Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-10-16
AlTUT BITE FOR A SHARK.
JOKE ON A VORAClOUS MON
STER MAN-EATCR.
dow a Ships Crew Got Rid of u Deadly MonStt
OF the Deep-A Red. Tot SiN.Pound
Solid Shot Given Him for
Heavy Dinner.

My old friend, the naval surgeon,
tod me II yarn which ! with great
hesitation write. because he assures
me that every strand of it is Il frozen
have to fight against desertions. Sail
ors will leave the ship, either for Il
frolic or for good. The only occasion
and the only port for years where the
officers were relieved from the strain
and embarrassment incident to this
constant state of affairs when at
anchor Oft u town. was at Kingston.
Jamaica, where. by Il fatality, as poor
jack regarded the circumstance,
there always swan the king of the
salt main in the form of an cnor-
nous man-eatinc shark, known for
years by every fleet in the world as
Jamaica Tom He. by being fed
three times day from the men-of-wa
anchored there for the harbor was
never free from the presence of one or
more frigates of some nation-was AL
ways there, and seemed ubiquitous.
Go off in II boat at any hour of the
day or night, and Toms dorsal
fin could be seen rising above the
green-crestod waves. He had eaten
many a sailor in his time and it became
a tradition Of the sea that he did not
relish any other kind OF meat. Bath
ing when in that port was simply i'm
possible; ling overheard was sudden
pnd certain death. and desertion by
swimming ashore became a thing OF
the past. None who ever attempted it
merchantmen nor men-of-war's men
made the trial, so that II sailor in the
harbor OF Kingston on board his vessel
was as secure as il in jail. Of course.
every device known to the ingenious
brain OF Jack was tried to relieve the
harbor of the presence OF his greatest
enemy Tom was shot at, harpooned
at, baited with all manner OF shark
delicacies. but every means failed. he
would toss off his nose, in the most
cOntemptuous way. the tempting
Jumps of salt pork that were attached
to shark hook with fathom OF
chain. Consequently Jack was almost
on the verge of despair when by one
Of those revelations which sometimes
comes to men OF great genius Toms
fate was sealed!
The cook OF line of-battle ship.
one evening. after having enjoyed the
remains Of the Admirars dinner, hap
pened to toss overheard piece OF the
rind of ham, and, much to his aston
ment. Tom was seen to jump eager
ly for it. and taking it in his capacious
| Jaws. swallow it with evident relish.
Here at last was the long-looked-fol
opportunity. After that, all the bacor
and ham skins were saved and when i
was thought that sufficient number
had accumulated, they were fashioned
by the ships tailor into sort OF bac
or purse. into which was placed Il red.
hot shot. At the favorable 1nomen
this was to be dropped into Toms
ready mouth. After many failures
either from the shot not being no
enough, or by missing Toms" mouth
one noon it was reported that tom
was directly under the forward port
Everything was soon gotten in readi
ness; a six-pound solid shot wa
placed in the galley.fire and whe
at whitehead was slipped int
the ham-skin purse which WIS al
ready. Its opening was then CAREFUL
closed. and it was carried swiftly t.
the port. and by most fortuitous cir
, cumstance dropped right into Toms
: de IDLY jaws! In less than five minute
he came to the top and dashed the wa
ter around furiously. seeming to hav,
an acute attack Of stomach-ache. II
would dive down only to rush up ngai
as suddenly causing small marin
earthquake, to- coin term. Ate
! this performance had been continue
'. for about an hour. tom" fioated on to
frightfully swollen and dead shark
That night the captain OF the fore-to
and five OF his top men swan ashore
had their blowout and returned i
the same manner in perfect safety.
len.