Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1892-10-25
YANKEE COAL.

81 know it's right smart offer, squire,
and $500 is a big sum of money for pi-
lot to get for taking apair of boats from
Pittsburg to New Orleans, but, don't
you see, there's a heap o risk to run.
amt afeerd o what the rivers can do,
for I've been down the Ohio and Mis-
sissip' times enough to make their ac-
Ouaiutance pretty well, but feelin's are
hot among the people along the banks o
the lower waters, and 'twould be as
much as mans neckd be worth to be
caught with a broadhorn of Yankee
coal anywheres betwixt Cairo and the
Old Red Church (The place where
the coalboats used to tie up at New Or
leans)
I'm well aware, Jack feathers, that
the risk is great, replied Squire Thomas
the owner of the coal. But we have
the boats all loaded and want them
started, even though they don't get
farther than the mouth of the Ohio. SO
promise you $500 if you go through
to New Orleans all right, with $500 in
advance, which will be yours if your
trip does not extend beyond Cairo"
"As I-said," returned Jack, who was
one Of the oldest pilots on the two rivers,
its main temptin offer. And if
can pick up crew of square men here
in Pittsburg I'll make a start of it,"
That's right, Leathers," answered
the skipper. "Offer them $3.50 apiece.
ore-third in advance
Very well, squire, and if any of the
boys are loaing around that's got the
bottom in 'em to go with me, I'll be
ready to cast Off at daylight tomorrow
morning."
Jack feathers did not meet with so
much difficulty in picking up crew
as he had anticipated, for, although the
war clouds Of civil strife had already
begun to lower over the country, the
ignorant boatman did not realize the
bitter feeling with which the people
Of the south were imbued, and conse-
quently had not the fears for their safe
ty which the pilot, more enlightened.
possessed.
Its no more than right for me to tell
you, boys, that we're startin on what
may be the hottest trip that any of us
have ever taken down stream. So if
there's one among you that feels scary
be can jest chuck his plumber ON the
bank an go ashore right here, for after
We swing ont into the Ohio not man
shall leave the boats till we get to New
Orleans, unless he's taken by officers o.
soldiers along the way, or we strike a
mag and have to swim for it"
Amt You going down, Jack?" asked
one Of the crew significantly.
"a should say was" was the grim
answer.
Then | reckon we uns have got as
much sand as you uns, so there amt any
need Of more talk about it."
Though the reply was given in gruff,
almost Surly tone, yet the pilot was well
pleased 90 receive it, as he knew tn
nature Of the material he had to deal
with, and accepted the laconic retort Of
thorough boatman for what it was-viz.,
apledge Of fidelity.
As the pair of long, unwieldy coal
boats swung out into the stream and
islt the current of the river, they were
heartily cheered by the crowd Of idle
SPECTATORS who were gathered upon the
shore.
Il wish we'd waited until night afore
maxim start" grumbled the pilot to
Ills assistant, Billy Brown. "NOw the
aews that Jack feathers with a broad
aoTn Of Pittsburg coal is headed down
nyer will travel good sight faster'n
We will, and we may look for trouble
even afore we git to Cairo"
We'll, my advice is, Jack, not to hug
Nat trouble before it comes abroad" re-
pied the youthful and light hearted
second as he gave a vigorous sweep
with his long steering oar, as much to
Emphasize his remark as to guide the
Ooat ont into midstream.
u don't propose 90. But, don't you
zee, while we're up here among the
0nlon folks, if any one stops and asks
= what we've got we can say we've got
iankee coal and tell the truth. But
"1sn we get down into the Mississip'
and the other chaps hail us we can't
ay we're loaded with secesh cargo,
cause that'd be a lie, and Jack Leathers
Uasnt told lie since he was a boy"
Well, replied his companion, ''yOu
couldn't catch Bill Brown hesitating
gns between a lie that would burn his
"ngue and the moose of rope. If |
was IN charge of this broadhorn, and
auy one around here asked me what I'd
g" should say Yankee coal. II | was
I'"n about Vicksburg way, and the
,uaps should ask me the same question,
oO0Id tell EN- secesh coal. If they TOOK
sy word for it and let me pass, I'd sleep
sueap sight sounder that night, think
n 8l had squeezed through mighty
barrow hole"
Al 'he conscientious chief slowly shook