The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-12-09
SHARK FIGHT.

The following curious account of shark
ngnt, by an eye witness, appears in the
Calcutta Oriental Herald of the oath OF
May:
|" was walking on the bank of the river
where some up country boats were deliver
ing their cargoes. A considerable num-
per OF Coolies were employed on shore in
the work, all of whom observed running
away In apparent trepidation from the edge
OF tne understanding again, as if eager,
yet AFRAID, to approach some object, and
again returning as before, | found, on in
quiry, that the cause of all this perturba-
tlon was the appearance of large and
strange looking fish, swimming close to the
Dank, and almost in the midst of the boats.
l hastened to the spot, when perceived
huge monster of a shark sailing along
now near the surface of the water, and now
sinking down apparently in pursuit of his
prey. AT this momen. a native on the
Choppah roof of one of the boats, with a
rope in his hand, which he was slowly coil
ing up, surveyed the sharks motion with
look that evidently indicated he had Sc
rious intention of encountering him in his
own element. Holding the rope, on which
ne made sort of running knot, in one
hand, and stretching out the other arm, as
It already in the act of swimming, he stood
IN an attitude truly picturesque, waiting
the temperance of the shark. At about
SIX or eight yards from the boat, the ami
NAL rose near the surface, when the native
instantly plunged into the water, short
distance from the very jaws of the monster.
The shark Immediately turned round and
swan slowly towards the man, who in his
turn, nothing daunted, struck out the arm
that was at liberty, and approach. his foe.
When within foot or two of the shark, the
native Owed beneath him, the animal going
down almost at the same instant. The bold
assailant. in this most frightfal contest, soon
rc-appe ared on the opposite side ofthe shark,
swimming fearlessly with the hand he had
at liberty, and holding the rope behind his
back with the other. The shark, which
had also by this time made his appearance,
again Immediately swan towards him and,
while the animal was apparently in the act
of lifting himself over the lower part of the
natives body, that he might seize upon his
prey, the man making strong effort, threw
himself up perpendicularly, and went down
with his feet foremost, the shark following
him so simultaneously, that was fully i'm
pressed with the idea that they had gone
down graphing together. As far as
could judge, they remained nearly twenty
seconds out of sight, while stood in breath
less anxiety, and, may add, horror, wait
ing the result of this fearful encounter.
Suddenly the native made his appearance,
holding up both his hands over his head,
and calling out with voice that proclaim
ed the victory he had won while underneath
the wave, Tan-tan!' The people in the
boat were all prepared; the rope was in
stantly drawn tight, and the struggling VIC
tim, lashing the water in his wrath, was
dragged TO the shore and despatched
When measured, his length was found to
be six feet nine inches, his girtll, at the
greatest, three feet seven inches. The ma
tive, who achieved this intrepid and dex-
ferrous exploit, bore no other marks of his
hnny enemy than a cut on the left arm, evil
IDENTITY received from coming in contact
with the tail or some one of the fins of tho
animal"