The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-01-24

no OUGySO, IOllluR On Ol0 DdCR ana
floating - lightly % possible upon the
surface. Several hands had rushed to
the f0recastle and galley for bits Of
beef or pork with which TO try to coax
the shark to remain alongside until
their 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 hoodwink him. Lilo
still. however, remained by the ship.
Tho boat was down. and pulling rap
idly toward the boy, when the noise OF
the oars attracted tho shark. He At
once set OF toward her and followed In
the wake. Then began our worst sus-
pcnsc. II he kept behind the boat
Billy might be reached In time; but II
he should put forth his speed and pass
her, there could be no hope OF saving
him.
Lie still, Billyl' shouted the cap
tain, as he wrung his hanfs, cspioring
his carelessncss in permitting us TO &c
into the water at all. Lie just as still
as you can, or you arc lost!''
It was but q short pull, but the timc
seemed long rs the mon gave way with
. will. Behind the swiftly moving
boat, and keeping pace with her mo-
tion. n dark-pointcd fin clcaves the
water. A moment more and the boat
Is by tho swimmer, her bow gradually
turning away as she nears him. The
FIN draws closer in her wake. AZ TIE
boat swings within reach man rises
in the bow. and. leaning OF e.. grasps
the terrified boy BY the hand, while ms
mate loudly shouts: Hold water, all!'
The boats way Is stopped. and Billy
Is being drawn in over the bow. An
exultant cheer rises from tho ship.
where. breathless with suspense, all
hands are watching the terrible race.
The rejoicing comes too quick! High
above the cheer Is heard q shrek that
none who hear ever forget. The fin
has passed around the boats stern.
and instantly there is a sudden and
fearful commotion alongside. As Billy
IL being lifted into the boat the shark
30 long deluded and misled see, him.
He IL 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
grasping the bone, he has torn half
the flesh 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 US rig and
bleeding. passed on board. He had
tainted as soon rs taken from the
water. and Just as tho 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 wa
we'll 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
water. For myself. l have not swan
since that day when / was on the
point Of leaping into tho jaws of a
rk.-Clarence Pullen, in Youths
Communion