The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1902-01-11
A SHOCKING SURPRISE.

One day, when we were In an Eas-
tern port, a gentleman came to me and
wanted to know if he could send some
fishes by my ship on her return voyage.
He wore spectacles and said he was a
naturalist" narrated an old sea captain.
cat first l objected. but he said: Cap
tain. am very anxious to send some
electric rays to scientific society, which
is willing to pay you good price for
them. These rays are peculiar creatures,
and they have the power to give quite
strong electric shocks | don't think you
will have much trouble. All the fish
need is pure ocean water twice day.
$50 on the morning Of sailing, the
electric rays were put into water bar
rel. which was braccd strongly on either
side of deck. A square hole was sawed
through the slaves on the upper side in
order to give the fish light and air.
"Some of the men were rather skep-
teal ahpr the rays giving out electric
shocks which amounted to anything /
didn't know much about it myself; but
| wasn't going to try it.
"One sailor thought he would see how
strong the electricity was. So he leaned
over, put his hand down into the barrel,
and moved it around in the water until
he caught one Of the fish, The instant
he did that Billy Strengthened up as
though he had been shot. He felt of his
right shoulder, and then his arm. to be
sure that both were there all right.
Whats the matter, Billy? inquired
one Of the sailors who came up.
"Sure that was an awful blow he gave
me-
",Who?'
s'The fellow in there said Billy.
pointing to the barrel.
"After this the sailors were shy of the
electric FISH. When one of the rays died
I had to take it out myself with heavy
glove on my hand. and even then | felt
singing shocks. We used to roll the
barrel over on one side to let the water
out. Then we would Eli the barrel with
fresh water and roll it back On al
NEST every occasion some Of US would
receive a shock.
"Now Tom was curious fellow; he
was always proving around and poking
HE nose into places where he had no
business"
+ WHO was Tom
s'Why, he was a big. lazy, overfed
cat. I He was a great pet with the sail
ors, VINO used to take him up in the rig
cling. After awhile Tom climbed aloft,
and in clear weather he seemed to enjoy
it. He was cunning cat, and had a
number of tricks both good and bad.
II am sorry to say that Tom was =
bold thief. The minute the cooks back
was turned he would steal whatever he
could lay his paws on. One afternoon
| noticed the old fellow studying the
water barrel. Then l knew that Tom
was going to commit larceny, so waited
developments.
Cautiously and lightly the cat pulled
himself up the side of the barrel. Then
he peered over the square hole for =
half minute, when he saw one of the
electric fishes, half alive and floating
near the surface.
"The temptation was too strong for
Toms voracious appetite. He made a
grab for the fish with his left paw But
that cat never knew what struck him
With 'mayow' he sprang into the air
and dropped all in heap on deck. Like
fash he was on his feet, making wild
dash for the storercom, where he stayed
that night. There he hid for over two
days, and at the end of that time. aftes
considerable coaxing, Tom crept out
half-scared and ashamed.
The barrel was thereafter an objeci
Of terror When Tom was obliged Il
20 near it he would arch his back. show
his white teeth, and act as If he expected
some wild animal to spring out at him
The old fellow was not happy until WI
reached our home port, and then thu
terrible barrel disappeared"