, 1860-10-26
Cruelty and Revenge.

nesltated 70 go aott, out DY thc captalns orueTs
was forcibly put In the main rigging, and then 9
boatswan's mate was commanded to lash him
like dog. until he learned to run aloft The
poor fellows legs and arms trembled, he grasped
the shrouds, be cried, he prayed to 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 with
disgust His clothes were rent from bis back,
the blood followed the lash, and still the tyraht
roared out, Lay on, boatswain's mattel"
With one wild scream he sprang from under
the lash, and bounded up the rigg hg with amaz-
ing rapidity. lie doubled the futtOck rigging
like cat, passed up the topmast and tcpgailaDt
rigging with undiminished speed, Skinned the un.
ratified, royal rigging, and perched himself like
bird alongside Of the pennant which streamed
from the masthead. Here he paused, looking
iearlcssly upon the deck below. An hands came
up TO see him-his cries and cruel treatment had
already enlisted their sympathy, and, il possible,
had increased their hatred Of the captain.
The monster was smiling complacently at the
success Of his experiment; he was one Of those
tyrants who boosted that the "eat" properly
applied, could make men do anything. Still he
was apprehensive that the boy might destroy
himself and the circumstance be used against
him al the Admiralty, where he knew represen-
tations 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 taffrai They dared not be seen speak
ing to one another--it was a logging offence (;
even at night, spies passed under their hatn-
mocks to ascertain il they whispered. The
officers walked the lee side Of the quarter deck,
occasionally casting their eyes aloi, but were as
silent as the men,
Still the boy clung TO the masthead, playing
with the pennant, apparently unconscious Of the
interest he excited below. Tired with gazing
alCft, the captain sung out through the speak
ing trumpet:
'"Down from alofli down."
Tho boy sprang upon the truck at a bound,
and raising himself erect, waved his cap around
his head; then, stretching his arms out, gave q
wild, laughing scream and threw himself for.
ward The captain jumped to his feet. expect
ing to see the boy dashed to pieces on the deck !
but when clear Of the eshade Of the sails, he saw
him sliding along the main royal stays toward
the foretop- p-gallant masthead, and heard him
laugh and chatter like a monkey, as il enjoying
the sport He reached the masthead in safety,
and then descended along the top-galant back
stay hand-oyer-hand. The captain looked At
him and was about to speak, but could not end
words. The boy frotlied at the mouth and
nose; his eyes seemed starting out Of his head !
he rolled upon the dock in commissions, staining
il 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.
From that time forward he was fearless. In
the darkest night, the iiercest gale, he would
scamper along the deck like dog and bound
aloit with speed which no one on board could
equal. He would run over the yards without
holding, pass from mast to mast on the stays, as
cend and descend by the leeches Of the sails, and
run upon the neutrality-suspicious. He was nim-
bic as . cat, and had forgotten fear. Some Of
the light work aloit be learned to discharge in
company with the men-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 sloil," he was of,
and never paused until he reached the masthead.
As he was harmless and rarely spoke, the eaIr
tain kept him on board and, in the course of ;
wear senthim aloil for amusement His strength
increased with his years. but his bulk and
height remained nearly the same at eighteen
as when be became ulaniacs a.s..- rlG !.
His ribs, breast, and back, seemed one case Of
bones, and bis sinews and muscles made hislegs
and arms appear like pillared columns. He was
fair, with lightbIue eyes and delicate skin bis
neither love, fear revenge, or pleasure, could be
traced to It's solid outline. lis eyes stared at
everything without appearing to see and when
he spoke there was rarely any meaning in bis
words. He followed the ren in their various
duties like dog following his master. Whct-
ever he was struck or startled by boatswaihs
mote, he run up the main rigging screaming at
tie top Of his lungs and never paused until he
had performed the first evolution which had
made him a maniac f
As the sailors story runs, the ship arrived at
Plymouth to be docked and reiitted. The cap
tain, availing himself Of the leisure, was going TO
get married, and the news was communicated BY
bis servant to the cook, who soon circulated Il
on the berth.deck aino-g the men, who cursed
him and his kin. r tfe
His servant came on board OF the hulk where
the men were lodged, the evening when the
captain was to be married; Crazy Joe 0he name
the boy was known by) met him at the gong
way aud asked inlelligently Il the captain was to
be married that evening, and wherei The ser.
want gave him the information he desired, and
went about his business.
That night, while the captain was undressing,
he was seized by the throat and dragged to the
bridal bed.
Look, fair lady, on me, said Crazy Joe,
"but do not scream, or will kill you. Look
on mel hod within my grasp desu, VINO
delights in cruelty-a merciess tiend, who has
seoarged the backs Of hnndrcds Of brave men
IA arulIian 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 moment Of the heaven Of earthly joy
almost within your reach-then think Of me,
poor crazy Joel and Of the hell TO which send
you Die, wretch, die"
When the alarm was given, IN, strsngled body
Of the captain was iound lying alongside OF
the bridal bed but the maniac who Killed him
was never recognized alterward- He belonged
to Cornwall, and probably found shelter from
pursuit in the mines, until the excitement passed