Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-08-03


Being in Ia Guayra during the month a.
Jelly, vas tempted, 81 the heat Of the low.
land, TO hethe ID the sea !. swan 1ous Is
some rocks, which lay 1 quarter Of Eaile
from the shore, and there dived to pick up
some teausifsl SHELLS As got near the
bottom, balanced myself in mid water, tS-
observe most beautiful phenomenon
II being neon, and the sun crossing the
equator, nearlwhich stsnda "a Gusyra. bis
beams were reflected with sarpassiHg splen-
dor Rn the surface Of the water. which WAS
]. agstated into tippling waves by the mid day
breeze the little waves we're reelected on tbs
sandy bed Of the sea, which reelection showed
like wsvingIand shifting net Of burlished
silver. saw the net, with pleasure, stretch
ed As far as my eye could reach, save where
my own shadow as i were, Intercepted II.
Suddenly. this wss QreEshadowed BY the
most terrific l0estect. ! instantly cast;mv
eyes upwards, and, gracious heavenI beheld.
right above me, one of the most terrible mon.
sters 10 nature, known TO the Enplish II
these seas uuder The appeliation Of shovel.
nosed shark.
csst a few gances aloft, and observed
Ais glaring eyes, that looked at once stupid.
ly duh and ttightfully malignant Their
savage ken was directed down upon me its
greedy mouth was opening and shutting a
i in anticipation Of swal flowing mo.
H swan, till under water, TO another place;
but could observe BIZ the shadow Of the
monster. that he still followed me Ups
wards | dared not look in vain | tried to
dodge my tormeator where1I stopped, he
stopped and 20 where | woald, his shadow
fell upon me.
What was To be done? nv strength and
breath we've fast going 10 remain under wa
/ ter much longer was impossible. and to rise
was 20 make for the jaws Of perdition. L
sank 10 the bed of the bay to arm myself
with some colich shells these might have
been of some use could have gained the
surface Of the water unharmed, III which
case | might have hurled them at his enor-
nous head. But, no; the shark seemed q.
ware that could. not long remain below,
and he determined to catch me as rose
Suddenly array Of blessed hope shot across
my benighted mind was beside rock
that had small cleft through its centre,
which near the head of the bay had horir
zontal passage; down. to this cleft had Of.
ten gone out Of mere boyish desire for ad.
venture, and TO this chasm swan, and in
an instant darted in this horizontal part Of it.
Ere~I did this. the hideous fish became,
too late, aware Of my nan@uvre, and from
the pressure Of the water. became sensible
that be sank down towards me but ths love
Of life made me too quick fof Shim, even in
his own element. passed through the ho-
rizontal passage, and in an instant was buoy
| ed up through the vertical cavity Of the rock,
and to the surface Of the water, all but suf-
focaled. TO ipbale the blessed air
Still the perseyering sea-deyil followed it
bf ath6 r66ecaxs4au idfee4 nttner~h wrr 100
small easily to admit bis enormous head, I
know not-certain Lam, that the shark did
not pass the cleft for some minutes after
| me.
By this time stood upright on the top
of the rock which was ont Of the water, al
thenghit afforded but bad footing, it being
as sharp as the blade ofa boat.oar. On this
however got, as the monster emerged from
the passage, still pursuing me it made .
rush towards where stood, butt was out
of its elements; it raised its huge head,
rs if to ascertain where I was, and in an 10.
slant hurled one Of the oonch shells, which
held in my hands, at his head, with such
effect as TO stun the fish.
II nov lay motionless for some seconds,
while I, to prevent tho sharp edges Of the
rocks from cutting my feet. was obliged to
knecl, and partly to support myself with my
hands =.
/ now perceived the fsh splashing the
waters upon the rocks till they were in
foam the fact was, it was high tide when
We both came up, and us the water was fast
receeding, ii could not get of for want OF
depth. Some minutes had elapsed ere /
perceived bis predicameht, for my. attention
was directed towards the shore, 10 Whieh
place called for succor, using every excla.
nation. of distress. that | recollectcd at
length the fsh became completely high and
dry, and perceived tho danger Of my iato
mortal foe. but felt no generous pity for him.
| now fearlessly changed my uneasy posi-.
iiion and stood uprighl on the rock. was
: too much exhausted BY my late adventure
10 essay swimming ashore, and saw with JOY
a canoe approaching mo - Ameraoan Un'on.
la VERY aI0MMEs1AToRY NOTICE or
PIERCE AADMARCr.
The Washington correspondent Of ihe New York
Enquirer 10 bis letter Of the 18Th. expresses hin-
sell 20 The fol owing meaphuIieal tTms .ahoui the
81 Presided and the Premef There Is originality il
! L NOT truth in this 6Iiei iIibnte
"a Sait She i leader told me few days since
that PIERCE and MARCY were fishing from. .
Il rutIen hulk with tsinted bait ID sagnant waller for
1ose'Ns 80 - - -.
A sale OF blood horses was had in New York .
day Or Iwo.--annang thsm bring The celebrated
sroliers Mae. Tacony, Frank Foresienand Banum
Tine first named waS purchased BY Mr.. Mann. OF
Baltimore. to 81 100 as was also Frank Forester.
f,r the sum 81 81 $50 Tacony brought 50 100. pnr-
chased b. J. G Bsvens, q New Yoik. Barmnp
: was sold at private sale for 81 $50 Two mares.
ia rrantrd III trpt 4 mile Ii 4Osipeg and IN IS