Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-03-17
A NOCTURNAL MYSTERY.
By an Old Soldier.
EDITED BY WILLIAM SAWYER.

1t is good many years since, hav-
ing returned from the West Indies with
my regiment, l was stationed at what
was called the Royal Arsenal, down
the river, near the Plumstead Marshes.
The Arsenal consisted of number of
out-houses full of government stores.
The Thames flowed on one side of it, a
canal running inland for a distance of
800 yards on another. On the remain
ing sides, the Arsenal was accessible
from the marshes. 1t was always
guarded day aud night by the military
stationed there, and this formed the
chief part of our duty.
One cold, raw night in Noyem-
ber, l was on what was called
the marsh guard, which consisted of
seven men besides myself We had
two sentries, one stationed at the guard
room door and one down at the lock
gates of the canal. The weather was
very trying, with its rawness and
dampness, to us who had so recently
come back from the West Indies, and
the remainder of the guard sat round
the fire in the guard room, entertain
ing one another with tales of their ex-
ploits and adventures. The converse
ton turned upon sharks, l remember,
and good many stories were told,
most of them deriving their main in
terest, in the eyes Of the narrator, from
his being the hero of what he had to
relate.
Talking of sharks" said one of the
guard recall his words as nearly as
l can--"reminds me of what l saw in
Jamaica. Who has not heard of Port
Royal Tom? This was the largest
shark that had ever been seen in Port
Royal, and the stories about him would
fll a book. He used to swim round the
men of war lying there, and woe be-
tide the unlucky wretch who attempted
to desert from his ship by swimming
ashore; he never lived to reach it, for
Port Royal Tom would swallow him.
Well, l had made up my mind to go
shark-fshing, along with three more.
We hired boat, took proper fishing
tackle, and everything needed for
days amusement. Leaving the shore,
we went about mile out in the harbor.
and over went the hook, well baited
with piece of salt pork. After lying
about for fifteen minutes, sharp tug
was felt, and we found we had got a
large fish on. We tried to pull it in,
but couldn't get him up to the surface.
Here was fix, and no mistake. With
great effort we got up the anchor, took
to the oars, and tried to row to the land;
but what was our astonishment to find
the shark towing US out to seaP'
"'What was to be done now?' was
the question raised in the boat.
Let him tow US out was suggested;
'he will soon tire of it, and then we
can take him ashore
"This was easier said than DONE
Master shark had been pulling US for
about two hours, and we were still 60
ing out to sea. Getting desperate, we
took to the oars again, and rowed back
to the town; but what tugging match
it was, with this ugly customer strain
ing his utmost in the opposite direction!
After pulling, in the hot sun, for seve
raj hours, we began to make headway
for the shore, master shark being de
termined that he would not go that
way, and we being as determined that
he cbou1d Uauzavar a four ,,,,nuFo- |
before the evening gun fired, we got
him to the jetty, and got him safely |
landed on the pier by means of crane,
made him secure, after good deal of
resistance, and left him for the night. |
His length, l may mention, was twelve
feet, or thereabouts.
early next morning we went down
to see our prize. He was still alive,
and swapping at everything with his
powerful jaws. A number of specta-
tors were present, and among them was
soldier of the 50th Regiment, car
penter. This man wanted to see the
sharks teeth, and to open his jaws,
forced handspike into his mouth, and
held the handspike very carelessly in
his hands. Master shark lay very
quiet, but some of the bystanders
cautioned this man to be careful of
what he was doing. The soldier laughed
at their advice, but the smile was
hardly off his countenance, when bang
came the handspike down upon his foot,
and smashed the big toe to a jelly, the