Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-08-17
Ths Newfoundland Dos's v.ngs.ne..
By OLD GRAY.

pfcVaiicd Ut the Tune CT winch lie speaks,
in consequence Of an unreasonable. appre.
hension Of the spread Of hydrophobia, he
says among other fine things that the dog
is the only animal which will leave his own
kind voluntarily to follow man.
II is true, and the truth should bind man
to be the dogs protector and friend.
The American brig Cecilia, Captain Sym
mes, on one Of her voyages, had on board
splendid specimen Of Newfoundland breed,
named Napoleon, and his magnificent size
and proportions, his intelligent head, broad
white chest, white feet and white tipped
tail, the rest Of his glossy body being black,
made him as beautiful as his peerless name
sake who, no doubt, would have been proud
to nossess him.
He was owned by a seaman named Ian.
caster, who was naturally enough extreme.
ly fond Of him.
Captain Symmes,. however, was not par.
tial to animals Of any kind, and had an un-
accountable and especial repugnance to
dogs, so much so indeed as il all his nnces-
tors had died of hydrophoba, and he dread
ed to be bitten like his unfortunate prede-
cessors.
This dislike he one day developed in
most shocking manner. for as Napoleon had
several times entered his room and by wag-
ging his great banner of tail. knocked pa.
per and ink off his desk, on the next occa-
SIGN the captain seized knife, and cut half
the poor animals tail of.
The dogs yell brought his master to the
spot, and seeing the calamity and the author
Of il, without a moments hesitation he
felled Captain Symmes to the cabin floor
with a sledge hammer blow, which, had it
hit the temple, would have forever pre-.
vented the captain from cutting off any
more dogs tails.
The result was that Lancaster was put in
irons, from which, however, he was soon
released. Captain Symmes partly repented
his cruel decd, on learning that Napoleon
had once saved his owners life.
The white shark, as all my nautical
friends are well aware, is one Of the very
largps, Of sharks. II averages over twenty.
and have seen one tweniy-seven and a half
feet in length. It is generally considered
To be the fiercest and most formidable of all
sharks.
But a few days elapsed after the cata-
strophe of poor Maple n ere he became
the hero Of most thrilling occurrence. the
very thought of which has often thrilled me
with horror. During the interval the noble
beast was not at all backward in exhibiting
his wrath at the captain BY low growlswhen
he approached.
In vain did his master, fearful for the life
of his dog. essay 10 check these signs Of his
anger. Captain Symmes, however, made
all the allowance he should, and offered no
further harm TO him.
One morning as the captain was standing
Al. 4 l. l.. l.. r.
overheard, the Cecilia then running ubout
ten knots.
"Man overheard. Captain Symmes over
board ~ was the cry, and all rushed TO get
out the boat as they saw the swimmer strk
ing out for the brig. which was at once
rounded to; and as they felt especially ap-
prphen,ive on account OF the white sharks
in those waters, they regarded his situa ton
with the most painful solicitude.
BY the time the boat touched the water,
their worst fears were realized, for at some
distance beyond the swimmer. they beheld
advancing upon him the fish most dreaded
in those waters.
Hurry, hurry men, or we shall be too
late" exclaimed the mate. whats that 7"
The splash which caused this inquiry
was oecasioned by the plunge of Napoleon
into the sea. the noble animal having been
watching the csuse of the tumult from the
bows of the vessel He had noticed the
captains fall and the shout, and for few
moments had vented his feelings in deep
Crowls as if conscious Of the peril of his late
enemy and gratified at it.
His gvowls. however, were soon changed
into those whnes of sympathy which SO Oft
ten show the attachment Of dog to man,
when the latter is in danger. At last he plum
ged. and rapidly making his way 10 the now
nearly exhausted captain who aware Of his
double danger. and being but passable
swimmer, made fainter and fainter strokes,
W lie his adversary closed rapidly upon him.
"Pull, boys, for dear life!" wns the shout
Of the mate. as the boat now followed the
dog, whose huge limbs propelled him gal
lantly to the scene of danger.
Slowly the fatigued swimmer made his
way, while ever and anon his head sank in
the waves, and behind him the back Of the
voracious animal told what fearful progress
it was making, while Lancaster, in the bow
of the boat, stood with a knife in his up
raised hand, watching alternately the captain
and his pursuer. and the faithful animal who
had saved his own life.
Great God. what a swimmer" exclaimed
the men who marke d the speed of the splen-
did animal. "The shark will have one or
both IL we don't do our best''
The scene was Of short duration. Ere the
boat could ovcrtake the dog, the enormous
shark had arrived within three oars len 9Th
Of the captain and suddenly turned over on
his back, preparatory to darting on the sink
ing man, and receiving him in his vast jaws.
which now displayed their rows of long tri-
angular teeth.
The wild shrek of the captain announced
that the crisis had come. But Napoleon who
seemed inspired with increased strength,
had also arrived. and with fierce howl leap
ed upon the cleaning belly Of the shark,
and buried his teeth in the monsters flesh,
while the boat swiftly nenred them.
"Saved if we're half as smart as that
dog is :" cried the mate, as all saw the
voracious monster shndier in the sea. and
smariing with pain, turn over again, the dog
retaining his hold and becoming submerged
in the water.
At this juncture the boat arrived, and Ian
caster, his knife in his teeth. plunged into
the water where the captain had alec now
sunk from view.
But a few moments elapsed ere the dog