Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1888-07-21

Ing out the waters pelow mo. Every
second was an age. and every effort to
keep floating seemed as il IL must be the
last. for l was rapidly getting
exhausted The cracker box was
snssched out of my grasp several
times and recovered with the greatest
difficulty. Suddenly was filed with new
hope, for. as rose on big swell. saw
that boat was being lowered from the
steamer and that she had turned entirely
round and was heading toward me. This
made me feel strong again. But the prog
ress Of the rowboat toward me wss slow.
Shouts of encouragement heard at fro
quent intervals, and tried to shout back.
but my voice was entirely gone was
getting 50 weak that 1t was nip and tuck
whether could hold up or not till thew
reached me. tried in vain to get nv
heavy boots off. and for this purpose
turned over on my back several times.
At last, seeing the boat within twenty or
thirty yards away, | gave up the attempt
and tried TO shout, for the sea was SO
rough that feared the rescuers might
not perceive me in time. But in turning
over again what was my horror to hear a
splashing near me and looking round TO
see the back and tail of an enormous shark
within few feet. Then | remembered
that the Gulf Of Mexico was infested
with these monsters, and again almost
gave up hope. The boat seemed to be stand
ing still. and | could feel the chill of fear
creeping all over me. knew that the
shark would have to turn over before he
could bite me in two or swallow me-
Round and round swan the monster. COM
ing nearer to me every time. As it seemed
to be about TO turn over kept on splash.
ing the water with my feet and hands.
for had heard that shark will not bite
anything that Is moving or splashing
rapidly. Then | changed my maneuver
and struggled to turn round as quickly as
the shark. keeping the cracker box be-
tween US and beating the water with my
hands After this seemed to have been
going on for an hour. though really only
few moments, ! saw that 1t turned
fairly over as it went down. probably to
rise under me and end the suspense. At
this moment heard shout:
Come. keep up; we're comingr
"And at the same moment q wave
swept me almost into the yawl. clutched
the side and was pulled in Just as the
cracker box rose ont Of tho water several
feet and fell again The shark had prob
ably made rush for and struck the box.
When / at last reached the steamer. more
dead than alive. numbed with cold and
utterly exhausted. the soldiers gave us Q
cheer and went below. where remained
several days in slight fever And that
cold water today just revived the memory
OF that terrible hour experienced"
When the inspector rose from his chair
there was an ominous silence. The Varu-
mas looked at each other. each apparently
In doubt about what to think Of the
matter.
That's first class, interesting story,
inspector" said Detective George Zundt,
but when was in the war r.
''oh. come off" shouted several LET
well enough alone"
Gentlemen. every word Of the story Is
strictly true." said the inspector. land
refer you to Holbrook and Folk. II you
don't believe me"
''Bit who'll vouch for Holbrook and
Folk? was queried from the corner
Balbriggan in Brooklyn Eagle.