National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-23

n case Of salvage. With him dead what's to
prevent our captain from owning allhe can
eetH'
7 "And you talk as coolly as II only dog
had been thrown overheard"
"llueh IL there is the least show for es-
cape I'm Off with you this very night No
more now-wC are watched"
After supper the yawl was sent OF again,
and we worked until about IL o'clock.
Two-thirds of the cargo had been trans
ferred, and our captain meant to hang
right by until he had secured everything or
shift of weather drove him away. There
had been fair breeze all day and II still
held, coming from the southeast There
was doubtless smart surf on the other
side Of the island, but on our side the water
was quiet enough.
When the crew turned In the man Bill
was left on deck as an anchor watch. The
men Topped down on deck, some without
thing between them and the planks, an | In
half am hour their snores were hearty and
continuous. Then | cautiously rose up and
joined BIZ. The yawl was towing astern,
with the oars on the thwarts, and / was de-
termined on escape. To my surprise l
found him eager and anxious to go with
me.
While captain and mate both appeared
asleep, we dared take no risks. II we got
away in the boat II must be barehandod.
Any attempt to look up water provisions,
and the mast and sail might upset our whole
plan,
While Bill walked the deck wbistling to
himself, drew the yawl under the stern
ard slid down the painter. In minute or
two he came after me, and then cut the
rope and pushed us OF, We at once began
to iloat to the northwest, and In quarter
OF an hour were out OF sight OF the
schooner. 1t would not do to use the oars
yet. however, and we were waiting to in
crease onr distance when oil Of a sudden the
waters around us grew alive with sharks.
have sailed tn most sOae, and have seen a
sailors share Of sharks, but never before
nor since did witness such congregn-
ton of the voracious monsters. They
seemed determined on destroying us, aud
| every minute dealt the boat such thumps
that we looked to see the planks crushed
in. They jumped half their length out Of
water at the gunwale of the boat, and twice
the head OF shark rested on the scat In the
stern for several seconds.
We realized that we must make some
demonstration, even at the peril Of being
| overheard on board the schooner, and,
| getting out the oars, punched aud jabbed
| with all our might. As soon as we got
well out from the land the wind bore us
| along at faster pace, but the sharks were
not to he left behind. Il there was one
there were 200. They bit at the oars
and splintered the blades, and IL tile men
aboard the schooner had not been over
tired they must have been awakened by the
| row.
We had drifted perhaps two miles when a
terrible thing happened. We two sat on
one thwart, Bill minding one side and | the
other. He was bending over the rail,
punching every shark within reach, when
heard u scream, and turned my head in time
to see him pulled overheard. A shark had
| jumped far enough out of water to seize
bin. There was a terrible cOmmotion in
the water for few minutes, every fish
anxious to secure morsel, and for n time
| was entirely neglected and driving along
alone. By and by three or four sharks came
after me, but they no longer attacked the
boat nor did the number increase.
When | had got my nerve back put
the best oar over the stern aud sculed
away, keeping to the northwest, nor did ]
rest beyond few minutes at time unit
daylight came. was then entirely Out
of sight OF the schooner, and making n good
pace Of it. saw half dozen coasters or
the bay, but made no signals. The LOUIS
lana coast was in full sight, and | pre-
fcrred driving ashore to being kicked up
knew how the coasters felt toward wreck
ers, and IL | were picked up, my story
would probably land me In the courts.
Soon after noon fetched the shore in q
bit Of bay, but soon realized that was
no better of than out at sea. Twas hungry
and thirGty, but there was neither fresh
water nor food. / sculled all around thu
bay In search Of creek, but found none
but toward evening smart shower cant
up, and gallon or so Of fresh water wa
caught in the boat. 1t was full of flltl
when i came TO drink 1t, but 1t relieved IN.
burning thirst and put new life into me
Shortly after that i found dead duck
floating on the water | did not stop to In
.vestigate its condition, but stripped of
part Of the feathers and cut out and ate
large portion OF the raw, meat.
AS the shores were dense canebrakes
through which could make no progress,
tied the boat up for the night and went Il
sleep, but darkness had only fairly set II
by the million. Sleep was out Of the ques
tion. Indeed, within an hourI was obliget
to scull the boat out into tic bay against
smart sea rolling in, and held her there b,
hard work to keep from being devouret
alive. Whenever | would let up for few
minutes, overcome by want of sleep, tn
boat would drift back and the pests would
attack me, until / found them in IN,
mouth.
After midnight the wind came up 81
briskly that the mosquitoes could no longe
come out Of the swamp at me, but new
danger arose. had no thought OF alliga
tors until, as the boat rested against tn
reeds, monster reptile rose up and clashet
his jaws over the stern. In two minute
there were three or four swimming abou
me, and others were thrashing around II
the swamp. From that time,until daylight
had to shout, splash the water, and keel
moving from one end of the boat to tn
other to brighten my enemies away, and |
seemed as II l lived month in those few
hours.
AS day broke the wind changed off tn
land, and drove with 1t out of the bay.
was hardly out before an oyster schoone
picked me up, and in a couple of DAYS
was safely landed In New Orleans. Whei
the captain asked for my story | Offered
him the yawl.as a free gift in place Of an,
explanation, and he accepted 1t, and did no
| ask onothar nuastion