The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-05-24
A SURPRISED SHARK.
A HlNDoo WITH A ROPE PROVED TOO
MUCH FOR HIM.

v swimming Contest In which the Man |
Surpassed the Fish-A Thrilling scene,
Upon Which an Immense Throng Of
People Looked with Varying Emotions.
Talk about your shark hunters in
the south Pacific islands, remarked
the old traveller, "but l remember see
ing an encounter with one of those long
toothed gentry that for cool nerve beat
anything / ever read about.
81 was loafing around Calcutta one
day, late in the autumn, waiting for the
evening train up to the city of Hugh,
when | heard tremendous shouting
coming from the direction of the river
Hugh, which is practically one of the
mouths Of the Ganges. Trotting over to
the shCxe as fast as white man ever
travelled in India, saw a huge commo-
ton. Natives we've hurrying away from
the bank as if in terror and then run
ming back as if their curiosity had over.
come their greatest fears. The river was
full of boats. The occupants Of the
larger ones were screaming with ex-
element, while those in the small ones
were shrieking and jabbering with a
| considerable amount Of fear.
II soon discovered that the fuss had
been created by a large shark which had
come upwith the tide and had ventured
a little farther than it was customary
for sharks to do. His dorsal fin was cut
| ting the water here and there, and when
occasionally he turned on his back and
sent his nose and grinning teeth above
the water groans and screams of horror
went up in all directions. His shark
ship was evidently out for supper and
was casting longing chances at the sue
culent Hindoo babies, of whom con-
siderable number were in sight.
"In the midst of all the hubbub tall,
lank Hindoo stepped out upon the roof
| of kind of houseboat and in short
speech announced that he would catch
the shark.
INSTANTLY dead hush fell upon the
multitude The Hindoo stood erect. He
was perfectly naked save for little
garment at the loins, which our Texas
cowboys call gee string. He was
armed only with long rope like lari-
at, which he held behind his back with
his left hand.
Presently Mr.. Shark came to the
surface about eight yards from the boat
and Immediately the Hindoo plunged
overheard.
"a chorus of groans and EXPLANATIONS
went up, in the midst of which the Hin
doc reappeared, swimming with his
right hand. Man and shark faced each
other, and fancied that saw pleased
expression in the monsters eye, as much
as to say, well, this is civil, to say the
least.
1.-THE shark evidently thought he had
'cinch' OH the situation, for he SWAN
leisurely toward the Hindoo, turned
slowly upon his back and opened his
mouth. The mouth closed with snap
and the people screamed, but the Hin
doc had dived, and presently he appeared
again on the off side of the shark, smil-
ing and still carrying his rope.
1.-THE big fish looked surprised and
then made another gentle dab at the
Hindoo. The result was the same, and
; Mr.. Hindoo came up fresh for the third
round.
/
; and made vicious run at the Hindoo,
and again he missed. The people Oh
shore and in the boats began to fee
confidence in the human champion, an6
their groans were changed to applause
Every time the man made a poln
against the fish those heathens would
;, send up rousing cheer.
d "Well, by this time the thing wa
:. getting exciting. / never saw sucl
> swimming before, and / never viii
d again. The man was regular waite
d snake. He lodged, twisted, dove ant
d Jumped like an eel. The fish mad
!; charge after charge. Once his fiji
J. grazed the Hindoo's arm, and the wa
!; ter was colored with blood. The man
stock went down point, but 1t sool
h rose again, when the crowd began {
h see that the fish simply wasn't IN II
= The man was beating him ut his owl
!; game. You see, the fish could only g
3 in one direction-straight ahead ik
: an arrow-while the man turned an
doubled like fox.
"Well, by and by the exertion an
excitement told on the monster. He &c
= ratified, churned the river into foam
h and then became quiet again. At thu
d moment the Hindoo faced him again
= It was the last round.
# "The shark charged languidly. Th
g man waited, lying in the water unit
T., the great mouth was open to seize him
!, Then, with a convulsive backward Leaf
80 he Strengthened his body and sank, fee
f. downward, like plummet OF lead.
$, 1.-THE shark settled down over hin
~ lashing the water into lather foam
a They seemed to be graphing with eac
70 other. The crowd groaned and scream
Id ed, and then became silent.
"For the space of what seemed man
minutes the people watched the surfa'
n of the water until even the bubbles ia
=, disappeared and all was quiet.
8 "'Losti Lost!' screamed priest al
IN the mob re-echoed the cry and began
g. beot their breasts like lot of madmei