Connecticut western news., 1892-12-29
THE BOY BOATMAN.

A large pair of heavily laden coal boats, or .'broadhorns" as they were termed. swept out of the Ohio and, catching the current of the mighty Mis- sissippi. began the second stage of the journey to New Orleans.
 The numbering, cumbrous crafts had come all the way from Pittsburg under the command of Joe Trick, most skill ful pilot. These coal boats were pecu- liarly constructed vessels. but they are now things of the past. their plsces being supplied by large barges, which are lowed back and forth by steamers.
 They were built of l-inch pine boards. carefully selected, and any piece of lum- Der containing but single knot was re- jected No nails were used in putting the timbers together. but wooden pins were called for.
 These frail vessels were loaded deep with coal from the mines, then two were lashed together sidesby side. and with crew of thirty-five or forty men would float serenely down the Ohio and Nississippi to their destination.
 The day in which our story opens Joe Trick was standing in the stern of one of the boats, with the long steering oar in hand guiding his broadhorn on its way. Beside him was a lad about sixteen years of age, handsome. intelligent looking boy. who seemed to be wrapped in wonder and admiration at the sublim- ity of the scene that stretched out before him.
 Well. Jimmy, my son. wore on the old Mississippi once fnore. ALet me see; this is the third time for yon. isn't it2"
 "Yes. uncle, you know you have taken me twice yourself to New Orleans"
 That's fact, Ji1n., Bat you see I'm getting old and am apt to forget little things like 8 trip down river. Now couldn't tell within fifteen or twenty how many times I've been down stream"
 That's not to be wondered at" re- turned the boy, respectfully, flor you were pilot long before was born. But, look, yonder comes high pressure boat up stream" and Jimmy pointed to . dense cloud of black smoke which was pouring out of the double stacks of large steamer that was approaching.
 Let her come. my lad, let her come. She's got to keep out of our way. Now, what would you say" continued Trick. if could tell you the name of that craft; and. whats more. the name of the man who is looking at us now out of her pilot house, and likely enough wishing us sunk down among the catfish for presuming to get in his course. Yes, my son, that's the River Queen, and John Williams is her pilot"
 How can you be so positive at such 8 distanceY' asked the boy. .his gaze still riveted on the boat.
 Listen to that exhaust" and Joe Trick turned his mead so as to better catch the peculiar sonnl. There isn't another hooker betwl2t Cairo and the Gulf with such voice as that. Now you'll see when we meet Williams, he'll lay the River Queen as close to this broadhorn as he dares to. It's an old trick of his. He thinks to frighten us. but here's hoss that don't frighten so easily. tell you one thing, Jimmy, he'll cut up that caper once too often, and when he sends a pair of boats with their freight to the bottom of the Mississippi I'm under the impression that the owners will fire him ashore on the bank. and then he'll have to take to coal boating himself, like the rest of us. " By this time the steamer was within a few yards of our friend. when she was seen to change her course fraction.
 There. boy, didn't l tell you? Jack Williams has starb'-ed his helm, think ing to raise our hairr Then in loud voice. which could have been heard from one side of the river to the other. Joe called: "Hulloa, Williamsl Up to your old tricks again? reckon you wouldn't have taken the trouble of changing your course if you'd known Joe Trick was on board here. He don't belong to the scary breed"
 -'Howdy. Joe." returned the man in the steamers pilot house. '.Oh, no. don't want to crowd you into the bank. There's room enough on the stream for two such fellows as you and l." As Trick was about to answer, a shrill scream was heard. issuing from the | after part of the steamer, and the same instant child was seen to fall from the | rail of the hurricane deck to the water. | In second Jimmy, the boy boatman, | sprang across the coal until he reached the edge of the broadhorn, and then l plunged head foremost into the muddy l current.
 | The heavy boats were drifting fully five miles an hour. while the steamer had been making equally good time up against the stream: consequently when the brave lad reached the little | girl. his own craft as well as the River | Queen were some distance away. Joe Trick was almost as quick to act as his nephew. Calling to the ..second pilot to take the steering oar he picked up the little skiff. that is always carried on top of the coal, launched 1t, and seat. ing himself upon the thwart held it ir position until the rescuer and his burden drifted down within his reach.
 Exter,l..y his hand. Joe seized the child and drew 1t into the boat, saying to Jimmy as he did so:
 You get hold of the stern and hang on there until I can pull down to the broadhorn. You won't get any'wetteI than you are now and there's no danger of the eels a-nibbling at your toes"
 ''All right. Uncle Joe. Don't bother about me. can overhaul the boats be- fore you. now"- And the boy striking out vigorously actually did leave the skif behind in the race down the river.
 When the broadhoyu was reached tho AAAla hAsAAx&a l.a kn~ 5SAssa.tt,.v "A