Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-03-13

he oi'oyed, rolling on his back and
floating as lightly as possible upon the
surface. Several hands had rushed 20
the forecastle aud galley for bits OF
beef or pork with which TO try to coax
the shark to remain alongside until
tseir shipmate 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 hoodwipk him. He
still, however, remained BY the ship.
The boat was down, and pulling rap
idly toward the boy, whep.the noise OF
the oars attracted the shark. He al
once set of toward her and followed in
the wake. Then began our worst sus-
pcnse. II he kept behind the bout
Billy might be reached in time; but If
he should put forth his speed and pass
her, there could be no hope Of saving
him.
"Lie still, Billyr' shouted the cap
tain, as he wrung his hands, deploring
his carelessness in permitting us to go
into the water at all. "Lie just as still
rs you can, or you are lost!'
II was but q short pull, but the time
seemed long as the men gave way with
will Behind the swiftly moving
boat, and keeping pace with her mo-
ton, n dark-pointed fin cleaves the
water A moment more and the boat
Is by the swimmer. her bow gradually
turning away as she nears him. The
fin draws closer in her wake. AS the
boat swings within reach man rises
in the bow. and, leaning ov err, grasps
the terrified boy by the hand, while the
mate loudly shouts: Hold water, alln
The boats way is stopped, and Billy
is being drawn in over the bow. An
exultant cheer rises from the ship,
where. breathless with suspense, all
hands are watching the terrible race.
The rejoicing comes too quickl High
above the cheer is heard shrek that
none who hear ever forget. The fin
has passed around the boats stern,
and instantly there is sudden and
fearful commotion alongside. AS Billy
is being lifted into the boat the shark
so long deluded and misled sees him.
He is then scarcely twenty feet dis
tant. With lightning-like dart he
rushes upon his prey just as he is al
most clear from the water
Horror! He has his victim!
No!
He has missed the body by hairs
breadth, but has caught the calf of
Billy's leg, from which, not quite
graeping the bone, he has torn half
the Resh and nearly dragged him from
the hold Of his rescuers. With this he
sinks beneath the waves, the boats
crew driving at his tough carcass with
oars and boat-hooks, but making no
impression.
The boat was quickly alongside the
ship. and Billy, limp as a rag and
bleeding, passed on board. He had
tainted as soon as taken from the
water, and just rs the shark seized
him. Carrying him into the cabin,
his wound was dressed, and restora-
tives applied which brought him to
life once more. Not for several weeks
did he fully regain his senses, and it
was many months before his leg was
well enough to admit OF his walking.
Billy sailed the deep until he went.
years ago. to his long account. 1t is
needless to say that while he lived he
never tempted the sharks by under
taking swimming exploits in salt
wator. For myself, ] have not swan
since that day whom l was on the
point of leaping into the jaws of a
shark. Clarence Pullen, in Youths
Companion.