Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-09-08

PERIENCE.
Chambers Journal of recent date has
the following entertaining sketch: Toby
was a sheep of middling size, lightly built,
finely limbed, as agile rs deer, with dark
intelligent gazelle-like eyes, and small
pair of neatly curled horns, with the points
protruding about an inch from his fore.
head His color was white, except on the
face, which was slightly darker.
As an old sailer, l wish to say some
thing of Toby's history | was on board
the good brig Reliance, of Arbroath, bound
from Cork to Galatz, on the left bank ol
the Danube. All went well with the little
ship until she reached the Grecian Areh-
pelago, and here she was detained by
adverse winds and contrary currents,
making the passage through the islands
both dangerous and difficult one.
When the mariners at length reached
Tenedos. it was found that the current
from the Dardaneles was running out like
mill stream, which made it impossible tc
proceed; accordingly the anchor was cast
the jolly boat was lowered, and the captain
took the opportunity of going on shore
for fresh water, of which they were scarce
Having filled his casks, it was only natura
for sailor to long to treat himself to u
mess of fresh meat as well as water. He
accordingly stroled away through the
little town; but soon found that butchers
were as yet unknown in Tenedos. Pre-.
sently, however, man came up with a
sheep, which the captain at once purchased
for five shillings. This was Toby, with
whom, his casks of water, and large
basket of ripe fruit, the skipper returned to
his vessel. There happened to be on
board this ship large and rather useless
half-bred Newfoundland dog. This dog
was the first to receive the attentions OF
Master Toby, for no sooner had he placed
foot on the deck, than he ran full tilt at the
poor Newfoundland, hitting him square
on the ribs and banishing almost every bit
of breath from his body. "Only sheep"
thought the dog, and flew at Toby at once.
But Toby was too nimble to be caught,
and he planted his blows with such force
and percision, that at last the poor dog
was fain to take to his heels, bowling
with pain, and closely pursued by Toby
The dog only escaped by getting out on
the bowsprit. where of course Toby could
not follow, but quietly lay down in safe
place to wait and watch for him.
The first adventure showed that Toby
was no ordinary sheep. How he had been
trained to act an independent part no one
could tell. His education, certainly, had
not been neglected. That same evening
the captain was strolling on the quarter
deck eating bunch of grapes. when Toby
came up to him, and, standing on one end,
planted his forefeet on his shoulders, and
looked into his face, as much as to say,
IN have some of those. please"
And he was not disappointed, for the
captain amically went shares with Toby.
Toby appeared So attached to his new
master, that Captain Brown had not the
heart to kill him. He would rather, he
thought, go without fresh meat all his life.
So Toby was installed as ships pet. Iii
Jared it then with the poor Newfoundland
he was so battered and cowed, that for
dear life's sake he dared not leave his
kennel even to take his food 1t was de-
termined, therefore, TO put an end to the
poor fellows misery, and he was accord
ngly shot. This may seem cruel, but it
was kind in the main.
Now there was on board the Reliance
an old Irish cook. One morning soon
after the arrival of Toby, Paddy. who had
a round bald pate, be it remembered, was
bending down over II wooden platter clean
inc the vegetables for dinner, when Toby
took the liberty of insinuating his woolly
nose to help himself. The cook naturally
enough struck Toby on the snout with his
fork, Toby backed astern at once; Il
blow he never could and never did receive
without taking vengeance. Besides, he
imagined, no doubt, that holding down his
bald head as he did, the cook was desirouS
nj hp 1t rth If w
skulls. When he had backed astern suffi-
cientIy for his purpose, Toby gave a
spring; the two heads came into violent
collision, and down rolled poor Paddy on
the deck. Then Toby cooly finished all
the vegetables, and walked off as if no.
thing had happened out of the usual
course.
Toby's hatred of the whole canine race
was inyincibe. One day when the cap
tain and his pet were taking their usual
walk on the promenade, there came on
shore the skipper of Falmouth ship,
accompanied by IA very large. formidable
looking dog. And the dog only resembled
his master, AS you observe dogs usually do.
AS soon AS he saw Toby he commenced to
set his dog upon him; but Toby had seen
him coming and was quite en- garte; so IL
long and fierce battle ensued in which
Toby was slightly wounded and the dog
head was severely cut. Quite a multitude
had assembled to witness the fight, and
the ships riggings were alive with sailors.
AT one time the brutal owner of the dog,
seeing his pet getting worsted, attempted
to assist him; but the crowd would have
pitched him neck and crop into the river,
had he not desisted. At last both dog and
sheep were exhausted, and drew off, as If
by mutual consent. The dog seated him.
self close to the outer edge of the platform
which was about three feet higher than
the rivers bank, and Toby went, rs he
was wont TO do, and stood between his
masters legs, resting his head fondly, On
the captain clasped hands but never took
his eyes off the foe. Just then a dog on
board one Of the ship happened to bark,
and the Falmouth dog looked round. This
was Ioby's chance, and he did not miss it
nor his enemy either. He was upon him
like bolt from II cannon. One furious
blow knocked the dog off the platform
next moment Toby had leaped on top OF
him, and was chasing the yelling animal
towards his own ship. There is no doubl
Toby would have crossed the plank and
followed him on board, had not his feet
slipped and precipitated him into the river
A few minutes afterwards, when Toby
dripping with wet, returned to the plat
form to look for his master, he was greet
ed with ringing cheers; and many was tht
piastre spent in treating our woolly irien'
to fruit. Toby was the hero OF Galati
from that hour; but the Falmouth dog
never ventured on shore again, and his
master as seldom as DOssible.
On her downward voyage, when the
vessel had reached Sulina, ut the mouth o
the river, it became necessary to lightel
her in order to get her over the bar. Inn
took some time, and Toby's master fire
quenty had to go on shore; but Toby
himself was not permitted to accompany
him, IN account of the filth and muddlnes
Of the place When the captain wished u
return he came down to the river SIDE "n'
hailed the ship to send boat. AND poo
Toby was always on the watch ior M
master if no one else was. he useo J."
place his fore feet ON the bulwarks an,
bleat loudly towards the shore as mucl l9i