Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-08-03

of incredible daring. Like the serpent, he is al
object of uncomfortable disgust and aversion
He is the incarnation of intense selfshness, de
moniac cruelty, rapacons gluttony, and detesta
BILE cowardice. Every one reioicesin his capture
Every bosom is barred against pity for him ant
the tenderest heart eXnlts, when mangled an(
bleeding, he lies trembling in the death agony.
1t is said that the Shark and the Porpose are
natural enemies, and that they often manifes
this innate and bitter epmity in the usual way
We confess that we never witnessed one ofthest
bloody encounters, but we cannot imagine any
sufficient reason why they should not often oc
cur. Although we have never seen these pow
erful fish fight. and cannot even refer our read
ers to q pen and ink description of one of these
combas, we have several times heard them de
picted most graphically by the black professors
OF the piscatorial art. We are aware that love
of the marvellous is a natural trait in the Afri
can character: but albeit the color of our mar
rators does not recommend these accounts tc
our credence, we do not think We are .justifatle
in regarding them fabulous simply on this ground
Our authorities assure as that tbs Porpsise al
ways comes victorious from the, 'fopghten field !;
and we are sure that every one who believe.
that they do sometimes try the strength and
will be gratitied with this piece of information
And, indeed, we may receive this statement
with unqualified confidence. for though the teeth
of the Shark are terrible, and his tail is clothed
with might, the superior agility OF the Porpoise
enables him to keep out OF the way OF both teeth
and tail. Why, while the Shark is getting ready
to use his teeth, or clumsiy turning his huge
body, the swift and active Porpoise can draw his
armed snout along his exposed stomach, and
send him, mad with pain aud rage, through the
crimsoned water. During these combats the
Shark very often leaps with quiveriDg tail into
the air, and Cudio fancies that then the Por
poise uses his spiracle upon him. Of course it
is prepOsteruus to suppose that he could per-
form such feat with his blow-hoe; but the
truth is, the Shark is tain thus to take refuge
from the sharp attacks of his brave foe.
Cowardice is distinguishing attribute to the
Shark, and it is one we like to contemplate e
ven when the fire is burning in his great google
eyes and his nose Is communicating jubilanL IL
dings to his ever. hungry NAV. and with the We
lucity of sun-ray he cnts the yielding water,
the vigorous use of an oar-blade, accompanied
with boisterous shouts and screams will keep
the hungry coward at bay. BY this means, a
school of them may be kept swimming around
party of bathers, all eager to dash in among
them: but those inarticulate noises are too much
for their weak nerves. We would suggest that
it might be hazardous to presume long on their
pusilanimity. for they might discover that it Is
ror ct pr@terea nihil, and then we would pay
dearly for our temeriy. The long breathed
pearl diver chershes profound contempt for the
Shark He will venture, armed only with
small knife, into the linpd waters which TEEN
with the laI gest and fierceSt Sharks, and wound
and kill them as colly a. he disengages the cling.
ing oysters from the rock. An esteemed frlend
informs us that black fisherman once iiourished
here, before the paddle oi the steamer rey"lved
in our bav, who became widely notorious for da-
ring bravery. This sturdy fellow was ilne
swimmer, and he no more feared the Sharks
than he did the Whiting and Trout he vendeu
about our streets. lie exhibited his proves. IN
many conflict, and nobly earned the title OF
Shark killer. His eye was quick TO perceive
the fin of his hated foe, and his heart grew brave
and his arm strong at the welcome sight. lie
wauld throw himself into .the watf- pear the
head of the advancing Sha. K, armed only with
his trustv iaok-knive. The monster would drive
furiously at him waiting until the terrible jaws
were opened he would move nimbly aside, and
nlunqe the blade into his vitals. lie was victo
rious in every combat save the last, and then his
arm failed him because ho went to battle with
brick in his hat. On this occasion our hero
plunged into the water from coaster lying in
the stream, and while he was dealing his useless
blows iu every direction an enormous shark
swan up and gashed him severely.
The well known fact that the flesh OF negro
is exceedingly grateful to the palate of a Shark
enhances our admiration ofthis fellows courage.
When he has the opportunity of dining, on a
white man or a negro, he shows decided pref
erence for the latter. 1t is related that cap
tain once availed himself Of the preference in
rather questionable way. While his vessel
was moving very slowly his son fell overheard.
lie saw huge Shark making with all speed to-
ward the little fellow, who was bravely work
ing hands and legs TO keep his head above the
water Selling negro who was toddling over
the deck, he threw it into the sea, The Shall
was attracted by the richer odour; the infant
disappeared; and the captains darling was saved.