Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-08-09
A Chip from a Sailors Log.

1t was dead calm-no, breath of air-the
sails tapped IDLY against the masts F, the helm
had lost its 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 tie sun; A;
but the watch below found it too warm to
sleep, and were tormented with thirst, which
they could not crafty till the water was served
out. They had drunk all the previous days
allowance and now that their scu,tle butt was
dry, there was nothing left for them but endur-
ance. Some of the seaman had cnngregated
on the top-gaaht torecasiIe, where they gazcd
on The clear blue water with longing eyes.
How cool and clear it looks said tai,
powerful young seaman dnn't think there
are many sharks about; what do you say for
bath, lads 2
That for the sharks ! burst almost smulta-
neousy from til, parched lips Of the group {:
we'll have IA 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 trou
sers among the rest was Il tail, powerful
coast.of. Africa niger Of the name of Leigh !;
they used to joke him. and call hilnSambo.
You no swim today, Ned , said he, address
sing me. Feared of shark, heh Shark neJ-
her bite me. Suppose meet shark in water
| swim after hm-hm run like debbel.' WAS
tempted, and like the rest, was soon ready. Iu
quick succession wa jumped OF the sprltsal
yard, the black leading. We had scarcely been
in the water five minutes, when some voice in
board cried out, a shark shark In an
instant every one OF the swimmers came tumb-
ling up the SHIPS sides, half mad with fright,
the gallant black among the rest. 1t was
false alarm. We felt angry with ourselves for
being frightened, angry with those who had
frightened us, and furious with those who had
laughed al us. in another moment we were
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 tancied tat he
was the bcsl swimmer, and we were now Test
ing our speed
'Well done, Ned !. cried some Of the sailors
| from the ioreca>tle. Go it, Sainbo = cried
s'me . hers. We were both siraning our ui-
most, excited by the cheers Of our respective
partisans. Suddenly the voice OF the boats vain
was heard shouting. a shark u shark Come
back for Gods sake!'
Lay aft, and lower the cutter down. then
came family 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 : cried the captain,
who was now on deck: he has not ye; seen
You. The boat, if possible, will get between
You and him. Strike out, lads, for Gods sake y
My heart stood still | felt weaker than a child
as ] gaz'd with horror at tie dorsal fin of "A
large shark on the starboarI quarter Though
in The waller, the per-pratiun dropped from me-
| like rain the black was striking out like mad
for ,he shiP,
Swim, Ned---swim = cried several voices
they never take black when they can gel
white
! did swim. and that desperat .y; the water
ioamcd past me. soon breasted the black
but could not head him. We both strained
every nerve to be first, Tor we each tancied the
last man would be taken, Yet we searce,
seemed to move: the ship appeared MS far IA.
ever from US. We were both powerful swim
merS, and both of us swan in the French way
called Ia traSSe, or hand over hand in English
There was something the matter with tIe boat /
f,lIs, and they could not lower her.
lie sees you nOw = was shnuted; he
after you = Oh, the agony of that moment
thought OF every thing at the same instant, a
least SO it seemed TO me then. Scenes Ion.
forgotten rus'ed through my brain with the ia
pdity of lightning, yet in the midst ot this
was striking out madly for the ship. Eacl
moment fancied ] could feel the pilot ii>l
touching me, and ! almost screamed witt
agony. We were now about ten yards fro
the ship; fifty ropes were thrown To us /; but
as if by mutual instinct, We s@aGI for the samc
Harra they are saved they are along
side I! was shouted By the eager crew. w
both grasped the rope at the same time
slight struggle ensued; had the highest hoIc
Regardless of everything but My own safety,
placed my feet on The blacks shoulders, scran
bled up the side, and fell exhausted on til
deck. The negro followed roaring with pail
fer the shark had taken away part Of his hee
Since then, have never batheJ al sea nor,
believe, has Sambo been ever heard again L
Assert that he would swim after shark if h
met one in the water-C Chdmbers'S journal.