Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-12-28
WATERTOWN WIS. FRIDAY, DECEMBER %, 1860

tion with the most painful solicitude
Bv the time the boat touched the wa
ter. their worst fears were realized for at
some distance behind the swimmer. they
beheld advancing upon him the FISH most
dreaded in those waters
Hurry hurry men or we shall be too
late. exclaimed the mate. WHAT'S shat?
The splash which caused this inquiry was
occas;oled by the P unge of Napoleon in
to the sea-the noble animal having been
watching the cause OF the tumult from the
bow of the vessel He had noticed the
Captains fall and heard the sLoat, and for
few moments had vented lis feelings in
deep growls as if conscious Of the peril of
his late enemy and gratified at it
His growls. however, We're soon changed
into those whines Of sympathy which so Of
ten show the attachment Of the DOG to
nan. when the latter is in danger. At
last he plunged, aud rapidly made his way
towards the now nearly exhausted Captain
who. aware Of his double danger. and be-
ing but a passable swimmer, made fainter
and fainter strokes, While his adversary
closed rapidly upon him.
Pull boys, for dear life was the shout
of the mate, as the beat now followed the
dog, whose huge limbs propelled him gal
lantly t. the scene Of daaaer
Slowly the fatigue swimmer made his
way, while ever aud anon lis head sank in
waves, and behind him the back of the
voracious animal told what fearful pro-
gress he was making, while Lancaster stood
in the bow Of the boat With knife in his
upraised hand, watching alternately the
captain and pursuer, and the faithful ami
nal who had saved his own life
There was fixed look OF pale deter
mination III his face, which Convinced all
that should the dog become a sacrifice to
the shark. Lancaster would revenge his
death if possible, even at the risk Of his
own life.
Good God what a swimmer, exclaimed
the men, who marked the speed Of the
splendid animal The shark viii have one
or both if we don't do our best
The scene was of short duration. Ere
the boat could overtake the dog, the enor-
nous shark had arrived within three oars
ength of the Captain and suddenly turn
ing over on his back, preparatory to dart
ing on the sinking man and receiving him
in his vast jaws, which now displayed their
rows of long triangular teeth
The wild shrek Of the Captain announc-
ed that the crisis had come But now Ma
poleon seeming inspired with increased
strength had also arrived, and with
fierce howl leaped upon the cleaning belly
of the shark, and buried his teeth in the
monsters flesh. while the boat swiftly
neared them
Saved !! if we are bali as smart as that
dog is cried the mate, as all saw the vo-
raelous monster shudder in the sea, and
smarting with the pain, turn over again,
the dog retaining his hold and becoming
submerged in the water.
At this juncture the boat arrived and
Lancaster. his knife in his teeth, plunged
into the wafer where the Captain bad also
sank from view
But few moments elapsed ere the dog
arose to the surface, aud .oon after Ian
caster with the insensible form Of the cap
tain.
Pull them in and give them an oar cried
the mate, for that fellow is preparing for
another launch.
His orders were oheyed, and the second
onset of the marine monster was foiled by
the mates splashing water in his eyes, as
he came again and but few seconds too
late to snap off the captains legs as his
body was drawn into the boat
Fooled the second time, the shark pass
ed the boat, plunged. and was seen no
more, but left track of blood on the sur
face Of the water, a token of the severity
Of the wound from Napoleon.
The boat was now pulled towards the
brig, and not many hours elapsed before
the Captain was on deck again, feeble from
his efforts, but able to appreciate the SER
vices Of our canine hero, and most bitterly
to lament bis own cruel act which had mu-
tilated him forever.
] would give my right arm he ezclaim-
ed as be patted the Newfoundland who
stood by his side, if l could only repair
TIE injury have done to that splendid fel-
low. Lancaster, you are avenged, and so
is be, and most christian vengeance it
is, though it will be a source of grief to me
as long as | live.