Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-08-09

bark, and seemed to guess what had happeneu'
cleared the taff-rail like shot; and the captain
and bows parents, with the other passengers, VINO
had come on deck to learn the cause OF the outcry
and hustle, saw the dog swimming away ike
mad creature in the direction Of the stern
1t was too dark to see him distinctly, however,
| he was dimly perceived to dive, and then ulnl'y
appear again above water and snatch at somethlhg'
1t was, however, too dusky for any Dody on G E
| to be sure what it was that he really saw ne
dog now was out of sight and nothing was visible
but the surface of the water. Inc nother coHeL-
ont fearful lest she should see the corpse OF her
darling child floating on the waves; while the ia
Their, equally unhappy, jumped into the Jolly boat,
which the men in all haste had been getting ready;
that he might spare effort to recover his beloved
son.
1t was many minutes before the jolly boat could
be lowered and manned, the men roWed with all
their might in the direction they had seen the dog
take at first. The darkness had so much ncreas-
ed thatthe sailors could hardly see, and began to
give up the child as lost.
The father, in great misery, sat at the head of
the boat trying to see through the surrounding
gloom, and listening anxiolsly to every sound
Il hear splash hear splash on the Iarboard
quarter said he, starting up: pull on, be quick
it must be my child
The helslnan turned the ter, the men pulled
with redoubled force, and in moment the faith
fill Bobby with the child in his mouth was along
side! Poor creatures! they were nearly spent
when they were hauled into the boat. The faith
err took the child in his arms and the faithful Bob
by sank down to the bottom Of the boat, painting
and almost lifeless
The men rowed back to the ship, Great indeed
was hcmother'S JOY when she saw her child, that
she thought was Como forever, in the arms of his
father, and good Bobby with him also They all
rot safe on board the ship again, and the father,
thanking the sailors for helping him to recover his
son, went down into the cabin with the mother,
chiId and dog. Every remedy was used that the
doctor of the ship advised to make the haIt-droWn-
ed boy we'll again.
Bobby, after he had shaken the water from his
shaggy coat, could not be persuaded to leave the
child's side. There he stood, licking one OF his
little hands till the child became so much better as
to he able 10 stroke and hug him rs usual. Brave
Bobby seemed as happy as any body, when both
the father and mother Rugged and praised him too
And when the boy could speak again, they made
happy little party in the cabin, where, before,
all had been SO sad
After this circumstance of saving the chiId's life
in so brave manner, there was not man on boaro
that ship but loved the dog as father might love
his child, and we'll did Bobby deserve it,
At the cape of Good Hope, some of the pasScn
gers were to be landed and among others the mas
tef of Bobby, with his wife and child. All those
who remained in the ship were very sorry to par
with good Bobby.
The boats were prepared for the passengers nnt
their luggage. All those who were to leave hal
got into the boats, the little boy was in his moth
ers lap, and Bobby, who the sailors were holding
to pat and take kind leave Of, was Just going t.
leap into the boat after his master, when the Off
Ger stood up, and told the sailors to hold him tigh
by the collar, until the boats should have rowe
some way toward the shore. you will see Wha
a strong swimmer Bobby isl said he, 'let US star
hofo ho will rtol Yo ne whom
hold up my handkerchief let him go.'
cay ayn cried the sailors, and two of them hel
Bobby tight by the collar Poor fellow! he though
4 he was to be left behind and he did not like it,
He tugged, and hauled, and yelled and barked
get to his friends, but it was Of no use Th
boats put off without him.
All the people in the boats, as we'll as those o
board the ship were cycling Bobby with delight
and he had Just reached midway between the sh
and the boats, when the creature set up lou
shrill howl, and threw himself half out of the We
ter. Every body thought he had got the cramp
but oh no! the fash of white that glanced lii
lightning close against him the next minute, toll
the truth; and ca shark, sharkn sounded trot
boats to ship, and from ship to boats, in one lou
cry All stood trembling, with their eyes fixed VI
on the unfortunate dog. The boats stayed still fl
an instant, the men resting upon their oars, as
panic struck But, again, in an other instant, or
of the boats was to be seen putting back, the me
rowing with all their might
Poor Bobby! he kept swimming away right al
left, now diving, and now doubling, as if he kne
his danger, while every now and then he gave
short fierce howl, and showing his grinders, nev
giving the vile shark time to ture on its bac
which it must do before it can give the deadly bit
The poor dog swan and lodged with skill al
speed and maintained the unequal contest, in
manner that surprised every body, but it was CIV
dent that his strength was nearly exhausted, VIII
the boat which had put back, came sufficient
near for him to hear himself called, and encou
aged to hold cut longer In this boat were
- master, and his little boy, whose life the poor d
had saved three days before. They could nc
plainly perceive the great black fin and back
~ the shark, as he rose every minute to the sura
of the water, pursuing and trying to grippe
dog. The poor dog swan with all his might to
,eb- ards the boat that was coming TO save him
ore, Just as he nearly reached the boat, and cot
ond see and hear the master call out, Here BE
five here, the shark turned on his back and oper
ali. his horrid jaws-'Poor Bobby dear Bobby
shreked the little boy; and a lad who stood at
one head of the boat, hoping to save the dog threw
en-, handspike that he held, at the ravenous monst
VOL But the lad was in such furry, from ter
mid and anxiety, that he missed the shark, and
,mo- spike fell into the water.
,nld At this failure the child screamed aloud w
ar agony of fright and sorrow, ooh save poor Boil
n in save my dear, dear Bobby!' and every be
thought poor Bobby was gone, when the father
tho child whn evpr cincn tho hOot had con1n wi