The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-01-25

could speak he sang out 70 me;
y Come. Gus. I'm tired Of waiting! II
you're going TO give IL up, say 20, and
I'll como out. I've been ia long
enough"
That settled II. 'Give IL up? /
Ncverr' thought !. the whole current
OF my feelings changing at the tone OF
his banter. and, suiting the action TO
the thought. | made ready to dive.
drew in my breath. and gathered for the
plunge. In another moment | should |
have been overheard. was In the
very act Of springing. when the start
ling cry Of "A shark. d shark" came
from the forecastlc.
Come out OF the water, all! Come
out Billy. Hurry, there's no time 10
losc.' cried half score OF voices.
Most OF the few men still in the water
were close beside the vessel. They
crowded to the ladder. and scrambled
up in great haste and excitement.
For me the cry came just in time.
glasped shroud and saved myself
from going overheard. though had
already gained such Roadway that my
body swung clear Of the side before ]
could regain my footing in the chains.
Once secure. looked down for my
shipmates. too anxious for their safety
TO think at that moment Of the peril
| had been in myself. The last swim
mer. save Billy. had gained the ladder.
his feet just clear of the water, as
round the bow. with silent speed. came
the monster OF whose presence old
! Briton had given such timely warming
| Heswam close to the surface, his slnu-
Gus tail gently waving from side TO side,
and the unfailing pilot-lish at their
stations on either side OF his dorsal
fin. and just ahead Of his nose. His
small. vicious eyes glanced upward AZ
the ladder. and he seemed TO say as
plainly as II he spoke: AHA, it's we'll
for you chaps you made yourselves
scarce! A little more. and would
have had one OF YOU
Had dived as intended should
have struck directly in his path. lie
seemed unaware OF Billy's being still in
the water, for his attention had been
first called to those nearer to the slip.
The mate and all who could were
hard ut work lowering one OF the
quarter boats. and shouting TO Billy TO
keep of and not come any nearer the
vessel. With much presence OF mind
he obeyed, rolling on his back and
floating as lightly as possible upon the
surface. Several hands had rushed 70
the forccastle aud galley for bits q
beef on. pork with which to try to coax
the shark TO remain alongside until
their shipmatc could be picked up.
The shark nosed at the various It'd
bits thrown out to him. but he seemed
mistrustful. and TO have an idea that
we were trying to hoodwink him. lie
still. however. remained by the ship.
The boat was down. and pulling rap
| idly toward the boy, when the noise o
the oars attracted the shark. lie q
:. once set of toward her and followed y
,, the wake. Then began our worst sus
!, pcnsc. II he kept behind the boa
Billy might be reached in time; but !
he should put forth his speed and pas
her, there could be no hope OF savin:
, him.
Lie still. Billy" shouted the cap
tain. as he wrung his hands. deplorin;
! his carclessncss in permitting us to g
into the water at all. lie just as still
as you can. or you are lost"
Q Ii was but short pull, but the tim
: seemed long as the men gave way wit
Q will. Behind the swiftly movin
r boat. and keeping pace with her me
o tion. a dark-pointcd fin clcavcs tn
water. A moment more and the boa
p is by the swimmer. her bow gradual
D turning away rs she nears him. III
e fin draws closer in her wake. As tn
y boat swings within reach a man rise
,r in the bow. and, leaning over. GRASP
'c the terrified boy by the hand, while tn
ri mate loudly shouts: Hold water. all
The boats way Is stopped. and Bill
IS 4 Is being drawn in over the bow. A
a cxultant cheer rises from the shil
30 where. brcathless with suspense. q
As hands are watching the terrible rae
" The rejoicing comes too quick! Hig
"a above the cheer Is heard a shrek thu
,c none who hear ever forget. The f
st has passed around the boats sterl
and instantly there is a sudden al
DO fearful commotion alongside. As Bill
ne is being lifted into the boat the shai
IL so long deludcd and misled sees hir
m He Is then scarcely twenty feet di
20 tant. With a lightning-like dart
a. PUSHES upon his prey just as he is a
~ most clear from the water.
Horror! lie has his victim!
No!
y He has missed the body by hair
~ breadth. but has caught the calf
re Billy's leg. from which. not qui
~ grasping the bone, he has torn ha
ee the flesh and nearly dragged him fro
~ the hold OF his rcscuers. With this
ey sinks beneath the waves, the boat
w crew driving at his tough carcass wi
=. oars and boat-hooks, but making
: impression.
tn The boat was quickly alongside =
DIV sb;n apd Billv linn as "a rag III