Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-01-22
STORY OLE A SHARK.

SlOk1 OF a SHARK.
knew a story ofa sharlS--a fearful. bloody
story-and one that haunts my memory night
or day, dreaming or waking When was at
Campcachy, ! formed a sort of pot-iriondship
with pearl fisher. who had served under Mi
ma, in the expedition 20 New Orleans. and
could tell flog burning and bush fighting, and
things | had never heard of before and
used to sit in his wigwam all night, and swill
rum grog, while ho went over his campaign
and his wanderings He was merry fellow
and knew how to keep the joke fresh, and
liked his grog, and was compelled to like his
company, for the yellow fever broke out in
our ship. and | was thrown upon my shifts
until she came off her quarantine, so that
was contented TO swing my hammock in the
pearl divers hut as long as he would Let me
One night was drunk-perhaps he made me
SO for particular ends, but if he did he was
punished for it. Il was very dark and squal-
ly and we were sitting alone in the hut over
the light of mangrove fire After looking
at me for some time, with a serious, steadast
eye, Jose said
Anderson, | will put my life in your
hands / have need of a friend to advise
with. and think you will not betrav me-
You may have heard for rumors are loud
Tipped. that the cathedral of Nucstro Sonora
was plundered some two years ago, and that
two black men, who were implicated in the
sacrilege. suffered publicly on the Wheel
There was another man who eyadcd detection.
They died like men of honor, with the secret
in their hearts, and yet he lives. unknown
and unsuspected. am that man Hush -
The gold and silver vessels tempted my eve.
and ! never knct at the altar without wishing
to tear them down. The devil assisted me,
and did it. H1dre he Dios ! such com
motion as it made in twou. The people
seemed TO have made a vow to talk of moth
ing else and the padres yelled as if it was
doomsday. The poor blacks yelled too. but
my name was ncyor mingled with their con-
fcssions-my punishment is far off The gold
cups and candlestcks are buried under ten
tathoms of water | know the place well.
Assist me in raising them Tonight, and will
share them with you, and we will both take
the first chance Of going 20 Honduras
] consented at once--for the devil is ever
ready To- take advantage of a mans necessi-
tes-and went down % the beach Immediate
ly, where Jose unastened his doroy, and we
put off for the fishing station The sea ran
high, and we had enough 10 do to manage
our slight raft. Jose's experienced eye was
not long in discovering the repository Of his
treasure, though the night was dark and the
DRIFT was strong. that we could hardly see be-
yond the bow, excepting when streamer
flashed through the clouds and showed the
heavy black waves mounting around us
Its plagucy bad night. mcssmate, " said |.
Jose turncd-the lightning glared over his
iace--it was pale as death
"To-night or ncver!' he replied. Wear
up the dorey while | strip"
He did not lose an instant in preparation.
and after repeating his caution to wear up the
craft and keep near the place, he crossed him
self and dropped heavily but quietly into the
water / thought | heard cry as he de-
scended, and my anxiety began to take the
course of fear. Jose had scarcely dived
fathom when he arose to the surface-appar-
emily senseless and inanimate. | thought he
had stunned himself against the rocks. /
called TO him but he returned me no answer
called again, louder. and still no reply. Bold
with fear, | padded towards the place where
the lightning had shown me his floating body.
One arm was lying listlossly upon the waves
seized hold of it hastily. and dragged him
into the boat. As did so, blood, warm blood,
spouted over my head and knees-a streamer
flashed across the firmament-l uttered veil
of horror, and let the load drop heavily at
my feet. 1t was a headless trunk The Jaw
of shark had anticipated mans iustice-the
punishment of the guilty and ill-fated Jose
had only been protracted---not repealed.