The Democratic Pioneer

Jim Girty's Beef Story

The following story was obtained by the editor from one of the crew. It took Jim Girty to hook beef in Keel boat times

On a trip up the Tennessee river, Jim and his crew got out of meat. They could not think it fair play to be without meat in a cane country where there were so many fat cattle.

So as usual. they selected the best and fattest beef they could find. They obtained one that would weigh about 700 pounds. They dressed it neatly and took it on board.

About three hours afterwards, fourteen men came rushing down to the boat with rifles, charging Jim with having stolen a beef.

Jim did not show fight. The crew paid no attention to what was going on,—some were sitting on the running boards, with their feet dangling in the water—several were lying upon deck on blankets—every one seemed dull and stupified, Jim was seated on the bow of the boat, his head resting on his hand, when again assailed.

I say your men have been stealing the best beef in all these parts.'

There must be some mistake,' said Jim very quietly.

You lie your men were seen skinning it.'

There is some strangers about may be, said Jim;

Yes, yes, we know there is strangers here on this very boat, they have the beef on board, and we will have it off.'

'The boat is open, go look for yourselves gentlemen, but you will find a mistake certain—but satisfy yourselves gentlemen on that head.

That we will, in an instant more have the beef.'

So at it they went, first having placed three men as a guard, to see that the crew did not play some trick. The others made a search by rolling and re-rolling every- thing in the boat and still no beef was found. One fellow declared, that they had left no place unsearched where the four quarters of a cat could be laid, let alone a big ox.

The same gravity was preserved by Jim he wished the gentlemen to be satisfied.

The fact was while the crew were skinning the beef, one of them discovered a man watching them, from behind a tree. They took no notice of it, but when they came to the boat, they told Jim they were caught.

He scratched his head awhile, and then prepared for just such a visit as he received

He placed the four quarters of the beef on the deck of the boat and spread the hide over them, on this he spread all the blankets, and four men lay down on these blankets. Jim, as before stated, was on the bow of the boat, continually wishing the gentlemen to be satisfied, but they would find a mistake certain.' 'Look about and be satisfied, but there is one thing I must ask of you, not to disturb them there sick men—we buried two yesterday, with the small pox, and them there four men are very sick, very sick indeed, gentlemen, and I must beg of you not to disturb them, it is always the worst thing you can do to disturb a sick man, especially if he be near his last; it kinds of makes the blood fly to the head to be disturbed' &c. &c. But long before he had closed his speech he had no listeners.

If ever there were pale faces, fallen jaws, and ghastly looks among a set of men, it was about that time and place—they moved off without speaking a word. Jim got clear of his visitors and kept the beef.—

Western Boatman.