The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1868-09-10
A DOG SAVING A sHR.

A DOG SAVING SHIP.
Anew years ago sea captain from
Massachusetts,, who was in Havre, in
France, obtained there fine rat terrier
which he called " Neptune" to be a
companion on his voyage. Little
Neptune" soon learned to like the
vessel, and he would run up ladders
ike little sailor, though he could not
Eeome down without help. After the
vessel had been at sea some weeks or
months, when they began to approach
land before it could be seen by the
men, Nep. would mount high up on
the forward part of the ship, and snuff.
and snuff, and bark, and show signs
ofjoy. His keen scent enabled him to
smell the land before it could be seen.
He swoHld also detect the approach
of another ship when he could not see
it,in the same way.
When Nep. had been to sea with his
master about two years the s'Horten-
lsia"--that was the vessels name-had
been to New Orleans for a load of
cotton and was ON her way out of the
Gulf of Mexico, into the Atlantic
Ocean. For some days there had been
" squaly" weather, with light battling
winds, and the vessel had not sailed
very rapidly, she was in a dangerous
neighborhood, and constant watch !
was necessary; for along the coast of
Florida are long, low reefs, and islands.
and bars, which have caused the des-
truction of many vessels. 1t had been
the captains watch in the earlier part
of the night-that is, the captain, with |
a few men, remained upon deck.
while the rest slept, then the others. at
the sound of the bell, come on deck.
the mate took charge of the ship, the
men who had been watching went be-
low, and the captain, after telling the
mate to call him before three O'Clock.
went below and turned intoo his
berth to sleep. Nep. lay at his mas
ter's state-room door, for that was his
sleeping place. There lies in the Flor
ida Straits large and dangerous rock
the .Doubleheaded Shot KEYS,
A lighthouse is built upon it, that
vessels may be kept from running
upon it in the night. '.Be sure
% call me by. three CLOCK" said the
captain, "as by that time we shall be
Up with the Double headed Shot Keys
md sooner, if there is change in the
weather."
The night wore on, and all was still 8
'ut the splashing of the water; the
nate went below to get something
rom his chest, sat down upon it few S
minutes, and, before he knew it, was
asst asleep the men on deck receiving "
10 orders, supposed all was right, and "
ne by one they, too, fell asleep: no
ne was awake but little Spanish I
oy, whose turn it was to be at the t
7heel- that is, the helm, where they o.
teer the vessel. Meantime the wind q q
hanged, a..stiff breeze sprung ND, the
Ills were filed, and the " Hortensiau I
lowed through the ocean briskly. Ii
'raight towards the Double-headed :
hot Keys. The little Spanish boy. H.
alf asleep at the helm, knew not of
lie danger, neither could he see ahead .
ON where he stood, for the great
ills concealed the view of the lioht-
ouse; but Nep. the good sailor that Al
was, discovered that land was near, =
smelt it, and saw the light. He
shed down to his masters state-room At
i'd barked, and jumped up to him as
lay in his berth. ''Get down! be Z
Ill, Nep" said the sleepy captain. =
1T Nep. would not be still-he only Z.
rked the louder. "Be still"said the II
plain again, and he pushed the dog I
vay. Again the faithful little fellow ;,
mped up, pulled his masters sleeve, t,
d took hold of his arm with his e
'th. Then the captain, thoroughly !
used, began to think something must hf-' f-'
the matter. He sprang up, and . :,
p.ran forward, barking, to the com o
mon way; the captains head no
,ller came above the deck than he Att
V what was the matter Right a. to as
I'd was the fearful rock and the s,y
ht-house, and the ship pfangine; e + E
Yards it at the rate of nine miles an "A
II. He seized the helm, the ship, sPs' slsf
1gged, swung round, and when her A Sii !,
rse was shifted, She was so near clan d
rock that in three minutes more ''i'N''
would have struck and been Ia
9ck; the sleeping sailors were rous- I'D
heir duty, and the astonished mate be betty
up from his nap on the chest, to the /
n that but for the faithful dog the, to th
res might have already closed over o; ment mtal
n. s--7sS--
% Ra
o you wonder, that the captain - l.
ks his dog is worth his weight in u '
|! He has been offered large sums
honey for him, but money cannot
him.. He does not go to sea now.
went as long as his master did.
now he makes himself quietly
I'll at home by catching all the rats
le neighborhood. May he live to-
good old age, the pet and admira- +
OF all who know him! ~
EAR-sIGHTED LADY-Patrick, can
read the name on the shop just
site for me? PATRIcK-Sure.
Its just as ignorant as yourself /
They niver taught me to rade
L. l ha,
to orde
K VOUnU man wbo eon,. sisting