American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-01-12

waters, they regarded his situation with
the most painful solicitudc.
BY the time the boat touched the wa
ter, their worst fears were realized, for
ut some distance behind the swimmer,
they beheld advancing upon him the
fish most dreaded in those waters. |
Hurry hurry, men, or we shall
be too late" exclaimed the men--
"what's that p
The splash which caused this inqui-
ry was occasioned by the plunge Of Ma
polcon into the sea /; the noble animal
having been watching the cause of the
tumult from the Captains fall, and
heard the shout, and for u few mo-
mcnts had vented his feelings in deep
growls, as if conscious of the peril Of
his enemy and gratified at it.
His growls, however, were soon
changed into those whnes of sympa-
thy which so often show the attachment
Iof the dog to man, when the latter is
in danger. At last ho plunged, and
rapidly made his way toward the now
nearly exhausted Captain, who, aware
of his double danger, and being but q
passable swimmer, made fainter and
fainter strokes, while his adversary
closed rapidly upon him. !
"Pull boys for your life - was the
shout Of the mate, as the boat now
| followed the dog, whose huge limbs
propelled him gallantly to the scene of
Danger ~
Slowly the fatigued swimmer made
his way, while ever and anon his head
sank in the waves, and behind him the
bark of the yoracious animal told what
fearful progress he was making, while
Lancaster in the bow Of the boat stood
with a knife in his appraised hand, eye
ing alternately the Captain and his
pursuor and the faithful animal which
had saved his own life.
4 There was u iixed look Of pale dctcr-
mination in his face, which convinced
all that should tie dog become d saeri-
flee to the shark, Lancaster would re-
vcngc his death if possible, even at the
risk OF his own life. .....,...
"Good God! what a swimmer !"
exclaimed the men, who marked the
speed Of the splendid animal "Thc
shark will have one or both if We don't
do our bost -
/ The scene was of short duration.-
Ere the boat could ovcrtake the dog,
the enormous shark had arrived within
i three oars length Of the Captain, and
Isndtcnly turned over on his back, pre-
| paratory to darting on the sinking man
and receiving him in his vast jaws,
which now displayed their rows Of long
triangular teeth.
The wild shrek of the Captain an
nounccd that the crisis had come
But now Napoleon seeming inspired
! with increased strength, had also ar
rived, and with a fierce howl lcapcd
upon the cleaning belly Of the shark,
and buried his teeth in the monsters
flesh, while the boat swiftly ncarcd
them.
" Saved /! if We are half as smart as
that dog is, cried tho mate, as all saw
the yoracious monster shudder in the
sea, and snarting with tho pain, turn
ed over again, tho dog retaining his
hold and becoming submerged in the
| water.
At this juncturc the boat arrived,
and Lancaster, his knife in his teeth,
plunged into the water, where the Cap
tain had also now sunk from view.
But few moments elapsed ere the
dog arose to the surface, and soon after
Lancaster with the inscnsiblc form of
the Captain.
" Pull them in and give them an oar"
cried the mate, "for that follow is pre-
pairing for another launch
His orders were obeycd, and the
second onset of the marine monster
vas folcd by the Mate splashing wa.
ter in his eyes, as he came again, and
but few seconds too late to snap off
tic Captains legs, as his body was
drawn into the boat: 49,.
NFoIed the second time, the shark
passed the boat, plunged, and was seen
no more, but left tic track Of blood on
the surface Of the wator, a token Of the
severity Of the wound from Napoleon.
The boat was pulled towards the
brig, and not many hours elapsed be-
fore the Captain vas OH deck again,
feeble from his efforts, but able to ap-
prcciate hcscrvices of our canine hero,
and most bitterly TO lament his own
cruel act which had mutilatcd him for
over,
{" [ would give my right ARM" he
exclaimed, as he pattcd the Nowfouud-
land, who stood fv his side, "if | could
only repair the injury have done that
splendid fellow. Lancaster, you arc
now avenged, and so is lie, and q most
Christian vengeance it is, thought viii