The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-07-11
THEsAILoR BOYS REVENGE.


ders, was forcibly put in the main rigging, theI
the boatswain's mate was commanded to last
him like dog until he learned to run aloit-
The poor fellows legs and arms trembled, HI
grasped the shrouds, he cried; he prayed III,
inhuman captain for Gods sake to have mercy
upon him; but all in vain. The boatswan'
mate was ordered to lay on harder and harder
regardless of the boys piercing screams, which
made even veteran seamen turn from the bru'
tai scene IN disgust. His clothes were tori
from his back, the blood followed the lash, and
still the tyrant roared out, "lay en- boatswain's
mattel"
With one wild scream he sprang from under
the lash, and bounded up the rigging with anna
zing rapidity. He doubled the rigging like a
cat passed up the top mast and topgalaut rig
ging with undiminished speed, Skinned the un-
ratified royal rigging, and perched himself like
bird alongside OF the penant which floated at
the masthead. Here ne paused, looked fear
lessly upon the deck below. All hands came
up to see him-his cries and cruel treatment
had already enlisted their sympathy, and j
possible had increased their hatred of the cap
tain.
The monster was smiling complacently at the
success of his experiment; he was one of those
tyrants who boasted that the cat when prop
erly applied, could make men do anything
Still he was apprehensive lest the boy should
destroy himself and the circumstances be used
against him at the Admiralty, where he knew
representations Of his cruelty had already been
made. The men gazed in silence locking first
at the boy and then at the captain, who was
seated near the taffrail. They dare not be
seen speaking to one another-it was a hogging
offence even at night, spies passed under their
hammocks to ascertain il they whispered
The officers walked the lee side OF the quarter
deck, occasionally casting their eyes alolt, bnt
as silent as the men.
Still! the boy clung to the mast head playing
with the ponnant, apparently UNCONSCIOUS of the
interest he excited below. Tired with gazing
alolt the captain sung out through the speaking
trumpet down from aloft! downn'
The boy sprang upon the truck at bound,
and raising himself erect, he waved his cap
around his head, then. stretching his arms out
gave wild laughing scream, and threw HIM
self forward. The captain jumped to his feet,
expecting to see the boy dashed to pieces on
the deck; but when clearbt the shade sails, he
wards the loretop gallant mast head, and heard
him laugh and chatter like monkey, as If en-
joying the sport He reached the mast head in
safety, and then descended along the top-galant
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 starting out from his
head; he rolled upon the deck in convulsions,
staining it with blood which tricked from his
back. He was maniac. The surgeons skill
in the course ola few weeks restored his bodily
health, but not his reason.
From that time forward he was fearless
In the darkest night and the fercest gale, he
would scamper over the deck like dog, and
bound alolt with speed which no one on boaad
could equal. He would run over the yard with
out holding, pass from mast to mast on the
stays, ascend and descend by the leaches Of the
soils, and run upon the stu ldng sail bOoms.-
He was as nimbe as cat and had forgotten
fear. Some Of the lighter duties aloft he learn
ed to discharge in company with then he did
as they did, but could not be trusted to do any
thing by himself. One order he always obeyed
without hesitation. At the command, "Away
aloh." he was off, and never plused until he
was at the mast head. AS he was harmless
and never spoke, the captain kept him on board
in the course of year would often send him
aioft for amusement. His strength increased
with his years but his bulk and height remain
ed nearly the same at eighteen, as when he
became maniac.
His ribs breast and neck seemed one case Of
bone, snl his sinews and muscles made his legs
and arms appear like pillared columns. He was
fair, with light blue eyes and delicate skin; his
face was oral and full, but devoid Of expression
neither love, fear, revenge or pleasure could
be traced on his stolid outline. His eyes stared
at everything without appearing to see, and
when he spoke there was rarely any meaning
in his words He followed the men in their
various duties like dog Iollowing his master.
Whenever he was startled or struck by the
boatswains mate, he ran up the main rigging,
screaming at the top Of his lungs, and never
paused until he had performed the first revolu-
ton which had made him a maniac.
As the sailors story runs, the ship arrived at
Plymouth to be docked and refitted. The cap
tain availing himself Of the leazure, was going
to be married. Crazy 10 Qhe name the boy
was known byl met him at the gangway, and
asked intelligently # the captain would be mar
ried that evening and where? The servant
gave him the information he desired and went
about his business. That night while the cap
tain was undressing, he was siczed by the throt
and dragged to the bridal bed.
'Look, fair lady, on me-" said Crazy Jo,
''but do not scream, or will kill you. Look
on me. hold within my grasp devil, who
delights in cruelty, merciless fiend, who has
scourged the bucks of hundreds OF brave men
ruffian who has robbed me Of my reason.--
hold him in the grasp of death, at the very
moment his black soul thought itself within
the reach Of bliss. Monster look on your lady
think moment of the heaven Of earthly
Joy almost within your reach--then think Of
me, poor Crazy 10! and Of the hell to which /
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