Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-07-03
A DOG's VENGEANCE.

uOg klllluS, MulCu pIC'~iOu ~ ehO 1AAfS
which he speaks, in consequence Of an
unreasonable apprehension of the
spread of hydrophobia. he says, among
other fine things, that the dogis the
only animal that will lsaye its own kind
voluntarily to follow man. 1t is true,
and the truth should bind man to be
the dogs protector and friend.
An American brig, on one of her
voyages, had on board splendid spec
linen of the Newfoundland breed, named
Napoleon, and bis magnificent size and
proportion, his intelligent head, broad,
white chest, white feet, and white
tipped tail, the rest of his glossy body
being black, made him as beautiful as
his peerless namesake, whs, ne doubt
weld have been proud to possess him.
He was owned by man named Lam
caster, who was naturally enough ex-
tremely fond Of him. The captain,
however, was not partial to animals OF
any kind, and had an unaccOuntable
and especial dislike 10 dogs, as much
so. indeed, as if his ancestors had died
of hydrophobia, and he dreaded 10 be
bitten like his unfortunate predecessors.
THIS dislike he one day manifested in
most shocking manner, for as Napoleon
had several times entered hi. room, and
by wagging his great banner Of tail
knocked paper and ink Off his desk, on
the next occasion the captain seized a
knife and cut half the poor animals
tail off. The dogs yell brought his
master to the spot, and seeing the ca
lamity and the author Of it without a
moments hesitation he felled the cap
tam 10 the cabin floor with a sledge
hammer blow, which, if it had hit the
temple. would forever have prevented
the captain from cuttin. of any more
dogs tails. The result was that Lam
caster was put in irons, from which,
however, he was soon released. The
captain partly repented his cruel deed
on learning that the dog had once
saved the owners life.
The white shark, as all my nautical
friends are well aware, is one OF the
very largest Of sharks. 1t averages
more than twenty feet and l have seen
enc twenty-seven and half feet in
length. It's generally considered to
be the fercest and NEST formidable Of
all sharks.
But few days elapsed after the ca
tastrophe ofpoor Napoleon ere he be-
came the hero ola most thrilling oc-
currence, the very thought Of which has
often thrilled me with horror. During
the interval the noble beast was not at
sll backward IN exhibiting his wrath at
the captain by low growls when he APP
preached. In vain did his master,
fearful for the life Of his dog, essay
to check these sign ofhis anger. The
captain, however, made the allowance
he should, and offered no further harm
to him.
One morning as the captain was
standing on the bowspnt, he lost his
footing, and fell overheard, the brig then
running about ten knots.
Man overheard! The captain over
board !" was the cry and all rushed TO
get out the boat as they saw the
swimmer striking out for the brig which
was at once rounded to and as they
felt especially apprehenSive on account
of the white sharks in those waters,
they regarded his situation with the
most painful solictude. BY the time
the boat touched the water their worst
fears were realized, for at some distance
beyond they saw the white shark adj
vancing upon him.
"Hurry! hurry! men or we shall
be too late!" shouted the mate
Whats that !" he exclaimed.
The splash which caused this inquiry
was accustomed by the plunge of Ma
poleon into the sea, the noble animal
having been watching the cause of the
tumult from the bow of the vessel. He
had noticed the captains fall and the
shout, and for a few moments had
vented his feelings IN deep growls, as if
conscious Of the peril efhIs late enemy,
and gratlied at it. His growls, how
ever, were soon changed into whines of
sympathy which so often show the at
tachment Of dog to man when the latter
is in danger. AT last he plunged into
the water, rapidly making his way to
the now nearly exhausted captain, who
being but passable swimmer, made
fainter and fainter strokes, while his
adversary closed rapidly upon him.
"Pull boys, for dear life! J" shouted
the mate, as the boat now followed the
deg, whose huge limbs propelled him
CALAMITY to the scene of danger.
Slowly the fatigued swimmer made
his way, while ever and anon his head
sank in the waves, and behind him the
back of the voraclous animal told what
fearful progress he was making, while
Lancaster, in the bow of the boat,
stoed with knife in his upraised hand,
watching alternately the captain and
his pursuer, and the faithful animal who