The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-04-27
From the Boston Traveller.
GOING AL0FT--A TRAGEDY.

GOING AL0FT--A TRAGEDY.
Captain Basil Hall, in his miscellaneous
writings, relates an incident on board of a Bril-
sh irlgate, TO illustrate the terrible cruelty in
| ticted upon Seamen, 10 the name of discipline,
during the early years of the present century
| He decribes limld boy who was so cruelty
J ashed, because he was afraid to 60 aloft, that
! he became a maniac, and ever alterward ap-
| paared 10 act without fear, running like mon
| KEY from masthead to masthead, and along the
yards.
| An old man-of waS 'S-man told The writer of
/ this Tue same story many years ago, with Sc
quel, which Captain Hall has not gwen. The
/ sailors story was IN substance as follows
I 4 tinld boy, about fourteen years of age,
/ hestated to 60 aloit, but, by the Captains or
ders, was iorciby pat in the main rigging, and
! :heu boatswaln's mate was ordered TO lash him
/ like a dog until he learned TO run aon, he
! PRAYED the inhuman Captain for Gods sake 10
/ have mercy on him, but all in vain.-The
/ boats Wain'S mate was commanded 10 lay on har-
der and harder, regardless OF the boys piercing
| screams, which made even veteran Seamen turn
| from the brutal scene with disgust His clothes
were rent from his back, the blood followed the
| lash, and still the tyranL roared out, ssLay on,
! boatswain's mate !''-WIth one wild scream he
sprang from under the lash, and bounded up
! the rigging with amazing Tapidty. He dOub-
led the iuttock rigging like cat, passed the
/ topmast and top-galiant rigging with undlmin-
ished speed, Skinned the unrattled royal rig
| siag, aud perched himself like bird along side
! cs ts-4 sanGant which STRAINED from ths mast
| bead Here he paused, looking fearieSsiy pon
! the deck below. All hands came up 10 see
| him-hs cries and cruel treatment had already
enlisted their sympathy, and, If possible, had
| increased their hatred OF the Captain.
! The monster was smiling compIacently at
| the success OF his experiment; tor he was one
of those lvrants who boasted that the cat, prop
rrly applied, could make men do any thing.
Sill be was apprehpnSive that the boy might
destroy himself, and the circumstance be used
! against him at the admiralty, 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 vas
seated near the tafraIl. Tney dared not be
seen speaking to one another 1t was dogga-
| bic offence even al night, spies passed under
their hamm0ckS to ascertain II they whispered
The officers walked the lee side Of the quarter
deck, occasionliy casting their eyes alott, anb
were as silent as the men.
Still the boy clung to the masthead, playing
with the pendant, apparently UNCONSCIOUS of
the interest he excited below. Tired with ga
zing aloft, the Captain sang out through the
speaking trumpet-'Down from aloft Down.
The boy spraEg upon the truck at bound,
aud raising himself up erect, waved his cap at
round his head then streachng his arms out,
gave a wild, laughing scream, and threw him
self forward. The Captain jumped to his feet,
expecting to see the boy dashed to pieces on
leck but when clear OF the shade OF the sails,
he saw him sliding along the main royal stay
toward the foretop galiant masthead, and heard
aim laugh and clatter like monkey, as If en-
owing the sport. He reached the masthead in
safety, and then descended along the top-gallant
backsiay hand overland. The Captain looked
at him, and was about to speak, but could not
find words. The boy irothed al the mouth and (
nose his eyes seemed starting out of his head !
he rooIrd upon the deck in convuISions, STAIN /
ing it with the blood which slil trickied from ,
hrs back He was a maniac.-The surgeons |
skill, ia the course OF a few weeks restored his /
health but never his reason.
From that time forward be was fearless. In !
the darkest night, IN the fercest gales, he would /
scamper along the deck like dog, and bound |
aloit with a speed which no one on board could /
equrl. He would run over the yards without
holding, pass from mast to mast Oh the stays, as
cend and descend by the leeches Of the sails,
and run up the naked studding- -saibooms. He
was nimhie as cat, and had forgotten fear.
Some OF the light duties alofL he learned TO dis
charge in company with them-he did as they
did, but could not be trusted 10 do anything
himself. One order he always obeyed without
hesitation. At the command, away aloft,' he
was off, and never paused until he reached the
masthead. As he was harmless and rarely |
spoke, the Captain kept him on board, and, In
the course OF year, sent him often aloft for a.
musement. His strength increased with his
years, but bis bulk and height remained nearly /
the same at eighteen as when be became ma
MAC.
His ribs, breast and back, seemed ore case of |
bone, and bis sinew5 and muscles made hIs legs !
and arms appear like pillared columns. He was