The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-03-14

side presented which was devoid OF
/ breakers and which would afford
/ suitable landing. Suddenly, how
ever. our attention was drawn nearer
I TO ourselves by the sudden formation
/ and almost bursting in full force of s
monster breaker which hSd without
I the slightest warning reared its
I threatening, dangerous head, upon
our port quarters. A look over the
side was INDUCED in while the cauti-
Gus Snd careful Capt lie Claire was
| backing out for less troublouS quar-
tiers snd. Holy Moses, what : sight
I There, seemingly packed IN, wedged
in in fact, were, not tens, nor hun
dreziS. but thousands Of sharks. their
dark forms plainly hmned against
the white coral OF the bottom and
contact with which would have been
had We gone S ships length further.
And If we had struck and heeled 70
port or starboard into deeper water,
lust think Of the possible and most
probable result a picnic uudoubt-
eily for some few Of the assembled
pirates OF the deep, and 3 hopeless
search in the near future for the
Bishop and her passengers. II was
not s pleasant feeling that predomin-
ated in or various systems As We
came in closer 70 the shore on the
southern side OF the island and saw
between Us and the proposed landing
point innumerable fins flashing above
the water. But go, we must, and the
boat being lowered scouting party
OF three took passage for the distant
beach. Landing had 10 be made
through the sun. and Is We
rode the inward bound breaker our
earnest hopes wss that, if we spilled
ii would be in shallow water and
sway from sharks. Landing wSS
safely made and rapid but searching
survey was made of the combination
OF islets which compose the island for
indication OF human inhabitant, but
none was found. Return was made
20 the shore again way being made
along the edge OF shadows OF the
deeper lagoon and even here, in two
feet OF water, young sharks darted At
the feet OF the visitors and created
such panic and dread. by their bold
ness, that constant splashing was
kept I'D even when in very shallow
water. The trees along the banks !
and IL shore were loaded with the |
nests OF CO0uieS, boobies, mau-Oi-war I
hawks and other Sea fowl. Crest
iockS OF birds ciuclei overhead: their l
iiSco7iSnt cries awaking the echoes !
d the receS>eS OF the tangled /
,oco2nut juuCleS which Iiourished on /
every islet, while 3 constant watch /
mad 70 be kept 10 avoid g sudden con-
.ac. with : numbering gOOney fright !
aned from is nest. The boat being 4
reached then our troubles commenced /
anew, for launching and pulling /
through the Surf was altogether diff /
ereut 10 coming inShOre on the crest
u : willing breaker. The HawaiianS |
With u were most nervous Of the |
sharks Snd made more so IS they saw,
lSnging over the side Of the Bishop |
halfa dozen bodies Of captured man
.aters from five 10 seven feet in
ength, and SIS s consequence had no
Wish 10 wade much in deep water.
But II was Necessary 70 go and we
hree whites. the chief officer, chief
ngineer and the writer had TO lead.
After two hours hard labor. being |
'uffetei by the breakers. damned
nd struck by the boat and oArS. and |
He'd with salt water the boat left the
nhospit2ble besch OF Palmyra Island
nd after cutting of the tops Of half
dozen breakers she 1iOated half
He'd with wSter in the smoother sea
nd we were soon alongside our safer
.oating home