Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1908-06-13

aboard, keeping him company, that he
should not get respondent and yield
to temptation.
When Ben got back from the voy-
age he promised me he would observe
certain rules l laid down for him to
prevent a return of the thirst, then
hurried to his wife and children, whom
death. He became pilot for the port
where he lived, and his services were
In constant demand at good wages.
He always declared that had saved
him and manifested unbounded graf
itude.
Years passed. One December l was
returning from a long voyage. had
promised my wife that II l made a
successful trip would sell my ship
with the cargo and spend my old age
with her at home. But all l possessed
was in the ship and cargo AS l drew
near port the wind began to blow a
fierce gale from the east, and l feared
that | would not be able to make an
entry. II could get in between the
two tongues of land that formed the
harbor's gateway would be safe. but
to do this | must have a pilot, and,
even once entered, only pilot could
take the ship through the tortuous
channel
When | approached the harbor the
wind was blowing right on shore.
looked about for a pilotboat, but saw
only one, and it was scudding under
jib and foretopsail to get in. con-
cluded to drop anchor and wait. In
fact, it was all could do, for l had
approached too near to the shore.
had no confidence In being able to beat
out in the teeth of the gale, and
feared the anchor wouldn't hold. 1t
did not hold, and | soon saw that we
were drifting ashore. 1t was growing
dark, no succor was at hand, and with
In sight of the haven of rest l had so
long worked for l must see the fruits
Of my labor lost, perhaps our lives.
The shore outline had been infolded
In the gloom when suddenly saw the
head of a man over the gunwale on
the port side. Then came his body.
Then ne jumped down on to the deck.
'Ben Paddock" l exclaimed, where
did you come from?"
He cast glance at the jib futterIng
In the wind and at the foretop.
yelled to the men to get up sufficient
sail for steerage Roadway, and when
the sails were up Ben was at the
wheel. I ordered the anchor let go,
and she came about head on to shore.
My fears allayed, began to wonder
how Ben had got aboard. / was sure
no pilotboat was within miles Of us
or had been before the darkness fell.
But, granting that one had neared US
nnnotlced how could she have sent
us pilot over sea in which no small
boat could have llved1 l was about to
ask Ben for an explanation when
saw that we were about to make the
entrance between the two tongues of
land, and all his attention was con-
centrated on his work. My own atten.
ton, too. was directed to this hazard
Gus entrance. Ben brought the ship
around In a curve-a wonderful bit OF
steersmanship since the vessel was
fairly fiying-and just weathered the
starboard point. For more than a mile
from the points the land on both sides
was low ana the channel serpentine,
There was full sweep for the wind,
and the way was still dangerous. In
deed, would not have believed that
mortal man could keep the ship adoat.
Ben stood calmly at the wheel, intent
on his work, never uttering a sound,
now whlrllng the wheel to port, now
| r..