Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-10-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
A Chip from a sailor,s Log.

IL was deaO calm-n0t Oreatn OF
air--the sales 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, SO
much so, that the chief mate had told
the boatswain 10 keep the watch out of
the sun; but the watch below found il
too hot to sleep, and were tormented
with thirst, which they could not crafty
till the water was served out. They had
drank all the previous days allowance.
and now that their scuttle butt was dry,
there was nothing left for them but en-
durance. Some of the seamen had con-
gregated on the top-ga'lant forecastle,
where they gazed on the clear blue water
with longing eyes.
How cool and clear it looks said a
tall, powerful young seaman; i don't
think there are many sharks about; what
do you say for bath, lads!'
That for The sharks!' burst almost
simultaneously from the parched lips of
the group: well 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
trousers; among the rest was tall, pow
erful, coast-of-A Africa negro Of the name
of Leigh; they used to joke him and
call him Sambo.
You no swim to day, Nedy said he,
addressing me. Feared OF shark,
heh? Shark never bite me. Suppose
] meet shark in water, Iswim after him
he 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 scarce
ly been in the water five minutes, when
some voice on board cried out, "A shark!
a shark In an instant every one OF
the swimmers came tumbling up the
ships sides, half mad with fright, the
gallant black among the rest. II was a
false alarm. We felt angry with our
selves for being frightened, angry with
those who had frightened US, and furious
with those who had laughed at 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 haG been sort
of rivalry between us: each fancied that
he was the best swimmer, and we were
now testing our speed.
We'll done. Ned!' cried some Of the
sailors from the forecastle. Go it, Sam.
bo!' cried some others. We were both
strainlng our utmost, excited by the
cheers oil our respective partisans.-
Suddenly the voice of the boatswan
was heard shouting. "A shark! a 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 hall
believed what we heard, our recent fright
being still fresh in our memories.
Swim for Gods sake!' cried the cap
tain, 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!' My heart
stood still; fel. weaker than child as
| gazed with horror at The dorsal fin oil
a large shark on the starboard quarter.
Though in the water. the prespiration
dropped from me like rain. The black
was striking out like mad for the ship.
Swim, Ned, swim!' cried several vol
ces, they never take black when they
can get white!'
! did swim, and that desperately; the
wafer foamed past me. soon brea sted
the black, but could not head him. We
both strained every nerve to be first, for
we each fancied the last man would be
taken. Yet we scarcely seemed to move;
the ship appeared as far as ever from us.
We were both powerful swimmers, and
both of US swan in the French way,
called In brasse, or hand over hand, in
English. There was something the mat
Ter with the boats falls, and they could
not lower her.
He sees you now!' was shouted; he
is after you!' Oh, the agony Of that
moment! ! thought Of every thing at
the same instant, at least so il seemed to
me then. Scenes long forgotten rushed
through my brain with the rapidity Of
lightning, yet in the midst of this was
striking out madly for the ship. Each
moment | fancied | could feel the pilot
fish touching me, and almost screamed
with agony. We were now about ten
yards from the ship; Fifty ropes were
thrown 10 us; but, as if by mutual in
siinc!, we SWAN for the same.
'Hurrah! they are saved! they are
alongside' 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 feeel OH the blacks shoulders, scram-
bled 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 ever heard again to assert
that he would swim after shark if he