The Washington herald., 1909-06-27

Lee had missed a trip-laid I'D for re-
pairs, the shipping news had it-but the
very air OF the river was surcharged with
excitement when We laid down the river
We knew Capt Cannon was waiting for
US. and at every landing crowds be
sieged the levecs. waiting for Us with
words OF encouragement, OF offers to bet
US anything from six bits 10 a thousand
dollars that the 'Gineral, as the Lee was
lovingly called by her partisans. would
beat US anywhere frocs an hour 10 a day
on the. trip up.
AT Memphis Capt Leathers had a
broom nailed on the nose Of the Natchez
and one on each wheelhouse. got out all
his bunting and notified all hands that
II was a pretty good time for any one
with a yellow streak TO 20 ashore and
stay there. as he was going to put the
safety valve out of commission coming
back. Instead. all hands drew what was
coming 70 them from the pnrser and
placed the money in the hands Of the
local agent Of the company 20 bet on the
result
AT vicl,sburg we took on passengers
for a trip down and back. while others
got on at Natehez for a trip to Sin-Loo.
via the old town. These we're the
sporty boys who liked excitement and
cared very little about the attendant
danger.
We got to New Orleans on June %.
early in the morning There was the
Lee awaiting US, steam up. and riding
high in the water. When this was re-
ported TO Capt. Leathers. that grim old
fellow declared that he didn't care
whether Cannon went up the river light
or laden, he was going 10 take the Nat
chez up with expenses in her holds and
on deck, and as much profit in her cabins
as was represented by the fare OF the
passengers who were game enough to
take a chance.
1t was busy day. Stevedore. roust-
about deckhand. mate-everybody rushed
TO get or the down freight. The Natchez
was bare by nightfall, and the engineers
and fremen. augmented by a machinist
or two, overhauled her machinery. Fires
were drawn and CRATE bars cleaned bv
midnight; the boilers were emitted and
scaled and the accumulated stores Of
emergency fuel were overhauled and the
fires relighted.
by daybTeak we were in shane IN re-
eeive and stow freight. the shipping OF
which commenced at S o'clock All
was excitement on the levee. and great
crowds assembled. The Picayune was
full OF news OF the forthcoming contest
and the hundreds Of lOttery-policv Off
GERS were taking bets on the outcome
with the Lee a prime favorite in the
odds. The sure-thing gamblers OF that
town were in the know Capt. Leathers'
determination 10 handle his freight on
the trip was a matter OF public knovl-
edge, while the policy people knew that
Capt. Cannon was going I'd stripped 70
the waist. without an ounce OF legitimate
freight, and was refusing way passen-
gers.
"At 8 o'clock Capt Cannon sent Can't.
Leathers word that he was going 10 san
at 4:45. and would the latter mind pick
ing up any freight or passengers the
Lee would leave behind? Capt. Iaathers
responded that he thought somewhat OF
sailing about that time himself. II he
had finished loading, but that he was
sorry he would not be able 10 pick up
such freight and passengers as the Lee
may leave behind, as he really didn't
think he'd be in position to do that serv-
Ice for his esteemed friend: and besides.
he had an engagement at St Louis al
noon on July L. Moreover, he expressed
some concern that Capt. Cannon had
been unable TO get any freight for the
up trip, and II Capt. Cannon was afraid
10 take his boat up the river top-heavy.
he Capt Leathers) would transfer a
few tons OF freight to the Lee to help
hat boat trim itself for a trying occa-
sion.
TO this retort courteous Capt. Can
ION answered by a series Of long blasts
rom the Lees whistle. followed by short
blasts broken up to simulate laughter.
Capt. Leathers was rot wasting steam.
20 he just gave the one short blast.
which In steam-whistle language slgni-
led Go ahead; your signal Is understood
1T was $40 when the warning blast
vas blown by the Natchez 10 her belated
Messengers that they should get aboard. |
AZ 4:4 the Lee swung into the stream. /
Ter band playing Dixie and her crew
md passengers lined up on the star
BOARD rail. yelling Ike all possessed. |
Three minutes later We trailed In her
gaSe, and the racs was On.
I'VE had 2 falr amount OF freight /
board. two-thirds Of a full cargo, but |