The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-04-08
STORY OLA SHARK.

We were very much struck with the
following story; but have forgotten where
we had IT, Mass. Journal.
al know a story Of shark-a fearful,
bloody story-and one that haunts my
memory night and day-dreaming or wax.
ing. When was at Campeachy, / formed
sort of potfriendship with pearl fisher,
who had served under Nina in the expe.
dition to New Orleans, and could toll of
long burnings nd bush fighting, and things
that | had 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 wanderings. He was
a 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
of her quarantine, SO that was contented
to sling my hammock in the peardiver's
hunt as long as he would allow me. One
night was druDk--perhaps he had
made me so for particular ends-6ut if he
did, he was punished for it. 1t was very
dark and squally, and we were sitting a.
lone in the hut over the sleepy light Of a
mangrove fire. After looking at me for
some time with serious and steadfast eye,
Jose said, Anderson, | will put my life in
your hands;-l have need of friend to ad.
wise with, and ! think you will not betray
me. You may have heard, for rumour is
loudhpped, that the Cathedral Of Nuestra
Sonora was plundered about two years ago,
and that two black men, who were impi-
Gated in the sacrllege, suffered publicly on
the wheel.---There was another man who
evaded detection. They died like men of
honour, with the secret in their hearts, and
yet he lives unknown and unsupported;
am that man! Hushl--The gold and silver
vessels tempted my eye--and never knelt
at the altar without wishing 10 tear them
down. The devil assisted me, and did it.
Madre de Dios!--such comnotion as it
made in the town;--the people seemed to
have made vow to talk of nothing else,
and the Padres yelled as lift was doomsday.
The poor blacks yelled too, but my name
was never mingled with their confessions
--my punishment is far off. The gold
cups and candlesticks are buried under
ten fatbom water, among the rocks Of an
old fishing station. know the place well.
Assist me in raising them to night, and
will share them with you, and we will both
take the f st chance of going to HOnduras.'
81 consented at once--tor the devil is
ever ready to take advantage Of mans
necesslties-aDd we went down to the
beach Immediately, where Jose unfastened
bis dorce, and we put off for the fishing sta
ton. The sea ran high, and we had
enough to do TO manage our slight craft.
Jose's experienced eye was not long in dis.
covering the repository of his treasure,
though the night was so dark, and the
drift was so strong, that we could scarce.
Iy see beyond the bows, excepting when
'trcamer flashed through the clouds, and
,howed the heavy black waves mounting
round about US. 'lt's a plGguy bad night,
messmOte,' said /. Jose turned--the light
ming glarod over his FACET was pale as
icath. TO night or never - replied
wear up the doree while strip He did
not lose an instant in preparation, and after
repeating his caution TO wear up the craft
md keep near the place, he crossed him.
self, md dropt heavily but quietly into the
water. Thought heard cry as he de.
scendod, and my anxiety began to take the
shape Of fear. Jose had scarcely divcd
fathOm when he rose again 10 the surface
apparently senseIess aLI inanimatc. ]
thought he had stunned himself against the
rocks, called to HIM, but he returned
mo no answer. called again and louder,
and still no reply. Cold with fear, pad
died towards the place where the lightning
had shown me his floating body. One arm
was living listless upon the waves, | seized
hold of 1t hastily--and dragged him into
the boat. AS did so, blood--warm blood
-spouted over my breast and knees--n
streamcr flashed across the frmament--l
uttered a yell Of horror, and let my load
drop heavily az my feet. Itwus headess
trunk,--The jaws of shark had antici
pated mans justice:--The punishment Of
the i'll fated and guilty Jose had only been
protracted-- repealed"
-..e@s--
Family Discipline.-At the last Court Of
General Session in Oneida county, n. Y.
citizen named Orrin Kent. WIS tried on
an indictment for assault and battery. His
wife, the prosecutrx, had lived in his fam.
lily, during the life Of his former consort,
and, after the death of the latter, contin.
ued to do so, until she became her success
sor. She had agreed TO marry Mr.. Gil.
bert on Sunday, but. saws the report, "she
was ovorpersuaded by Kent, and married
him on the preceding Thursday" Un-
gratefully as it would seem, the union had
not been solemnised for more than two or
three weeks, when Kent began to chastise
his wife, sometimes by boxing her ears
and bufeting her, and at others, with n
stick. He threatened TO cut the children's
,hrosts with a razor, and used other means
of intimidating her, and putting her in
bodily fear. Such was her own testimony.
On the part of the defence, it was proved
that she had stated her grievances at diff.
fercnt times with material variations; and
that she had not been altogether lovely in
her conduct towards her lord: or in the