Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-23

but as ns'slope. prevented the contact, he de-
sisted and sank into his element again. II
might not be amiss to observe here that the
mouths of most large sharks are situated foot
or more from their nose or snout and beneath,
SO that they can never bite an object in their
natural position without first running over il
to bite any thing above them they must first
turn on their backs. This last maneuvre they
are SO dexterous in that they will perform il
instantaneously.
What had before been mattersof doubt, was
now actual demonstration. We had seen with
our own eyes the object of our voracious visi-
tor, and lost no time in taking in our lines and
making the best of our way to the schooner.
Our alarm was heightened when the crew OF
the nose boat informed us he had left them
and shaped his course for us. As my partner
was much NOE sure footed in a wabbling un.
steady dory than myself he insisted upon bra
cling himself in a standing position to scull,
and directed me to secure myself forward, and
assist in keeping look out for the enemy. l
accordingly settled on my knees and grasping
the ribbon on the top railing of the dory with
all the strength was master Of, and in this
position awaited the approach of the shark.
The brightness of the suns rays rejecting on
the water on the windward side of the boat,
prevented my seeing an object beneath the sur
face until along side. 1t was thus that my
partner saw the horrid approach of the terrible
animal before myself. As soon as he disco
vered him he sang out in a stentorian voice,
{ here he comes, Jem.' The pronunciation of
the last word was simultaneous with the attack,
He struck the boat exactly under my left knee,
lifting and canting it at the same time with
such prodigious force and violence, that my
hold was entirely broken by the conclusion,
and | was precipitated head long into the sea
on top of him! 1t is needless for me to state
that my feelings at this awful moment were in
discribable However. was favored with a
presence of mind which must think was be-
slowed upon me for this trying occasion. In
the DAYS of my boyhooG had learned to swim,
but had never made much proficiency in the
art; such as it was turned to the best advan-
tage. AS soon as the velocity OF my descent
into the sea was expended, l turned and made
an effort to reach the surface; but found this
impossible at this moment, for the shark had
placed himself right across my bowels, and at
the same time bit at them. strained every
nerve to push him clear of me, that l might
reach the surface. My legs, Notwithstanding
the weight of nv sea boots, drew right under
his huge body by that suction which every
swimmer must have observed upon eudeavor-
ing to get out of the water into boat. Whilst
struggling against his cold and rough body to
clear myself of him, my right hand slipped
under his head, and at the same moment felt
his teeth enter my wrist and lacerate my arm
and hand.
| 1t was about this moment that the crew dis
covered part of my boots erect amid the foam
of the water, and also discovered the back fiji
l of the shark. He crossed my body. l reco
vered my posture, and when near the surfac
and gasping for breath, he seized me again b.
the hinder part of my leather trousers ant
4 drew me still farther under. The water hat
! already made way into my mouth, and be
rtlieved all was gone. thought of my beloved
t parents, relatives and friends-made anothe
desperate struggle to avoid the grasp oil death
and happily reached the surface OF the waite
once more, in a state OF great exhaustion
Partly through presence of mind from havin
heard that the negroes in the West Indies ha
been known to drive off sharks by noise. an
partly through fright. the latter will be though
e to have the greatest influence, screamed alou
/, and called upon God for assistance.
ii | now discovered the dory not less tina
Y three times its length from me in the directio
ri the conclusion must have driven it, and at ii
l. same moment the voice of my companion tie
a like music upon my ear as he strained ever
e nerve to reach me and pronounce the wore
1t 81 will save him if it costs me my life"
1t swan with all my remaining strength, and !
e we'll as my sea cloathing would permit me II
the boat, the shark being all the while but
d few feet behind, as my companions atterwart
ID told me. Upon reaching the boat my goo
III friend dropped his oar and sprang to my relic
st He seized me by my woollen shirt to help n
dI in, and his ardor to save me, might tor aug
srI know, have been fatal to us both if he hi
d not desisted again, for the dory would not be
Mt the weight of one man on the side without
at corresponding weight opposite to balance
Of accordingly begged him to desist and stai
III on the further side until could in some me
IN sure balance myself upon the edge. He tn
n, let go. and by great effort succeeded
IN getting in. BY this time the reason of the han