Year: 1865

Many years ago, when was so small q boy
as hardly to recollect it now, my brother and
myself were placed on board one of the st.


Lawrence River steamers as cabin-boys and
walters. with a view to become pilots when we
were older. That was nearly fifty years ago
and boats were not fitted up in the style they
are now, nor were good pilots q thing to be
found every day We had run up and down
several times, when one morning about ten
o'clock, We stopped at Brockville to take on
board, as usual, Government pilot to guide
us down the river. i''


It was late in the season, and we had
strong wind the night before, leaving the river
rough, and our usual pilot had hard work to
keep the boat in its proper trace, while it
brought us into Brockville two hours later than
the usual time. The clouds overhead still
looked cold, and the wind blew fresh and
strong, when, making all possible haste, we
again put out of the harbor, and were soon
bounding on our way. Throughout the morn
ing / noticed an anxious look on the Cap
tain's face, which bespoke his uneasiness
about the final termination Of our journey.
We had good many passengers on board,
and although we usually reached Montreal by
four o'clock in the afternoon, we should be
delayed till six, If not later About ten miles
this side of Lachine q storm of rain COM
menced, which rendered it almost impossible
| to guide the boat at all while the rapids Of
that name, the most terrific in the whole river


were yet to be passed The pilot was one of
the best on the route, but q man Of passionate
temper, with peculiar .dogged look. Be-
tween him and the ordinary boat pilot there
existed an old grudge, which once or twice
led to blows, when they came in contact with
each other. That morning, when passing one
Of the higher falls, they stood together at the
Wheel when, owing to the strong current OF
the water. and the almost exhausted strength
of him who had guided us all the night one
spoke of the wheel slipped from his hands, and


nearly caused an accident OF pretty serious 5


nature. This annoyed his companion, and
hard words passed between them, since which
time sullen silence had been preserved.


When about two miles above the Lachine
rapids some Of the rigging aloft gave way, and
the night pilot mounted the upper deck with
ladder and attempted to make it fast The
wind blew fiercely, and while exerting al! his
strength to stay the mischief, he lost his hold
and fell, the ladder coming down directly
upon the head of our Government aid, wound
ling him pretty severely. 70 Notpausing to look


at the mischief, he seized the unfortunate man,
and, with almost superhuman strength, lifted
i him above the boat railing The other quickly
guessed his meaning, and winding his arms


around the neck of his companion, they fell
together in the boiling food below. We low
cred the life boats as quickly as possible
ropes were thrown"out and every effort put
forth to save thern--but in vain. They rise
10 the surface Of the water still locked in each
others arms, and then sank from our view
forever n .ldi ram @ Wvl pBSciiG'9
i h The boat now rapidly rushed on, coming


near the frightfM rapids, while terror-struch


faces were around us, atthe thought that nc
fmasterihand was near to guide usl through the
rldafk passage below. The scene which we had
lust been called To witness only made our sit
luation more terrific, while Wild and fearful
eyes around US bespoke the agonizing aPpre


heusion of thepassengers and crew as we wen,


plunging madly to destruction, scarcely hal


a. mile from the gulf whose dashing wayeswt
lcould distinctly hear, The Captain hat
frankly told us of his inability to guide u
Through the, perilous passage while deck


gangway, and cabin were filed with men, wo
men and children, some of whom were pray
J ing, some weeping, others intensely crazy


with an agony too intense for utterance.-
Women eagerly clutched their children, ant
husbands pressed their wives to their bosom'
with only the. hope of dying together. Th'


Captain stood at the wheel, assisted by one
the passengers, vaihly endeavoring to hole
Tout to the last, and guide her till every etfor
lshould prove fruidess, while, with strained
leyes and looks Of despair, they gazed through
the almost binding storm upon the cragg,
rocks, Lifting high their gray, bare heads ou
Of the water; and upon which they expected
I every moment to be dashed to pieces.


Just as frenzy bad begun to calm down int


sober, earnest preparation forthe doom whicl


awaited them, there came out of the stat
/ room fair young creature, over whose hea'
scarce sixteen summers had passed Sh,