The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-16
A GOOD STORY, Y,IFTRUE-ANDW WELL
TOLD II NOT TRUE.

The story of man of his majesty's list
regiment falling overheard of the Cham
bly, steamboat, between Long Point and
Montreal, and as miraculously appearing
on the beach before his comrades had dis
embarked, reminded me of circumstance
that occurred during my servitude on board
the Dolphin man of-war, bound to the
West Indies. We were going at the rate
of three knots an hour, when Tom Gar
board. belonging to the fortop, (who by the
bye was bit Of wag,) sleeping in the
lee forechains by sudden lurch Of the
ship was thrown overheard.
A man overheard, was the general cry.
fore and aft, and every one ran to offer or
give assistance to the drowning man.
Tom was a tolerable good swimmer, as
every one thought, but nothing extraordi-
nary; he awoke on finding himself in deep
water. and began TO use his paddles, and
the ship going ahead, as was saying be.
fore, at the rate of three knots an hour.
Tom was soon lost sight of under the coun.
ter. (for although our ship was not on Sir
Robert Sepping's plan, yet she was pref
ty we'll abaft.) when Tom was lucky
enough to get hold Of the rudder CHAINS.
The hands all ran aG, expecting to see
Tom astern, and TO lower the jolly boat TO
pick him up, but Tom was not to be seen.
"He's gone," said they, ito Davey's
locker" and efforts ceased.
Our ship was very deep, bound out to
the West Indies, 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 quar-
,ers and piped the hammocks down, be.
fore he got on board, which he did. and
he popped into the lady's hold, where the
gunnefHksps his wads and monkeys tails,
and hereremained till the middle Of the
watch. when he sailed forth and made free
with our bread bags, taking enough to last
him for three days
AT the end of this time we were Jogging
along at an easy rate, scarcely any wind
about knot, when master Tom, unob-
served, slipped out the port he came in at,
and dropping astern, began to hail the ship.
"The Dolphin ahoy!"
"Hallo," says the quartermaster, who
was about getting pull on the main brace.
Says Tom, "lf you don't take back the
mansail and heave to, shall sink, for no
man can swim to the West Indies without
provisions"
Every body ran aft in amazement, for
i had been blowing fresh during the time
we had supposed he had been overheard;
,ut there was no time to be lost, so the
BOAT was lowered and Tom was picked up,
o the great qualification and astonishment
,f every body on board.
On our arrival, as the captain was OH
shore, dining with the governor, the talk
urned upon swimming. The governor
vas extolling the powers Of black man
,e had. and the captain declared no man
could swim with Tom Cardboard, Of the
Dolphin's foretop. However, to make a
ong story short, the captain and governor
made very heavy bet-the time was ap.
required one week to get
,eady.
The carpenters were ordered to make
what chests and conveniences Tom re-
luired and the purser was to provide, at
Tom's request, fortnight's provisions.
The day came, and Tom went on shore,
At the wharf appointed. when he began to
stow his grub. The black fellow looked
1t him with astonishment. G .nscl
"What you do here, massa9" says he.
"What am doing here" says Tom.
why, am taking my provisions. to be
sure, and advise you TO do the same, for
not bit do you get on the road"
"Why, massa," says the negro, "me no
swim more nine or ten miles,"