The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1848-07-15
A SHARK STORY.

THE wANDERINGs AND FORTUNES OF some GERMAN
EMIGRANTs-BY FREDERICK GERsTECKER.
In a short passage, of considerable power, we
have glimpse at the perils of immigrants on the
deep. The ship was crammed with men, women,
and children mischievous fellow, who had
stumbled in the steerage repeatedly over some great
wooden shoes of set of Oldenburghers, watched
his opportunity, and threw them overheard. Wer-
ner, young physician, in search of his fortune in
the New Word, had seated himself, as usual, in the
cross trees, whence he could spy out the wonders
of the deep, or the beautiful daughters of Pastor
Hehrmann according to circumstances:
Suddenly the cry, "A shark shark - was
heard from the cross-trees. Ii was young Werner,
above alluded to, who had chosen that elevated
place as his favorte resort, and to whom all eyes
were now turned, TO learn the direction in which
the sea monster was to be found.
Werner pointed to the streak Of light formed by
the sun upon the water, and all the vOyagers dis
nctly perceived from the deck the dOrsal fin of the
shark, standing six or seven inches out of the water
Although several of these vOracious creatures
had been already round the ship still probably few
of the travellers had seen one Of them, and all
pressed to the ships side view the fish, as it came
nearer and nearer to the ship and the surrounding
wooden shoes.
''Well, should like to know whether he eats
wooden shoes ~ said the Brewer, rubbing his hands
complacently, and watching every movement of the
creature.
His wish seemed on the point of being fulfilled
for the fish, approaching the first sabot, described
circle round it, and all expected the immediate dis
appearance of the same, when fearful cry-sUch
cry as can only issue from the breast Of terrified
mother was heard from the midst of the crowd
which had pressed, full of curiosity, to the bull
warks, and the same moment a heavy body fell on
the smooth surface of the waters, and sank be-
meath it.
''My child my child % cried the woman, in the
very act of throwing herself after the helpless be-
ing, which now reappeared on the surface, strug-
Cling and gnrglmg. But those who surrounded her
held her back, and gazed, in apprehension of the
worst, at the swiftly-approaching shark which now
shot forward like an arrow, its attention being
aroused by the splash of the object in the water.
Both the daughters of Pastor Hermann had wit
messed the chds fall /; and the eldest of them, in
voice almost chOked with terror, cried, Help
help! for Gods sake :" " Launch the boat f" cried
the Captain But there was some delay A few
seconds more must decide the fate Of the chd--for
the shark was scarcely ten yards distant from him,
and already seemed to scent its prey It was then
that a young man in the CrOss-tre2s glldcd down
rope with the activity of sailor, and, before any
one could guess his purpose, or hinder him, sprang
into the crystal flood beneath right before the Jaws
of the fish, and coming to the surface again, seized
the child which had Just re-appeared for the third
time.
arose from sailors as well as passengers; but the
shark, frightened by the loud dash, and rendered
uneasy by the cries and noise on board the ship
drew back from the booty he had almost reached,
and careered around the brave swimmer in narrow
circles.
Strike with your plash-kick-make
as much noise as you can - cried the seamen with
one accord. But the Captain had caught up rope,
and threw it TO the young man, who, holding the
child in his left arms, seized the rope with his right
one, and held himself afoat by it, while he kicked
out with all his force, and spashed the water iar
aronnd him.
Sling the rope round your elbow, Gaileu tue
Captain, " and we can haul you up. Inc young
did so but all his bold and generous sacflices
seemed in vain; for the shark, VINO Dy eliis n,lle
had found that there was no DANGER " Do aPHe-
Ifended from this quarter shot forward once more
The sailors, indeed, hauled the rope, WIN thelT
utmost strength and good will, but their hep seemed
IN come too late for the monster was but a few
feet OF from him and was just about to turn on It's
hal, 20 s,a1, af the body of the unhappy man,
y,bo9, IN that verv moment-when every one, in
braotbIass ond fearful dread, awaited TO see the
,,of heavy piece of meat fell into the sea, close
n tb omen fangs of the shark, and was swallowed
hv hin as quick as lightning.
II Is true that this mouthful only seemed to have
,betted his appetite for mone or he turned again,
and made second movement to seize the body OF
The bold swimmer, who was already hall drawn up
from his watery grave; but suddenly the shark be-
gan to lash the water with his tai, started back
several feet, and dived down.
Nobody troubled himself at the moment as TO the
cause Of this almost inesplloabls sslYatlun for all
that had bands hauled away % sgt the peer lslisw
vgts Yas alHess tsFTiaga % DEATH 81 beard stsa