The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-09-11
DIDN'T WANT THAT FISH
HOW Mr.. WHITEsIDE LANDED A
GIANT SHARK BY MISTAKE.

A Moral Adjoining q Tail. Indicating
That Everything Comes to Him Who
ing-A Long Fight With q Man Eater.
Mr.. James Whiteside is an enthusiastic
sailor and fisherman. Unlike most men
who famish for fins, Mr.. Whiteside is not
content to fish in any other way than with
the elusive troll Indeed be confesses that
TO him the best part of fishing is sailing,
and the sitter the breeze the greater is his
pleasure He has no special love for the
rod and reel, and he considers cumming
an abomination- He is only content when
his fingers are incased in rubber stalls, and
when he feels the STOUT bluefsh line within
bis grasp. LIi.;lJsS, a. lit: W lBt
~T Mr.. Whiteside was enjoying his favorite
pastime off Sormandis-bI-the-SAa There
was spanking breeze, and as his catboat
bowled along rnerrily ever the wave crests
the sailor fisherman felt that the only
thing necessary to complete his happiness
was a fish. He was accompanied by a
party Of friends and other lines were out
Pretty soon a school of bluefish was en-
countered, and everybody had the liveliest
kind of sport for a few minutes, except Mr..
Whiteside.
WAITING FOR A EITE.
His companions were chatting him IN
mercifully, but he made no reply. His
face had assumed a set and grim express
sion, and he looked as though he had made
up his mind to get a fish if he had to jump
overheard after it Just at this moment
something struck Mr. Whiteside's squid.
There was a swish in the water, and the
line went through his hands with such
lightning rapidity that it cut his rubber
stalls and touched his fingers. He jumped
to his feet and gave one yell that would
have done credit TO Comanche chief
Surely he had hooked the grandfather Of
all bluefsh. Then he braced himself and
grasped the line firmly. There was a tug
at the other end that nearly cost him his
footing. Mr.. Whiteside is a large and
powerful man, but with the exertion of all
his strength he could scarcely move the
unknown thing that was opposing his will
in the depths of the sea. Still he perse-
vered. His face grew red and beads of per-
spiration stood out ON his forehead. He
was game for the fight, however, and would
not allow any one to assist him.
Hand over hand, with many jerk and
twist, now losing ground and now gaining,
MIR. Whiteside toiled With clinched teeth
and shortening breath he strove to drag
the monster to the boat Presently, away
off to the stern, the fish broke, and the
water was lashed into foam by its efforts
to escape. This encouraged the fisherman,
and he redoubled his efforts Everybody
else on the boat ceased fishing to watch the
struggle. The fish was gradually tiring,
and so was the fisherman, but the latter
was quick to take advantage of his oppo-
nent, and in a few minutes more Mr..
Whiteside had shortened his line sufii-
GENTLY to get glimpse of his catch. He
looked eagerly and wonderingly into the
water.
SHOOTING THE CATCH
The catch was also on the alert, appar-
emily, to discover what had given him SO
much trouble. AS their eyes met through
the blue veil of water catch and catcher
were filled with mutual horror. Mr..
Whiteside beheld the sullen and vicious
face of large shark, and he let off another
wild yell. The shark beheld Mr.. White
side, and at once dived for the bottom Of
the sea. Once more the line whizzed out
of the boat and once more the fight was re-
newed.
Intense excitement reigned about the
boat. The captain got ready a rife which
be had at hand, and all the others equipped
them5elves for offensive and defensive ac-
ton. After many minutes the shark was
again brought alongside the boat. He was
very tired, and be looked up at
his enemies as though be were meditating
whether 1t were not better to jump aboard
and fight it out on that line. This was the
grand opportunity.
Hold him steady" he said to Mr.. White
side, land l will shoot himP'
Mr.. Whiteside grasped the line with both
hands and closed his eyes Bangl went
the captains rife, but instead of turning
up his white belly to the sun, as had been
the shark darted away again
into the depths Another but less pro-
Lracted struggle eusued, and for the third
time the shark was brought into shooting
distance.
The captains aim was better this time,
and crimson tinge TO the water showed
hat the bullet had taken effect. But the
shark was not dead by great deal He
tried once more to escape, but he was
growing feeble, and in little while he was
ragged close beside the boat. A gaff was
lug into his side, and weak and dazed he
vas dragged aboard amid the exuIting
;heers of his conquerors.
How long is he2" was the first question,
and Mr.. Whiteside produced from his
pocket a steel tape with which to obtain an
sxact answer.
THE SHARK ON BOARD.
Trembling with physical exhaustion and
nervous excitement he knelt beside the up
dead fish. Just then the shark
made dying protest by raising his tail and
giving the bottom of the boat resound-
pg thwack. Mr.. Whiteside sprang back
and right well he might, for q
blow from that powerful tail would have
lone him serious injury. Then the shark
yave startling exhibition of strength. He
ashed about with his tail and beat the boat
70 hard that 1t seemed rs though he would |
tave in her sides
The eXultation Of Mr. Whiteside and his |
riends was changed to terror. The cap
ain was afraid to shoot the shark again !
est he might damage his boat, and all the |
'eating and jabbing with the boathook |
ould not kill the creature. They who |
lad been so eager just little while ago to |
and the shark were now striving in every |
'ossible way 10 get him overheard The |
,luefish line, which had lasted so marvel |
IuSly throughout the fight, had parted |
JI~t as the fish was lifted into the boat. |
There was no possible way of getting the |
hing ont of the boat except by taking /
lold Of it, and the beldest among them |
Id not dare TO come within reach of either |
mouth or tail