The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-03

is still bitter cold, and No. 2 looks like
a developed iceberg, so thorough
ly coated is she. Presently the lookout
man speaks again:
It's the Majestic" says he.
With the aid of strong glass. the
passenger has just been able to make
out the outlines of a dim something far
ahead. but he cannot tell whether it is
the Majestic or the Volunteer.
''You don't mean to say" says he, half
angrily, that you can make out the
ships name at that distance?''
why, sure" replies the lookout man
with grin.
Then I'll bet you that the steamer,
if it's a steamer at all, which l doubt
I'll bet that it isn't the Majestic says
the passenger, becoming excited.
wait and see, my son, wait and
See" is all that the lookout man says
as he turns again to gaze at the ap
preaching speck.
When the passenger comes on deck af-
ter breakfast, prepared toatriumph over
the lookout man, the latter silently
hands him a glass, through which he
can family make out the gold letters,
sM-a-j-e-s-t-i-c'' on the approaching
steamers PROV.
But you don't mean to tell me that
you could make out her name when
she was scarcely in sight?' asked the
passenger, still incredulous.
sIll admit / fooled you a little on
that" said the lookout man, with a
laugh. II knew from the marks on her
tunnels that she belonged to the Majes-
tics line. and no other of that line was
expected in just now"
That was easy, of course, for the pi-
lot, but it was remarkable enough that
he should have been able to see any
mark at all when the steamer was a
mere dot upon the horizon. Such Won
derful powers of vision are not uncom-
mon among the pilots. Long practice
enables many of these men to see
farther with unaided eyes than an ordi-
nary person can with a glass.
Everybody seems to be in excellent
humor on board on No. this morning,
and the passenger learns that it is be-
cause of their luck in capturing a prize,
for the Atlantic liners are the capital
prizes in the pilots lottery. The man
whose run it was to go on board has
put on a clean white shirt and his best
suit of clothes, for the pilot suits his
apparel to the company he keeps, and it
is necessary to spruce up when he
has to take charge of a passenger ship.
There is always great interest and
some excitement in watching pilot
come aboard a ship at sea. The little
yawl goes dancing up and down over
the great waves until she is under the
lee of the big steamer, where, it seems
more than likely, she will be dashed to
pieces against the vessels side or over
turned by the swell The rope lad
der is let down, and the ships officers
shout themselves hoarse with directions
to the men below Presently the pilot
Jumps from his place, catches the
swinging rope, and in moment is
landed on deck, shaking hands with one
of the ships officers. The little yawl
goes back TO the pilot boat, which con-
times its cruise for perhaps a week
longer before she is manned and at
liberty to return.
Meanwhile the pilot on board the lin
err has a comparatively easy and pleas
ant thing of it, To be sure, grave re-
sponsibilities are upon him, and he may
he held accountable for the loss of lives
and property if he gets the ship into
trouble. but his mind is easy on that
score. For several reasons he has
cause to thank his lucky stars that he
has found so easy berth In the first
place a pilots pay depends upon the
draft Of the vessel The rate fixed by