Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1892-07-18
THE BOY BOATMAN..

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 u9,dW .G9es
The numbering, cumbrous crafts had
come all the way from Pittsburg under
the command of Joe Trick, most skill
full pilot. These coal boats were pecil-
liarly constructed vessels, but they are
now things of the past, their places being
supplied by large barges, which are
towed back and forth by steamers,
They were built of 1-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. eiaa3 Ce goI , .si-
These frail vessels were loaded deep
with coal from the mines, then two
were lashed together side by side, and
with a crew of thirty-five or forty men
would float serenely down the Ohio and
Mississippi to their destination. li'f0iiV'
r., 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, a 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. .9GI 'H. s'G'' Dt iG GUH4
"Well, Jimmy, my son, we're on the
old Mississippi once more. Let me see;
this is the third time for you, isn't it2"
eyes, uncle, you know you have taken
me twice yourself to New Orleans"
'l "That's a fact, Jim. But you see I'm
getting old and am apt to forget little
things like 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, "for you
were pilot long before was born.
But, look, yonder comes a 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.
i'll could tell you the name of thatcraft;
hhuy Whoeo o hliolC, bhC itdllC Ot tff6 tfldtt
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 o
distance% asked the boy, his gaze still
riveted on the boat.
"Listen to that exhaust" and Joe
Trick turned his head SO as to better
catch the peculiar sound. There isn't
another hooker betwixt 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 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 u.s.
M By this time the steamer was within
few yards of our friend, when she was
seen to change her course a fraction.
There, boy, didn't tell your 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, shrill
scream was heard, issuing from the
after part Of the steamer, and the same
instant a 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
plunged head foremost into the muddy
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.
i 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 It, 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