Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1855-06-06
WHOLE NO. is7.

: TO send his cry for assistance aCfoss the
waves TO the spot where salvation layAso
1 near, and yet so unattainable. But the
wind came from that quarter; though he
.Icould so distinctly hear the sound of the
gun, and even distinguish the different
fvoices on deck, he was unable to make
them hear him. Hesorly made his enc,
my around him more and more active aud
RAP acious, and their attacks became all
most incessant. Z"
His strength, his good spirits-which
had till now been kept up by the hope Of
salvation-sonk when he saw the ship drift
past-sank when no means were lelt him
to announce his proximity. The love Of
life alone kept him upright, and urged
him to defend it against the savage btutes
until his last breath.
Thus night passed away, and day at
length broke in the far.dstant east. He
saw it ALL He saw the sun rising from
its ocean beds recognized the outline Of
his vessel, the graceful masts and the bel-
lying sails-and he attempted to make a
last effort to announce his existence, and
tried to pull off his shirt and wave it in
the airAa signal certain to be seen by the
lookout at the mast head-but he was not
able TO do it. His limbs were stiff and ri-'
gid; even his voice refused its service, and
he could only produces a hoarse, gurgline
sound; his eyes burned, his head went.
round and round, and new wild idea.
like will of,the-wisp upon the broadly
spreading sea, struck him and seemed TO
expel all else-eYery thought Of help or
every hope. He began to look
out among the sharks that necessarily,
swan around him for the one on which
he should hurl himself, and which he ms
tended to destroy as we'll as himself BY
means OF the sharp knife he wore. Again
and again had this one attacked him, and
it allowed him neither peace nor rest for
even an hour at time; again and again.
although received by fierce blows and
driven back, it returned, the most rapa-
cious Of the rapacious band, and revenge
he determined to have on that enemy.
But his strength deserted him; the
painful excitement Of his mind and body
to overpowcr him, and altho"
the sharks had not renewed the attack
since day break, though they still kept
around the dead whale-for they felt that.
he must soon become their prey without
further trouble-.he had fallen on his
knees. and. half unconscious, only follow.
ed with lis glance, the dark. threatening;
fins. He had utterly forgotten the ship.
The loud halIoa OF the sailors that came
to save him. first aroused him from bis
lethargy. He saw tho boat, but he could,
scarcely comprehend, it seemed, what II
all meant. or where he actually was; but
he raised himself once again, felt himsslf
supported by friendly arms, and greeiodS
by cheering. encouraging words. and sank
back in fainting condition. The har-
pooner had received orders, that on arri-a
wing at the dark spo: which had been seen
from the deck, if he found it was dead
whale. he was to give signal by waving
a white flag he had taken with him, and
remain there till the other boats could bo
sent to his assistance to take the dead ish
in tow. But they had not expected, to
find single half-dead messmate upon It.
He therefore gave the signal and stnck
the flag into the body Of the whale in or.
der that the other boats might find tho
spot, and then rowed with the saved man,
as fast as hescould, 10 the vessel. Three
OF the sharks, which were not inclined TO
let their prey be SO easily torn from them,
followed the boat and were severely lamed
and killed by the harpooner, who could
easily imagine how they must have terri.
fed and tormented his meSsmate.