Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-08-17
cut the llne ana nolselessly cropped tne

cut the line ana nolsefessly dropped the
log of wood into the water.
In the darkness the four southerners,
who We're gathered about the indignant
pilot, could not see what was going or,
nor did they realize any change in the
situation until they felt their arms pin
ioned to their sides and heavy hands
placed over their mouths.
"What does this mean?' questioned
Leathers.
Means" replied the intrepid Brown,
that we don't propose to make land
ing at Vicksburg, that's ALL
''It's a bold stroke, but perhaps the
best one," replied Leathers. Secure
them firmly until we get by tho city. II
won't take half an hour to leave the
lights behind. Where arc the two ra5-
calls that went off in the skiffY'
Towing Il log of wood ashore TO Sc
cure it to the bank" answered Brown.
with chuc!1le.
All eyes were now strained to detect
the presence of another guardboat
should one be abroad upon the river.
but our friends were not molested and
the broadhorn swept by the city where
ere long was to be the scene of carnage
and strife.
As the sun arose the coalboats were
we'll down in the sparsely settled coun-
try, and Leathers, having secured the
soldiers weapons, ordered them to be
released and invited them to join him at
breakfast.
What are you going to do with us!'
demanded the officer, as soon as he re-
covered speech.
'.Set you adrift in ore of my skiffs
when you have finished eating," was
the cool reply.
you'll be made to suffer for this, be-
lieve me, Leathers."
"Oh, reckon not. My instructions
were to take this coal south as quickly
as possible, and not to site up" or allow
myself to be stopped under any circum-
stances. And l judge the officer who
is looking for this cargo is little bit
higher up than you are, my friend"
But where are you taking it?'
"Theres another of my instructions.
Not to tell soul OH the river to whom
it is consigned. So if you have finished
your repast you may climb into the skiff
and go back to Vicksburg. It'll be a
hard pull, know, but it is your own
fault. You should have taken my word
and not made the attempt to retard my
progress"
In surly mood the soldiers took their
seats in the boat, and without respond
ing to the pilots farewell started on
good ten mile, row against the strong
current of the Mississippi.
When they were we'll out of hearing
Leathcrs grasped the hand Of his as
sIsUanJ ana sal0:
Brown, you did well, and if we reach
New Orleans all right you shall have a
hundred dollars for last nights work, if
have to pay it myself"
.'Oh, we'll be sure to get there safe
now. tell you the way reason. Vicks-
burg is the principal upper guard sta
ton, and having run the gantlet there
successfully there is but little danger of
being stopped further down."
''Yes, but those fellows will report us
as soon as they get ashore, set the tele-
graph at work and We'll be caught
again"
II don't think so. They'll be ashamed
to acknowledge that six armed men al
lowed coalboat to slip by them"
Browns reasoning proved correct, and
our friends met with no further trouble,
hat delivered the coal in safety at New
Orleans.
Although secesh sentiments ran high
in the Crescent City, the boatmen found
no difficulty in securing passes to return
10 their homes, and in just eight weeks
from the time they left home Jack
Leathers, the pilot, and Bill Brown, his
assistant, were back in Pittsburg with a
round sum Of money in their pockets,
earned by running cargo of Yankee
coal to New Orleans. .-Marlton Dow ming
III Yankee Blade.