became acquainted with
many of the hardy "buck-tail" boys who piloted the huge rafts down the
river. His knowledge of the different bars that were formed by the
bridge piers was utilized, and often proved of great assistance to
his friends, the raftsmen. One day, he boarded a raft, the captain of
which was evidently a stranger to the channel in the vicinity of
Pittsburgh, and Paul saw that it was certain to run aground. He told the
captain and was so earnest in his manner, the course was ordered
changed. Less than 500 yards further down, the ugly bar showed up not
five feet from the side of the raft, as it went gliding by. The
raftsman insisted on keeping the little fellow by his side until he
was safely moored to the Pittsburgh shore; then as a reward for his
services, presented Paul with a little flat boat about twelve feet
long by five feet wide and ordered two of the crew to tow it with a
skiff to the Alleghany side.

The generous present was most joyfully and thankfully received, for
Paul's sole and only ambition for a long time had been to own a boat.
As the two sturdy oarsmen with the boat in tow, neared the Alleghany
shore, Paul stood erect in the stern, his eyes shining with triumph
and satisfaction, and loudly hailed his playmates to come and see his
prize. It is safe to say, that no commander of a vessel, ever viewed
his craft with more pride, than Paul did his little flat-bottom boat. He
named her "Gray Eagle." He was ever tired of overhauling, scrubbing
and cleaning her. All the money realized by the capture of drift-wood,
was devoted to the purchase of paint. He selected and shipped a crew
from among his playmates. They were soon able to drive her where they
liked upon the river with long poles and paddles, and many a successful
battle royal was fought with their old enemies across the river, the
Pittsburgh boys. The "Gray Eagle" was generally half loaded with
nice, round stones that served as 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 hasti