Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1841-10-29

The last time that Bob Spunyarn went TO
sea, was 10 the ship Maudricardo, Of Boston.
He was second mate of tina, ship. and proved
himself an active, trustworthy and ever vigi-
liant officer. When be was before the mast,
he loved TO steal a nap on deck during his
wasch. especially. when It was not 1ls '"oh.
ou-and many a sweet sleep has he enjoyed
seated on tn body Of the windlass, we'll wrap
ped in his monkey jacket, and his head reposlng
on the bits. But when he was promoted. ne
seemed TO be aware Of the responsibility which
rested upon him. and never allowed himself to
be caught mapping. He constantly walked
the quarter deck. watching the wind and the
weather, and kent the sails constantly trim
med. according to the breeze. He would also
Cause good lookout to be kept on the forecas-
,le-and vigorously exacted from the s'arboard
watch, that one man, at least, should at all
times he awake and moving.
|, was cold, but clear. moonlight night, IN
the month Of November. as the ship Mandr-
cardo was dashing along with the wind a-bea'h,
on soundings. off the entrance Of the British
Channel. The starboard watch had the first
watch that highland Mr.. Sponyarn gave The
men sric, orders 10 keep good lookout. But,
abou, seven bells, much to his surprise and in-
donation, he became aware that no one was
walking the forecas,le deck. Old Peter Peter
son, a Swede, a veteran seaman, who, by the
way, was hardly ever seen asleep in his lie,
was leaning over the gunwale in the tee waist,
quietly smoking cheroot. Bob asked him
whose lookout it was.
.Jonathan pooii,,le's," replied Peter.
"Why, the fellow is fast asleep somewhere
tho good-for-nothing vagabond cannot be
.usted-he would sleep with his head in
bucket of water. But will try to awaken him
at any raie.'
mr.. Spunyarn walked forward softly--and
beheld on the inner part Of the bowsprit, the
gaunt form Of Jonathan Doolitte, stretched at
full leng,h--his head lying between the night
heads-his capacious mouth wide open--and
snoring away, as IL for a wager!
Bob told Peter TO keep silent, and draw
bucket of water--he then went aft, and told the
man at the wheel not to be alarmed at any
noise which he might hear, and 10 pay no at
ten,ion to any orders which he might give from
the forecastle TO alter the course. The helms
man grinned intelligence, for he knew Mr..
Spunyarn well.
Bob then went forward again. Poor Jona-
than was still in the same posi,loD-transport-
ed to the Land OF Dreams-and apparently
deeply engaged in boiling off sleep, as if to
secure stock for a long voyage. Ire second
mate took the bucket Of salt water. stood over
Jonathan. and gently poured portion Of the
contents into his capacious mouth. This was
an awkward interruption to Jonathan's deep
reveries. The poor fellow was almost suffo-
cated-and while he was gaspng and strug-
Cling to get breath. Bob rolled him on deck,
and dashed the remainder of the water in his
face, at the same time screaming in a loud
voice, Z" Hard down your helm-Jonathan's
ouerbooyd!"
This was all enacted in less time than it can
be descrihed--and the whole thing was so adj
mirabIy managed, tina, poor Dooli.sle actually
believed that he had fallen overheard while
asleep on the bowspri,-and being good
swimmer, he s.strnck out" on the deck, as II
for dear life, and looked like an overgrown frog
trying to swim in basin Of water. He essay
ed to call for help. but the salt water 10 his
throat prevenled-and the coughing. and sput-
trring, and struggling Of The poor fellow was
such, thas neither the second officer. nor Peter
Peterson, could restrain their risible muscles,
but burst into q laugh, which rang msrrily
through the ship, end was the means Of bring