Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-07-28
Gmnsing 8eaamg.
CoNoUERING A sEA-DoG.

had command of her, there happened on
board an incident, over which l have laugh
ed many time, when memory has brought
it back to me- I loaded at Mobile with cot
ton and run to Liverpool. Among my crew
was man named Rannot-iSama, We always
called him. He was one of the largest form
ed men I ever saw, and came from some
where in. New England. He stood six feet
and FIVE inches in his bare feet, and was as
stout and bulky iu proportion. He had one
fault, and that was an inordinate price OF
strength. He was not quarrelsome, nor had
he revengeful point in his character, and
yet he was continually Fostering and annoy
ing the crew. Hardly day passed that be
did not give one or more of them bodily
pain by his freaks. He would catch poor
fellow by the legs, and swing him over his
head, at the imminent risk of smashing bis
brains out against the mast or bulwarks, and
then be would laugh hugely at the poor
mans fright. Sometimes he would seize
man by the arms, and lay him upon the deck,
and in no very easy manner, either 1t was
of no use for the men to demonstrate, for
he would be sure to punish them in some
way.
Ofcourse forbade Sam from doing such
things; but he could not remember my or
ders longer than over one night. The love
of sfun,' as he called it, was fixed too strong
ly upon him, aud it could not be taken out
of him. He did not realize how unpleasant
his pranks we're, nor did he know that the
rest of the crew had grown to dislike him.
They had adopted many expedients to cure
him, but they all failed, and though he had
often been made the but of practical jokes
such as sudden drenching of cold sea-water
while he slept, and other things equally un-
pleasaut-yet he always paid his tormentors
of with interest. He was, il. fact, the worst
practical joker I ever saw, and not a whit,
did he care, so long as he exhibited his her
culean strength, and broke no bones.
When my ship arrived at Mobile, on the
return voyage, another cargo of cotton was
ready for me, and I was ordered to load and
be off as quick as possible. But no sooner
was the ship cleared, than my men-all but
Sam Rannot-came and informed me that
they could not go with me again unless Sam
was discharged. I was not prepared for this.
At heavy work Sam was worth any three
other men on board, and always willing and
ready. Yet I knew how the crew suffered
from his thoughtless pranks, and I could not
Blame them. told the men to come to me
on the following day, and would give them
an audience.
At first I thought Of promising them that
I would see that the old sea-dog did not an
noy them any more, but soon convinced
myself that that would be of no use, Sam
would cut up his capers when could not
see him, and the men would not report him
every time he hurt them. But soon new
idea entered my head. I had brother, who
owned a large cotton plantation on the Chick
asaw. His place was not over fifteen miles
from Mobile, and he had just the man I
wanted-or, he did have when | saw him
last. So out to my brothers 1 rode that
very night, and the first person I met near
the house, was the very mau l wanted. 1t
was Cato, negro about thirty years of age,
and built after the fashion of Devon bull.
knew the boy had the reputation of being
the strongest person in the State, and think
heEwas. He was not over five feet ten inch
es-tall, and though he was built thick and
strong, yet he did not show half of his mus
cular power when covered with his usual
clothing. His big arms were like iron, and
his breast and shoulders like great bundle
of wire done up in raw ox-hide.
I bantered my brother to let me have
Cato for one or two voyages. "Take him in
welcome, said he. "He's getting too impor-
tant here"
"What-is he ugly % asked
30, no; just the other way. He's too
good natured altogether. He sets the very
sancho into the other boys. I've made too
much of him."
"But will he work ?"
eyes"
So got Cato for twelve dollars month
as long as I wanted him, with the privilege
of having him for one cruise only for moth
ing. But l took him "for bettor or for
worse" and agreed to pay for his services.
On the next day I went on board the ship,
and when the men came to me for my an
swer, I asked them if they would sail with
Sam if would produce quiet, inofensive
man who could handle him, and take said man
to sea with me. They said they would. l
knew they would-tbey would have gone
with me for nothing, for the sake of seeing
Sam conquered. told them he should be,
and enjoined them to secresy, which they
promised.
When Cato learned that he was going to
sea with me, he was beside himself with joy,
and when came to tell him what wanted
of him, he laughed till the tears rolled down
his great black cheeks.
On the very day of sailing [ brought Cato
on board. At first the men exhibited some
signs of dislike, but when they found what
jolly, good old fellow he was, they
gave him their hands. Sam Rannot winked
prodigiously when he saw the new man, and
more than once he whispered to those near
him: "1Here'N be fun afore long"
On the third day out We had got every