The Story of Paul Boyton | Page 3

ammunition.
The "Eagle" would be carefully poled up the Alleghany shore against
the current, then headed out and vigorously paddled towards the
Pittsburgh side. Nearing the enemies' headquarters a skirmish would be
opened by a shower of stones sent into their ranks. If the Pittsburghers
were not sufficiently numerous to repel the invasion, the "Gray Eagle"

was landed. The majority of the crew pursued the flying enemy up the
back streets, while the balance remained and hastily loaded up the best
of the driftwood from the piles gathered by their antagonists. When
their cargo was secured, the skirmishers were called in. All leaped
aboard, and the "Eagle" headed for Alleghany, where the wood was
carefully stored, far beyond the reach of a probable invasion by the
Pittsburghers.
About this time a new enterprise opened for the commander and crew
of the "Gray Eagle." The city commenced to pave the streets with large
round stones called "Pavers," many of which were found in pockets at
the bottom of the river. One day a contractor met Paul on the bank and
said:
"Say, son, could not you boys gather a lot of pavers? I will buy them
from you and give you thirty cents per hundred."
The offer was eagerly accepted. Next day the "Eagle" was anchored
with a piece of rail-road iron, over a pocket, and the crew engaged in
diving through the transparent water to the bottom, where they would
gather one or two pavers, return to the top, and drop them into the boat.
Paul had much difficulty in teaching his companions to keep their eyes
open while under water. This occupation was pursued with varying
success during the summer months of '59. The contractor came down
every week to cart the "pavers" away; and many a dispute the boys had
with him over the count. The dispute was generally decided by the carts
driving off, and the contractor paying whatever he pleased. The boys
discovered a rich pocket right near the old Aqueduct bridge. They
worked it enthusiastically and were loath to leave such a find, until they
had overloaded the Eagle. When all the divers climbed aboard, the
additional weight almost swamped her. The strongest swimmers were
compelled to go overboard and resting their hands gently on the
gunwale, they propelled her by swimming toward the shore. They had
not proceeded far when the bottom of the well-worn "Eagle" fell out
and the cargo disappeared. While the boys hung on to the framework of
their wrecked craft, their enemies across the river observed their
predicament and sallied forth in a skiff to chastise them. The Alleghany

boys swam for their own shore as rapidly as possible. On gaining
shallow water, they faced about on their assailants and a battle was
fought that was long remembered by the inhabitants on both sides of
the river. In the meantime, the wreck of the "Gray Eagle" floated gently
down to the Ohio, where the powerful current caught it and hurried it
off to the southward.
After the loss of the "Eagle" the boys resumed their old sport of
swimming and gathering wood. About this time, owing no doubt to the
complaints of the riverside inhabitants, the city authorities determined
to stop all further rows and displays of nudity. The orders against naked
bathing were strictly enforced by a constable named Sam Long. Before
the boys got thoroughly acquainted with him, he often captured an
offender's clothing, which he detained until the boy came ashore. Then
Sam would escort him to the Mayor's office to receive a stern
reprimand, or his parents would be compelled to pay a small fine. Paul
was never caught, for he was always on the outlook for the watchful
Sam. On the constable's approach he would swim rapidly to his
wardrobe which always lay conveniently close to the water. As it was
neither weighty nor large, he would pile it on his head, tie it with a
string under his chin; then swim swiftly off to the first pier of the
bridge. This was fully fifty yards out in the stream, and here Paul
would sit on the abutment rocks until Sam's patience was worn out and
he would depart. Then Paul would swim leisurely to the shore, dress
himself and go home.
Paul's elder brother, Michael, was a studious sedate boy who took no
pleasure in the sports and adventures of his aquatic brother. But Paul's
glowing descriptions of the pleasures of plunging and paddling in the
cool, clear river, at last induced Michael to join in the watery gambols.
One warm afternoon he accompanied his brother to the riverside. Paul
slipped out of his clothes and was soon disporting himself in the
refreshing water, while he shouted encouraging remarks to his
hesitating brother to follow his