Litchfield enquirer., 1830-04-08
STORY OF A SHARK.

[We were very much struck with the fol- lowing story but have forgotten where we found it. .l-Mass. Journal.
 'sI know a story of a shark-a fearful, bloody story-and one that haunts my memory night and day-dreaming or walk ing. When was at Campeachy, I for med a sort of potfriendship with a pearl fisher, who had served under Nina in the expedition to New Orleans, and could tell of log burnings and bush fgbtings, and things that had never heard of before {; and I used to sit in his wigwam all night, and swill rum grog, while he went over his campaigns and his wanderings. He was a merry fellow-and knew how to keep the joke fresh; and I liked his grog, and was compelled to like his company, for the yell low fever had broke out in our ship, and was thrown upon my shifts till she came off her quarantine, SO that was contented to sling my hammock in the pearl divers hut as long as he would allow me. One night was sdrunk-perhaps he had made me so for particular ends-bdt if he did, he was pun- ished for it, 1t was very dark and squally, and we were sitting alone in the hut, over the sleepy light of a mongrove fire. After looking ut me for some time with serious and steadfast eye, Jose said, {" Anderson, l Twill put my life into your hands ;-I have need of friendto advise with, and think you will not be,ray me. You may have heard, for rumor is loud Tipped, that the Cathedral of Nuestra Sonora, was plunder- ed about two years ago, and that two black men. who were implicated in the sacrilege, suffered publicly on the wheel.-There was another man who evaded detection. They died like men of honor, with the se- cret in their hearts, and yet he lives un- known and unsuspected: 4 ana thGt man |! Hush The gold and silver vessels tempted my eye-and I never knelt at the altar without wishing to tear them down. The devil assisted me and did it.. Maudre de Di0s !-such cOmmotion as it made tn the town 1.-the people seemed to have made vow tO talk of nothing else, and the Pad res yelled as if it was doomsday. The poor blacks yelled too, but my. name was never mingled with their confessions-m punishment is far off. The gold cups and candlesticks are buried under ten flthoms water, among the rocks of an old fishing station. know tho place we'll Assist me m raising them to night and will share them with you. and we will both take the first chance of going to Honduras 7~
 consented at once-for the devil is ever ready to take advantage of mans ne- cessities-and we went down to tho beach immediately, where Jose unfastened his dOree. and we put off for the fishing station. The sea ran high, and we had enough to do to manage our slight craft. Jose's ex- Perienced eye was not long in discovering the repository of his treasure, though the night was so dark, and the drift was so strong. that we could scarcely see beyond the bows. excepting whom a streamer fash cd through tho clouds, and showing the heavy black. waves mounting round about us. H'sa plaguy bad night. messmate," said I. Jose iurned-the lightning glared over his face-it was pale as death., 1" To night or never.'' he replied, wear up the doree while I strip" He did not lose an instant in preparation, and after repeating hts scautich to wear up the craft, and keep near the place, he crossed himself. and drops heavily but quietly into the water. I thought ! beard cry as he descended, and " ahxiety began tOtake the shape of fear.