The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1891-08-13
STORY o. A FAITHFUL DOC.
How He Rescued a Child From Watary
Grave in Mid-Ocean.

had also brought with her huge, hand
some Newfoundland dog.
The voyage had lasted about six
days. No land was visible and the
island of st. Helena would be the near
est point. The day was beautiful
one, with a soft breeze blowing. and
the sun shining down brightly on the
sparkling waters. A large and gay
company of the passengers were as
sembled on deck; merry groups of
Young men and girls had clustered to-
gether; now and then a laugh rang OUT.
or some one sang a gay little snatch of
song. when suddenly the mirth of all
was silenced by the loud and piercing
scream OF woman.
A nurse who had been holding a
child in her arms ut the side of the
vessel had lost her hold Of the leaping.
restless little one. and it had fallen
overheard into the sea-into the great,
wide Atlantic Ocean. The poor.
in her despair, would have flung her.
self after her charge had not strong
arms held her back. But sooner than
it can be written down, something
rushed swiftly past her; there was II
leap over the vessels side l. splash into
The waters, and then Nero'S black head
appeared above the waves, Folding the
Child in his mouth.
The engines were stopped as soon as
possible, but by that time the dog was
far behind in the wake of the vessel.
A boat was quickly lowered, and the
ships surgeon. taking his place IN it,
ordered the sailors to pull for their
lives. One conld just make out on
the leaping, dancing waves the dogs
black head holding something scarlet
in his mouth. The child had on a little
JACKET of scarlet cloth. and it cleaned
like spark of fire on tie dark blue
waves.
The mother Of the child stands on
the deck her eyes straining anXiOusly
after the boat. and the black spot upon
the waves still holding firmly to the
tiny scarlet point. How long the time
seems! The boat seems fairly to creep,
though it speeds over the waves as it
never sped before.
Sometimes a biIow higher than its
fellows hides for a moment dog and
child from the anxious. strainiug eyes.
One can almost hear the watchers
hearts then throb with fear lest the
waters may have swallowed them up.
But the boat comes nearer and nearer.
near enough at last to allow of the
surgeons reaching over and lifting the
child out of the dogs mouth, ti:cn Il
sailors strong arm pulls Nero into the
boat, and the men row swiftly back to
the ship.
"Alive?n is shouted from every lip
as the boat comes within hail of the
steamer: and as the answer comes
back, "Alivem thank God!' breaks
from every heart. Then the boat comes
up to the ships side. a hundred hands
are stretched out to help the brave dog
on board, and Good Nero" Brave
dog Good fellow" resounded on
every side. But Nero ignores the
praise showered so profusCly on him;
he trots sedately up to the child S
mother, and with a wag of his dripping
tail looks up into her face with his big.
faithful brown eyes. 1t was rs if he
said, 1t is all right; | have brought
her back quite safe"
The mother drops on her knees on
the deck. and taking his shaggy head
in both hands. kisses his wet face again
and again, the tears pouring down her
face in streams. There is indeed not
dry eve on board. One old sailor
stands near with the tears running
down his weather-beaten brown face,
all the while unconscious that he is
weeping.
Well, rs one can imagine. Nero was
for TIE rest OF tho voyage the pet and
hero of the whole ship He bore his
honors with quiet, modest dignity. 1t
was curious. however, to sec how from
that time on he made himself the
sentinel aud body-guard of the child he
had saved. He always placed himself
at the side of the chair of any person
in whose arms she was, bis eyes watch
inc every movement she made. Some
times she would be laid on the deck,
with Nero only to watch her. and II
inclined 10 clcep out of bounds Ncro's
teeth. fastened firmly in the skirt OF
her frock. promptly drew her back. 1t
was rs though he thought, Il have
been lucky enough. Miss Baby, to save
YOU once from Il waterv grave. but as l
may not be so lucky again. shall take
care you don't run any unnecessary
risks in future"
When the steamer reached her deS.
| tination, Nero received a regular ova'
| ton as he was leaving the vessel.
! Some one cried, Three cheers fo1
| Nero" and they were given with 9
will And "Good-by, Nero" Good
bv. good dog" resounded from every
| side. Every one crowded around to
| give him pat on the head as he trottet
down the gang-plank. 10 all these
| demonstrations he could, OF course, only
reply with a wag of his plumy tail ano
4 twinkle of his faithful brown eyes
He kept close to the nurses side. ano
| watched anxiously his little charge
arrival on dry land.
He was taken 10 the home of his lit
! tie mistress, where he lived. loved ant
honorcd. until he died of old age. will
his shaggy, gray head resting on til,
| knee OF the child Ca woman now tha
he had saved. His grave is in at
English church-yard. i'll consecrate'
ground. He lies in the burial plot o
the family 10 which he belonged. Hi
grave is marked by fair white stone
on which is engraved
Sacred 10 ne memory OF Aero, JdtIJH'eS
Of dogs.
His portrait hangs over the chimney
piece of an English drawiug-room. bt
meath which sits, in n low arm-chair,
fair-haired girl, who often looks up
Nero's portrait as she tells the tale {
how he sprang into the waters of th
Atlantic Ocean after her. and he'll he
ND until help camc.-Emna Maad
ihelpS, in Harper'S Young People.
Eurpoean papers connrm the repu:
that aie Czarevitch of Russia will /
engaged to Princess Helene of Mon
euegro upon his return from Ii
travels. 1t is understood that arrange
meuts for the important event hay
been completed between the Car an
the Prince of Montenegro and that I'll
Czarevilch has intimaleI his inteniio
of fulfilling his fathers wishes: Iii
5 | Princess is considered 4 beautifl
= | ,vnnaan in her native country