The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1879-04-29

bne gunWale OF the DOat; ana one-hnu
then second, dropped down in her
bottom, while several of the survivors
were vainly striving to stop the blood
that gushed freely from their wounds.
Sixteen buck-shot, "eighty to the
pound, in each barrel, at forty yards
just far enough to scattcr-liad told
heavily on their unprotected bodies.
Two or three of them were frantically
padding for the brig, as picked up the
second shotgun and cooked it.
"Hold on, Murray; hold on-don't
fire that one-load up-load up, and let
'em have it; sung out the skipper; 1--WE
must keep our arms ready, and work
coolly. Shove dozen buckshot into
this musket Handing one of them to
the man next him, who passed it to me)
on top of the ball, and let fly into the
boat again before she reaches the brig.
Quick's your play, mate, quick's your
play Never mind any wad, let her rip,
let her ripl"
Let her rip did, merely stopping
to drop number, how many have no
idea, of the buckshot into the gun. /
heard roar and felt jar, and then I
picked myself out of the boats bottom,
having been kicked backwards over the
bow thwart by the recoil of the over
loaded musket.
Looking towards the other boat, /
saw that she was deserted, one wounded
wretch alone being visible, lying half
over her side. One or more of them had
fallen from the last fire, and the terri
fled survivors had taken to the water.
commenced to reload the big shot
gun, and was ramming down the wads
on the powder, Graham at the same
time loading up the discharged musket
again having cartridges for his gun,
while had but loose powder and shot,
he had finished loading, and was put
ting on the cap, when he suddenly stop
ped moment, looking towards the
shore, and said
Look here, Murray; L must kill
that fellow-our only chance is to get
the natives CALLED, frightened; L hate to
do it, but L must"
Looking in the direction indicated L
saw native swimming rapidly for the
shore, the rest having probably reached
the brig. Before could look around
or speak, 1 heard a report, and stimuli
taneously with the sound saw the
fugitive's head drop beneath the sur
face, and his hands thrash about for a
few moments, and then the water was
|
suddenly and violently agaitated, and
sharp backfins seen two or three times
above the waves, evidenced that the
ocean cannibals-the sharks-were busy
at their work. L looked at Graham.
"Don't blame me, Murray" said he;
and he was ghastly pale, though cool
and determined as ever; "don't blame
me. 1t looks like murder, but it had to
be done. Our lives or theirs, there is
no other alternative"
81 don't blame you, Graham" said
/; but this awful work. Those sharks
none of the savages can swim for us
now, that's certain and"
"Boat ahoy !" came from the briggs
cross-trees; look ashore, look a.
shore!''
We looked ashore; and saw what was
not all calculated to reassure us. The
natives were launching no less than
seven good-sized canoes, capable of
carrying from fifteen to thirty men
each.
"Aha here's hot work for us yet"
said Graham; " steward, load up that
.musket, load it carefully, and make sure
the powder enters the tube; mis-fire
may cost our lives. Are you loaded,
Murray?"
"All ready" said I.
"Then stand fast all, keep the boat
steady, and I'll try if bullet will do
anything for US. Look sharp ashore,
Murray, and see If hit"
And as he spoke, Graham levelled a
musket and fired A native who was
some distance from the waters edge
sprang into the air, but did not fall to
the ground; he was evidently badly hurt,
however, and staggered into the bushes,
accompanied by the whole bowling
crowd.
"That was good shot," remarked,
"and has done us good; see 'em hook
it i"
"It's done us good and no mistake, y
said the skipper; 'but didn't aim al
that fellow at all fired at the ones
around the canoes. But it's just as well
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