The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-09-21
A SHARK IN THE SURF,
EY LIEUT. T.-CoLoNEL TuoRNDIKE.


ways runs high there, and the last two
miles must always be nado in surf
boats. The morning when the steam
ship Tigress dropped anchor and ran
up her signal for the boats, great an
ery waves were blowing along before
a fresh monsoon, and even the surf
boats found it hard 10 keep dry.
Among our passengers from Ceylon
for Madras we had a dapper young
fellow, who was as good Judge of
pearls as l ever saw. He had been to
Ceylon buying for an English house,
aud was now on his way to the Per-
sian Gulf to complete his stock. lie
was to leave us at Madras and 90 over
land TO Bombay.
He knew how to buy pearls, but he
did not know how to take care of
them. Before ho had been on board
q day he had told me all about his
luck in Ceylon aud had showed me his
entire assortment. One of the pearls
was simply gorgeous. Had Il not been
for faint dot of blue upon one side
at would have been worth small for
tune.
He was delighted with my appreci-
alton and enjoyment of the stones,
and he showed me his treasures sew
eral times during the short voyage.
Twice he left me alone with them. 1t
was not, however, through any par
ticular confidence in me, for suspect
he made quite as free with his treas
ures among several of the passengers.
One was Parsce, who was forever
going between Ceylon aud Madras;
for what purpose could never dis
cover, though l had met him several
times.
Whatever else he was | was sure
that the Parsee was great rascal aud
was surprised and sorry for the young
pearl man to find him making a most
intimate friend Of the fellow.
Together they stepped down the
ladder TO enter surf-boa as we
neared Madras. Tho young man went
down first with his case of precious
pearls In his hand. The Parsee was
stepping into the boat, when he paused
aud spoke to its black captain.
III have forgotten something," he
said, turning to the younger man. .I
must come by another boat Twill
meet you at the hotel"
Ho gave the surf-boat a push with
dis foot and began 10 climb the lad
der.
A sailor who was standing by me
amuttcred:
"There's shark in the surf yon-
der" But instead Of looking away
over Tho water lie looked directly down
upon the Parsec and then at the young
pearl man.
OF course there was shark in the
surf. There are always sharks in that
surf, but to me the sailors sentence
meant something more than that.
The Parsee simply waited behind
the saloon-house, stood there two or
three minutes, then left the steamer
by another boat. My curiosity was
thoroughly aroused. Glass in band
watched the two boats, quarter of
mile apart. still wondering what the
sailor meant by ''shark in the surf"
Presently one of the great waves
lifted the Inst surf boat, but instead of
taking the usual advantage of it to dip
their oars and pull, noticed the boat
men sitting like statues. The almost
naked fellow standing in the stern,
with long oar to guide the craft,
suddenly leaned upon the oar aud the
boat turned, was caught broadside on
the wave and the next instant was
capsized. 1 saw the passenger, with
the pearl case still IN HE hand, plunge
head first into the water.
Like 20 many cells the black boat
men wlegled about IN the water till
hoy righted their boat then clambersd
eysr ~ sids and began to ball II out.
~ - ef them seened 70 give .
theeCht = ~ paaaenger.