The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-03-30


the traffrail. They dared not be seen speak
ing to one another-it was fogging Of
fence; 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, sbut were as silent as the men.
Still the boy chung to the masthead, play.
ing with the pennant, apparently uncon-
scious of the interest he excited below.
Tired with gazing aloft, the captain sung
out through the speaking trumpet, Down
from aloft! QoRnl"
The boy sprang upon the truck at a
bound, and, raising himself erect, waved his
cap around his head then, stretching his
arms out, gave a wild, laughing scream, ard
threw himself forward. The captain jumped
to his feet, expecting to see the boy dashed
in pieces on the deck; but when clear of
the shade of the sails, he saw him sliding
along the main royal stay toward the foretop
gallant masthead, and heard him laugh and
chatter like monkey, as if enjoying the
sport. He reached the masthead in safety
and then descended along the topgallant
backstay, hand over hand. The captain
looked at him, and was about to speak, but
could not find words. The boy frothed at
the mouth and nose; his eyes seemed start.
ing out of bis head he rolled upon the deck
in commissions, staining it with the blood
which still trickled from his back. He was
maniac. The surgeons skill in the course
of few weeks restored his bodily health,
but not his reason. 'fs
From that time forward he was fearless.
In the darkest night, the fercest gale, he
would scamper along the deck like dog,
and bound aloft with speed which no one
on board could equal. He wonld 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
studding-sail booms. He was as nimble as
a cat, and had forgotten fear. Some Of the
light duties aloft he learned to discharge in
company with them-he did as they did,
but could not be trusted to do anything
himself. One order he always obeyed with
out hesitation. At the command, "Away
aloft," he was of, and never paused until he
reached the masthead. AS be was harmless
and rarely spoke, the captain kept him on
board, and, in the course of year, sent him
aloft for amusement. His strength increased
with his years, but his bulk and height re-
NAMED nearly the same at eighteen as when
he became maniac.
His ribs, breast and back seemed one case
Of bone, and his sinews and muscles made
his legs and arms appear like pillared coll
umns. He was fair, with light blue eyes
and delicate skin his face oval and full, but
void of expression neither love, fear, re.
venge or pleasure could be traced to its
stolid outline. His eyes stared at everything
without appearing tosee, and when he spoke
there was rarely any meaning in his words.
He followed the men in their various duties
like dog following his master. Whenever
he was struck or started by boatswain's
mate, he ran up the main rigging screaming
at the top of his lungs, and never paused
until he had performed the first evolution
which had made him maniac.
As the sailors story runs, the ship arrived
at Plymouth to be decked and reftted. The
captain, awaiting himself of the leisure, was
going to be married, and the news was com
municated by his servant to the cook, who
soon circulated it on the berth deck among
the men, who cursed him and all of his kin.
+ His servant came on board of the hulk
where the men were lodged the evening
when the captain was to be married. Crazy
Joe 1.-THE name the boy was known by) met
him at the gangway, and asked intelligently
If the captain would be married that even
ing and where The servant gave him the
information he desired and went about his
business.
That night, while the captain was un-
dressing, he was seized by the throat and
dragged to the bridal bed. a-a
"Lnok, fair lady, on me-" said Crazy Joe,
"but do not scream, or will kill you. Look
on me. I hold within my grasp q devil,
who delights in cruelty merciless fiend
who has scourged the backs of hundreds OF
brave men-a rufian who has robbed me of
my reason hold him within the grasp of
death, at the very moment his black soul
thought itself within the reach of bliss.
Monster! Look upon your lady--think a
moment Of the heaven Of earthly joy almost
/ within your reach-then think of me, poor
Crazy Joe and Of the hell to which / send
you Die, wretch, diel" 81. <ra1ss * sssai
When the alarm was given, the straDgled
body of the captain was fonnd lying along.
side of the bridal bed but the maniac who
killed him was never recognised afterwards.
He belonged to Cornwall, and propably
found shelter from pursuit in the mines I'M
til the excitement passed away. 'sa.>f
The lady stated at the time, and many
years afterwards, that the attack of the
maniac was 80 sudden and silent that she
knew nothing of it until the curtains were
pushed aside and she felt the pressure of the
captains body bent over the edge of the bed.
Joe held his victim around the neck with
the right hand and turned him from side to
side as easily as if he had beenia child,
while the fore6nger and thumb of thu. left
hand grasped her own throat, ready to ex.
tinguish her life if she attempted to raise an
alarm. -. - s...;-s