waters.
IF you know when you're well of.
you'd better work IN and make land
ing on the Illinois shore aud sell your
coal for what It viii fetch" advised
man who had come OH In a sldf 20 hail
them. If you don't. the secesh viii
seize it and chuck you fellows overheard
20 tho catfish
II hope things amt quite as bad a.
that. returned feathers.
If they're not now they viii be be-
fore you get eco miles further
BY this time the man in the skifT was
SO far astern shat bis voice could scarce
~ be heard. and the pilot winked at his
assistant and chuckled
The third night after passing Cairo
they we're startled BY seeing = boat con
tanning SIX men shoot ont of the dark
moss and its occupants spring over The
rail.
The strangers were armed and quickly
covered she two pilots with their 70
volvers
"Where are you FROM demanded the
header
eve left Louisville two weeks ago, -