Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-17
NEUTRALs AND SHARKS.
A TALE OF THE WEST INDIES.

from Lieutenant vi. rittous " N'' W "'eS ~
sholi, Esq, His Majesy's proctor at Jamaica.
and the circumstance which it relates IS one OF
those extraordinary condolences that are almost
past belief We have taken it from copy Of
the original, to which we have adhered as closely
a. possible. and are assured by Lieutenant Fitton
that the sharks Jaw is now in the possession OF
gentleman in London.
The COMMANDMENT Chief on the jamaica sta
,;,n in 1899. ordered Lieutenant Whyle, IN the
Snarrow cutter, to cruise IN the mona Passage
Nth the tender Of His Majesty's ship, Aberga-
yenpy. uader my command.
NE dined together of the east end OF Jamaica.
and. on comparing notes, we found that ne nao
ten guns in the Sparrow, anu hau Six three'
noupiers in the tender; with which II was agreed
latter we had dined,) that we certainly cou'd cap
,ure any sloop Of war belonging TO the enemy'anu
ibe(ore we parted that we could even beat on,
and ,olerabiy well hamper, frigate.
Ne parted the next night IN chase, but joined
eaupany again some days after, of Jaquemel,
nm the south side Of 81. Domingo. AT day light,
the Snarrow was about six miles in-shore; and |
asked Lieut.. Whylie, by signal, to come on board
10 breakfast
Whilst his boat was on her way, seated my
self ON the tafrail watching her progress. The
morninp was cool aud serene. the sea calm and
TRANSPARENT. The far-distant rock OF A'taveia
was seen on the disk Of the rising sun, as he APP
peared above the horizon; an extended line OF d.
yersified coast, with Isle la Nache to ieeward;
the stupendons mountains OF Grand Ance, CLOTH
ed in forests Of eternal green, studied with white
coffee plantations their base concealed with float
inc vanor. mingled their lofty SUBMITS with the
ethereal blue Of heaven! There was something
40 inspiring ia the whole scerc, added TO the cool
freshness ot the morning, and the stiffness oil all
around, that il was worth going i've thousand
miles TO witness. at the risk OF diving " the vel
low fever, the lot of many good fellow that l
have known.
As was thus seated on the stern, | observed
at some distance from the vessel dead bullock
floating on the surface Of the water. and some
sharks busilv tearing II to pieces. Tins dld not
excite nv surprise. as was then 10 the track Of
cattle loaded vessels from Puerto Cavelso aud
L,puayra; but ordered IL 10 be towed alongside,
which was soon done, the sharks following IT.. -
Among the sharks there was one much larger tsan
the others, which resolved 10 catch. and make
a walking stick of his backbone. BY inserting
wire through it, as had seen frequently done
baited the hook with tour pound piece oil
beef; but John. shark rubbed himself against il
several times, aud did no, seem quite to fancy 1t,
not drawn IT from them Seeing that this huge
fellow vas rather dainty, changed the bait for
a piece of pork. which. after sighting Tor some
time. he at last bolted. With a strong effort,
fixed the hook in his Jaws; as matter OF course,
in his turn he sprang forward, but. alter playing
him little with about sixty fathoms oil line, L
had him hoisted on board.
The process Of dissectins him was soon CON-
mencpd; and being curious to know what he had
got 10 his stomach. it was quickly opened. when,
TO our astonishment, out came a large bundle
of papers tied up 0iih a Sfr,ng.
The sailor who bad been the principal charac.
ter ON the occasion, like most others, loved
Joke; and as he presented the bundle to me, said,
with smile. "A packet, sir. by -! hope
it's from England; please your honor, COUGHING
his hat.) will you look if theirs letter for me:
l should like to hear from my old bluwing!"
The papers, excepting the envelope. were in
nerfect state; they related to vessels cargo;
and a letter, dated at the Island of Curacao, had
this commend ement-" My good friend Mr..
CHRISTOPHER Schultz, Of Baltimore, supercargo
of the American brig Nancy, will hand you this"
Mercantile affairs then followed.
NV FIRST idea was. that the shark had come
from the island of Curacao; the next was, that
the papers had been thrown overheard from
some vessel chased by one Of His Majestys
cruisers
therefore hailed the man at the masthead,
and told him to keep good look out; as, no
doubt, there was vessel not far OF There's
nothing IN sight, sir" he answered. ''but the
Sparrow cutter in shore, and her boat pulling on
board" Well, keep bright look out, my boy,
said; and remember the bottle OF rum, and the
dollar, and days leave on shore; for always
liked to reward my men for every strange sail
that turned out to be an enemy: and in case Of
gross neglect, which seldom happened, gave
them something else. Aid yet my men were
much attached to me, from the thorough convic-
ton that I would serve my own brother in
the same way: never making las they sa,d) fish
of one and flesh OF another, and never seeing
fault uotil I had broken my shins over it.
Lieut. Whylie shortly after this arrived on
board. He was one Of the old SCHOOL, perfect
seaman. who had Qike myse,f) wsddied to the
water as soon as be was out Of his she'll; and yet
he had no affinity, more than oil, tor that e!e'
ment-water being what he never took 10. he
vas brave. Of course, and had strong regard for