Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-03-30

TuKn.LfN6 INCIDENT OF OCEAN LIFE.
Our noble ship lay d anchor in tho Bay Of
| Tanrier, o fortified town in tho extreme
northwest Of Africa. The day bad been OK
tremcly mild, with gentle breeze sweeping
to the northwasd and westward but along
| towards the close Of the afternoon tho sea
( breeze died away, and one Of those sultry.
/ cseuiike atmospheric breatbings came from
the sunburnt Sahara. Hall an hour before
shutdown the eaptain gave the cheering order
for the boatswain 10 call the hands % go IN
swimming. aud in less than 1--WE minutes the
forms Of our tars were seen lcaping from tho
arms Of the lower yards.
One Of the studding sails had been lawer
ed into tie water, its corners suspended
from the main yard arm aud the swinging
boom. and into these most Of the swimmers
made their way. Amongst those who seem1
cd 10 be enjoying the sport most heartily
we're two OF the boys. Tin Wallace and
Fred Fairbanks. the latter Of whom was the
son Of eur I'D gunner, and in laughing
mood they started out from staddipg sail
on a race. s.ses n
There was loud ringing shout ofjoy on
their lips as they put off and they darted
through the water IKE fishes The surface
Of the sea was as smooth as glass, though IA
bosom rose IN long heavy swclls that set 10 ut
the Atlantic.
The vessel was moorcd with long sweep
/ from both cables, and the buoy Of the star
board quarter, where il rose and fell with the
lazy swclls like q drunken man. a.a
/ Towards this buoythe two lads made their
way, Fred Fairbanks saking the lead thur
when they wcrc in abaut twenty or thirty
fathoms Of the buoy. Tim shot ahead aud
promised th win the race, Tbs old gunner
watched the progress of his son with vast
degree Of pride, and when he saw him drop
behind he leapcd upon the poop, and was
Just upon the point Il urging him on BY 4
shout. when cry reached his ear that made
him staff rs IL be had been stsuck With
cannon bah. 5a'sf'
! A shark shark came forth from tho
, captain Of the furecast!c. end, at tho sound
!. ofthese terrible words the men who were il
i the water lcaped aud plunged towards the ship
Right abcam. at distance Of three az
four cables length, sharp wake was seen in
/ the water. where the back Of the monster
was visible His course was for the boys.
For momcut the gunner etood like one
: bcrc,t Of sense, but on the next be shouted
at the top OF his voice for the boys to turn,
; but the little fellows heard him not - stoutly
the swimmers sirove for the gaol, unconscious
r Of the bloody death spirit that lowered 50
near them Their merry laugh still raug
/ over the water and at length they touched
!, the buoy together
Oh what drops Of agony started from tho
Draw Of the gunner A boat had put oif, but
! Fairbanks knew that it could mol reach the
boys in season, aud every moment he cxrcc-
/, ted +, see the monster sink from sight !; then
he knew that oil hope would be gone. Az
! this moment cry reached the ship that wcut
through every heart like a stream Of fire..
! the boys had discovered their enemy.
3 The cry started old Fairbanks 10 lis SEN
ses, aud quicker than thought be sprang %
the quarterback. The guns were all loaded
and shotted fore and aft, and none knew their
tempcI better than be With steady bard,
made strong by sudden hope, the old gun
ner seized rrsming wirr, and prickcd the
i cartridge Of one Of the quarter guns; he
took from lis pocket q percussion wafer aud
r set it III It's place. and set the hammer Of the
patent OK With giants strength the
old man swaycd the breech Of the heavy gun
, to its bearing, and then Selling the stripg Of
: the lock, he stood back and watched for the
: next swell that would bring the shark il
f range lie bad aimed the peicc ahead Of
his mark, Tut yet little moment would set
/ tic his hopes and fears.
Every breath was hustled. and every heart
r 10 that old ship beat painfully, Tie boat
a was yet some distance from the boys, while
! the horrid sea monster was fearfully near =
suddenly the air awokc by the ronr Of the
!, heavy gun, and as the old man knew his shot
: was gono. BIO sank back upon the conbing Of
/ the batch and covering his face with bis
hands, as If afraid to see the result Of lbs own
I efforts for if be had failed be knew that Lis
r boy was Lost.
! For moment after the report Of the gun
had died away upon the air. there was dead
/ silence but as the dense smoke arose from
| the surface Of the water, there was. at 6rst.
! low murmur breaking from the lips Of the
men that murmur grew louder and stronger,
until it swellcd to joyous shout. The old
; gunner sprang to his feet and gazed Of en the
, water and the first thing that met lis view
! was the huge carcass ofthe shark floating with
his white belly up. mangled. lifeless mass.
4 In few moments the boat bad reached
the daring swimmers. and half dead with
fright they we're brought on board. The old
man claspcd lis boy in bis arms, and then.
overcome by the powerful excitement. be lean
ed upon the gun for support sss
II have seen men 10 all phases ofexcite-
ment and suspense, but never have ! seen
! three human beings more overcome by thrill
ling emotions. than on that startling mo-
, mcnt. when they first knew the effect Of our
gunLcr's shot.
4 ------~><<S<<><>s,~------
PASS WonD.
4 Mr.. Lover tells good anccdote Of an
| IrssLman giving the mass word At the battle