The Georgetown news., 1855-11-08
The Newfoundland Dogs Vengeance.
BY OLD GRAY.

Twas always fond Of dogs. Goldsmith,
in his beautiful style, makes touching and
eloquent plea for the dog, where in alluding
to sort of mania for dog killing, which
prevailed at the time Of which he speaks, in
Consequence Of an unreasonable apprehen-
sion 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.
1t is true, and the truth should bind man
to be the dogs protector and friend.
The American brig Cecilia, Captain
/ Symmes, on one of her voyages, had on
board a splendid specimen Of the New
foundland breed, named Napoleon, and his
magnificent size and proportions, his intelIi-
gent 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 namesalle, who, no doubt would
have been proud to possess him.
He Was owned by q 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 if all his ances-
tors had died o. hydrophobia, and he dread
ed to be bitten like his unfortunate prede-
/ cessors.
This dislike he one day developed in q
most shocking manner for as Napoleon had
several times entered his room and by war-
ging his great banner Of a tail, knocked pa
per and ink off his desk, ON the next occa-
sion 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 it, Withouta moment hesitation he felled
Captain Symmes to the floor with a sledge
hammer blow, which, had it hit the temple,
would have forever prevented the Captain
! from cutting of any more dogs tails.
! The result was that Lancaster was put
in irons, from which, however, he was soon
released. Captain Symmes partlyrepented
his cruel deed, on learning that Napoleon
had once saved the owners life.
The white shark, as all my nautical friends
are well aware, is one Of the very largest of
/ sharks. 1t averages over twenty, and |
have seen one twenty-seven and half feet
in length. 1t is generally considered to be
the fercest and most formidable of all
sharks.
But a few days elapsed after the catas-
trophe Of poor Napoleon 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 growls when
he approached.
In vain did his master, fearful for the life
Of his dog, essay to check these signs of his
anger. Captain Synmes, however, made
the allowance he should, and offered no fur
ther harm to him.
One morning as the Captain was standing
on the bowsprit, he lost his footing and fell
overheard, the Cecilia then running about
ten knots.
"Man overheard !" Captain Symmes
overboard!o was the cry, and all rushed to
get out the boat as they saw the swimmer
striking out for the brig, which was at once
rounded to; and as they felt especially aP-