The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-06-15
A SURPRISED SHARK.
A HlNDOo WITH A ROPE PROVED TOO
MUCH FOR HIM.

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 remember SEQ
ing an encounter with one Of those long
toothed gentry that for cool nerve beat
anything ! ever read about
81 was loafng around Calcutta one
day, late in the autumn, waiting for the
evening train up to the city of Hugh.
when heard a tremendous shouting
coming from the direction of the river
Hugh, which is practically one of the
mouths Of the Ganges. Trotting over to
the shore as fast as a white man ever
travelled in India, saw huge oommo-
ton. Natives were 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-
citement, 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 large shark which had
come up with the tide and had ventured
little farther than 1t 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 glances at the sue
culent Hindoo babies, Of whom a con-
siderable number were In sight
. In the midst of all the hubbub a tall,
lank Hindoo stepped out upon the roof
of kind Of houseboat and In a 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 fanoied that saw a pleased
expression In the monsters eye, as much
as to say, Well, this is civil, to say the
least
1.-THE shark evidently thought be had
'cinch' on 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.
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
Then the shark began to grow angry
and made vicious run at the Hindoo,
and again he missed. The people on
shore and In the boats began to feel
confidence in the human champion, and
their groans were changed to applause.
Every time the man made a point
against the fish those heathens would
send up rousing cheer.
Well, by this time the thing was
getting exciting. never saw such
swimming before, and never will
again. The man was a regular water
snake. He lodged, twisted. dove and
jumped like an eel. The fish made
charge after charge Once his fin
grazed the Hindoo's arm, and the wa
ter was colored with blood. The mans
stock went down a point, but it soon
rose again, when the crowd began to
see that the fish simply wasn't in it.
The man was beating him at his own
game You see, the fish could only go
in one direction-straight ahead like
an arrow-while the man turned and
doubled like fox.
well, by and by the exertion and
excitement told on the monster. He got
ratified, churned the river into foam,
and then became quiet again. At this
moment the Hindoo faced him again.
1t was the last round.
1.-THE shark charged languidly. The
man waited, lying in the water until
the great mouth was open to seize him.
Then, with coDvulsive backward leap,
he Strengthened his body and sank, feet
downward, like plummet Of lead.
1.-THE shark settled down over him,
lashing the water into a lather foam
They seemed to be graphing with each
other. The crowd groaned and scream
ed, and then became silent.
For the space of what seemed many
minutes the people watched the surface
Of the water until even the bubbles had
disappeared and all was quiet
Lost LostP screamed priest, and
the mob re-echoed the cry and began to
beat their breasts like lot of madmen.
Then suddenly in the middle of it all
the Hindoo reappeared, 80 yards up the
stream. Both hands were above his
head. and he was screaming. Tan, tan.
tanp He had slipped the moose Of his
lariat around the shark s tail and drawn
it taut, and he held the free end in his
hand.
I'm an instant it was ashore, and a
score Of Hindoos were drawing at 1t. It
took them half an hour to get Mr..
Shark ashore. for he pulled like loco
motive, but they finally managed it.
''He proved to be nine feet long and
sold for sum which enabled his cap
tor to live in comfort for nearly half
xyaa, pbfIodaIY1hia palaoraDh