Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-11
A Playful and Intelligent Grab.


A number of passengers ON the
O'Clock Oakland boat yesterday witnessed
an interesting and curious exhibition. A
man, having every appearance of being a
sailor, stood on the lower forward deck
beside a large pail, which was filled with
sea water. In this pail was a crab of
enormous size, and, to judge by the
punches of barnacles upon its back, of
considerable age. The sailor was genial
fellow and appeared to be proud OF his
pet. He first informed the surrounding
passengers that the crab was the humble
pOssessor of the name of "Ned," and that
in addition of owning name he would
answer to that name. This was received
with incredulOus smiles on the part of the
OnIookers. The crab could be observed
living motiOnless at the bottom of the pail,
as apparently cOntented with his position
as though he was delving in the mud at
the bottom of the bay. The sailor kneeled
beside the pail and gave subdued whistle
and then muttered ''Ned, Ned" twice.
Instantly there was a commOtiOn in the
water, as the crab wriggled its joints and
bObbed around like spider impaled on
the point of a needle. This motion was
kept up until 1t succeeded in getting two
claws over the edge OF the pail. 1t then
tried to draw itself up. The sailor sud
denly ceased whistling, whereupOn ''Ned''
uIOUDpu
to rouse up again upon repetition of the
whistle and the calling of his name. At
last he got grip upon the pail with one
of his claws and drew himself up almost
clear of the water. His master came to
his reliet and laid him out upon the deck.
Here he strutted around in his
awkward fashion to the infinite
amusement of every one. He was appar-
emily delighted, and when his master
stretched out hand to him he stroked it
with his claws and even pretended to
''nip" it as kittens ''play bite" but it
was noticeable that he did not close on it.
When any of the passengers approached
it appeared sensible of the difference be-
tween them and his master and drawing
up his eXtremities lay sullenly in one
place. Upon being asked whether "Ned'
could do any more wonderful things the
sailor replied that he could. He dropped
''Ned'' into his pail to his crabship's sat
isfactiOn.
Then the pleased owner drew from his
| pocket a piece of thin rope. This be
stretched between two of the deck posts
about three feet from the deck. The
crowd of spectators, which was now
swelled by many from the upper deck,
who had heard that something eXtraordi
nary was going on, pressed around, eager
to see what the next act was on the pro
! gramme. The sailor plucked NED" Oul
of his natural element once more and
| hung him to the rope, his crabship clutch
ing the line tightly with one of his nip
| pers. His master then began low, mo-
notonous whistle, and "Ned' put himself
in motion. He evidently knew just what
was expected of him, and stretching cut
his spare nipper he got hold of the rope q
short space along. Then, wriggling his
| claws he released his first hold and caught
the rope again close to his second mp
per-" In this fashion he worked bimsel
| along to about the middle Of the rope
when he stopped. His master held his
! hands beneath him and he dropped int
them exhausted. The sailor explained
! that Ned became weak after he was GU
of the water very long. Ned's achieve
ment was hailed with delight by the pas
! sengers, and many ladies pressed forward
| to look at him as he lay in the bottom o
] his nail