Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1871-07-06
lisfellaaeolls.
A SHARK STORY.

ETETNT ~ ---s
Suddenly I saw sight that made
NV flushed limbs turn cold with sud-
den chill-a glistening fin, cutting
through the smooth, undulating sur
face 0fsthe bilIoW a few yards seaward,
and approaching our party swiftly and
silently-a slate-colored sharp fn,.
arouned like the head of razor-blade,
the edgeof it cutting its way straight
towards us without ripple. 1t was
the white shark-the most voracious
terrible variety of his species.
Isereamed at the top of my voice, -
.Au,ce! te nsulO! .AltaCel te nad11o!
(siAIasl the shark the shark'') and
struck out vigorously for the shore,
kicking my heels upon the surface of
the water as swan. The rest of the
company followed my example; for
the shark is essentially coward, and
will not attack swimmer as long as
he splashes the water actively. ee1
But one of our company, girl of
about my own age, my favorite play
Z mate, had not received any warning of
the enemy's approach. she dove, the
instant before / gave the alarm, to es-I
cape the ardent pursuit of one of the
native youths; for the aquatic sports of
the Islanders involved d degree OF
license which will not bear too minute
description. She went under like a
water fowl, and disappeared from him
al the instant that she was about to be-
come his captive: but she escaped for
the moment, only to be singled out as
the object Of more terrible chase.
The shark turned his course toward
Melelina-th was the name of the un-1
happy girl-andP her, as, all un-
conscious she was still swimming rap
idly under water toward the shore. L
saw the shark's i'm disappear from the
surface and knew that she was ignor-
ant of his approach. / dove Instantly,
hoping to see her under water, to
touch her rb0dV, and warn her of the
danger before it was too late. .
knew that she 4silsst be within a
few wards ,of me. szzhFIf Il couId not see
her. the agitation of the water at the
moment Reinp such as TO disDerse the
sieht to nenetrate more two fathoms in
a5v di.acf;on'-
e - a.. 4.-s:,,a ..4o. e
III spleo - .liS ~ .Jiltsis 1, "
tne 1ioi1ent, ulu 4Oe!ose plesenIe VI
inlnu: lnStanuy I :. uove iaGnoni n.l
deeper, ana 1etc4eu Inc laggee surface
OF the coraI IeeI, pI9Ke lroIn II, Iacef. e,I
ating my nanos IN the poWerIuI enorI,
TWO denSe iragments OF 1ne mushroom
corai,,N Nn9ch @ asOunds N =theSe, Waeers,
ana sIIuck lnem snarply togetnef, CIV
ing the slgnal py Whlcn Ine Iongan dl-
VerS communicate Win eacn' otner
wnlle under watef. 4 knew gnat ithe
sound, though entlrely lnaudl0le above
wafer Weutd De 7conVeyeo WIN great
intensity 10 a aconsloeraDle distance De-
neatn tne surface IN Iar less ume
than 1t takes TO read the account OF 1t,
had made the signal, with two rapid
clicks like the telegraph signal Tor the
letter Ar "Gome tothe surface of the
water!" s - -, I, I,
AS repeated this signal, employing
all the strength OF a muscular pair OF
arms, a shadow passed over me, dark
ening the broad, fan-like beams of sum
light that now poured down into the
seq. a~a Tassc : FeAm sgst
1glanceu upward. fasSs< 81
lt was shark, .1G& q
He dashed over me like flying
spear, apparently lntlmldated by the
shark cllcklng OF the coral IN my hands
-asounds tnat ne nad never heard be-
fore. But Knew that he was In swift
pursuit Oh my peauUlIuI playmate.
dropped the corals, ana rose-for
my breath was, now almost spenGto
the surface OF the wafer.
MY companions were by Shls time
making raplo way toWard tne land,
kicking ana spiasning 1urlously. But
Mele,lna haa not YET apPearee. Had
sne already iallen a prey 70 TINS mon
st9r, dd sllls rdavening yen aeVil 0I tne sea!