The weekly Columbian., 1857-01-10
Our Gunner's Shot.
AN INCIDENT OF OCEAN LIFE.

Our noble ship lay at anchor in the bay of
Tangier, a fortified town in the extreme north
west of Africa. The day had been extremely
mild. with gentle breeze sweeping to the
northward and westward. but towards the close
of the afternoon the sea-breeze died away. and
one of those sultry, oyen-lke atmospheric
breathings came from the great sun-burnt Sa-
bara.
Half an hour before sun-down the captain
gave the order to the boatswain to call the hands
to go in swimming. and in less than Eve minutes
the forms of our tars were seen leaving from
the gangways, the ports. the nettings. bowsprit
and some of the more venturesnme took their
leap from the arms Of the lower yard.
One of the studding-sails had been lowered
into the water, with its corner suspended from
the mainyard arm and the swinging boom, and
into these some of the swimmers made their
way.
Among those who seemed to be enjoying the
sport most heartily, were two Of the boys, Tim
Wa lace and Fred Fairbanks. the latter ofwhom
was the son Of our old gunner; and in laugh
ing mood, they started out from the studdng-
sail on a race.
There was loud ringing shout Of joy on
their lips as they put off and they started throuh
the water like fishes The surface of the sea
was as smooth as glass. though it's bosom rose
in long and heavy swells that set in from the
Atlantic.
The vessel was moored, with long sweep
from both cables and the buoy of the starboard
quarter, where it rose and fell with the swells
like drunken man.
Towards the buoy the two lads made their
way, Fred Fairbanks taking the lead but when
within about twenty or thirty fathoms of the
buoy, Tim shot ahead end promised to win the
race. The old gunner watched the progress of
his son with a vast deal of pride, ana when he
saw him drop behind, he leaped upoa the poop
ApA 1rnC an thn OJpt nf,y l.,
shout, when cry reached him that made him
start as if he had been struck by cannon ball
"a shark shark :" came from the captain
OF the forecastle. and at the sound of the terri
BILE words the men who were in the water leap
ed and plunged towards the ship.
Right abeam at the distance of three or four
cables length, shark-wake was seen in the wa
ter. where the back of the monster was visible
His course was for the boys.
For moment the gunner stood like one be-
reft of sense, but in the next he shouted at the
top of his voice for the boys to turn but the lit
tie fellows heard him not. Stoutly the two
swimmers strove for the goal all unconscious OF
the fearful death-spirit that hoyered so 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 put Off
but Fairbanks knew that it could not reach
them in season, and every moment he expected
to see the monster sink from sight and then he
knew that all hope would be gone At that
moment cry reached the ship that went
through every heart like a stream Of fre-the
BOYS had discovered their enemy.
The cry startled old Fairbanks to his senses
and quicker than thought he sprang to the quar-
ter-deck. The guns were all loaded and Shot
ted fore and aft and none knew their temper
better than he. With steady hand, made strong
by sudden hope, the old gunner seized prm-
ing wire. and picked the cartridge of one of the
quarter guns; then he took from his pocket a
percussion wafer, and set it in its place. and set
back the hammer of the patent lock. With
steady, giant strength. the old man swayed the
breech of the heavy gun to its bearing. aud then
EeiZing the string stock. he stood back and
watched for the next swell that would bring the
shark in range. He had aimed the piece some
distance ahead of his mark but yet a single
moment would settle his hopes and fears.
Every breath was hushed, and every heart in
that old ship beat painfully. The boat was yet
some distance from the boys, while the horrible
sea monster was fearfullv near. Suddenly the
air was awoke by the roar of heavy gun. and
as the old man knew his shot was gone he sank
back on the combng of the hatch. and covered
his face with his hands. if afraid to see the re-
suit OF his efforts, for fhe had failed he knew
that the boy was lost.
For moment after the report Of the gun had
died away upon the air. there was dead ST.
lence. but as the smoke arose from the surface
OF the water, there was at first low murfnur
breaking from the lips of the men; that murmur
grew louder and stronger until it swelled to
Joyous deafning shout. The old gunner sprang
to his feet. and gazed out upon the water, and
the first thing that met his view was the huge
carcass of the shark floating with its belly up a
Mangled mass.
In a few moments the boats reached the dar-
Ing swimmers, and. half dead with fright, they
were brought on board. The old man casped
his boy in his arms, and then, overcome by th,.
powerful excitement, he leaned upon the gun
for support.
have seen men in all the phases Of excite
ment and suspense, but never had seen three
hundred human beings more overcome by thrill
ling emotions than in that eventful moment
when they first knew the effect of our gunners
shot.