The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-03-15
JIM'S LUCKY DIVE.

JIM'S LUCKY DIVE.
A large pair of heayily-laden coal
boats, or @broadhorns," as they were
termed, swept out of the Ohio and,
catching the current of the mighty
Mississippi, began the second stage of
the journey to New Orleans.
The numbering, cumbrous craft had
come all the way from Pittsburg un-
der the command of Joe Trick, most
skillful pilot. These coal boats were
peculiarly 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 one-inch pine
board, carefully selected, and any piece
was rejected. No nails were used in
putting the timbers together, but
wooden pins were called for.
Those frail vessels were loaded deep
with coal from the mines, then two
were lashed together side by side, and,
with crew of thirty-five 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 steer
ing oar in hand, guiding his broad
horn on its way. Beside him was a
lad about 16 years of age, a handsome,
intelligent-looking boy, who seemed to
be wrapped in wonder and admiration
at the sublimity of the scene that
stretched out before him.
"WeH, Jimmy, my son, we're on the
old Mississippi once more. Let me
see; this is the third time for you, isn't
it?"
"Yes, uncle, you know you have
taken me twice yourself to New Or
leans"
"That's 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
was pilot long before I was born.
But, look, yonder comes high-pres-
sure boat up stream," and Jimmy
pointed to a dense cloud of smoke
which was pouring out of the double
stacks of large steamer that was ap-
preaching.
"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 L 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,
Il, l.
fish 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
distanceP" 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 Will
Jams, 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 a hoss that don't
frighten so easily. I 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 on the bank, and then
he'll have to take to coal-boatlng him.
self, like the rest of us.
By this time the steamer was within
few yards of our friend, when she
was seen to change her course frac-
ton.
"There, boy. didn't tell youp Jack
Williams has starb'ed his helm, think
ing to raise our hair" Then in loud
voice, which could have been heard
from one side of the river to the other,
Joe called:
"Hulloa, Williams! Up to your old
tricks againP I reckon you wouldn't
have taken the trouble of changing
your course if you'd a 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 tht
bank. There's room enough on the
stream for two such fellows as you anC
L"
AS Trick was about to answer,
shrill scream was heard, issuing iron
the after part of the steamer, and th,
same instant child was seen to fal
from the rail of the hurricane deck t.
the water.
In second Jimmy, the boy boat
man, sprang across the coal until b
reached the edge of the broadhorn, an
then plunged head foremost into tn
muddy current.
The heavy boats were drifting full
five miles an hour, while the steame
had been making equally good tim
up against the stream; consequently
when the brave lad reached the littl
girl his own craft as we'll as the Rive
Queen were some distance away.
Joe Trick was almost as quick to &C
as his nephew. Calling to the "secon
pilot" to take the steering oar, b
picked up the little skiff that is alway
carried on top of the coal, launched il
and, seating himself upon the thwar
held it in position until the escue
and his burden drifted down with
his reach.
Extending his hand, Joe seized tn
child and drew it into the boat, sayin
to Jimmy as he did SO:
lou get nolo oI Ino SCeIu anu nai Il
on there until can pull down to th
broadhorn. You won't get any wette
than you are now, and there's no dar
ger of the eels a-nibbling at you
toes"
"All right, Uncle Joe. Don't bottle
about me. / can overhaul the boa
before you now" and the boy, stril
ing out vigorously, actually did leay
the skiff behind in the race down tt
river.
When the broadhorn was reache
the little maiden, in her dripping ga
. ments, was lifted carefully and depo
tied ON q blanket, which some though