The Arkansas advocate., 1834-09-19
MISCELLANY.
sagac.ty of a Newfoundland Dog.

The Asia was one of the fastest shEps III the fleet, and we stretched away to the west ward for several miles, till a gun from the Commodore gave Us notice to close. We had seen nothing of the boat, but we saw strange schooner, Yankee-rigged, that was standing towards the rocks, and we hoped that If the long-boat was yet in existence, there would be chance of her being picked up by the schooner,--though the general idea was that she had gone down, and every soul had perished. We had scarcely wore ship for the purpose of joining the convoy, when dense haze obseured them from sight, and as evening was closing Tn fast. every officer was stationed in different parts to keep q look oiit. Me had retraced about half our distance, and the passengers were conversing in melancholy mood upon the events of the past night, and the prohaz ble fate ofthe long beat, when noole New foundland dog, that had lain sleeping on deck, suddenly raised his head, and gave a short growl. The Captain was pacing to and fro with the chief mate, but stopped near the animal, and addressing t said, Hallo, Nep, what's the matter with you, old boy The creature wagged hls long bushy tail at hearing his masters voice, and then composed to slumber again: but m less than minute he resumed his growing; and raised himself upon his fore paws !" He hears something beyond our know ledge,o exclaimed the Captain up Nep, up my boy. and see to 'em' The animal at first rose laziy,-stretehing hls limbs and shaking his coat, but ii af instant he stood immovable in the fixed atti.ude of at tention, and then sprung away upon the poop ladder, running from side to side, and barking most vehemently, till af last he ] took his station to the wlndward, and seem- ed perfectly furious. ssWe cannot be with in six miles of the feet said the Captain, and yet I am confident there is something near Us. Weather cathead there, do you see or hear any thing to windward Sl- fence, Neptune-d down, boy down. and the animal became perfectly tranquil, wag- eing his tail, and rubbing his head alfec- ] tonately against his masters hand. The officer on the look oui replied ln the nega- ] tive, as did also several others wAo had cautiously looked round, aud attentlyely fstened.-"I'll stake my existence on the dogs sagaeity," said the captain, address sing the chief mate. By heavens 1t may be the missing boatl-haW up the main sail and square the afterN Nards keep fer course qtsarsoy sssestes .il vsstal you to Huff to the wind, and let there be silence fore-and-aft." The orders were immedi- ateIy and punctually obeyed, and then the captain. batting the bead of the huge ami mal. exclaimed, Now Nep, we must trust to you, old boy: look for 'em Nep, seek lem out The dog whined with languid playfuness, as if satisfied that he had a. wal1ened attention, when there arose low, hollow moan, that seemed like heavy groan, issuing from the very bowels of the ocean, the ship, though moving through the water, was greatly retarded by the shiver- i ing of the after-sails, and the flashing noise occasioned by her velocity had ceased.
 .Folkstle, there,' cried the captain, | do you see any thing on the weather-beamp .sNo, sir replied the officer, but there was sound came down upon the wind just now-though fear'-he stopped short, but added in a whisper--si 1t was no living creature uttered such groan as that !'-- 'The boat-the boat, Nep, said the cap tain, patsing the dog .look out for the boat, sir The animal raised his forepaws, laid them on the rail, and crouciiing his head upon them, looking intently to windward, moving his ears rapidly. Ina few seconds he gave shrill howl, and then barking, jumped down, and then fawned upon hls master Lanters in the fore and main riggingp shouted the captain; ' clear away a gun tbere, forward and Mir. --, burn blue lights when caressing the dog, he added, .There my good Neptune, see to lem lad-look to 'em.' Neptune ap- peared to comprehend what was said to him, for jumping on coop, he snuffed the wind and fixed his eyes steadfastly about a point abaft the weather-beam. The Ian terms were displayed, and blue lights sent forth their clear blaze, when again that hol- i low moan was heard, and the dog, with loud barking, ieaped from his station, and fawn- ed upon the captain, who exclaimed, Brace the yards sharp up--abroad main tack and quarter master, keep her clean full and by ; at all events, we'll see the end of this ? The sails were nicely trimmed, and the gallant ship upon bovine bent to the breeze, and dashed the spray from her bows. Blue lights were still burnt occa- sienaly, the lanterns were shown abafi, and in half an hour the ship was hove in stays, and soon was reaching away on tie star board tack.
 In another half hour (for the captain timed it with his watch,1 the mainssil was har,lad m and tha after<uards Were in tha