The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-11-15
0ar Oanosr,s Shot.
AN INCIDENT or OCEAN LIFE.

ing - lhe northward and Wsstw6G1, bus to
/ words the close Of tire safsernooM the 90
breeze died away, aud one Of those sultsy
oven-like atmospheric breathings came from
the great snnburnt Sahara.
Half an hour before rundown the captain
gave the order to the boatswsin 10 call TIL
hands to 60 in swimming, and in less thar
i've minutes the forms OF our tars were seer
leaping from the gangways, the ports, sht
nettings, bowsprit, and some OF the more
venturesome took their leap from the arm,
Of the lower yards.
One OF the stadding sails had been lower
ed into ths water, With its burners suspended
from the main yard arm and the swinging
boom, and into this some Of the swimmers
made their way.
Among those who seemed to be enjoying
the sport most heartily, were the two boys,
lin. Wallace and Fred. Fair qnks, the latter
OF whom was the son Of our old gunner, and
IN laughing mood they started GU. from the
studdiDg sail on race.
There was loud ringing ahou. Of JOY on
their lips, as they put %, and they started
through the water like fishes. The surface
OF the was as smooth as glass, though its
bosom rose 10 long and heavy swells tina, set
in from the Atlantic.
~"~ 'S~ocl Wne buOoTrus Win u IOUk oWeep
from both cables and the buoy Of the star
board quarter, when it rose aud fell with the
lazy swelis like . drunken man.
Towards the buoy the two lads made their
way, Fred. Fairbanks taking the lead, but
when they we're within abou, twenty or ,hir-
" fathoms OF the buoy, Tin shot ahead and
promised to win the race. The old gunner
watched the progress Of his son with . vast
deal OF pride, and when he saw him drop
behind, he leaped upon the poop, and
was on on the point Of urging him on by
shout, whom a cry reached him that made
him start as II be had been struck by can
non ball.
"a shark sharks came from the
captain Of the forecastle, and at the
sound OF the the terrible words the men
IN the water leaped and plundged towards
the ship.
Right abenm, and at the distance OF about
three or four cables length, q shark wake
was seen in the water, where the back OF
the monster was visible. His course was for
the boys.
for moment the gunner stood like one
bereft OF sense, but on the next he shouted
at the top Of his voice for the BOYS 10 turn,
but the little fellows heard him not Stout
~ the two swimmers strove for the goal. oil
unconscious Of the fearful death. spirit that
lowered - near them. Their merry laugh
still rang out over the waters, and at length
they both touched the buoy together.
oh, what drops Of agony started from the
brow OF our old gunner. A boat had pu,
of, but Fairbanks knew that il could not
reach them IN season, and every moment he
expected to ses the monster sink from sight,
and then he knew that all hope would be gone.
AZ that moment n cry reached the ship that
went through every heart like a stream of
hre--the boys had discovered their enemy!
The cry startled old Fairbanks to his sen.
ses, and quicker than thought he spranc to
the quart,r-deck. The guns were all loaded
and shotted fore and aft, and none knew
thelr temper better than he. With steady
hand, made strong by sudden hope, the
Ola gunner seized printing wire, and picked
the cartridge OF ono OF the quarter guns;
then he took from his pocket percussion
waller. and set it in its place, and set back the
hammer OF the patent lock. With q steady, |
giant strength, the old man swayed the
oreoch OF the heavy gun to its bearing, and
men seizlng the string lock, he stood back
ana watched for the next swell that would
settle his hopes and fears.
Every breath was hushed, and every heart
an that old snip beat painfully. The boat
was yet some distance from the bows. while |
tho horrible sea monster was fearfully near. !
oauueniy tue AIR was awoke BY the roar OF
a heavy gun, and as the old man knew his |
shot was gone, he sank back on the combine |
OF the hatch, md covered his face with his
hands, as II afraid to see the result Of his
efforts, for If he failed, he knew that the how
was lost
For moment after the report OF the gun |
had Died away upon the air, there was dead
silence, nus as the smoke arose from the sur
race OF the water, there was, at first. a low
nlur'nur breaking from the lips of the men,
= murmur grew louder and stronger until
y s"eiieu 10 a Joyous, deafening shout. The
oia gunner sprany to his feet and CARED
gu. upon the water, and the 4 ut thing that
met ms view was tine huge carcass Of the
s"TA hoa'ihx with ms belly up--a mangled
mass.
In few moments the boat reached the
laring swimmers, and, half dead with fright.
'nes were brought on board. The old man
,iaspeu ms boy IN his arms, ind thon, over.
oo'ae ~ the powerful excitement, he leaned
upon the gun for support.
have seen men in ali the nhases NJ ax
,i'emsh' ana suspense, but never have seen
-t'ss nunured human beings more overcome
y thrilling emotions, than on that eyen,ful
moment when they first knew the eifec. OF
bur gunner's shot.
a SOUTHERN VIEW OF TuaxKsu1y,xa ~.
rus NORTHERN STATES. Baltimore.
~ ,au' aiud.ng to the fact that Thursday, Nov.
y, has been fixed upon by most OF tbs
Governors Of the Northern States far ~
nnuai Tha nh sy;rs,.r 81. L 0 ,