The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-05-31
THE DAILY DISPATCH
AYIYCIDENT OF OCEAN LIFE.

Our noble ship ian American man-of-war)
iav at anchor in the Bay OF Tangler, forti-
fed town in the extreme north west of Africa,
nearly opposite Gibraltar. The day had been
extremely mild with gentle breeze sweep
ing 10 the northward and westward but along
toward the close of the afternoon, the sea
breeze died away and one of those sultry.
oyen-like atmosp pheric breathings came from
tae great sunburnt Sahara. Half an hour be-
fore sun down The captain gave the cheering
order 10 the DOatswaln TO call all hands to go
in swimming, and in less than five minutes
the forms Of our tars were seen ieaping from
tie arms OF ihe lower yards.
One of lhe sludding sails had been lowered
into the water, with the corners suspended
from the main yard arm and the swinging
boom, and into this most of the swimmers
made their way. Among those who seemed
TO tie enjoying the sport most heartily, were
TWO of the boys Tim Wallace and Fred Fair
banks, the latter Oi whom was the son Of our
old gunner, and in laughing mood they star
ted out from the studding sail on u race.
There was a loud ringing Shout of joy on
their lips as they put Off, and lhey darted
through the water like fishes. The surface
Of the sea was smooth as lass, though its bo
som rose in long heavy swells that set in from
the Atlantic.
The vessel was moored with long sweep
from both cables, and the buoy of the star
board anchor was fair away on the starboard
quarter, where il rose and fell with the lazy
swells like drunken man.
Towards this buoy the lads made their way,
Fred Fairbanks taking the lead but when
they were within twenty or thirty fathoms of
the buoy, Tim shot ahead and promised TO win
tie race. The old gunner watched the pro.
gress of his little son with a vast degree of
pride, and when he saw him drop behind, he
leaped upon the poop, and was just on the
point of urging him on by shout, when a cry
reached his ear that made him start as if he
had been struck with a cannon bail.
"a shark q shark ~ came forth from the
captain OF ihe forecastle, and at the sound of
these terrible words, the men who were in
the water leaped and plunged toward the
ship.
Right aheam, al the distance of three Or
four cables lengths, sharks wake was seen
in the water, where the back of the monster
was visible. His course was for the boys.
For a moment the gunner stood like one be-
reft of sense, but on the next he shouted at the
top Of his voice for the boys TO turn; but the
little fellows heard him not stouty the two
swimmers strove for the goal, all unconscious
of the death.spirit that hOvered so near them.
Their merry laugh still rang over the waters,
and at length they both touched the buoy to-
gether.
Oh, what drops Of agony started from the
brow of our old gunner! boat had put off,
but Fairbanks knew that it could not reach
the boys in season, and every moment he ex
pected to see the monster sink from sight
then he knew that all hope would be gone
AT this moment cry reached the ship that
went through every heart like a stream OF fire
the BOYS had discovered their enemy. The
cry started old Fairbanks to his senses, and
quicker than thought he sprang TO the guar
ter deck. The guns were all loaded and shot
ted fore and aft, and none knew their temper
better than he. With steady hand, made strong
by sudden hope, the old gunner seiZed
prming w!re and picked the cartridge of one
Of the quarter guns; then he took from his
pocket percussion wafer, and set 1t IN Its
place, and set back the hammer of the patent
lock. With a giant strength the aid man
swaved the breech of the heavy gun TO its
bearing, and then seizing the string of the lock
he stood hack and watched for the next swell
that would bring the shark IN range. He had
aimed the piece some distance ahead OF his
mark but vet little moment would settle his
hopes and fears. Every breath was hushed,
aud every heart in that old ship beat painfully.
The boat was yet some distance from the boys,
while the horrid sea-monster was iearfully
near Suddenly the air was awoke by the
roar Of the heavy gun, and as the old man
knew his shot was gone, he sank back upon
the cOmbing of he hatch. and covered his face
with his hands, as if afraid to see the results
of his own efforts, for if he had failed, he knew
that his boy was lost.
For moment after the report of the gun
had died away upon the air, there was dead
silence; but the dense smoke arose from the
surface OF the waters, there was at first low
mufmur breaking from the lips of the men;
that murInur grew louder and stronger. till il
swelled 10 joyous, deafening shout. The
old gunner sprang on his feet and gaZed oil
on the wafer, and the first thing that met his
view was The huge carcass of the shark, float
ing with his White belly up, mangled life
less mass.
In few moments the boat reached the dar-
ing swimmers, and. half dead with fright, they
were brought on board. The old man clasped
his boy in mis- arms, and then, overcome by
the powerful excitement, he leaned upon
gun for support
have seen men in all phases of excitement
and suspense, bu, never have | seen three hu
man beings more overcome by thrilling emo.
tlODs, than on that startling moment when
they first knew the effect of our gunner's
shot.
HEARrLEss 1 AnENIs.-i be Cincinnati: Sur
reports the fact of fashionable lady and gen
tlemau driving splendid carriage 10 The
steamboat landing, and lefi their baby in ,he
vehicle until the driver had gone buck TO the