The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-04-23
SATURDAY MORNING APRIL % 1853
OUR GUNNER'S SHOT.
AN INCIDENT OF OCEAN LIFE.

of ! angler, a fortified town IN the eX
t.eme northwest of Africa. The dav
had been extremely mild. with gem
tie breeze sweeping to the northward
and westward; but towards the close of
the afternoon the sea breeze died away,
and one OF those sultrv, oven.lIke atmos-
pherlc breaihings Game from the great
sun-burnt Sahara.
Half an hour before shutdown the
captain gave the order to the boatswain
10 call the hands to go IN swimming.
and all in less than five minutes the
forms of our tars were seen leaplng from
The gangways, the ports, the MEETINGS.
bowsprit, and some Of the more venture
some took their leap from the arms Of
the lower yard.
One OF the stuIling sails had been
lowered into the water, with its corners
suspended from the main yard arm and
the swinging boom, and into these some
of the swimmers made their way.
Among those who seemed TO be enjoy
sng the sport most heartily, were two
of the boys, Tim Wallace and Fred.
Fairbanks, the later of whom was the
son OF our old gunner; and in a laughing
mood they started out from the sudd-
ing sail on race.
There was loud ringing shouts o
Joy on their lips as they put off, and
they started through the water like
fishes. The surface OF the sea was as
smooth as glass, though its bosom rose
in long and heavy swells that set in from
the Atlantic.
The vessel was moored with long
sweep from both cables, and the bouy
ofthe starhoard anchor was far away on
the starboard quarter. where it rose and
fell with the lazy swells like drunken
man.
Towards the bouv the two lads made
their way, Fred. Fairbanks taking the
lead; but when they were within about
twenty or thirty fathoms Of the bouy,
Tim. shot ahead and promised to win
the race, The old gunner watched the
progress OF his son with vast pride;
and when he saw him drop behind, he
leaped upon the poop and was on the
point ofurging him on by shout, when
a cry reaching him that made him start
as if he had been struck by cannon
ball
"A shark a shark !" came from the
captain OF the forecastie, and at the
sound of the terrible words, the ner
who Wee in the water leaped and plum
grd towards the ship.
Rlsht BRAN, distance of three or
fouI cables length, a sharke-wak- was
in the water, where the back OF the
monster was visible. His course was
for the boys.
For moment the gunner stood like
one b-r-ft OF seus-, but on the next he
shouted at the top OF his voice for the
boys to turn; but the little fellows heard
him not. Stou'iy the two swimmers Stove
for the the goal, all unconscious Of the
fearful death-spirit that lowered so near
theln. Their merry laugh still rang
over the waters, and at length they both
touched the houy together.
o, what drops Of agony started from
the brow of our old gunner. A boat
had been put of but Fairbanks knew
that it could not reach them in season,
and every moment he expected to see
the monster sink from sight, and then
he knew that all hope would be gone.
At that moment cry reach the ship
that Went throug 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
sprung to the quarter deck. The guns
were all loaded and shotted fore and aft,
and none knew their temper better than
he. With steady hand, made strong
by hope, the old gunner seized prim-
ing wire, and picked the cartridge of one
of the quarter guns. Then he took
from his pocket purcussion wafer, and
set it in its place, and put back 'the
hammer of the patent lock. With a
steady giant strength the old man sway
ed the breech of the heavy gun to its
gearing. and then seized the s'ringlock,
he stood back 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 yet a
single moment would settle his hopes
and fears.
Every breath was hushed, and every
heart in that old ship beat painfully.
The boat was yet some distance from
the boys, while the horrible sea mons
te: was feartully near. Suddenly the
air was awoke by the roar of heavy
gun, and as the old man knew his shot
was gone, he sank back, on the comb
ing Of the hatch, and covered hia face
with his hands, as if afraid to see the
result Of his efforts: for If he had failed,
ha kna,u III NJ the how was lost