Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-10-02
SHARK IN THE SURF
a Pearl Buyer Is Tossed into
the Sea as Food for II.
HOW THEY DEy0UR A MAN
A Traveller Tells Story Of What He
Saw Ons Day n the HaI5OT Of Mad
Esss The Buyer MeIchanf.

runs ni5h tnSre. and N the last TWO
miles must always be made IN surf
boats. The morning when the steam
snip figress dropped anchor and ran up
her sigma for the boats. great angry
waves we're bowling along before fresh
monsoon, aud even the surfboats found
II hard % keep dry.
Among cur passengers from Ceylon
for Madras We had dspper young fell
low. VINO was 40 good Judge Of pearls
as | ever saw. Tie had been 10 Ceylon
buying for al English hons ana was
now on his way 70 the Persian galf 70
complete his stock He was To leave Us
AZ Madras u 20 overland 70 Bombay.
he knew how 70 buy pearls, bat he did
not know how 10 take care OF them. Be
fore he had been on board day he had
told me all about his luck IN Ceylon and
had shown me bis entire assortment
One OF the pearls was simply gorgeous.
Had It not been for faint dot or blue
upon one side 10 would have been worth
q small fortune. He was delighted with
my appreciation and enjoyment II the
stones. and he showed me his treasures
several times during the short voyage.
Twice ne left me alone with them IL
was not, however, through any particu-
lar confidence in me, for I suspect he
made quite as free with his treasures
among several OF the passengers. One
was a Parsee. who was forever going
between CeylOn and Madras, for what
purpose could never discover, though
had met him several times.
h.e ~ -. t 10.
the Parsse was a great rascal, and was
surprised and sorry for the young pearl
man 10 fad him making a most intimate
friend OF the fellow.
Together they stepped down the lad
der 70 enter surfboat as we neared
Madras. The young man went down
first with his case OF precious pearls in
his hand. The Parsee was stepping in
TO the boat when be paused and spoke
10 its black captain
Il have forgotten something" he said,
turning TO the younger man. II must
come by another boat; will meet you
az the hotel"
he gave the surfbost push with his
foot and began 10 climb the ladder.
A sailor who was standing by me
muttered:
There's q shark in the surf yonder"
But instead OF looking away over the
water he looked directly down upon the
Parsee and then at the young pearl man.
OF course there was shark il the
surf. There are always sharks in that
surf. but TO me the sailors sentence
meant something more than that.
The Parsee simply walked behind the
saloon house, stood there two or three
minutes. then left the steamer by an
other boat. Ny curiosity was thoroughly
aroused. Glass In hand l watched the
two boats, quarter of milo apart,
still wondering what the sailor meant by
"a shark in tho surf"
Presently one Of the great waves lifted
the first surfbost. but instead Of taking
the usual advantage Of it 10 dip their
oars and pull l distinctly noticed the
boatmen sitting like statues. The al
most naked fellow standing in the stern.
with q long oar 70 guide the craft, sud
denly leaned upon the oar. and the boat
turned. was caGghs broadSide on the
wave and the next instant was capsized
saw the passenger. with the pearl case
ssill in hand. plunge head first into the
water.
Like so many eels the black boatrnen
wriggled about in the water till they
righted their boat. then clambered over
the side and began 10 bail 10 out.
Not one Of them seemed 20 give
thought 70 their passenger
The next moment a piercing shrek
sounded even rs far as our steamer. and
TO my horror saw the young fellows
body lifted out Of the water not ten
feet from the surfbost. IL made one
whirl in the air, disclosing the head Of
shark holding it across the back. then
sank again.
A the next boat passed the place I
saw the Parsee throw something over
board that left white spot on the wa
ter. which remained as long a. watched
it. convincing me that IL was buoy of
some sort set for some purpose.
A few days later we were anchored In
the Hoogly river. Of Calcutta.
was walking down ths principal
English thoroughfars when I saw the
Parsee emerge from the door Of lapi-
Diary. He evidently recognized me. but
he turned quickly in the opposite direc-
tion aud walked away.
a shark Ia the surf" muttered.
and with only vague idea half formed
in my mind | entered the shop and in
quire'l Of the dealer II he bad an assort-
ment 0f pearls on hand.
How fcrtunster' he exclaimed 81
was never 80 low as this morning Pearls
are in very great demand. Bat 7 have
Just purchased large lot of The finest
pearls | ever saw. I purchased thew
very len, for cash. and | cannot ousF
give yen the first choice Of this magni6-
cent collection. but great bargain be
sides. They ara beaEtiesl Yes
YES. I replied. they are beausies-
especially this enc with dot Of blue
upon enc side. Too bad that It has Inc
faw
I knew then why the Psrsse wen
down 70 The sarfhosf and spoke % the
captain. buf went ashore BY another
boat. ! kuew why ne eff the whifs
buov la tlir water knew why he eon
tinuslly jonrneyst between Cevlon ard
Nasiras. and [ knew what The sailor
uasans when he watched him aud NIT
tered. There's a shark in the surf. -
Atlanta Constellation.
A ssrlets. Stsry.