The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-18
A DOG SAVING A SHIP.

n le" years ago sea captain from
Massachusetts who was in Havre, France,
obtained there fine little rat terrier,
which he called Neptune, to be COM
panion on his voyage. Little Neptune
soon learned to like the vessel, and he
would run up ladders like little sailor,
though he could not come 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 up high
on the forward part of the ship and sniff
and sniff, and bark and show signs of 10Y
His scent enabled him to smell the land
before it could be seen. He would 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 Hortensia-
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 Mexi-
co into the Atlantic ocean. For some
days there had been squally weather,
with light battling winds and the vessel
had not sailed very rapidly, but she was
in dangerous neighborhood and a con-
coast of Florida are long, low reefs and
islands and bars which have caused the
destruction of many vessels.
1t had been the captains watch in the
early part of the night-that is, the cap
tain, with few men, remained upon the
deck, while the rest slept then the 9th
ers, at the sound of the bell, came upon
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 into his berth to
sleep. Nep. lay at his masters state
room door, for that was his sleeping
place. There lies on the Florida straits
large and dangerous rock called the Dou-
ble Headed Shot Keys. A lighthouse is
built upon it, that vessels may be kept
from rusning upon it in the night. ''Be
sure to call me by three O'Clock" said the
captain, ''as by that time we shall be up
with the Double Headed Shot Keys and
sooner if there is change in the wealth
er."
The night wore on, and all was still
but the splashing of the water. The
mate went below to get something from
his chest, sat down upon it for a few
minutes, and before he knew it, was fast
asleep. The men on deck, receiving no
orders, supposed all was right, and ons
by one they too fell asleep. No one
was awake but a little Spanish boy,
whose turn it was to be at the wheel that
is, the helm, where they steer the vessel
Meanwhile the wind changed, a stiff
breeze sprung up, the sails were filled,
and the Hortensis ploushed through the
ocean briskly, straight toward the Double
Headed Shot Keys. The little Spanish
boy, half asleep st the helm, knew not of
the danger, neither could he see ahead
from where he stood ; for the great sails
concesled the view of the lighthouse but
Nsp., the good sailor that he was, dls-
covered that land was near-he smelt il,
and he saw the light. He rushed down
to his masters state room, and barked
and jumped up to him as he lay in his
berth. "Get down, Be still, Nep."
said the sleepy captain. But Nep.
would not be still. He only barked the
louder. ''Bs stiil,' SAID the captain
again and he pushed the dog away -
Again the faithful little fellow jumped
up, pulling his masters sleeve, and took
hold Of his arm with his teeth. Then
the captain, thoroughly roused, began To
think something must be the matter.
He sprang up, and Nep. ran forward,
barking, to the companion way. The
captains head no sooner came above the
deck than he saw what was the mat
ter Right ahead was the fearful rock
and the lighthouse, and the ship plunging
towards il at the rate of nine miles an
hour He seized the helm, the ship
struggled, swung round, and when her
course was shifted, she was 30 near the
rock that in threee minutes more she
would have struck and been wreck
The sleeping sailors were reused to their
duty, and the Rstonished mate rose from
his nap on the chest to learn that but for
tho faithful dog the waves might have al
ready closed over them.
Do you wonder that the captain thinks
his dog is worth his weight in gold He
has been offered large sums of money for
him, but money cannot buy him. He
does not go to sea now. Nep. went as
long as his master did, and now he makes
himself quietly useful at home catching
all the rats in the neighborhoOd, May
he live to good old age, the pet and ad-
miration of all who know linn
,,-1 ~,.co~, he. heen invented hv