Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-18
Byron at Sea.

never was on ship-board with better
companion than Byron. He was generally
cheerful, gave no trouble. assumed no authori-
tv, uttered no complaints. and did not inter-
fere with the working of the ship; when
appealed to he ALWAYS answered. DO as Won
like" Every day at noon he and | jumped
overheard in defiance of sharks or weather: il
was the only exercise he had for he could not
walk the deck. His favorite tovs-pistols-
were not forgotten; empty bottles and live
poultry served as targets; a fowl. duck or
goose was put into a basket. the head and
neck only visible. hnisted to the main yard
arm, and we rarely had two shots at the same
bird. No hoy cornet enjoyed practical joke
more than Byron. On great occasions. when
our captain wished to he grand, he wore a
bright scarlet waistcOat: as he was very
cOrpnlent. Byron wished to see if this vest
would not button round us both. The cap
tain taking his siesta one day, when he
pursuaded the boys to bring up the waistcoat.
In the meantime, as il was nearly calm and
very hot, opened the coops of the geese and
ducks. who instinctively took to the water
Neptune, the Newfoundland dog jumped
after them, and Moretto. the bulldog, followed
him. ''Now," said Byron. standing on the
gangway with one arm in the red waistcoat,
put your arm in, Ire; we will jump over
board and take the shine out of it." So we
did. The captain. hearing the row on deck,
CAME up anu WUeu ne saw the gorgeous
garment he was so proud ofdefiled by the sea-
water he roared out, ''My lord you should
know better than to make a mutiny on board
ship 1.-THE crew were laughing at the time.) |
won't beave to or lower a boat. | hope you
will both be drowned" "Then you will lose
your .frite," (fOr so the captain always pro-
nOunced the word freight.) shouted Byron.
As | saw the dogs worrying the ducks and
geese, ! returned on board with the waistcoat
and pacified the skipper. lowered boat and,
with the aid of boy. sculed after the birds
and beasts: the Newfoundlander brought them
to us unframed, but Moretto the bulldog
did not mount them so tenderiy.
After the glare and oppressive heat Of the
day. the evenings and nights were delightful
-SDalmy air, no dew, and light enough to
distinguish everything near. Fletcher Byron's
"yeOman bold" as was his custom in the
afternoon, was squatted under the lee of
the caboose, eating his supper and drinking
bottled porter, which he dearly loved |
said "fou are enjoying yourself. Fletcher"
Yes" he answered. land you had better do
so whilst you can: my master can't be right
in his mind "Why." l asked. IF he was
be would not have left Italy. where we had
everything, and 90 to a country of savages.
There is nothing to eat in Greece but tough
billy-goats or to drink but spirits of turpen-
tine. Why. sir, there is nothing there but
rocks, robbers and vCrmin' Seeing his
master coming up the companion ladder, he
raised his VOICE. DEFY my lord to deny it:
yOu may ask him" Il dOn'l deny it." said
Byroa; what he says is quite true TO those
who take a hogs eve view of things. But
this | know, have never been so happy as
was there. How it will be with M now that
my head is as gray and my heart as hard as
the rocks, / can't say TreLa,cney's RecoiLec-
tons.