The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-05-18
SCRATCHING A. SHARK,
a Sutmarino Diver Hes Some Re.
marRabIo Ecsperteucca-
The Singular Conduet OF One Of the Ter
rors Of the Deep-a Queer Method
OF Destroying "Sea
Lawyers"

/ recollect a shark that gave me
shock. says a writer for
Chambers Journal. had been en-
gagged in blowing up reef of rocks so as
to enlarge little harbor on the coast.
1t was my duty to make the hole and
put in the charge of dynamite. The
charge was exploded in the evening
after we left off work. On going down
every morning was accustomed to go
over to certain ledge which was al
ways good resting place for Holsters.
Morning after morning had invariably
found pair or moro of these crusta-
ceans, which sent to the surface in 4
basket.
On the morning to which I now refer
l walked straight to the ledge and ran
my hand carefully along its lower side.
was surprised to find my hand scrap
ing what | took to be the rock; but !
was surprised still more when OBJ
served my hand groping within q foot
If the mouth of great shark which
had retired to rest in this cave. The
ihark must have been rs much alarmed
rs | was, for it made one spring from
its resting place and disappeared in the
dark wall of ocean. The shock to me
was greater than could have believed,
md even yet / do not care to think
about il much. 1t is hardly necessary
to say that did not return to that ledge
for Holsters for some time.
On another occasion big fellow came
alongside me where WAS working.
topped, of course, and stepped back
luietly to let him pass. But he did not.
lie came nearer. then thought he was
curious, but soon found that another
feeling than curiosity was moving him.
As retreated he still advanced, until J
found myself jammed up against thl
cock. could retreat no further, an
yet the brute came en- deterlninedly
}ut instead of approaching me with hi
ong nose-for, you don't see his jaws
le turned his side and began to rub w
against me. had small Jumper" in
NY hand, which held with the poin5
,utwards against his skin, as did not
wish to have his rough skin scoring
gainst my dress. 1t was something
ike what q COW would be rubbing
tgainst you.
The iron on his skin was, however,
he very thing he wanted, as he soon
ave me to understand. l was kept
here at least half an hour scratching
hat monster with the sharp iron. He
oolz it like pig bending his body and
arning over on his side so as to present
fresh surface to the jumper. sup
,ose he must have felt easier for the
pcration, for after some time he
noyed away. | had one or two further
isits from him on following days, on
ach Of which l was obliged to scratch
him for time. thinl, he mrst have
recognized me as kindly and effcctual
scratcher. imagine ne was suffering
- ""~'N ''"~"sitical CT s'-'" F'e""r"
} which he may have fallen victim.
Otherwise might be in that scratching
billet still.
One Of the boys who worked in the
boat once inserted a charge of dynamite
n sleeps head: the Charge was OF
:ourse attached TO the battery by wire.
after we had ''lznoekcd Off he threw
IN the sleeps head. In about ten
seconds the head was "talzen in" by q
small shark. In ten seconds more there
was al explosion and fragments OF
'hark were abundant. In certainly less
han minute afterwards the sea was
llmost alive with sharks contending
for relic of their deceased lSins-sharl1
This experience was, however, obtained
from the surface, and what pride my.
self most on is that I see these creatures
from below.