The Goodhue volunteer., 1864-07-06
Mi8eellauen,ls 3eaAiu q.
CONQUERING A SEA DOG.

CONQUERING A SEA DOG u:
Some years ago, when the old ship Light
heart was new and staunch, and when I had
command Of her, there happened on board
an incident over which have laughed many
a time, when memory has brought it back
to me. I loaded at Mobile with cotton, and
ran to Liverpool Among my crew was q
man named Rannot-Sam, we always called
him. He was one of the largest formed
men ever saw, and came from somewhere
in New England, He. stood six feet and
five inches in his bare feet, and was stout
and bulky in proportion. He had one fault
and that was an inordinate pride Of strength
He was not quarrelsome, nor had he re
vengeful point in his character, and yet he
was continually Fostering the crew. Hard
" day passed that he did not give one or
more Of them bodily pain by his Freaks
Ho would catch poor fellow by the legs
and swing him over his head, at the immi
nent risk Of smashing his brains out against
the mast or bulwarks, and then would laugh
at the poor mans fright. Sometimes he
would seize man by the arms and lay him
upon the deck, and in no very easy manner
either. 1twas no use for the men to re.
monstrate, for he would be sure to punish
them in some way.
OF course forbade Sam from doing such
things bat he could not remember my or
derS longer than over night. The lcGe OF
fun as he called it. was fixed too strongly
upon him, and it could not be taken out oI
him. He did not realize how unpleasan.
his pranks, were, nor did he know that the
rest Of the crew had grown to dislike him
They lad adopted many expedents to cure
him, but they all failed and though he had
often been made the but of practic. jokes
Such as sudden drenches Of cold sea waite,
while he slept, and other things equally un
p'easant-yet he always paid his tormertors
OFT with interest. He was in fact, the worst
practical joker I ever saw, and not a viii,
did he care, so long as be exhibited his her.
culean strength. and broke no bones. .
| When my ship arrived at Mobile, on tn.
return voyage, another cargo of cotton was
ready for me, and was ordered to loaG
and he off as quick as possible. But nc
sooner was the ship cleared than my mer
ALI but Sam Rannot-came and informed
me that they could not 60 with me agair
unless Sam was discharged:
I was not prepared for this. At heavy
work Sam was worth any three men or
board, and ALWAYS ready and willing. Ye,
knew how the crew suffered from his
thoughtless pranks, and I could net blame
them. told the men to come ia
me On the following day, and l would Civ,
them an audience.
At first thought Of promising them that
| would see that the old sea dog did not
annoy them any more but soon convirc
ed myself that that would be of no use-Sam
would cut up his capers when I would not
see him, and the men won!d not report him
every tilne he hurt them. But soon a new
idea entered my head
! l had brother who owned large cot.
ton plantation on the Chicksaw. His place
was not over fifteen miles from Mob;lc, and
he had just the man I wanted-or his
usual clothing. His arms we're like iron.
and his breast and shoulders like great
bundle OF wire done up. in raw OK hide.
I bentered my brother to let me have Ca
to for one or wo voyages.
"a Take him in welcome said he; he
getting two important here
| WHAT'S he ugly ? asked.
oh ao-just the other way. He is too
good natured altogether. He sets the very
snncho into the other boys. I have made
too much of him. . ;.
But will he work ?
| 'Yes.' .e.ssSs s4e.ss (
| So I got Cato for twelve dollars month
As long IS wanted-him. with the privilege
Of having him for one cruise only for moth.
ling. But I took him for better or worsa,
and agreed to pay him for his services.
On the next day I went on board the
Iship, and. when the men came TO mo fo1
my answer. I asked them il they would
Isail with Sam if would produce : qaiet
Iinofiensivs man who could handle him. ant
take sad man 70 Sea With him.
They said they would.
i 1knsw they would they would hsv
gone with me- for nothing. for the saks Q
Iseeing San Rannot conquered. Itsld then
The should be. md enjoised thsn 70 secresy
which they promised.
| Vixen Cato learned that hs was going 4
..|.sa With ne. = w.s bsssds bi.nssN viii
h and when Icane = tsll him hat
fwnnte3 II hiu, ~ an,v3,ad til fha kear