The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1848-08-23
A SHARK STORY.
Tie wanderings and fortunes Of some German
Emigrants-Jy Frederick Gerstocker.

Emigrants-Jy Frederick Gerstocker.
In short passage, of considerable power
we have a glimpse at the perils of immigrants
on the deep. The ship was crammed with
men, women and children. A mischievous
fellow, who had stumbled in the Storage re-
peatedly over some great wooden shoes Of a
set of Oldenburghers, watched his opportun-
ity, and threw them overheard. Werner, a
young physician, in search of his fortune in
the New World, 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 Hermann, according to
circumstances:
Suddenly the cry, {" A shark shark !"
was heard from the crosS-trees. 1t was young
Werner, above alluded to- who had chosen
that elevated place as his favorite resort, and
to whom all eyes were now turned, to learn
the direction in which the sea monster was to
be found.
Wernerpointed to the streak of light formed
by the sun upon the water, and all the voya-
gers distinctly perceived from the deck the
dorsa fin of the shark, standing six or seven
inches out of the water.
Although several of these voracious crea-
lures had been already round the ship, still
probably few of the travellers had seen one
of them, and all pressed to the ships side to
view the fish, as it came 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 full
filled, for the fish approaching the first sabot,
described circle around it, and all expected
the immediate disappearance of the same,
when fearful cry-such cry as can only
issue from the breast of a terrified mother
was heard from the midst of the crowd which
had pressed, full of curiosity, to the bulwarks,
and the same moment heavy body fell on
the smooth surface of the waters, and sank
beneath it.
"My child my child " cried the woman,
in the very act Of throwing herself after the
he'll less being, which now reappeared on the
surface, struggling and gurgling. But those
who surrounded her held her back, and eazed,
in apprehension of the worst, at the swiftly
approaching shark, which now shot forward
like an arrow, its attention being aroused bv
the splash of the object in the water.
Both the daughters of Pastor Hermann
had witnessed the childs fall and the eldest
of them, in voice almtst choked with terror,
cried, Help help! for Gods sake !"-
Launch the boat !" cried the Captain. But
there was some delay. A few seconds more
must decide the fate of the chld-for the
shark was scarcely ten yards distant from him,
and already seemed to scent its prey. 1t was
then that a young man in the cross-trees Gid
ed 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 reappeared for the third time.
A cry of admiration at this desperate bold
ness arose from sailors as well as passengers :;
but the shark, frightened by the loud dash,
and rendered uneasy by the cries and noise