Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1892-07-14
tw0 sdeh ferIow. Is fta aIa L.,

bpiduS dCIOcS the coal untll ne reached
the edge Of the broadhorn, and ther
plunged head foremost into the mudd,
current.
The heavy boats were drifting fully
i've 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 we'll 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 if, and seat.
ing himself upon the thwart held it in
position until the rescuer and his burden
drifted down within his reach.
Extending his hand, Joe seized the
child and drew it into the boat, saying
to Jimmy as he did so:
"You get hold of the stern and hang
on there until can pull down to the
broadhorn. You won't get any wettel
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
sk1tf behind iii the race down the river.
When the broadhorn was reached the
little maiden, in her dripping garments
was lifted carefully and deposited on a
blanket, which some thoughtful Nom.
Der of the crew had spread on top of the
coal.
Joe came on board, and resuming the
steering oar ordered:
1.-TWO of you fellows take the skiff
and run a line down and make it fast tc
that big tree on the Kentucky bank.
Well tie up and give Jack Williams a
chance to come back and pick up his
passengers that he's scattering around
so careless like"
1t was a difficult task TO lay the two
heavy boats alongside the shore without
sustaining any injury, for they were Sc
frail that the least touch upon rock or
snag would have meant instant destruc.
ton.
When the pilot saw that the line had
been properly secured he sent his assist
ant forward to the ''gonging oar" while
he himself welded the ''steerer," and
his men pulled Justify at the sweeps to
swing the bows of the broadhorn up
stream. Then as the inner boat began
to near the land two long poles were run
out to fend them off from the bank.
This work completed, Joe turned his
attention to the little sufferer, by whose
side his nephew had remained, endeavor-
ing to quiet her hysterical sobbing, and
to assure her that she need not fear,
that all danger was past.
"'Pears to me, little one, you took a
mighty sudden. BATH" said Trick, with a
smile, as he looked down at the tear
stained face Of the child.
"Oh, sir, it was terrible! Twas reach
ing over to look at your boats as they
passed when l lost my balance and fell. :"
'"That's it," returned the pilot grimly.
eff Williams hadn't been a-cutting up
his capers and kept his vessel where it
belonged, you wouldn't have had to
reach clear over the side in order to see
couple of heaps of coal and number
of ragged boatmen going by you. But
here comes the River Queen after us,
and you'll soon be safe and sound with
your friends again, my little one."
"Oh, yes, and | have you to thank for
saving me" replied the maiden, looking
at Jimmy in such manner as to cause
the warm blood to mantle the boys
cheek. "Papa will be very grateful to
you, and | know when he comes to take
me away he will give you handsome
present"
"Oh, could not think of accepting
anything in payment of o duty which
plainly devolved upon me-" stammered
the young boatman.
Nevertheless, / know he will insist
upon doing something for you. He
thinks so much of me am sure he would
rather give the whole of his steamer
than to have me drowned. Papa owns
the River Queen, didn't you know it?"
whats that, miss?'' asked Joe in as
tonishment. SIS Squire Carroll your
father?"
That's what the people at the plan
tation call him. But at New Orleans or
Cairo he is known as Mr.. Carroll"
"Then, boy" exclaimed the bluff old
pilot, slapping Jimmy on the shoulder,
you've done big stroke of work for
yourself this day, and we'll see you
"Branch pilot" within twelvemonth.
! hope you'll try to teach that Will
hams some sense. It's just this way,
miss" continued Joe, turning to the
girl, ''my nephew has wanted for some
time to go steamboating, but I've never
been able to get him chance; SO if
you'd just as lief ask your father to let
him have berth aboard the River
Queen when we meet her at Orleans
'twould be doing him great kindness"
"The request is granted without the
aid Of mediatorr' declared a tall, fine
looking gentleman, who had come along
side the coal boat in one of the steam
er's skiffs in time to hear the speech of
Joe Trick.
"My precious child is restored to me-"
clasping the little girl in his arms. Then
the fond father deposited her again upon
the blanket, and turning to Jimmy
grasped the boys hand and wrung it
fervently.
"Yes, my brave lad. You shall be
second pilot of the River Queen. And.
Mr.. Trick" to Joe, "as no doubt you feel
that you would be the best instructor of
your nephew, you shall go first"
"Oh, thank you, sir, thank you, sir"
stammered the veteran boatman, over
whelmed with surprise and gratitude.
But, sir, you forget Williams. He's
right good man, is Jack, and I'd never
be the one to do anything that would
take the hroad ond br,ttoy ort ~ bio