The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-09-02

III rlSnJ peru bCu0Hl6, was buo IT,
ply, ''seein' it 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 Sanduskyl" exclaimed
feathers. Snow light another lantern,
Bill, and swing it so Skelton'll know it's
u.s."
As soon as the signal was displayed,
the experienced boatmen could tell by
the sounds that reached them that the
steamer was slowing down.
"It's all right" said the pilot. Stand
by for her lines. And you fellows get
ready to roust 100 bushels abroad of her
lively"
Gurus, a 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 hor, or p'raps she's
Yank and the secesh wouldn't sell it to
her." returned another of the crew.
"You can't tell how it is in these times"
1t did not take long to secure the haw
sers, and the big steamer and the broad
horn floated ON down the river side by
side.
When the boatmen saw the negro crew
of the Sandusky pass them with filled
baskets and dump them on their own
pile, they came to the conclusion that
either feathers, the pilot, or the captain
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.
feathers 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, if 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
em 'Pittsburg coal, but after that, mind
you, it's Kentucky, for we've just taken
some out o. the Sandusky."
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.
''If you know when you're we'll off,
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 it and chuck you fellows overheard
to the catfish"
II hope things amt quite so bad as
that" returned feathers.
''If they're not now they will be before
you get 200 miles further.
BY this time the man in the skiff was
so far astern that his voice could scarcely
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 revol-
vers.
"Where are 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 standing on
warn't mined in Kentuck, you may hang
Jack feathers to any tree on the bank,
retorted the pilot.
"Ah, feathers, 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 ont to the shore. And you, feathers,
order your crew to the oars. You must
make a landing at Vicksburg. All, ha,
this lot of Yankee coal is just what the
boys are in need Of"
81 tell you," persisted the pilot, eve
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 the warping line. In passing
among his own crew he whispered:
"Look here, if those fellows take us to
Vicksburg every one of us will hang be-
fore daylight. 1t seems to me mighty
cowardly to allow half a dozen men,
though they are armed, to capture thirty
big fellows like u.s."
A low growl was the response, but il
meant volumes.
"Pay oat! Pay outl" shouted the sol
diers in the boat.
"All right" returned the second pilot.
''Pull away, you're getting it now
Eastern you can take it, Though IN
reality Brown was holding onto the rope
until he could secure piece of timber to
it, to mislead the would be captors and
induce them to think they were towing a
hawser. Then he cut the line and noise.
lessly dropped the log of wood into the
water.
In the darkness the four southerners
who were gathered about the indignant
pilot, could not see what was going on
nor did they realize any change in the
situation until they felt their arms
pinioned to their sides and heavy hands
placed over their mouths.
"What does this mean" questioned
feathers.
Means" replied the intrepid Brown
'that we don't propose to make land.
ing at Vicksburg, that's ALL"
"Its bold stroke, but perhaps the
best one," replied feathers. Secure
them firmly until we get by the city. II
won't take half an hour to leave the
| lights behind. Where are the two
rascals that went off in the skiff?'
Towing log of wood ashore to Sc
cure it to the bank" answered Brown,
with chuckle.
All eyes were now strained to detect
| g a al ,nr Il ul