The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1857-02-07
VOL. XVIT---NO. "a.
The Cunner's Shot.
a THRILLING STORY OF FACT.

4 THRILLING STORY OF FACT.
Our noble ship Law Ut anchor in the bay OF
iang'er, a fortified town in the extreme
northwest of Africa. The day had been
. mia with gentle breeze sweeping to the
northward and westward. but. towards tho
close ot the afternoon, the sea breezcs died
away, and one of those siltry, evcn-like, At
mospherlc brcathings camc from the great
sun-b burnt Sahara. Half an hour before
sundown, the captain gave the order to tho
boatswain to call the hands TO 60 in swim
ming, and in less than FIVE minutes the
forms Of our tars were seen leap:ng from
the gangways, the ports, the ne;tings, bow
spirit, and some OF the more ycatursome
took their leap from the areas Of the lower
yard. One OF the studding sails had been
lowered into the water, with lis corners sus-
pended from the main yard arm and the
swinging boom, aaG into this the swimmers
made their way.
Among those who seemed to be enjoying
the sport most heartily were two OF the
boys, Tina Wallace and Fred Fairbanks, tho
latter Of whom was the son Of our cd gun.
ner, and in a laughing mood, they started
out from the scudding sale on race. There
was loud ringing shout ofjoy on their lips
as Ley pat OIL, and they started through
/ the water like fishes. The surface of the
/ sea was as SMOOTH as glass, though its bosom
rose in long and heavy swells that set in
from the Atlantic. The vessel was moored
with long sweep from bo.h cables, and the
buoy on the starbCafd aLchor was far away
on the starboard quarter, where il rose and
fell with the swe!.s ike drunken man
Towards the buoy the lads made their
way, Fred Fairbanks taking the lead, but
whcn they were within twenty or thirty
fathoms of the buoy, Tim shot ahead and
promised to win the race. Tn. old gunner
watched the progress of his son with vast
q al of pride, and when h: saw him drop
behind he leaped upon the poop, and was on
the point of urging him Oh by shout, when
4 cry reached him that made him start as if
he had been struck by cannon bali.
a shark shark ~ came from the cap
tain Of the fJrecsst!e, and at tie sound of
the terrible words TIE men who were in the
water leaped and plunged towards the ship.
Right abeam, at the distance Of three or
four cables length, a shark was seen in the
water, where the back Of the monster was
visible. Il:s course was for the boys. For
a moment the gunner stood like one bcreft
Of sense, he shouted at the top of his voice
fJr tho boys 20 turn, but the little fellows
heard him not. S;Outy the two swimmers
s;rove for ttc goal, all Unconscious Of the
icariI! dcatL-spitit that hoyercd so near
them. Their merry laugh still rang ont
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. 4 boat had
put OF, but Fairbanks knew i, cou d not
reach them in season, and every moment ho
expected to see thc monster sink from sight,
and then he knew that al hope would TO
gOue.
!. that moment a cry reached the ship
that went through every heart like stream
OF hre-thc boys had discovered their enc
my. The cry started old Fairbanks to his
senses, and quicker than thought he sprsng
10 tie quarter deck. The guns were all
loaded and sho.ted fore and aft, and none
knew their temper b.tter than hc. With =
steady hand, made strong by sudden hope,
the old gunner seized a priming wre aud
picked the cartridge of one Of the quarter
guns-then he took from his pocket a per-
cussion wafer, and set it in its place, and
set back the hammer Of the patent lock-
!tA steady, giant strength the old man
sway,d the breach of his heavy gun to ito
bearing, and then, sczng the string lock, he
stood yack and watched for the mex, swell
that would bring the shark in range. lie
had aimed the piece some distance Of his
marx, but yet single moment would settle
his hopes and f.ars.
Every breath was hushed, and every
hcart in that snip beat painfully. The boat
was yet some distance from the boys. whilst
the horrible sea monster was feartully near.
sud .eHiy, the air was awokc by the roar ef
Il heavy gun, and as the old man knew his
shot was gone, he sank back on the comb
ing OF the hatch, and covered his face with
his hands, as if afraid to soc the result Of
his efforts, for if lie had failed lie knew that
the boy was lost.
For moment after the report Of the gun
had died away upon the air, there was
dead silence, but Is tie smoke arose from
the surface OF the water, there WIS at first
low murmur breaking from the lips Of tho
men; that murmur grew louder and strong
er until it swellod to joyous desieuing
sh oGt. The o.d gunner spraEg TO his feet
and gazed cut upon the water, aud the first
thing tnat met his view WAS the huge ear.
cass Of the shark, floating with his belly up,
a mangIed mass.
In few moments the boat reached the
daring swimmers, and half dead with fright,
they were brought on board. The old man
ciasped his boy In his arms, and then, over
come by the powerful excitement, he leaned
upon tue gun tor support. have seen men
In all places OF excitement and suspense,
but never have | seen three hundred human
beings more overcome by thrilling emotions,
than on that eventful moment, when they
first knew the effect of our gunner's shot
JOurncl Of on English Naedl Ojicer.