Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1879-08-21
Duel With q Shark.

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southern Trader" from Liverpool,
with a cargo of coal, had just dis
charged her freight at a port of the
Barbados, when the crew who had
been engaged in the dirty work, re-
solved upon a bath, and accordingly
ventured into the sea.
The coral shores of Barbados abound
in sharks, and the first mate of the ship
who remained on board, espied one of
these monsters making toward the men
before they had been ten minutes in the
water, and instantly gave the alarm.
The sailors fastened toward the boat
which the mate had sent TO them, and
all succeeded in getting safely on board
excepting one foremost hand-he was
the last of his companions to reach the
boat. Just as he was about to lay his
hands upon the gunwales the shark
seized him in his capacious jaws and
literally bit him in two, instantly
swallowing portion of the body and
the lower limbs.
The upper part of the body was taken
on board, but of course life became ex-
tinct Immediately.
The crew In the boat were almost
crazy with excitement and horror.
There was one among them, however,
who said nothing, but gazed first at the
remembered body and then at the spot
where the sharks black dorsal fin
showed above the surface of the water.
1t was the chum of the poor victim,
they had been constant friends for
many years, and the bitterness of his
feeling made him for the moment quite
dumb.
In the meantime the Unsuitable shark
was swimming hither and thither
through the blood-stained water in
search of the remainder of his prey.
The rest of the crew were Ouly too
thankful to be safe in the boat, but not
so with John Hodge, the dead mans
chum, who was seen TO hasten on board
the ship, where he entered the cooks
gallery and having secured long
sharp butchers knife, made his way
back to the boat now along side.
''Look We, messmates," said he cool
ly. "I'n kill that devil, or he shall eat
me, too ~
Saying whish he took the large knife
between his teeth and leaped fearlessly
into the sea. 1t was all done so quick
ly that no one could have interfered
had they been so disposed, but all look
ed at each other in silent amazement al
such temerity.
The moment that the intrepid sea-
man struck the water, the shark saw
him and made for the spot. Both were
equally eager, the one for his prey, the
other for vengeance. The monster was
soon beside his enemy and quickly
turned half upon his back, after the
manner of his tribe, to seize him in his
terrible jaws. But John Hodge was
self-possessed, and at that instant dove
beneath the shark, at the same time
thrusting his long knife deep into his
belly causing the water to be dyed all
about them with his blood He man
aged to give the monster two telling
wounds before he again came to the
surface. The enraged fish became con-
fused. and his adversary avoiding his
head, gave him repeated stabs with the
butcher knife. The shark retired for
a moment out of the bloody circle that
now surrounded them, followed in gal
liant style by the sailor.
Soon the fish turned and came at
him again. The men in the boat and
on the ship held their very breaths in
the intensity of their excitement at the
strange duel between man and fish.
The whole scene thus far had scarcely
occupied three minutes of time, and the
men were too much confused to at
tempt to assist their daring comrade.
AS we have said, the sea-monster had
turned, and was again making toward
the sailor, but the latter so far from
realizing any fear, seemed to have gam
ed confidence during the brief encOun-
ter, and as the shark approached him
once more lie dove beneath him, and in
flicted two vital sUabs in the bowels.
The water became red with blood in all
directions. and those in the boat began
to think that their comrade had been
wounded. They got out oars, and were
now pulling towards him.
AS they approached they saw that
the fight was over, and the shark was
turning upon its back, and lashing the
water slowly with its tail. 1t was the
death throe! John Hodge was taken
on board, excited, and much fatigued,
but uninjured. A boathook was at
tached to the shark, and he was towed
to the beach, where he was drawn up
upon the sand. He was opened, and
the lower portion of the dead mans
body was taken out and being placed
with the rest of the corpse it was de-
Gently buried. Neither John Hodge,
nor the crew OF the ''Southern Trader"
will ever forget this duel with shark
at Barbados.