Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-08-09
A Ch,p fro,, = sa,lor,s Log.

A Chip from a Sailors Log
1t was dead calm-not breath of air-the sails
tapped idly against the masts the helm had lost its
power and the ship turned her head how and where
she liked. The heat was intense, much so that
the chief mate had told the boatswain to keep the
watch out of the sun but the watch below found it
too warm to sleep, and were tormented with thirst
which they could not crafty till the water was
we'd 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 congregated on the top-gal
liant forecastle where they gaZed the clear blue
water with longing eyes.
How cool and clear it looks" said TALL power
full young seaman; ~ don't think there many
sharks about what do you say for bath, lads %
THAT for the sharks" burst almost simultaneous
~ from the parched lips of the group; we'll have
jolly good bath when the second mate goes in to
dinner"
In about nalf an hour the dinner bell rang. The
boatswain took charge of the deck twenty sal
lors were now stripped, except pair of light duck
trowsers among the rest was tall powerful coast
of-Africa niger of the name Of Leigh they used to
joke him and call him SambO.
You no swim to-day Ned ~ said he, addressing
me. Feared of shark. heb Shark nebber bite
me- Suppose meet shark in water, swim after
him-him 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 on board cried out, Is A shark shark ~
In an instant every one of the swimmers came tum-
bling up the ships sides, half mad with fright, the
gala 1T black among the rest. 1t 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 mo-
ment we were all again III the water the black and
myself swimming some distance from the ship. For
two successive voyages there had been sort of rival
nv between us; each fancied that he was the best
swimmer, and we were now testing our speed.
"Well done. Ned :" cried of the sailors from
IN. G.,
We were both straining utmost, excited by the
cheers of our respective partizans. Suddenly the
voice of the boatswan was heard shouting "a shark
a shark! Come back for Gods sakei'
Lay aft and lower the cutter down." then came
family The race instantly ceased. AS
yet, we only half believed what heard, our recent
fright being still fresh in our memories.
Swim for Gods sake T. cried the captain, who
was on deck; she has not yet seen you. The
boat, if possible, will get between YOU and him.
Strike out, lads, for Gods sake" My heart stood
still felt weaker than child as gazed with hor-
at the dorsal fin of large shark the starboard
quarter. Though in the water, the perspiration
dropped from me like rain the black was striking
out like mad for the ship.
Swim, Ned-swm y cried several voices; ':they
never take black when they can get white
did swim, and that desperately the water foam
ed past soon breasted the black, but could not
head him. We both strained every nerve to be first
for each fancied the last man would be taken
as far as ever from us. We were both powerful
swimmers, and both of US swan in the French way
called la braSse hand over hand in English. There
something the matter with the boats falls, and
they could not lower her.
He sees you now y was shouted she is after
YOU! Oh the agony of that moment l thought
of everything at the same instant, at least it seem
ed to me then. Scenes long forgotten rushed thro
my brain with the rapidty of lightning, yet in the
midst of this was striking out mady for the ship
Each moment | fancied | could feel the pilot-ish
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.
"Hurra they are saved they alongside y
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 pain
for the shark had taken away part of his heel Since
then have never bathed at sea nor, believe has
Sambo been heard again to assert that he would
swim after a shark if he met one in the water.
Chambers Journal