The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-09-10


had it to the CONSERVATION of those
on shore.
When a semblance Of quiet and Or
der prevailed, old Capt. Buck called
through his horn, "Aye, Sir, AYE,
Sir, what's ahoy.''
"'Wha& kind Of hell's craft have
you there,' came from those on shore.
1.-The Kitty Floyd, bound up stream
from Drury's Bluff Inspection
called out old Buck.
t'Why in the H don't you show
your stern light?"
The old skipper gave a low whis-
tie and said in an excited whisper,
"By the spirit Of old Davy Jones, I
forgot that. Hang out the stern
light" and in moment a CLEAN Of
yellow light shot back over the waters
Of the James.
There had been long talking on
shore, as if not satisfied with the ans
wers they had received, and some one
called back, "No, no, if you wish to
look ait you" No answer being made
to this call, they sent the challenge,
"Come ashore or we will fire into
you.'
At this the girls just shouted, and
called back. "No, no, if you wish to
see US, come aboard.' .
Then the girls all sang a most tan
falizing song, that sounded heavenly,
as it hoated over the water, and it by
moonlight.
"'Tis the witching hour of midnight,
The stream is calm and low, =.
The girls are all awake in their quar-
And the men are all below"
That is the way the girls and those
on shore had it. You can better mag
inc the pranks Of lot Of sauey girls
out on a lark, than I can describe
them.
Dell had been having it out with the
old steersman, who was all the while
tugging at the wheel and cursing ev-
erything in sight, but we kept straight
ahead, notwithstanding the threats
of the guards.
When We reached the landing at
Rockets the old pilot was 50 mad he
ran the nose of the kitty Floyd
against the old wharf with such vio-
lence that it upset all the chairs, set
the bells ringing, and the girls all
fell into the arms Of the boys, just
to keep from falling, you know. The
old skipper gave wild yell Of rage,
"and l the boss Of this boat you -
land lubbers, why" Then he gave a
snort and leaped ashore. "Let me at
him, the -- - oh! I'll stran-
gle him.
But the old pilot was on the ground
ahead Of him. Now the old bargeman
was innocent Of all the deviling, the
pilot had been subjected to by Dell.
Here I am," said the old pilot,
"out Of your d reach, and out Of
the reach of any Of that hells crew
Of passengers. My only regret is
hadn't run the old craft fernent a
torpedo and blew the whole outfit
hellward," then lodged out of sight.
The city guard, those who had hailed
us, put in their appearance, having
followed US up to the landing and de-
manded a reckoning from old Buck.
Now these city guards were young
men. between the ages of sixteen and
eighteen, handsomely uniformed and
patrolled all the larger cities as a po-
lice, generally going in squads Of four
or eight. They we're all nice and con-
scientious boys, but were poison to
the veteran soldier. The girls all
knew these young soldier boys, and
they had their innings with them, they
played them for all they were worth.
When the young guardians of the city
charged old Capt. Buck with running
in contrary to orders, by failing TO
show her rear light, and refusing to
come ashore after being hailed, then
the girls let in.
"Why hello Bud. YOU ran away
from your mamma. didn't you.'
"Well sir. you are brave little eel-