The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1860-06-20
The Sailor Boys Revenge.

an old man. of wars man:
A timid boy, about fourteen years Of age,
hesitated to 60 aloft, but by the Captains
orders, was forcibIy put in the main rigging,
then boutswain's mate was commanded to
lash him like a dog until he learned to run
uloft. The poor fellows legs and arms
trembled, he graeped the shrouds, he cried,
he prayed the inhuman captain for Gods
sake to have mercy on him; but all in vain.
The boatswain's mate was ordered to lay on
harder and harder, regardless Of the boys
piercing screams, which made even veteran
seamen turn from the brutal scene in dis.
gust. His clothes were torn from his back,
the blood followed the lash, and still the ty.
rant roared out, clay on, boatswain's mate !"
With one wild scream he sprang from un-
der the lash, and bound up the rigging with
umazing rapidity. He doubled the buttock
rigging like cat, passed up the topmust
and topgallunt rigging with undiminshed
speed, Skinned the unratted royal rigging,
and perched himself like bird alongside OF
the peDnant which foated at the mast head.
Here he paused, looking fearlessIy upon the
deck below. AL hands came up to see him
his cries and cruel treatment had already
enlisted their sympathy, and if possible had
increased their hatred of the captain.
The monster was smiling complocently
at the success of his experiment; he was
one of those tyrants that boosted that the
"clt" when properly applied, could make
men do anything. Still he was upprehen-
sive lest the boy should destroy himself, and
the circumstances be used against him at
the Admiralty, where he knew representa-
tons of his cruelty had already been made
The men gozed in silence, looking first at
the boy and then nt the captain, who was
" seated near the tuffraiI. They dared not to
be seen speaking to one aDother-it was a
> fiogging offence; even ot night spies passed
e under their hammocks 10 ascertain if they
q whispered. The officers walked the lee side
n of the quarter deck, occasionally casting
l. their eyes aloft, but as silent as the men.
o Still the boy clung to the mast head play.
l. ing with the pennant, apparently uncon-
scious OF the interest he excited below
T Tired with G zing aloft, the captain sung
s. out through the speaking trumpet, "Do@r
p from alolt down !'
E. The boy sprang upon the truck at bound
lie and raising himself erect, he waived his cal
d. around his head; then. stretching his arm
y out, gave wild laughing scream, and threw
p himself forward. The captain jumped tt
D his feet, expecting to see the boy dashed Il
to pieces on the deck; but when clear of th
'e shade sails, he saw him sliding along th
fy main royal stay towards the foretop galan
r MASTHEAD, and heard him laugh and chatte
like monkey, n if enjoying the sport. Fl
ne reached the masthead in safety, and the
ed descended along the top gallant backsta
ne hand over hand. The captain looked
ne him, and was about to speak, but could nj
E' find words. The boy frothed at the mout
and nose; his eyes seemed starting out fror
ne his head; he rolled upon the deck in cor
We vulsions, staining it with blood which trick
S. led from his back. He was q maniac. TT
ng surgeons skill in the course of few weel
'e' restored his bodily heatb, but not his reaso
ne From that time forward he was fearles
en- In tho darkest night and iercest gale,
10 would scamper over the deck like dog, al
bound aloft with speed which no one {
pre- board could equal. He would run over Il
'H' yards without holding, pass from mast
OF mast on the stays, ascend and descend
MY the teaches of the sails. and run upon t
np' studding.sail booms. He was as nimble
IN a cat, and had forgotten fear. Some of
tp' light duties alolt he learned to discharge
ms company with them, he did as they did,
Inc could not be trusted to do anything by hi
oor self. One order he always obeyed wtht
OF hesitation. At the command, "Awoy alof
he' he was off, and never paused until he was
the the masthead. AS he was harmless q
ey) rarely spoke; the captain kept him on boa
ana and, in the course of year frequently Sc
the him aloft for amusement. His streng
'he increased with his years, but his bulk q
o. height remained nearly the same at eighte
Sc as when he became naniac!
on His ribs, breast and back seemed one ca
e'' of bone, and his sinews and muscles ma
uli' his legs and arms appear like pillared c.
my ums. He was fair, with light blue eyes a
Inc delicate skin; his face was oval and full,
'fy' devoid OF expression neither love, fear,
10 venge nor pleasure could be traced to
'uf' stolid outline. His eyes stared at everythi
'ni without appearing to see, and when
''e' spoke there was rarely any meaning in
the words. He followed the men in their v,
Iac' Gus duties like dog following his mast
Vi Whenever he was struck or startled By
OF boatswan's mate, he ran up the main
reo ging, screaming at the top Of his lun
ooo and never paused until he had perform
ior' the first evolution which had made hin
maniac. .....
As the sailors story runs, the ship arri
re. at Plymouth to be docked and reftted. Z
fter captain, availing himself Of the leisure, '
and going to be married, and the news was &C
n as municated by his servant to the cook, v
soon circulated it on the berth deck amt
the the men, who cursed him and all his kin.
His servant came on board the hulk VIII
the men lodged, the evening the captain I
rulv to be married. Crazy Joe (the name