The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-10-28
STORIES OF SEA PETS
DOgBarked When the Helms
man Steered Wrong.
ANTICS OF A HUNGRY CANINE
Invaded the WardrOOm with Her
Litter and Broke I'D McaI-Jumped
Overheard Next and Then Ate Fly
paper "A Parrot that Learned
TO Talk Portuguese in Week.

'If the average Jack Tar had his way"
says a retired naval officer, there is
little doubt that the after rail of his ship
would be studded with parrots, cockatoos.
and macaws. Marmoscts would swarm
up and down the standing rigging. play
fIIl puppies would tumble over each other
on tho quarter deck a couple of dozen
cats would litter the floor of the gallery,
and the holds would be infested with va
rious species Of wild beast cubs. Perhaps
even the flying jibboom might have its
decoration ia the shape of a saucer-eyed
gorilla
In the navy, however. tho sailors pro-
pensities in this direction are curbed by
his watchm first lieutenant, whose Vi
sion is as that Of the lynx. and whose
most peremptory demand is for cleanH-
ness.
Your sailor at sea is a busy man.
Even in his hours OF duty his industrious
fingers are at work mending hammock,
stitching his jacket, building himself a
new pair Of trousers, or doing some Of the
nautical fancy work for which he is IA
nous. When, however. his cares are all
behind him, when the good ship goes
bowling along her eleven knots an hour,
with a steady breeze on her quarter,
when all is snug below and aloft, and it's
Jacks watch below, he sits Oh a coil of
rope, sticks his black pipe in his mouth.
and surrounded by an enthusiastic cir
Gle, proceeds 10 train his pets.
Dog Yves a Navigator.
There is one story ia the navy which
has been handed down from generation
to generation about an old foretopman on
the Constitution. VIII Birney was his
name, and when ne first went on board
the old Ironsides he made friends with
shaggy young Newfoundland. which had
belonged 10 the ship from puphood.
'One day they We're sailing I'm the
tropics full and by with a light. variable
wind. Hirrey was steering, and hc sol
emmy swOre FOR years afterwdrd that
every time he let the ship 20 of or come
up a half point more than was necessary
the dog would rush aft from the mizzen
hatch. where the Serious-minded beast
had stood looking up at the sails. and
bark at the careless helmsman in the
most contemptUOus manner.
Il remember that on one Of our small
coast survey schooners there was once a
litter of puppies belonging 70 the cap
cain. They were 10 De- allowed 10 remain
on board until old enough 10 leave their
mother, but during that stay on board
they proved to be the worst Of nuisances.
The Smartest and most energetic pup OF
che lot was little fluffy blaCk-and-Wh
spotted fellow dubbed 'Spottvcus the
Gladiator. and he led all the others IN
mischief.
Pups in the SOUP.
The pups Rad their meals Immediately
after the werdroom officers. Spottycus
evidently made up his mind that il was
an infringement OF his dignity TO be rele-
gated TO the second table, so one day
he undertook a demonstration Of his
rights.
1T was warm summer evening. The
wardrOom officers were just being helped
20 their soup when there was g rush over
head, followed by succession OF tiny
baIks. The officers looked up and beheld
every one OF the SlyliEhts overhead &C.
cUpivd by pup reaching over as far rs
he could get his mouth open and his
tongue hanging out.
The tiCst lieutenant jumped from his
seat. At that moment, as if upon agreed
signal, Spottycus slipped from his hold
end plunged headlong into the turcen Of
hot soup. As in duty bound the others
followed his example. and for a while,
in the midst of sounds of breaking glass
ware, the thuJ and splash OF falling
bodies. and 4 prolonged yelping. squeal-
ing, and whining, 1t fairly rained puppies
Their next exploit. day or two after
was 10 IAN overheard together, being led
as usual by the ind0mitable Spottycus.
whose cheerful disregard Of consequences
wa rather appalling They were rescued
from "A WatCTy grave and wrapped I'm hot
towels, whence they escaped. only to cat
q lot of poisoned fly paper They became
desthly sick, Of course, and eli that night
had to be- attended 10 by two OF the Of
fccrs and most Of the crew.
4 wonderful Parrot.
Shortly after the civil war one of our
steam frigates visited the port Of Rio dc
Janeiro. Her commander had a parrot
OF which he was Unfortunately fond
Every morning after quarters Polly
would be brought into the cabin. and the
old man would talk to il and smooth its
feathers.
Six months confinement on board ship
began TO ten ON the birds health so one
day 1t was suggested 10 the commanding
officer that a trip ashore, where it could
fiy around the trees and cat its accus-
toned Juicy shoots and buds. might tone
up It's energies. The proposition being IA
vorably received preparations were made
Tor the parrot journey. Il was put in r
cage. "hich was cnycloped IN d rough
sack. and the whole confined to the care
Of tho commanders cabin steward.
Now. IT appears that his steward. a
rather aggressive and tnsolent negro. was
anything but popular with the men. 81
when DC tried 20 get into the boat which
was to carry him and u lot of liberty men
To the shore. no one offered hand IN
helping him with the parrot.
There was a heavy swell on at thc
time; the steward did not jump at the
right moment. he missed his footing.
reached ont his opened hands 70 save hini-
self from falling, and. with a last feeble. |
despairing squawk. Polly. the bag and
the cage disappeared beneath the bolster
Gus waves.
Next morning the commanding officer
said to the steward: How is Polly get |
ting on?
Fine. sir replied the men6acious
Ethiopian. She enjoys every minuts of
the time an she's gettin' fat already.
Steward Had to Make Good.
Substantially The same conversation oc- /
CURED between the commanding oaicer |
and his steward every day for u week. and /
At the end of that time the old man de (
;lared that the bird must return. In vain 1
lid the steward argue that she was doing I
80 well that It was pity 10 remove her. /
The commander. however, Insisted that he 1
Was anxious 70 have her again.
This put the steward in IN awful 1
plight He remembered that the old man I
rad said that ho W. lined pall, maze -l,.tt,