Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-01-14

Shortly Orde. standing by the wheel
in the piiothouse, could see down the
stretches OF the river crowd OF men
working. antlike.
They've got EN- stopped comment
ed Orde. Look at that gang working
from boatsr'
What do you want me to dog"
asked Captain Marsh
This is a navigable river. isn't ft?'
reDlied Orde run through
The tug headed straight for the
slender line OF booms stretching quite
across the river.
Orde looked at his watch.
wen be late for the mail unless
we hurry said he
Marsh rang the engine room bell.
The water chUrned white behind.
Vat you do? Stop!' cried Heinzman
from a boat.
you're obstructing navigation
yelled Orde. I've got to go to town
to buy a postage stamp"
The prov of the tug accurately
aimed by Marsh. hit square in the
junction of two Of the booms. There
ensued a moment of strain; then the
links snapped, and the Sprite plunged
joyously through the opening. The
booms, swept aside by the current,
f1oated to either shore. The river was
open.
''Slow down, Marsh" said Orde
Lets see the show
Up river all the small boats gathered
in a line, connected one TO the other
20
them the cable attached to the boom.
Evidently the combined efforts of the
rowboatS were counted on to hold the
half boom across the current while the
tug brought out the other half. When
the tug dropped the cable Orde laughed.
Nobody but a Dutchman would
have thought of thatr he cried. "Now
for the fun
Immediately the weight fell on the
small boats they were dragged ire
sistibly backward. Marsh lowered his
telescope. the tears of laughter stream
ing down his face.
They'll have 70 have two tugs be-
fore they can close the break that
way" commented Orde.
'Sure thing" replied Captain Marsh.
But at that moment a black smoke
rolled up over the marshes, and shortly
around the bend from above came the
Lucy Belle.
The Lucy Belle was the main excuse
for calling the river navigable. In ap-
pearance she was two stored, with
twin smokestacks, an iron Indian on
her top and a 'splutter behind paddle
wheel.
There comes his help" saI Orde.
Sure enough, the Lucy Belle stopped.
After short conference she steamed
clumsily over to get hold Of one end
of the booms. The tug took the other.
In time and by dint of much FLASHING,
some collisions and several attempts
the ends of the booms were united.
BY this time. however, nearly all the
logs had escaped. The tug. towing a
string of rowboats, set out in pursuit.
The Lucy Belle turned in toward the
tug.
she's going to speak u.s. marveled
Orde.
Tug ahoy.' beloved a red faced in
dividual from the upper deck. He was
dressed in blue and brass buttons and
was literally festooned with gold braid
and embroidered anchors.
Hello there, commodore! What is
it?" replied Marsh.
They want tug up there at Heinz
mans. Can you go?'
"Surer" cried Marsh, choking.
The Lucy Belle sheered off magnif1
Gently.
what do you think of that?" Marsh
asked Orde.
Head upstream again"
Heinzman saw the Sprite coming
and rowed out frantically. sDlashing
at every stroke and yelling with every
breath.
Don't you go through there! Wait
a minute! Stop. l tell your
Hold up said Orde tc Marsh.
HeinZman rOwed alongside