Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-03-22
THE REPUBLICAN
From the Boston Traveller
Going Aloff.---A Tragedy.

cQl century. he describes timiu boy who
was SO cruelty lashsi because he was afraid
TO 90 aloft, that he became maniac, and
eyer afterward appeared TO act without fear,
running like monkey from mast head TO
mast head, and along the yards.
An old man ofwar' s.,nan told the wri-
ter o! this, the same story many years ago,
with sequel which Capt. Hall has not Civ
en-. The sailors story was insubstance as
follows:
n timii boy, about fourteen years of age
hesitated to so aloft. but, by the Captain s
orders. he was forcibly put in the main rig
ging. and then boatswain's mate was COM
manded to lash him like dog until he
learned to run aloft. The poor fellow
legs and arms trembled, he grasped the
shrouis. he cried, lie prayed the inhuman
Captain for Coils sake to have mercy on
him; bat all in vain. The boatswain's mate
was ordered to lag on harder, and, regard
less of the boys piercing screams. which
made veteren seamen turn from the brutal
scene with disgust His clothes were rent
from his back. the blood followed the lash.
and still the tyrant roared out, Lay on,
boatswain's match With one wild scream
he spraug from under the lash. and bound
cd up the rigging with amazing rapidity
He doubled the fnttock rigging like cat,
passed. up the topmast AMI top5allant rig
ging with undiminishei speed. shipped the
unrattlod royal rigging. and perched him
self like bird alongside of the pendant
which streamed from the mast head. Here
he paused. looking fcarlessly upon the deck
below. AL hands came up to see him
his cries and cruel treatment had already
enlisted their sympathy, and. il possible,
lad increased their hatred Of the captain.
The monster was smiling complacently
st the success of his ex criment; for he was
one Of those tyrants who boasted that the
cat, properly applied, could make men do
anything Still he was apprehensive that
the boy might destroy himself. AMI .hc cir
eumstance be used against him at the admit
ralty. where he knew representations of his
cruelty had already been made. The men
gazed in silence. looking first at the boy.
and then at the captain, who was seated
near the taffrail They dared not be seen
speaking to one another: it was a floggablc
offence; even at night spies passed under
their hammocks to ascertain if they whis-
pered. The officers walked the lee side of
the quarter deck. occasionally casting their
eyes aloft. but as silen. as the men,
Still the boy chung TO the mast heal,
playing with the pendant, apparently un-
conscious of the interest he excited below.
Tired with gazing aloft. the captain sung
out through the speaking trumpet-"D Down
from alcft! Down."
The boy sprang upon the truck at bound
and raising himself erect. waved his cap
around his head; then stretching his arms
ont. gave a wild laughing scream. and
threw himself forward. The captainjump-
ell tehis feet, expecting to see the boy dash
Ell in pieces on deck: but when clear of the
shade Of the sails, he saw him sliding along
the main royal stay toward the foretopSal-
liant masthead, and heard him chatter
like monkey. as if enjoying the sport
He reached the mast head in safety, and then
descended along the topgallaut backstay
him, and was about to speak, but could not
ind words The boy frothei at the mouth
and nose: his eyes seemed starting out Of
his head; he rolled upon the deck in con-
vulsions, staining it with the blood which
still trickled from his back. He was ma
MAC. The surgeons skill in the course oil
few weeks restored his health. but not
his reason.
From that time forward he was fearless
In the darkest night, in the fiercest gales
he would scamper along the deck like dog
and bound aloft with speed whieI, no ono
On board couId equal. He would run over
the yards without holding. pass from mast
to mast on the stays, ascend and descend
By the leeches of the sails. and run upon
the naked stulding sail booms. He was
nimble as cat. and had forgotten fear
Some of the light duties aloft. he learned
TO discharge in company with tho men-hC
did as they did, but could not be trusted t6
DO anything himself One order he Away;
obeved without hesitation. At the com
mand "away aloft," he was off. and neve
spausei until he reached the mast head. a
he was harmless and never spoke. the cap
tain kept him on board. and in the cours
of year, sent him often aloft for amuse
nent. His strength increased with hi
years, but his bulk and height remained
nearly the same at eighteen as when he be
came maniac. "
His ribs, breast, and back seemed on
rase of bone, and his sinews and muscles
usado has legs and arms appear like pillar
cd columns. He was fair. with light-b
eyes and delicate skin; his face oval an
full. but void of expression-neither love
fear. revenge. or pleasure could be trace
in its stolid outline His eyes stared a
everything. without appearing to see. an
when he spoke. there was rarely any mean
ing Ia his words. He followed the men j
their various duties, like dog followin
his master. Whenever he was struck O
started by boatswain's mate. he ran u
the main rigging screaming at the top c
his voice. and never paused until he ha
performed the first evolution which Ia
made him . maniac.
As the sailors story goes. the ship ARR
we'd 1t Plymouth to be locked and refittcd
The Captain. awaiting himself of the leisur
vas going to be married. and the news wa
communicated by his servant to the cool
who soon circulated il on the berth dec
smong the men. who cursed him and a
his kin.