The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-05-16
4 True Shark Story.

Il may not be generally known that in
that playful marine acrobat, the por-
poise, the shark possesses an implacable
enemy that viii permit no intrusion ON
its feeding grounds. The writer first
learned this fact from two old and e1-
perienced fishermen when out on a Ash
ing excursion, one lovely August day,
off Squan Beach, New Jersey. 1t came
out in the course of q story, which is
here given as il was told in the boat.
The fishermen were serious and quiet
men, watchful and ready; and noticed
that they not only used no profane eI-
pressions themselves, but appeared TO
be annoyed and distressed at the occa-
sioual strong expletives that escaped me
under the exasperating excitement Of
losing a fine fish from the hook after
hauling it to the surface. Somewhat
surprised at demeanor l had not been
accustomed 10 in "toilers Of the sea, /"
asked them at last il any thing was the
matter. They replied, very respectful
", that being religious men, they felt
panied by any thing approaching the sin
Of profanity, and that if / would listen
they would tell me the story of their re
markable deliverance from death, which
resulted in their conversion. 1t was as
follows:
"Some ten years ago we were hard
drinkers, swearers, wild surf-men, and
fishermen. We never entered q church,
and cared neither for God nor Satan.
"On a fine Sunday morning in August,
1867, we started at daylight for this very
reef OF rocks. With plenty Of bait, we
looked for four or five hundred-weight of
sea-bass. founders and blackfish. At
first we pulled them up IA fast as our
lines touched bottom; then we had not a
single bite Surprised, we stood up and
looked around, preparatory TO changing
our ground. To our astonishment the
water was alive with sharks. We com
menced pulling mp our anchor, when a
savage fish rushed 30 the bow of the
boat and bit the rope in two. Then we
hoisted sail, but the moment we put the
steering oar in the water several sharks
began biting it in pieces. So we were
compelled TO take in sail, and drift. We
were in the midst OF a school Of sharks
two miles long and half a mile broad.
They were Of all sizes, from six feet long
TO twelve or fourteen. They swarmed
around our boat, and dashed il one-third
full Of water with their tails. We had 10
bail, one with his hat and the other with
the bait pail. Every moment some big
fellow would put his nose almost on our
gunwale, while his yellow tiger eye
glared ferociously at out pale faces. One
shark dashed at the boat and seized one
Of the side planks, and almost shook ms
out of our seats. Fortunately his teeth
broke off, and away he went with bleed
ing Jaw. In moment he was torn in
pieces and devoured. Then the school
turned toward us again.
ave we're in despair, and never eI.
pected to see shore. We could not sail,
we could noe row, and were drifting out
10 sea. Finally, Charley said: Bill, we
are in an awfnl muss. Let us see il God
will help us. We knelt down, and
prayed for help, confessed our sins, and
promised amendment and repentance,
We had hardly finished before we saw a
great school Of porpoises. They hurled
themselves ont of the water, jumping
\ twenty feet at bound. Soon we were il
! the midst of them. The sharks started ou
to sea, but the porpoises were too quick
They bit and tore the sharks fearfully
Sometimes three porpoises would have
hold of one shark. Then they jumped
out of the water and fell heavily on thest
tigers of the ocean. The fight continued
for miles, and we were saved. We row
ed safely to shore, and became professor
of religion; gave up drinking, swearing
and all vices. We have great respect TO
porpoises, and belie''e that If they wer,
not so plentiful, New Jersey shore would
ewarrn with sharks, and then good-by Il
fishing and bathing"