The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-15
in case they were stopped and ques.


TRANQUILITY down the Ohio. One after
another the large towns and cities were
passed, and our friends could see that
everywhere on shore great excitement
prevailed.
They were now journeying through
what might be termed neutral coun.
try, for the people at this time had not
openly espoused the cause Of the other
side.
Nearly week they had been absent
from Pittsburg when they arrived at
Louisville. Here they were obliged to
haul up and await their turn in passing
through the canal.
''You uns won't get very far with that
Yankee COAL" observed loafer on the
levee.
"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 to look hard to find us,
for broadhorn amt so small an object
that it can't be seen from one bank to
another"
That was the only comment made
which would tend to cause the boatmen
to fear for their safety farther along.
When again well on their way, leaving
the city behind them, the pilot said:
GIVE fixed it, Billy. I've fixed it all
right. You know Hub Shelton, the
cap'n o the Sandusky2 Well, he's com
ing out o Louisville some time tonight,
and'u overhaul us long way this side
o Cairo. He's agreed to slow down an
make fast, an give us 1870 bushels O
secesh coal for 1870 O. ourn. What do
you think o. that, my boyY"
"Its a right pert scheme" was the
reply, "seein 1t amt a-goin to delay US
any, an will be heap of relief to 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 Sanduskyw exclaimed
Leathers. SNOW, light another lantern,
Bill, and swing it SO Skeltonll know
it's u.s."
As soon as the signal was displayed,
the experienced boatinen could tell by
the sounds that reached them that the
steamer was slowing down.
sits all right" said the pilot. "Stand
by for her lines. And you fellows get
ready to roust 100 bushels aboard Of
her lively"
''Cur'us, 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 q
Yank and the secesh wouldn't sell it TO
her." returned another of the crew.
"You can't tell how it in these times. 4"
1t did not take long to secure the
hawsers, and the big steamer and the
broadhorn hoated on down the river side
by side.
When the boatmen saw the negro
crew of the Sandusky pass them with
filled baskets and dump coal on their
own pile, they came to 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 to cease.
Then the big boat drew ahead, and
soon her red hot smokestacks disap-
peared around the bend farther down.
Leathers 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
afore we pass Island Number Ten, and
any one asks what we've got aboard.
tell EN- 'PitSsburg coal, but after that,
mind you, it's Kentucky, for we've just
taken some out o. the Sandusky.n
As the cleverness of the pilots scheme
dawned upon 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
many boats Were met, some containing
officers and soldiers in uniform, they
were interrupted but once before they
reached the Father of Waters.
''lf you know when you're well of,
you'd better work in and make land
ing on the Illinois shore and sell your
coal for what it will fetch" advised
man who had come off in skiff to hail
them. "If you don't, the secesh will
seize 1t and chuck you fellows overheard
to the catfish"
81 hope things amt quite as bad as
that" returned Leathers.
"If they're not now they will be be-
fore you get 200 miles further"
By this time the man in the skiff was
so far astern that his voice could scarce
ly be heard, and the pilot winked at his
assistant and chuckled.
The third night after passing Cairo
they were startled by seeing boat con.
tanning six men shoot out of the dark
ness and its occupants spring over the
rail
The strangers were armed and quickly
covered the two pilots with their re-
volvers.
where Gre you from?" demanded the
leader.
"We left Louisville two weeks ago."
promptly replied Brown.
mo lies. This is Yankee coal" as
serted the newcomer.
Now if that stuff you're standin on
warn't mined in Kentucky you may
hang Jack Ieathers to any tree on the
bank" retorted the pilot
"Ah, Leathers, is that your" went on
the officer of the guard. Now know
We've captured prize" And turning
to his followers he continued: 1.-TWO Of
You men jump into the skiff and run his
line out to the shore. And you, Leath-
ers, order your crew to the oars. You
must make landing at Vicksburg. All,
ha, this lot of Yankee coal is just what
the bOys arc in Dped Of -
u tell you," persisted the pilot, "fye
got Kentucky coal aboard"
Perhaps you have; but We'll see."
AS the two secessionists got into the
boat Brown went forward to hand them
the end of tho warping line. In passing
among his own crow he whispered:
Look here, if those fellows take us