The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-12-31
the OLD GuNNEa's sHoT.
a Thrilling St0ry.

Our noble ship lay at anchor in the bay
OF Tangier, fortified city III the extreme
northwest, point Of Africa. The day had
been extremely mild, with gentle breeze
sweeping in from the northward and west
ward, but toward the close of the afternoon
the sea breeze died away, and one of those
sultry, oven-like atmospheric breathings
came up from the great sun-burnt Sahara.
Halt au hour before shutdown the captain
gave the cheering order for the boats wal Ii
''to call oil hands TO 60 in swimming"
and l.. less than five minutes the forms of
our hardy tara were seen leaping from the
gangwsys, the ports, the MEETINGS, the bow
spirit, and some of the more venturesome
took their plunge from the arms of the lower
yards.
One of the studding sails had been low
cred into the water, with it's corners sas-
pended from the main yard arm pad the
swinging boom, and into this n10t OF the
swimmers made their way. Among those
who seemed to be enjoying the sport most
we're two of the boys, lin Wallace and Fred
Fairbanks, the latter of whom was the son
of the old gunner, and in q laughing mood
they started out from the studding sails on
a race There was a loud, ringing shout of
10Y upon their lips as they put off, and they
dsrted through the water like fishes. The
surface OF the sea was as smooth as glass,
though It's bosom rose in long, heavy rsWells
that set in from the broad Atlantic.
The ship was moored with long sweep
upon both cables, aud the buoy of the star
hoard anchor was far away on the starboa7d
quarter, where 1t rose and fell with the lazy
swells like drunken man. Toward this
buoy the two lads made their way. Fred
Fairbanks taking the lead but when they
were within about a dozen fathoms of the
buoy, Tim shot ahead and promised to win
toe race. The old gunner had watched the
progress OF his little son with o vast degree
of pride, and when he saw him dropping
behind, he leaped upon the poop, and was
just upon the point of urging him on by a
shout, when a cry reached his ears that
made him start US though he had been
struck BY cannon ball.
I" a shark shark |" came from the
captain of the forecastle, and at the sound
of these terrible words the men who were in
the water leaped and plunged toward the
ship.
Right abeam, at n distance of three or
four cables len 9Th, sharp wake was seen
in the water, where the back fin Of the
monster was visible. His course was for
the boys ! For a moment the poor gunner
stood like one berett of sense, but the next
moment he shouted at the top of his voice
for hs boy to suru, but the little fellow
heard him not sEoutly the two swimmers
strove for the goal, all unconscious of the
bloody death spirit which lowered 80 near
them Their merry laugh still rang out
over the waters, and at length they both
reached the buoy together.
Oh, what drops OF agony started from the
brow Of the gamer \ boat and put off,
but Fairbanks knew that 1t could not reach
his child in season, for the shark was too
near its intended victim; and every moment
he expected to see it Sick from sight-ther
he knew that all hope would be gone. At
this moment cry reached the ship which
went through every heart like stream of
fre--the boys had discovered the enemy
That cry startled old Fairbanks to his
senses, and quicker than though. he spraug
10 the quarter deck The guns were loaded
aad shutted fore and att, and none knew
their temper better than he. With steady
hand, made strong By sudden hope, the old
gunner slezed q pElminR wire and pricked
the cartridge OF one of the quarter guns
then ne took from his pocket percussion
wafer and set It TO its place and Sc. back
the banner OF the patent lock. he stood
back ana watched TOR the next swell that
would bring the shark within range. He
had aimed the piece some distance ahead
Of his mark, but q single moment would set
tie his hopes and fears.
Every breath was hushed and every heart
IN that old ship was painfully still. The
boat was yet some distance from the BOYS.
while the sea monster was irightfuliy hear.
Suddenly the air was swollen by the roar Of
OF the heavy gun, and as the old man knew
his shot was gone he sunk back upon the
combinga OF the hatch, aud buried his face
in his hands as if afraid to see the result of
his own effort, for if he failed he knew his
boy was lost.
For d moment after the report OF the gun
had died away upon the air there was dead
silence; but as the ia penetrab bic hmoke rose
above the surface of the water, there was, at
first, low murmur breaking from the lips
Of the men: that murmur grew louder and
stronger, until it swelIed TO JOYOUS. deaf
ening shout The old gunner sprang to bis
feet and gaZed off upon the wetar; and the
first thing that met his view was the huge
carcass OF the shark, floating with it's white
belly unpermost-a menRled, ifeess mass.
In few moments the boat had reached
the daring swimmers, and halt dead from
fright they were brought on board. The
old man closed his boy in his arms, and
then, overcome by the powerful excite
ment, he leaned back upon tie gun for sup
port.
! have seen men in ell phases of excite
ment and suspense; but never have l seen
300 human beings more overcome by thrill
ing emotion than on that startling moment
when first We knew the g fTppt Of our uunner'a
shot