The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-05-28

| AudO u Cno CrOllDl6 on tn6 wafer, says
Capt. Maude. when things happen they
happen so quick. There Is no time for
second thought. hope those three tugs
don't all whistle to me at once
| One veered far to starboard. That
cut 1t out. Two we're coming straight at
the Ulrich. One whistled port side.
Capt. Maude replied "To starboard" with
her whistle.
Instantly the signal followed from the
other tug. She went to starboard. They
opened way and the Major passed be-
tween.
1t sounds very simple, but one little
blunder in signals, one instant's delibera-
ton on the part Of the girl pilot as to what
to do, would have meant a collision.
Il have to be so careful, because will
| get sued If blunder,' she explained. A
tug has no rights that anybody is bound
to respect. She must get out Of the way
of everybody. :
But that is not all. If I get mixed up
with any other boat they will say 1t is all
my fault and they will surely sue me be-
cause I am a girl. The men are always
against a woman. Ihave to be so careful.
"Chief, there is the Revirea," she called
to her engineer, pointing to big white
yacht riding at anchor in the bay. Maybe
she wants water. We will see.'
She sent the Ulrich circlng brdlike
around the yacht, keeping a respectful
distance.
"You don't dare to 60 too close she ex-
planned. IF You put one little scratch
as long as your finger on one Of their yachts
they will tell you what they think OF you
in language that Ia something awful.
Il always give them back bit Of my
mind. 4 let them see, quick, that l will
not take any impudence. If did not talk
to them the way they talk to me they would
think was no good at all.
-One just has to treat, them as they treat
you, to live at all. l don't mind their
language half SO much as the fact that il
they get angry they won't give me any
moro business. One scratch, and never a
gallon Of water would / SELL
At this instant the Ulrich swung around
the bow of the yacht ready to round the
other side, and her captain discovered that
she was steaming straight at another tug
that was towing four fishing steamers.
"God!' CALCULATED the little captain be-
tween her shut teeth.
She had learned more than how to pilot
| a. vessel WHuo oLl ucl =" 'uS' obN
stron1t language alone seemed to At at this
! critical moment. At the same instant
Can't. Maude pulled the jingle "full speed
ahead" 80 hard that the big screw hold
| ing it snapped of. putting it out OF COM
mission.
= The little tug, bounded forward, cutting
the water angrily, and cleared the bow OF
| the stranger. which in another instant
l l>l th1 nj,
or else have shut her in between the string
Of tows and the yacht So narrow was the
space that in either event the story OF the
day would have been different from this.
After that there was. no more talking to
the pilot unless there was not boat any
where in sight, and all took good care to
keep a lookout in every direction.
The Revirea did not want water Capt.
Naude was gloomy over the prospect for
the day. I'll not pay my expenses. 1t
costs $40 day to keep the tug in commits
sion,' she said.
Up and down and around she steamed
looking for trade. She went into Tebo's
yacht basin and gingerly across tha black
waters Of Red Hook Flats, because there
it is possible to run aground If the tide is
not high. Then into narrow Gowanus
J Creek. alive with craft Of all kinds, narrow
tortuous, hard to get into. harder to get
| out Of.
The supply Of water was short, SO water
| was taken on. Capt. Maude threw her
ropes. both bow and stern, pulled like
man until che swung the tug into place
and then frightened and made them fast
Young fellow awkwardly volunteered
/ to help to make fast one rope. She ao-
cepted the favor gracefully. and quickly
/ ali his comrades on the canal boat lying
beside the tug Knocked and jeered at him.
| For he had helped the woman captain.
and IL she intended to do a mans work
! it was right and proper to let her do it,
| thew said. He oh ased the bunch OF jeering
| men to cover with the bushy end OF
| broom
Capt. Ma,lde tried to appear asst she did
not see the bit OF by-play. but her cheeks
burned with anger, Plucky always. she
! wants to be treated as man. To be COM
PEELED always to feel that she is a woman
| fills her with rage.
| Il just hate men sometimes she de-
clared wrathfully. and then turned to help
with the hose.
While IS, 900 gallons of water was pumped
| into the hold she stood on the throbbing
hose to prevent 1t from jumping out Of
the hole in the deck; stood until she was
trembling, and at last had to kneel and hold
It in place with her hands. 1t was the
work Of a strong man.
Looking on were the men of the pumping
station and the sailors Of the nearby boats.
Some sneered, some laughed. But in the
end there was genuine admiration for the
| phlcky girl in their eyes.
| . Water was taken aboard, she was again
| at the wheel. and 20 skilfully as to win
! pleased smiles from the sailors. She
! backed. turned, kept out Of the way OF
another tug and got out Of the dangerous
| little corner at the pumping station.
Erie Basin the hospital for sick and dis
; abled craft, was the next point visited.
| Around in it she steamed, sometimes ask
ing if water was wanted when passing
Yachts. Always the reply was the same.
| Nothing was needed.
She climbed up the piling Of one Of the
! piers like cat and started along its length.
| looking for trade. Next she crossed the
basin and took on two tons of coal, Again
che proved that, slight as she vac. her
| muscle was that of a man.
Il cannot afford deckhand.' she e1-