Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-04-06
STORY OF A SHARK

We were very much struck with the fol-
lowing story, but we have forgotten
where we found it.-Mass. Journal.
/" | know story ola shark--a fearful,
bloody story-and one that haunts my
memory night and day-dreaming or
waking. When ! was at Campeachy, |
formed sort Of pot-friendship with Al
pearl fisher, who had served under Nina
in the expedition to New Orleans, and
could tell of long burnings and bush fight
ing, and things that never heard of
before; and | used to sit in his wigwam
all night, and swill rum grog, while he
went over his campaigns and his wander
ings. He was merry fellow-and knew
how to keep the joke fresh; and | liked
his grog. and was compelled to like his
company, for the yellow 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 ham
mock in the pearl Divers hut as long as
he would allow me. One night | was
drunk-perhaps he had made me so for
particular ends-but if he did, he was
punished for it. 1t was very dark and
squally, and we were sitting alone in the
hut, over the sleepy light Of mangrove
fire. After looking at me for some time
with serious and steadfast eye, Jose said,
Anderson. | will put my life in your hands ;
| have need of friend to advise with,
and l think you will not betray me. You
may have heard, for rumour is loud-lipped,
that the Cathedral of Nuestra Sonora was
plundered about two yearsago, and that
two black men, who were implicated in
the sacrilege, suffered publickly on the
wheel. There was another man no
evaded detection. They died like men Of
honour, with the secret in their hearts,
and yet he lives unknown and unsupported:
Tam that man! Hush The gold and
silver vessels tempted my eye-and new
er knet at the altar without wishing to
tear them down. The devil assisted me
and did it. Mudre dc Dieel such
commolion as it made in the town the
people seemed to have made VOW to
talk of notEing else, and the Padres yelled
as fit was doomsday. The poor blacks
yelled too, but my name was never min
gled with their confessions-my punish
ment is far off. The gold cups and can
dlesticks are buried under ten fathom
,ater, among the rocks of an old fishing
station. know the place well. Assist
me in raising them tonight and | will
share them with you, and we will both take
the first chance Of going to Honduras"
consented at once-for the devil is
ever ready to take advantage of a mans
we went down to the
beach Immediately, where Jose unfastened
his doree, and we put off for the fishing
station. The sea ran high, and we had
TO do to manage our slight craft.
Jose's experienced 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 when
streamer flashed through the clouds, and
showed the heavy black waves mounting
round about us. " lis plaguy bad
night, messmate," said |. Jose turned
the lightning gIared over his facet was
pale as death. ITO night or never" he
replied, /" wear up the doree while strip"
He did not lose an i'll ,tant in preparation,
and after repeating his caution to wear up
the craft, and keep near the place, he
crossed himself, and dropt heavily but
quietly into the water. thought lheard
a cry as he descended, and my anxiety
began to take the shape Of fear. Jose had
scarcely Owed fathom when he rose
again to the subsequently, senseless
and inanimate. thought he had stunned
himself against the rocks. | called to
him but he returned no answer. Cold
with fear, | padded towards the place
where the lightning had shown me his
floating body. One arm was lying lIstless-
" upon the waves. seized hold OF 1t
dragged him into the boat:
As did so, blood-warm blood--spouted
over my breast and knees-a streamer
flashed across the firmament-l uttered
yell of horror, and let my load drop heavl.
Iy at my feet. 1t was headless trunk
The jaws ola shark had anticipated mans
Justice the punishment of the i'll lated
and guilty Jose had only been protracted
mot repealed"
WOMEN. i