Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-07-25

off. He seemed almost exhausted,
and was barely able to keep his
head above water.
"For the love of heaven,' he
cried, "Frank herew But as
swan towards him the noble boy
exclaimed "No Save yourself
Pm nearly gOne-am getting
weak-telI mother and Fanny l
died thinking of them"
"Courage !" l shouted "l'll be
there in a minute-hold on, my
brave lad !" and | strained every
nerve to reach him, b u t b g
current was so powerful that it
baffled my efforts. One while the
surf would sweep us far apart, and
again dash us almost together. l
saw, however, that I gradually
nearing the gallant little fellow.
The crew of the bJat out side
bent to their oars, determined at
all risks to secure us, when sudden
ly there was a cry, "The shark the
shark p And the huge monster
shot along not twenty yards OIL
between us and our only hope, the
boat. My brain reeled az locked.
The boat was rapidly approaching,
but the surf was too wild to suffer
it to come near to where we were,
and between us the frlghtful mon
ster was sailing to and fro, waiting
for the tide to sweep us out.
Ppm going, Frank; can't stand
it any longer. Oh, My poor moth
er and sister! God forgive me my
sins," family said the boy.
"Hold on a minute, for heavens
sake y | cried, for l was already
within a yard or two of him.
"Hold on" thundered the lieu
tenant from the boat; "We'll be
there if we die tor it-give way,
lads, for a lite, hurrah.'
But poor little Harry had held
on until nature was completely
worn out, and casting a wild look
on all around he family CALCULATED
"My mother, sister oh, my God "
aud then with cOnvulslve jerk OF
his arms, sank like lead into The
waters. The next moment 1 would
have been by his side.
"Glve way! Give way Give
way " roared the lieutenant, wild
ly, as he waved on his men.
"For Gods sake come on quick"
I shouted as dived.
But alas ! my search was unsuc'
cessfnI, and when l rose to the sur
face was far away from tae spot
where Harry mad disappeared and
nearing with frightful rapldlty the
shark on the edge of the surf. The
boat was yet too distant to prom.
ise any effective aid, l shall meyer
forget the emotions of that instant.
A sickening sensation came over
me; my Drain reeled, my Joints
grew weak and my arms seemed
to refuse their duty. The monster
was now nearly at NY side. l
could see his great fins appearing
and disappearing, and almost feel
the lashlng OF his huge tail as 1t
beat against the waters. | gave up
all my hopes of this world and all
loved, and shut my eyes upon my
terrible enemy as | breathed a
silent prayer for mercy to God. a
moment that seemed years ensued
"a moment of torture more hor-
rible than any ever had concelv
ed-when loud, sharp cry rang
out just behind me, and at the
same instant a coil of rope fell be
side me as a voice called out IL
broken English, "Hold on|
Clutchlng the cord mechanically
l felt myself drawn rapidly IL
among the breakers, while The
enormous monster, percelving h(
was going to be disappointed o
his prey, struck the waves wildly
with his tail, and dashed ike hghtn
Ing after me.
"ln with bin, hand over hand.
shouted voice, and | felt myseI
jerked into one of the boats con
mon on the coast. At the same II
stant a laundering cheer ran.
from the crew outside the sur
Forgettul of everything but N
wonderful preservation | fell on IN
knees and thanked God I as allv,
r when | looked again, | saw "
!. we're riding IN npOn the surf an
, the shark had sheered Odt to se'
=, We were soon landed, and | the
;. learned the manner of NV delive
ance. Having been seen, n boa
4 had put off to our rescue, and a
ready taken up several of our crey
o when they discovered me strugg
4 ing against the current. Had
r not been engaged III endeavorln
q to save poor Harry | would hay
o noticed their approach sooner. 4
- ,uoo fonr Of our orav tvara lbs