The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-10-20
ThrlIIlng Adventure with a shark.

An American ship, named the Olym-
pus, anchored off the island of Bourbon,
in the Indian ocean, end some of the
sailors obtained permission to go
ashore and enjoy walk after the days
work. Night was coming on, and the
quartermaster on duty, tempted TO in
dulge in bath by the tranquility OF the
scene and the delicious GOODNESS of the
water, undressed and jumped overheard
from the gangway. The quartermaster
was a good swimmer, and was soon
some distance from the ship, ,oblivious Of
danger. But the cook, a negro, who was
81 Gpg in the main-chains cooling him
Sc after his hot days duty, chanced to
espy the fin of a shark which was swim
ming near the surface ofthe water on the
other side of the ship TO that on which
his shipmate was disporting himself.
His first impulse, after making sure
what it was Hor so large was the size he
thought it must be a plank, was to call
out and warn him of his danger, but it
seemed he wisely determined not to
do so lest the news might paralyze
him with terror. So he quickly warned
some of the sailors, aud in little
more than two minutes a small dingey
suspended at the davits was lowered
into the water, and the crew were pull
ing with might and main toward their
comrade. Whether it was that only
now the shark caught sight of the man
in the water, or the noise of the boat
attracted his attention in that direction,
the huge fish turned and made toward
the quartermaster, who, still uncon-
scious of the fearful danger menacing
him, continued to swim away with re-
doubled energy, as the quick click of
the rowlocks warned him of the ap-
proach of his shipmates. Reticence
would now have been misplaced, as, un-
less he was rescued within few
seconds. all would be over with him.
Williams" shouted out the cox
swain, There are sharks near you; be
quick-get into the boat, as you value
your lite"
Apprehending at length the full hor-
ror of his position, the quartermaster
turned to the little boat, where alone |
was safety, and being powerful SWIM
mer was soon almost alongside. But |
the shark was upon him. "Quick |
quick" shouted his shipmates, while the |
bowman, glanclng over his shoulder, |
threw in his oar, and, quick as thought, |
jumped up, boat-hook in hand, to try |
and help the struggling seaman.
Way enough" shouted the cox
swain, as the boat, impelled by stout |
arms, shot almost over the quartermas-
ter, who, after final effort, extended |
his arms to seize the gunwale OF the |
boat, while two of the crew leaned over
the side in order to help him out. But
the shark was not to be thus easily |
baked OF its anticipated prey, and as it
was near enough to make its venture,
darted half out of the water, exposing its
prodigious length, and turned over on
its side, opening its cavernous Jaws.
At that moment, when all appeared lost,
the bowman, eXerting all his strength |
(and it so happened that he was the
most powerful man in the ship), plunged
the boat hook right into the mouth of
the animal, which, writhing in agony,
fell back into the water, and snapped
the weapon in two. Turning upon the
boat in its fury, it lashed it with its tail
with such terrific force that it STAYED it
forward. The sailors had just time to
draw in their shipmate, when they be-
came aware of the new danger menac-
ing all of them. The boat began to fill,
when deliverance came from another
quarter. Their cries for help (Which,
owing to the calmness of the evening,
were audible great distance) attracted
the attention OF the crew of a schooner
anchored near the land, who quickly
launched their longboat. and made
toward them.
The shark, lashing the water with
fury and pain, appeared to be deter
mined to exact revenge, and remained
near the spot, awaiting its prey; but it
was again baked, for just as the little
dingey was settling fast by the head, the
friendly longboat arrived upon the
scene. The crew, with Williams, were
taken out of the sinking craft, and were
soon on their way back to the ship, re-
oicing in their escape from a. terrible
death.