The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1891-01-14
WAITING Fon BURIAL.
Tho Corpse Of . Young Sailor Removed
Deyond the Reach Of Sharks

Tho Corpse Of . Young Sailor Removed
beyond the Reach Of Sharks
We had run of the coast until Il
showed only faint dark line on the
horizon. There was fair breeze, and
it was only now and then, as the sloop
lifted to a wave, that the spray was
sent flying over the bows. We had Just
altered the course. and half dozen
lines were trailing behind for blueilsh.
when the sailor who had gone forward
to trim down the ji5 cried out that we
were close on to wreckage. Almost ut
the same moment every line was seized
and bitten in twain.
"Slar.,s!" said the captain as we OK.
pressed our surprise. "Of course it's
sharks-look there"
Astern of us and on each quarter
could be seen the dorsal fins of sharks.
and the sloop had no sooner been
brought up info the wind than we
could count a score of them moving
swiftly about.
There is dead sailor in there"
whispered the cnrt.lin as we gathered
on the starboard bow to view the
wreckage.
There was the foremost of topsail
schooner. with it's long yard and sail
still attached, and trailin, away from
them were scores of ropes. AS the mast
was thrown up on the waves we could
see from IFS splintercd but that it had
been broken off u few feet above the
deck. AS the sail had not been reeted
it was evident that the craft had caught
a sudden and violent squat.
The sight of the wrecilage was lone
some enough, but the picture was made
more impressive by the presence of the
man eaters. We could see them work
ing their way into the debris and back,
ing out agIin-woaving in and out
among the ropes, diving under the
mast-snappiny at clch other like
dogs as they met in the tangle. We
watched the scene for i've minutes
without a word. Then the captain
turned to us with:
There's II dead sailor tangled up in
that topsail yard. We can't see him,
but know he's there. That's what
draws these sharks"
We'll" somebody queried.
well, they say it don't make no diff
ference where tho body rests after
death, but I've got solt of feeling
that it does. OF course, you've hired
the boat, and of course you maynt
want a corpse towing astern of us as
we go in; but I'm a-believing the
friends of poor Jack in there will feel
the easier for knowing that the sands
cover him."
| Two minutes later the small boat was
down and pushing among the wreck
age. When the bellying sail had been
cut loose and pulled aside the body
was discovered. 1t was in the sings
of the yard, and held there by hal
yard which had wrapped about him
after the mast was afioat. II was that
of young man, not over Is years old,
and in life must have been fair to look
upon. Not bruise could be seen, and
it was plain that lie had died of stran
gulation while held in the sings. A
search brought to light his knife, lit
tie change and some triilins keepsakes,
but nothing to show his name or the
abiding place of his friends.
We took the body in tow and sailed
away for bit of sand key near the fog
horn buoy. There we scooped out q
grave in the wet sands with an oar
and laid poor Jack to rest. the lonely
blasts of the fog horn as the iron buoy
rose and fell on the waves being his re
QUEEN. He may sleep no better under
the sands, but we can hope he does. -
Cor. Detroit Free Press