The Republican journal., 1905-06-15
Uncle Siah Becomes a Pilot

summer toll on the ocean wave. Some
ten OF more fishermen were in the lazy
seat in Harris store, at Cundy's Har-
Dor. Each was telling what craft they
thought to go in, some preferring one
captain, some another.
One young man, they called him
Enoch Johnston, had said nothing.
Some one asked him, "What craft are
YOU going in?" and he said: ''Abner
Harris Everyone called him ABB, is
going to buy an Old pinkey down east
somewhere and he said l might have
her to go in, but she is so out of date
I'm afraid | can't get good crew, for
all the best men will want to get on
board the Robert & Carr, or the Angie
Watson, or some of the other new YES
sells, and | will be obliged to take those
who are left"
The term "pinkey' was the usual
build of fifty OF more years ago. The
stern was more pointed than the bows
and rose some six feet above the deck.
The main boom fitting or resting, (when
the mainsail was lowered), on this pink
made the craft resemble one of those
fan-tailed doves.
Someone asked, whats the name of
the old pink, ABB"
Her name is the Devil Fish, but l
don't like it: don't think it will bring
good luck: will have to change it,
guess
GLOW does she look"
"Well she's no beauty, but she is
sound and strong. Why the man l
bought her of tried to show me how
solid her timbers were, and it seemed
like cutting onto to lron--broke his
new axe all to pieces"
The next day she arrived ard every
one was on hand to inspect her. Our
old friend Woodbury. was looking on
and he asked, Going to change her
name, ABB"
Alb said he didn't believe in calling
vessel Devil Fish. Woodbury. said it
resembled pollywog more than a devil
fish and he advised him to call it polly
wog. No one gets mad at Cundys and
everyone speaks his mind.
The young man who was going skip
per said he wanted to 60 on Georges
banks, but he wasn't acquainted. Wood
bury told him he better get Uncle Siah
Most likely he is the best pilot you
could get"
He asked Alb and he said that Uncle
Siah was an awful good man, but he
didn't know how much he knew about
the great Georges shoal.
As no other person seemed disposed
to 60 Harris took the young skipper
and drove up to Uncle Siah's. 1t was
almost night and Uncle Siah and Aman-
da were doing the farm work for night,
for she was a great hand to help out of
doors. Harris asked Sah if he was used
to fishing on Georges banks in his
young days, and Siah allowed he used
to know every inch of the shoal: said
he had been there sometimes when he
had wished himself at home with just
a crust of bread. Harris introduced
the young skipper and said, He wants
to 60 on Georges and | want you to 60
as sort of pilot Don't expect you to do
much work. Enoch is a good fellow
and he's all right. Suppose you can
take tie sun, can't you Uncle Siah?"
Yes, | used to; 'spose it will come
kinder odd at first for | haint been on
vessel for good many years. Then,
don't know as | could leave for Amanda
can't do all the work. Perhaps Uncle
John will help. | see him coming.
John, Mr.. Harris wants me to go on
Georges banks as sort OF pilot, or sail
ing master. Who knows perhaps if |
do we'll Roosevelt Will take me on one
% INC new bdttleeutpo, anu ditel "a
while ii | done WELL | would be JytNred
on half pay. Wouldn't that be n good
scheme y manda:" Fl
time she replied.
Amanda said she could get along
with Johns help. so SlaM told Harris
ne would 90 and do IKE best he could
The next morning Sftah took down his
old marine compass and commenced to
study it carefully. Amanda asked
'What are yo,u looking at that old
compass for
II am trying to see if | can box it, -
said san.
=" There is a box up stairs will do, :"
said Amanda.
Siah replied There are some things
you don't know, and this is one. To
box the compass is a nautical term, and
means calling the point of the compass
beginning at north and going clear
around"n He tried several times and
failed, making sad tumble. One time
he had it southeast by sou'west. He
tried again, beginning at north, and
managed to complete the circuit, and
said, there, guess now can be exam
ined.'
He drove down to Harris store in a
day or two and looked the old schooner
over They took her on shore to clean
her bottom. Siah helped and he said
Lets give her bottom good ileing
We want to move right along when we
once get started. The next day the
stores were put on board, plenty of sal
and hand lines, for Siah said he didn't
believe in travis.
In two days everything was ready.
Siah said he hoped the wind would be
to the north, so he could run by course,
instead of taking the sun. Siah had
bedding and two or three changes of
clothes made ready, and the next morn
ing Amanda carried him down to the
Harbor. She seemed more anxious
than usual and said, II wish you wasn't
going Siah. We can live without your
exposing your life on that terrible
shoal." She said she knew she hadn't
always been meek as lamb, and hoped
he would forgive her part of her fail
ings.
The new skipper had hoisted his sails
so taut he had parted some of the hal
yards and new ones must be rove off.
Harris put on board several coils of
rope, in case of parting, and as they
sailed out of the harbor he stood on the
wharf swinging his hat and sang out,
three cheers for the old Devil FISH
something unusual for him.