The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-02-06
THE SAILORS STORY.

who was sailor from q love of tho pro-
fession, and who had run away from his
home in New-Hampshire three years before,
from which he had not heard word since,
and which he had resolved to return to af-
ter the present voyage. IIo was in my
watch, and often, under the lee of tho long
boat, he would open his heart to me regard
ing his hope and fears.
We were, one night, walking the deck in
the moonlight the sea just moved to rip
pie beneath the tropical air, when he
caught my arm suddenly, and cried;
"Look thercy !"
"Where ?" ] asked.
"Therc," said hc, "in the wake OF the
moon. Don't you sce?"
There, sure enough, swan an immense
shark, just above the water, within boat S
length of us, and we felt that his evil eye
rested upon us as we stood there gazing on
him. | felt q sense of uncasiness as
saw the monster SO near us, and there was
sensible tremor in Bob, as his hand rested
ON his arm.
Jack, said he impressively, "that chap
is after me. can read my fate in every
ripple of the water rs it plays around him,
and know very we'll that he will be my
t)mb."
"Nonsense," said; "what is the use of
indulging in such feeling as that? 1t is
no unusual thing to SEGA shark, and what
if every sailor should take it into his head
that we was to be eaten, do you think he
would be?'
"You see that, jack" said he; she
knows what we arc talking about, and it's
settled thing, His mind is made up to
have pick at me, and he will do it,"
"Why do you believe SOP" l asked.
"Oh," he said, "I have been too happy
These joyful anticipations of seeing home
again, and getting the forgiveness of the
old folks, if they are alive, and seeing my
little sister Myra, have filled me full. Jack, {"
he continued, turning around and looking
me square in the face, edo you believe that
man who disrespected his father SO much
as to shut him down the cellar and run
away, has right to anticipate happiness?
/ served mine so See that shark; he seems
to be laughing at what say, the internal
beast, if may be allowed the expression"
Icomforted him by telling him he had no
reason for his gloomy fears, but he mourn
fully shook his head. The calling of the
Cardboard watch" interrupted our CONVEX
sation, and we turned in. laid awake
but little while, and could hear Bob sigh
deeply as he lay in his berth.
The next day the shark was not visible,
but night found us again looking over the
lee rail, and, as before, right in the wake
Of the ship, was the huge fish swimming
along with his fin out of the water, boats
length from us.
"He's after me-" said Bob in whisper.
Nonsense" replied; she's after mo
as much as you."
That night Bob turned in his berth, and
his sighs were piteous. He looked so hag-
gard and worn the next morning, that Mr..
GOodenough, the mate noticed it,
"Ah Bob, said he, " what's the matter.
You look like sick man."
Bob simply replied that he did not feel
well, and turned his attention to his du-
ties.
"Time's most up, Jack" said he in a
whisper; "and look there ~
Sure enough, there, scarcely boats
length from the brig, was seen the ominous
lin, the black flag of the buccaneer of the
iinny tribe, and was for moment shock
ed.
"This can't last another day." said he
seisingth the rail; "and you believe it; / see
you tremble. You must go up and see the
old folks, Jack, and tell 'em how patient
died, and that my life was not thrown away,
though was runaway. Give them my
chest and give little Myra the sea elephants
tooth, with the carving upon it, to keep as
memento, and Heaven bless you, jack"
The poor fellow wept like child.
Tho whole crew were now attracted along
the vessels side, TO zee the great fish that
was 80 desirous of our company, and yari-
Gus were the comments made upon it, none
Of which were of the sombre character Of
poor Bob's though they all looked upon it
with a feeling of dread.
Oar cook finally seemed to arrive at a
very decisive, though Comical, conclusion.
lie darted into his caboose, from which he
reappeared again in a few moments with
something rolled up in an old red shirt,
that seemed to send out steam.
"What have you got there?" asked the