Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-10-30
MISCELLANY.
ma GUNNER'S SHOT.

-Yv4v snip Law at anchor in tho Bay
q Iengser, fortified city in the extreme
noFth-west point ofAfriea The day. had
been extremely mild, With a gentle breeze
sweeping. IL from the northward ana west.
ward, but towards the close Of the afternoon
the sea-hreeze died. away. and one ef thesx
suitry, oven like atmospheric breathings came
up from The great suDburnt Sahara Half
an hour before sunaown the captaip gave
the cheering order for the boatswain 70 s5calI
all haadsste go IN a swimming and in lass
than i've minutes the forms of our hardy tars
were seen leaping from tho gangwav tbs
ports, the MEETINGS, the bowsprit. and seme
/ of the more venturesome took their nl,,y,e.s
from the arms of the lower Yards.
One OIL the sudaing-sails had been lever.
ed INTO the water, with its corners suspended
from the main yafa-arm and the swinging
Doom and into this most ef the swimmers
made then way Among those who seemed
to De enjoying the sport most highly we're
Twp ct the boys. Tom Wallace and Fred
Fairbanks, the latter Of whom was the son If
cur cid gunner, and in laughing mood
they started out from the studding- sail on 4
rage There was loud, ringing shout Of
joy upon tbeir lips as they put off. and thew
darted through the water like fishes The
snffaco5 # The sea was as smooth as glass.
though ~ bosom rose in dong heavy swells
TIT 5a eas i h66 fsaGf with long swees
On batb oables, and the buoy Of the STAR
$500 Tier was far away on the starbeara
We. mere Y fga'7 md fall with tlfa law I
sWeisS Ee oFsaKen man. Towaras ms I
buoy the lwolads ma lie their way. Frea .Pais.
panka e. llhg the lead but when they we're
Ml'ala ahoaf = dezen fathems of the huer. /
lom sad aiiead and promised to win tie +
rage lEe CID gunner had watched the pre I
gfsss 81 his tlttie~ sen with vast degree of /
Pflde, aaa When be saw him dropping be.
hind, ne Eieaped upen the poop aud was lust +
upon theIpotat Of urging him on BY a shout. /
when cry reached his ears. that made him
start as shoaga he HAD been struck by a /
eanen BAH
"a shark . shark: y came from the e6n.
tain Of tie ferseastlc and al the asand Of t
these teiFible words the naan who we're in
the watef leapea snd plunged towards the
ship
Right kaseam, dit distance Of three or
four eablss length, d sharp wake was seen
in the water where the back fin of tie mon
ster wasIvisible His course was fer the
boys For amomcnt the poor gunaor stood
like one sereft Of sense bnt. on the next he
shouted At tho ter, of his voice for his boy
10 turn, nut the GttfefelIow heard him net
stoutly the two swimmers strove fer the zeal.
al uncdascious Of the bloody death spirit
that lowered 50 near theml Their, merry
laugh still rang out over the waters, and at
length they othtouohed the buoy together.
o, what drops Of agony started from the
brow flour gunner A boat had put Of,
but FaiIbsnks knew that it could not reach
his chils in seaseR, for the shark was tee
near its intended victims; and every mo
nent hs exported to see the monster sink
rom sikht-thea he knew that all hope
would b gone At this moment cry had
.eachedi theship that went through every
leart ike a stream Of scorching fire--the
boys had discovered their enemyl
That cry started old Fairbanks to his
lenses, and quicker than thought he spraoe
o the quarter dssk The guns we're loaded
md shotted fsrs and aft and none knew
heir temper better than he With steady
land T1ade strsHr By sudden hope. the
Id gunner seized printing wire and prick
a the cartridge Of enc Of the quarter guns '
hen be took from his pocket a percussion :
Fafer and set il in its place, and SET back .
he haaamer Of the patent lock. ! With 4 a
liant strength tie old man swayed the brseeh }
( the heavy gan to It's bearing, and then e
eizing tie string Of the leck. he stood back q
nd watched for The Rext swell that should i
ring tie shark within range. He had 4
lined 5he piece seme distance ahead of bis 9
lark, bAsyet single moment would settle q
Is kcpes 81 his liars
Eyesy breath WAS hushed and sFery heart 10
j that Old ship was painfully still. TIE Z
eat was vet ii Keme distance from the boys Z
lille ths horrible sea-sDouster Was friehtfnE- i
neat sa6denly the air was awoke by the =
sar 81 fbe Esavy gun, and as The old man g
new that his shot was gone, he sank back p
psn !he Aoalbikss Of the hatch and buried d
Is fata Ii IS haads, as if afraid to see the
ssuIfisf his ewa effort, for il be had failed. :.
] knsw that his bsy was lost 4
Fer msment after the report Of the gun ),
ID dIe5 away upon the air, their Mas dead s
lsner batss the dense smeke rose from i
Is sifface u the water, there was IL first :.
= rsusgaar breaking from the lips IL tie :
81 stbes mursrnr grew louder and strong Z.
!, usstis 'sWeised to joyous, deafenine 4.
Ienta The Old gunner spfang to lis feet
ID cared 81 upsH the water and tie frst
ing ahAs met lis view vas the huge carcass II
I've harkioatieg With his white beliy np- "a
rmsss hssglsd lifsless mass Is