A CUB-PILOT'S EXPERIENCE.

57

the < Paul Jones' and the ships ; and within ten seconds more I was
set aside in disgrace, and Mr. Bixby was going into danger again and
flaying me alive with abuse of my cowardice. I was stung, but I
\Vas obliged to admire the easy, confidence with which my chief loafed
from side to side of his wheel, and trimmed the ships so closely
that disaster seemed ceaselessly imminent. When he had cooled a
little he told me that the easy water was close ashore and the current
outside, and therefore we must hug the bank, up-stream, to get the
benefit of the
former, and stay
well out, down-
stream, to take
advantage of the
latter. In my own
mind I resolved to
be a down-stream
pilot and leave the
up-streaming to
people dead to
prudence.

Now and then
Mr. Bixby called
my attention to
certain things.
Said he, < This is
Six-Mile Point.' I
assented. It was
pleasant enough

information, but I could not see the bearing of it. I was not con-
scious that it was a matter of any interest to me. Another time he
said, * This is Nine-Mile Point.' Later he said, * This is Twelve-
Mile Point.' They were all about level with the water's edge; they
all looked about alike to me; they were monotonously unpicturesque.
I hoped Mr. Bixby would change the subject. But no; he would
crowd up around a point, hugging the shore with affection, and then
say : * The slack water ends here, abreast this bunch of China-trees;
now we cross over.' So he crossed over. He gave me the wheel

4 BESIEGING THE PILOT.'