Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-04-02

to get out as they saw swimmer strik-
ing out for the brig, which was at once
rounded to and as they felt especially
apprehensive on account of the white
sharks in those waters, they regarded
his situation with the most painful solic-
itude.
By the time the boat touched the wa
ter their worst fears were realized, for at
some distance behind the swimmer they
beheld advancing towards him the fish
most dreadful in these waters.
"Hurry, hurry men, or we shall be
too late" exclaimed the mate. "What's
that ?"
The splash which caused this inquiry
was occasioned by the plunge of Napoleon
into the sea; the noble animal, having
been waching the cause of the tumult
from the captains fall, and heard the
shout and for few moments had vented
his feelings in deep growls, as if he was
concious of the peril Of his enemy and
grati6ed at it.
His growls, however. were soon chang
ed into those Whines of sympathy which
so often show the attachment of the dog
to man, when the latter is in danger. All
last he plunged, and rapidly made his
way toward the now nearly exhausted
Captain, who, aware of his double dam
ger, and being but a passable swimmer,
he made fainter and fainter strokes,
while his adversary closed rapidly upon
him. "Pull, boys, for dear life!'' was
the shout of the mate as the boat now
followed the dog, whose huge limbs pro-
PEELED him gallantly to the scene of dan
ger.
Slowly the fatigued swimmer made
his way; ever and anon his head sank in
the waves, and behind him the back oi
the voracions shark told him what fearful
progress he was making, while Lancas-
ter, in the bow of the boat, stood with a
knife in his upraised hand, watching al
ternately the Captain and his pursuer,
and the faithful animal which had saved
his own life.
There was fixed look of determine
ton in his face, which convinced all that
should the dog become sacrifice to the
shark, Lancaster woald revenge his death
if possible, even at the risk of his OWL
life.
"Good God what swimmerI'' ex
Gained the men who marked The speed
of the animal. "The shark will have
one or both, if we don't do our best.
The scene was of short duration. Ere
the boat could overtake the dog, the
enormous shark had arrived within three
oars lengths of the Captain, and sudden
ly turning over on his back, preparatory
to darting on the sinking man and receiY-
ing him in his vast jaws, which now dis
played their long triangular teeth.
The wild Shrek of the Captain an
nounced that the crisis had come. But
now Napoleon. seemingly inspired with
increased strength, had arrived, and with
fierce growl leaped upon the gleam-
ing belly of the shark and buried his
teeth in the monsters flesh, while the
boat swiftly neared them.
"Sayed if we are half as smart as
that dog is," cried the mate, as all saw
the voracious monster shudder in the sea,
and smarting with pain, turn over again,
the dog retaining his hold and becoming
submerged in the water.
At this juncture the boat arrived, and
Lancaster, his knife in his teeth. plunged
into the water. where the Captain also
had sunk from view.
But few moments elasped ere the
dog arose to the surface, and soon after
Lancaster with the insensible form of the
Captain.
"Pull them in and give them bar"
cried the mate, "for that fellow is pre-
pairing fol- another lurch.''
His orders were obeyed, and the Sec
ond onset of the marine monster was
foiled by the mates splashing water in
his eyes, as he came again, and but a
few seconds too late to snap off the
captains legs, as his body was drawn
into the boat.
Fooled the second time, the shark pass
ed the boat, plunged and WIS seen no
more, but left track of blood on the
surface of the water, token of the Sc
verify of the wound from Napoleon.
The boat now pulled towards the brig.
and not many hours elapsed before the
captain was on deck again, feble from
his efforts, but able to appreciate the SER
vices of our canine hero, and most Bit
terly to lament his own cruel act which
had mutilated him forever.
al would give my right arml" he ex-
claimed, as he patted the Newfoundland.
who stood by his side, if 1 could only
repair the injury 1 have done to that
splendid fellow. Lancaster you are now
avenged, and so is he, and most Chris
tian vengeance it is, though it will-be a
source cf grief to me as long as l live."
YoLrA1Rz's definition of physician
is !: can unfortunate individual, expect