The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-07-23
THE BOY BOATlTAN.

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.
full pilot. These coal boats were pecu-
harly 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 l-inch pino boards,
carefully selected. and any piece Of lum-
ber containing but a single knot was re-
jected. No nails We're 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 side by side. and
with crew Of thirty-fve or forty men
would float serenely down the Ohio and
Mississippi 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 it's way.
Beside him was q 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, we're ON the
old Mississippi once more. Let me see;
this is tho third time for you, isn't ity'
eyes, uncle, you know you have taken
me twice yourself to New Orleans
That's fact, Jim. But you see I'm
getting old and am apt TO forget little
things like a 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 l was born.
But, look, yonder comes a high pressure
boat up stream, and Jimmy pointed to
a dense cloud of black smoke which was
pouring out of the double stacks Of a
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, what's more, the name of the man
who is looking at us now out Of her
pilot house, and likely enough wishing
us sunk down anlung 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 a
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 aud the
Gulf with such a 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 10. It's an old
trick of his. He thinks to frighten us,
but here's a 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 ou
the bank, and then he'll have TO take to
coal boating himself, like the rest of u.s.
By this time the steamer was within O
few yards Of our friend when she wa,
seen to change her course fraction.
There, boy, didn't | 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 10 the other
| Joe called
"Hulloa, Williams! Up TO your old
/ tricks again? l reckon you wouldn't
have taken the trouble Of changing youl
course if you'd a known Joe Trick wa,
on board here FIo don't belong TO tn,
scary breed
"Howdy, Joe, returned the man il
the steamers pilot house "Oh, no,
don't want TO crowd you into the bank
There's room enough on the stream foi
two such fellows as you and l., %
As hick was about to answer, a shril
scream was heard, issuing from tn,
after part Of the steamer, and the sam,
instant a child was seen to fall from th'
rail of the hurricane deck 10 the water,
In a second Jimmy, tho boy boatman
sprang across the coal until he reache,
the edge of the broadhorn, and thel
plunged head foremost into the mudd,
current,
The heavy boats were drifting full
i've miles an hour, while the steame
had been making equally good tim
up against the streami consequently
when the brave lad reached the littl
girl, his own craft as well as the Rive
] Queen were some distance away.
Joe Trick was almost as quick TO ac
as his nephew Calling TO the "secon,
pilot to take the steering oar he picket
up the little sliff, that i7 always carriel
on top of the coal, "a a II, and seat
ing himself upon the thWart held it il
position until the rescuer and his burdel
drifted down within his reach
Extending his hand, Joe seized tn
child and drew 1t into tine boat, sayin
to Jimmy as he did so.
"You get hold of the stern and han
on there until ! can pull down tp th
broadhorn You won't get any wette
than you are now and there's no DANCE
Of the cells a-nibbliug at your toes
Can right, Uncle Joe, Don't bottle
about me can overhaul the boats b.
fore you, now And the boy suildn
out vigorously actually did leave tn
skih behind in the race down the river
When the broadhorn was reached th
little maiden, in her dripping garment
was lifted carefully and deposited on
blanket, which some thoughtful men
Der Of the crew had spread on top Of th
coal.
Joe came ON board, and resuming n
steering oar ordered;
''Two Of you fellows take the ski
and run a line down and make &c fast
that big tree on the Kentucky banl
Wen lie mp and give Jack Williams
chance 10 come back and pick up b
passengers that he's scattering aroun
so careless like"
1t was "a difficult task TO lay the tV
heavy boats alongside the shore withol
sustaining any injury for they were
frail that the least touch upon a rock {
snag would have meant instant desru
ton
When the pilot saw that the line ha
been properly secured he sent his assis
ant forward 10 the "gonging oar, Will
he himself welded the "stcerer," " am
his men pulled Justify az the sweeps
; swing the bows of the broadhou d
stream, Then as tho inner boat hega
10 naar iha land two long poles were IA