Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-07-14
Gales aud Sketthes.
BLACK CARLO.

L
West. set out on an expedition along Sc
cluded inlets and through gloomy forests,
at that time seldom visited by white men.
When we were ready to start it ap-
peared there were two dogs with the COM
pany named Carlo, and as neither owner
was willing TO call his pet anything else.
we agreed to designate them by their col
or. one being gray and the other black.
Gray Carlo, beautiful, apparently iull
blooded mastiff had everything in his
favor 30 far as appearance went. His
master, a Boston merchant, had bought
him from dealer at home, and paid a
high price, on the latter's declaring that
This talented ANIMAL possessed every
quality required in a dog during trip
down the sandy shore and among the al
most impenetrable everglades.
Black Carlo, on the other hand, in looks
bad nothing TO recommend him. The
writer ran across this dog one rainy MORN
ing in Charleston, South Carolina, while
the poor fellow was wandering about. ap-
parently in search OF some one to take
charge of him. Having always felt a
special sympathy with such canine out
casts Immediately adopted the creature,
who. by constantly licking my hand and
wagging his delighted tail, manifested
his appreciation of the kindness.
What to call my new piece of live stock
somewhat puzzled me; and while think
ing aloud on the subject, happened to
pronounce Carlo, at which the dog
pricked up his ears, and bounded and
pranced about in the most energetic
manner. as if to show me his happ ness
because had actually guessed his name.
had secured very affectionate. and
as soon learned, courageous companion
Of no particular breed, he probably
weighed about eighty pounds. His dingy
black coat was extremely rough and shay
" his head and ears much too large for
the rest of him, and what might once have
been very respectable tail, had lost
about half its original length so that the
vigorous wagging of it which he often
INDUCED in, seemed to destroy his bal
ance and twisted him about in a most
comical fas hlon. Indeed, it was an actual
example of the tail wagging the dog
A day or two after my find. when at the
railway station about to leave tor Florida,
| set my travelling bag down and the in
slant my back was turned it disappeared.
Though no one was observed to 90 out or
in, a careful search failed to reveal either
the bag or the culprit, until Black Carlo.
who had been quietly smelling about
suddenly pounced upon very solemn
and innocent looking old negro. who was
sitting on large dry goods box. This
ancient darkey had excused himself for
not helping hunt for the bag because de
rheumatic has iroze up all my bones"
But the dog, without the slightest regard
tor the old fellows age or infrmitv,
grabbed him by his coat collar, and I'M
pulled him over backwards,
tipping up his seat, and exposing the
stolen properly. which this expert thief
had placed under the box when no one
happened to be looking.
The rapidity with which the dusky
scamp left the depot proved the falsity of
his talk about rheumatism and he would
surely have made good his escape if Carlo
had not overtaken him just'as he was
darling through doorway, and getting a
firm grip on his immense foot. held fast
until policeman came up.
During our excursion my dog proved
himself in all respects superior to his finer
looking northern namesake; and after a
few weeks, all agreed in calling him the
best hunter we had
His excellent faculty for taking his own
part, doubtless acquired during numerous
street fights in Charleston, caused the
other dogs to treat him with great respect
But his ragged appearance made the doz-
en- or more big and little ours avoid his
society, and the faithful fellow stuck close
to his master, going with me wherever
went, by day or night.
One evening, after u long tramp through
the Interior we came upon the seashnre,
where the bottom being smooth and gent
~ slopng, offered opportunities tor
good swim, which some OF the party i'm
proved. leaving their arms and luggage
at our camp, back on the high ground. In
these waters there is always more or less
danger from 81 arks; but as this particu-
lar locality gave no signs of the murder
Gus creatures, our boys tumbled in with
ont fear; and Charlie Butler. mere lad
from Savannah, to show what he could do.
swan out to coral reef, nearly mile
from land.
Before he was ready to return became
tired of the sport and went to the camp TO
look after the preparation of supper.
had Just succeeded in making the cook
understand what sort of meal we re-
quired, when sudden cutlery told me
something was going wrong on the shore
Grabbing rifle and fastening back
with Carlo at my heels. beheld Butler
some distance away swimming with ali
his might, and only a few yards
behind him the verticle fin of a
huge shark. There seemed no possibility
that the boys lite could be saved I'VE were
without boats. and fish and man were so
nearly in line from us that did not dare
to fire.
The dogs were running up and down
the beach, and nosily expressing their i'll
will toward the enemy, Gray Carlo. as
usual, barking the loudest and making the
most uuavailing fuss In second, Black
Garlic, comprehending the situation. dashed
through the surf and started to swim
toward Charlie with speed have never
seen equalled by any land animal.
The boy having leisurcly covered most
| OF the distance between the rect and shore
When the man eater started after-him. was
comparatively fresh. and when he saw the
noble dog fastening to his help made a
final, desperate effort to escape
In another instant Carlo was close to
him. just then. however. the shark. hav.
ing come near enough, turned SO that we
could see his white belly glistening in the
twilight, and was already for the spring
that would surely have ended Charlie s