Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-10-01
FIERCE FIGHT WITH A SEAL.
How a San Francisco Fisherman Nearly
Lost His Life.


: How a San Francisco Fisherman Nearly
Lost His Life.
Edward Fem of san Francisco was re-
Gently fishing in small boat when no
was attacked by an enormous seal that
threw him into she water and deliberately
attempted to drown him. After fishing
some time, Fem explained to a Call re-
porter, he lit his pipe and fell asleep
Suddenly I was awakened by a terrific
splash near by My first impression was
that the wind had come, but on starting
up and looking about l saw only round
circle of bubbles and foam about % feet
off on the right side / was considerably
startled, but oyercame my nervousness
when realized that il was only n seal.
had not the least idea that he would at
tack me. He was not over ten fest from
me, and / could see his eyes and teeth as
he poked his head high above the water.
He looked at me and snapped his jaws and
then dived beneath the surface of the water.
Then / started TO pull ashore, think
ing / had seen the last of Mr.. Seal. In
fact. / had almost forgotten him before !
had gone goo feet.
IAN at once / thought an earthquake
bad struck me. Ny boat was boosted high
in the air at the stern and came down on
the water again with loud splash AL
most instantly this was repeated, and
then before l could realize what had hap
pened / saw the seal poking his head over
the side of tho boat. He was swapping his
jaws and believing like whole herd of
bulls. His eyes were close to me, and /
could feel his breath as 1 sat too stunned
with anazement to move.
For an instant was powericss. Then
l began 10 think of the proper way TO kill
seals. l had never had the opportunity
before, but L had hunted enough TO know
how to tackle any animal of his size and
style of fighting.
81 reached for my revolver, but before
could touch it the seal gave a splash and
Topped on to the boat, upsetting it and
throwing me into the water.
~ came up gasptng for breath, and in
stfnctively began to fight for my life.
am fine swimmer and diver. or would
not be here today. / made up my mind to
swim ashore If the seal would let me
alone felt sure i could put few holes
into him if he interfered.
''But Mr.. Seal was bent on n fight, and
he made at me. pulled my revolver and
shot him in the neck, but he only beloved
and came at me with gaping jaws. When
ten feet away he made dive and came up
just behind me, scizing me by the shirt
just back of the left shoulder. Fortunate
~ he didn't get IL hold of any of my homes.
Down tho big fellow went, taking me
with him as easily as if were a shrimp.
up through the blue water and see the sun
cleaning through. All at once we touched
bottom. l wondered if tho seal intended
to hold me there until was drowned. 1
made M my mind to hold my breath rs
long as possible. 1t seerns now as if it
must have been ages, but suppose it was
only q few moments. Then, to my sur
prise, the seal came to the top, when l
took n good long breath before L even
thought of anything else.
"Ihen saw what was the matter with
the seal. The blood was flowing in y
stream from the wound in his neck. Evil |
IDENTITY my first bullet had interfered with |
his breathing apparatus This gave me
hope, and inStinctivcly i took "a firmer |
clutch or my revolver and was glad that |
it was Colt "A and hoped the water |
would rot hurt the cartridges. / now felt |
that l had show.
After moment down we went again, |
but this time 1 had my senses about me |
and began punching my antagonist in the |
neck with the muZzle of my revolver.
He did not expect this nor like it Ell |
ther, for he let go his hold. and l shot up to
tho surface He followed and grabbed me |
again.
This time, kowevcr. he grabbed my |
shirt under the left arm, leaving my right /
free and in y position where could use it.
There was another short dive, and |
when we came to the top again l watched |
for my chance. was in hopes that the |
seal would drop me- but he didn't. He
only took a 1irmer grip, drew in Il longer
breath and seemed to have made up his