The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1850-07-24
A CHIP FROM A SAILORS LOG.

1t was dead calm-not breath ofair--the sails
tapped idly against the masts; the helm had lost It's
power, and the ship turned her head how and where
she liked. The heat was intense, so much so, that
the chief mate had told the boatswain to keep the
watch out of the sum- but the watch below found it
too warm to sleep, and tormented with thirst,
which they could not crafty till the water serv-
ed out. They had drunk all the previous days al
lowance; and now that their scuttle butt was dry,
there nothing left for them but endurance Some
of the seamen had /. congregaed on the top-gallant
forecaste, where they gazed on the clear blue water
with longing eyes
''How cool and clear it looks,'' said tall, power
full young seaman &c don't think there are many
sharks about what do you say for a BATH lads?''
"That for the sharks y burst almost simultan-
eously from the parched lips of the group: "we'll
have jolly good bath when the second mate goes in
to dinner" In about half an hour the dinner bell
rang. The boatswain took charge of the deck some
twenty sailors were now stripped, except pair of
light duck trowsers among the rest was a tall, pow
erfu, constellation negro of the name of Leigh
they used to joke him, and call him Sambo
''You no swim to-day, Ned J" said he addressing
ME. "Feared of shark, heb? Shark nebber bite
me- Suppose | meet shark in water, swim after
him-hlm run like debbel.'' was tempted, and,
like the rest, was soon ready. In quick succession
we jumped off the spritsail yard, the black leading
| We had scarcely been in the water FIVE minutes,
when some voice in-board cried out, &C A shark a
shark p In an instant every one Of the swimmers
came tumbling up the ships sides, half mad with
fright, the gallant black among the rest 1t was a
false alarm. We felt angry with ourselves for being
frightened, angry with those who had frightened u.s.
and furious with those who had laughed at us. In
another moment we all again in the water, the
black and myself swimming some distance from the
ship. For two successive voyages there had been a
sort of rivalry between us; each ancied that he was
the best swimmer, and we were now testing our
speed
s'Well done, Ned % cried some of the sailors from
the forecastle $50 it, Sambo % cried some Others
We were both straning our utmost, excited by the
cheers of our respective partisans Suddenly the
voice OF the boatswan was heard shouting, ga
shark shark Come back for Gods sake %
clay aft, and lower the cutter down. then came
falntly on our ear. The race instantly ceased. As
yet, we only half believed what we heard, our recent
fright being still fresh in our memories.
"Swim for Gods sake p cried the captain, who
was now on deck; she has not yet seen you. The
boat, if possible, will get between you and him.
Strike out, lads, for Gods sake p My heart stood
still: felt weaker than child as gazed with hor-
tho dnrsa fin of large shsrls on the starhoard
quarter Though in the water, the perspiration drop
ped from me like rain: the black was striking out
like mad for the ship.
"Swim ,Ned-swim!'' cried several voices: setbey
never take black when they can get whte.''
| did swim, and that desperately: the water foam
ed past me. l soon breasted the black, but could
not head him. We both strained every nerve to be
hrst, for we each fancied the last man would be Ia
ken. Yet we scarcely seemed to move: the ship ap
peared as far as ever from u.s. We were both DOW
erful swimmers, and both of us swan in the French
way called la 6rasse or hand over hand in English
There was something the matter with the boats falls
and they could not lower her.
Gle sees you now y was shouted; 'she is after
your Oh the agony of that moment Thought Of
every thing at the instant, at least so it seemed
to me then. Scenes long forgotten rushed through nv
BRAIN with the rapidity oflightning yet in the midst
Of this was striking out madly for the ship. Each
moment fanced could feel the pilotish touching
me, and almost screamed with agony We were
now not ten yards from the ship; fifty ropes were
thrown to us; but, as if by mutual instinct, we swan
for the same
"Hlurra they are saved they are alongside p,
was shouted by the eager crew. We both grasped
the rope at the same time slight struggle ensued .
| had the highest hold. Regardless Of everything
but my own safety, placed my feet on the blacks
shoulders, scrambled up the side and fell exhausted
on the deck. The negro followed roaring with main
ior Inc shark had taken away part of his heel Since
men, nave never bathed at sea; nor believe. has
Sambo been heard again to assert that he vond
SWIM after shark II he met one in the water
| Chambers Journal.