Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1833-12-12
THE ADVENTUROUS Roy

w hc hiost neart tnrlillng scenes oc
Cured on board the Commodore's yes
sci, that my eyes ever witnessed. In
addition to the usual nppendages of a
ship of war, there was q large and
mschievous monkey on board, named
Jacko, retained for the ships company.
1t was my watch on deck, and having
retired to the side of the vessel, was
musing on the beautiful appearance of
the fleet, when loud and merry laugh
burst upon my ear.
On turning to ascertain the cause OF
such an unusual sound on the frigate's
deck; perceived the Commodore's lit.
tie son, whom the crew nickunmed slit.
tie Bob Stay" standing half way up
the main hatch ladder clapping his
hands, and looking aloft upon some OBJ.
ject that inspired him with deal Of
glee. A single glance explained the
occasion of the merriment. AS Bob
was coming up from the gun deck,
Jacko, the monkey, perceiving him on
the ladder, and dropping suddenly from
the rigging, leaped upon his shoulder.
seized his cap, and running up the
main top-sail sheet, seated himself on
the main yard,
| Here he sat picking the tassels of his
prize to pieces, occasionally scratch-
ing his sides, and chattering as il in ex-
ultation for the success ofhis mischief.
Bob being a srrightly, active fellow,
did not like to loose his cap without an
effortto regain it. Perhaps he was
the more strongly melted to make
chase after Jacko, from observing me
smile at his plight, end hearing the
loud laugh OF Cato, a black man, who
seemed inexpressibly delighted at the
occurrence.
ala, you rascal, JACKIE" said the
black man, shah you no respect for
dc young officer, den to steal his capt
We bring you to de gang. way, you
black niger, and glib you dozen on
de bare back, for n tief." The mon-
key looked down from bis perch, as If
he understood the threat Of the negro,
and chartered sort of defiance in
answer. ella, ha, Massa Bob he say
you must ketch him, fore you fog
him; and tits no easy matter for mid.
shipmen in boots, 10 ketch monkey
! barefoot"
The cheeks Of little Bob looked rcd,
as he cast glance Of offended pride
at Cato; and, springing across the deck
in moment he was half way up the
rigging. The monkey quietly watch
ed his motions, and when nearly up,
suddenly put the cap on his own head,
| and assembled to the top cross-trees,
and quietly seated himself, and resumed
his work Of picking the tassel.
In this manner, the mischievous ami.
NAL succeeded in enticing Bob as high
as the royal-mast- head, when sudden
ly springing on the rigging, he again
descended to the fore-yard, hung the
cap on the studding. sail boom, where,
taking his seat, he raised loud and
exulting chattering. by this time Bob
was completely exhausted; and not
liking to return to the deck to be
laughed at, he sat down on the cross.
| trees.
The spectators prcsuming that the
boy would not follow the monkey, but
descend to the deck, paid no further
attention to them. | also had turned
away, and had been engaged some
minutes, when was suddenly started
BY cry from Cato, exclaiming that
"Massa Bob was on the main truck!
cold shudder ran through my veins,
i IL ~.I xh11 / ~
my eyes up--it was too true.
The adventurous boy, after having
rested little, had climbed the sky-sail
pole, and at the moment of my looking
up, was actually standing on that cir
cular piece Of wood, on the very sum-
nit Of the Hottest mast, at height 80
great that my brain turned DIZZY es
looked up at him.-Therc was nothing
above him, or around him, but empty
space; and beneath him nothing but a
small unstable wheel.
| Dreadful temerity! If he had at.
tempted to stoop, what could he take
hold of to steady his motionl His feet
covered up the small and fearful plat
form en- which he stood; and beneath
that, long smooth pole that seemed
to bend beneath his weight, was all
that upheld him from destruction. In
endeavoring to get down, he would
inevitable lose his balance, and be pre-.
cipitated TO the deck, crushed and
} shapeless mass.
4 In this terrible exigency, what was
a. H. Jone7 tn hail him and inform
! | him of his danger, it was thought, woult
ensure his ruin. Every moment ex
pectcd to see the dreadful catastrophe
TIL could not bear TO look at him; ant
! yet could not withdraw my gaze. 4