The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-07
A Ride with n shark.

Among the "Queer Steeds' of which G.
f. Holder tells in the June st. Nicholas,
perhaps the queerest is a nurse" shark,
captured at sea, and impounded in tide
water aquarium in Florida.
With no little difficulty we caught the
nurse, towed it to the aquarium. which
was an inclosed moat half mile long,
fifty feet wide, and from six to eight feet
deep IL required a dozen or more men
to haul the fish, which was eleven feet
an length, over the little tide-gate. Just
before ii was released a rope bride was
passed over tia loop that fitted over the
head and was frightened just behind the
fins. so that 1t remained in place, perfect
saddle girth. To this rope about ten
feet hong was attached, and in turn made
fast to a float. All this was prepared In
advance and ii did not require much time
to attach It, though the plunges of the
shark knocked several men from their
feet Finally all was ready, and the shark
was rolled over into the moat, where II
went dashing away the telltale float fol-
lowing at the surface.
For some time we had been engaged in
building a boat which was to be the car
rage of this steed. The masons had given
us the frame of a great brick arch upon
which they were working. This re-
sembled a scow with square ends. 1t was
a perfect skiff, except that the planks
were an inch apart; but we filled these
crevices and calked II with oakum. The
day before the shark was caught, the boat
was launched and tested, and II was found
that Il would hold three boys. two on a
lower seat, and one on the box-seat OF the
coach The shark ride" was looked for
ward to with the greatest interest.
Finally the day arrived, and very early
while the great tropical sun was creep
ing up through the vermilion clouds, we
made our way around the wall and to
our marine carriage. Being the originator
of the scheme. the privilege Of the box
seat was awarded 10 me. Literally, this
seat was a box-a discarded cracker-box.
MY two companions sat upon board In
the stern to balance the skiff. We were
soon in place. and sitting on the box,
carefully padded the little craft out from
the tide gate, and began the search for
our steed. / padded down one side OF the
great wall, keeping perfectly quiet. as
every quick movement threatened US with
a capsize.
Presently we saw the float lying mo
tloniess on the water near the wall. The
shark was undoubtedly asleep. little sus-
pecting the rude awakening that was In
store for him. / now handed the paddle
to one of the boys behind me, and took
rope fastened TO the boat, and It was now
my business TO secure this TO the float
and TO arouse the shark
One OF my companions padded gently,
and the fat-bottomed boat slowly drifted
en-. Leaning forward, / picked uD the
Goat and quickly ran the painter through
a hole that had been left in the float for
the purpose. and fastened It with bow
line knot In a very seamanlike manner.
When this was done, hauled in the slack
and gently pulled the rein while one 81
the boys "clucked" at the shark, and the
other said "Gedap" No response. Then
shark woke up.
l have often read OF bops who awake
at sunrise and bound out OF bed with
single leap, and have always thought that
such sudden awakening could be true
only IN books. But that was exactly how
this shark woke. II fairly leaped out Of a
sound sleep, and jerked the skin ahead
so violently that the box-seat upset and
fell backward upon my companions. This
upset was certainly not a dignihed begin
ming, and heard a roar OF laughter from
seine fun-oving lookers-on.
The shark, now feeling the rope. dashed
along AZ a rapid pace, making Il extreme
~ difficult for Us TO retain our places; but
my companions aided me. Carefully rails
ing me. they righted the box. i secured
the painter and held the single rein in
triumph. II was a signal success. We had
harnessed the shark, and were moving
az rate that was wildly exciting. The
speed was 10 great that the boat was
pulled almost bow under and a wave Of
foam preceded Us. The boys held on tight
~, but occasionally raised sne hand and
waved their hats and cbeered when
head appeared az q portfolio Of the fort.