Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-07
A GOOD STORY IF TRUE,

AND WELL TOLD, II NOT TRUE.
The story of the man of his Maiesty's
list regiment, falling over board from
the Chambly eam-boat, between Long
point and Montreal and so miraculously
appearing on the beach before his com
rades had disembarked, reminded me of
circumstance that occurred during my
servitudc on board the Dolphin man-of-
war, bound to the West-Indies. We
were going at the rate of three knots and
half an hour, when Tom Cardboard,
belonging to the foretop, (who by the
by was bit ola wag) sleeping in the
fore chains by sudden lurch ofthe ship
was thrown overheard.
4 man overheard was the general
cry fore and aft-and every one ran to
offer or give assistance to the drowning
man!
Tom, who was a tolerably good swim
mer as every body thought, but moth.
ing extraordinary, awoke on finding
himself i'll deep water, and began to use
his paddles-and the ship passing ahead
as was saying before, at the rate of
three knots and half, Tom was soon
lost sight Ofunder the counter, (for al
though our ship was not OH Sir Robert
Steppings plan, yet she was pretty full
abaft,) when Tom was lucky enough 20
get hold OF the rudder chains. The
hands all ran aft expecting to see Tom
astern, and to lower the jolly boat to
pick him up but no Tom was to be
seen. Hes gone," said they, "to Da-
vy's Locker" and efforts ceased.
Our ship was very deep, bound out to
the West-lndies; consequently our gun
room ports were low in the water
This Tom saw, and as it was getting
dark he thought he would wait till they
beat to quarters and piped the hammoScls
down, before he got on board, which he
did. and then popped into the lady 8 hold
(where the gunner keeps his wads and
spare monkeys tails) and there remain
ed till the'middle of the first watch, when
he sailed forth and made free with our
bread bags, taking enough to serve him
for three days.
At the end ofthis Sine we were Jog
ging along at an easy rate, with scarce
ly any wind-about lnot-whcn mas
ter Tom, unobserved, slips out of the
port he came in at, and dropping astern,
began to hail the ship.-The Dolphin
ahoy = Halo, says the quartermaster,
who was about getting pull on the
main brace. Says Tom, if you don't
take back the main sail and heave TO, |
shall sink, for no man can swim to the
WeSi-indies without provisions.
Every body ran aft in amazement, for
1T had been blowing fresh during the
time,-but there was no time to be lost.
SO the boat was lowered, and poor Tom
was picked up, to the great satisfaction
and astogishment Of every body on
board.
On our arrival, as the captain was on
shore, dining with the Governor, the
talk turned upon swimming. The Gov
ernor was extolling the powers of a black
man he had, and the captain declared
that no man could swim with Tom Gar
board, Of the Dolphins foretop how
ever, to make long story short, the
captain and the Governor made very
heavy bet-the time was appointed
Tom asked one week to get ready.
The carpenters were ordered TO make
what chest and conyeniences Tom re-
CURED. The purser was instructed, at
his request, to supply fortnighfs pro-
visions. The day came, and Tom went
on shore at the wharf appointed, when
nc began to stow his grub. The blacl,
fellow looked at him with establishment.
w nat you do DER massa = saws he
w nat am doing here, saws Tom.
why | am taking in my provisions to
be sure, and advise you TO do The same
for not bit of this do you get on the
road Why massa, SAYS The nero
me no swim more nine or ten miles
Says Tom, as ifin amazement AZ the short
distance, why man, AIN going 70 70
bago which ! believe Is two bupdred
miles, and shan't be- back for a fort
night.
The spectators were astonishcd-tbe
black refused TO swim--the Governor
lost his wager and it was not until we
were homeward bound, that Tom told
the secret.-NoatrenJ Her0Id.
-aNSr-
Agood OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES GEORGE
coleman being once told that a. man,