The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-09-13

hummocks OF the seaweed that pro
truded from the water. but offered III
tie security.
There was a long projection Of IN
stuff landward, and on this they tray
eled az far az possible. and then the!
began 10 shout loudly for help.
Potter had managed to keep abov,
water, and be repeatedly fired his shot
gun.
After the sun had set they once i'm
agined that they heard a respons'
from the shore. They shouted an,
fired again and again, and looked aDt
liGtened intently. but heard nothing
more and could detect no sign OF llf'
on land
The sea field was narrower here
the swell from the ocean made n long
uneasy uDdulation In the kelp which
frightened them still more, and they
| tried 10 retrace their steps. On the
way they discovered that two Of the
sharks were moving slowly alongside
in the clear channel, and as the men
were under water above their waists
now, they realized the danger Of n
sudden rush by one Of the brutes,
which might easily carry man from
| his footing.
Potter fred into the water at the
nearer shark. and succeeded in fright
ening both OF them away, but they re-
m0lncd near by, watching with hun
cry eyes.
The men were now much exhausted
and chilled by the water. Coville had
lost his voice from shouting, and said
that he could go but very little further.
AS II grew dark they could not pick
the secure footing, and both went time
and again into deep pools and had to
swim out.
Potter had thrown away the gun, but
continued to call wildly, although
their chances OF rescue seemed re-
mote.
When they reached place near the
boat the sharks were frolicking about
them In savage playfulness, beating
the water into bubbles by their strong
rushcs to the surface. None Of them
seemed inclined to charge on the pris-
oners as yet. although In the dark IL
was only a question OF time when they
would be seized under the water
One OF the monsters swept into the
kclp not ten feet from Potter, and
turning, tore at the water plants until
the young man was thrown off and
cried In terror TO his friend. The
sharks constantly grew boldcr in their
advances. The men pulled themselves
up on the highest portion OF the slowly
sinking sea hedge and awaited the
end; they had given up hope of escape
from their grim pursuers.
Then suddenly in the dusk toward
the shore they heard "A girls clear
voice. They stared In ama2ement; ;
then Potter cried out in joy at the
sound Of his name.
Kate! Is that you? Hurry-help"
I'm coming! What's the matter
with you? Supper has been ready for
an hour! heard you calling! Where's
the boat"
Hurry, Kate! The sharks are all
about us-be CAREFUL
The girl was pulling with swift. pow
erful strokes along the side of the
kclp beds. The men were crying TO
her frantically, and then began TO
founder across the weeds until Potter
AT last spranE into the open water and
swan the few remaining feet. He
seized an oar.
"Covilles done up! he cried. Hes
just hanging to the stuff with his
hands! Push the boat in!'
Potter leapcd out again and caught
tn young naturalist I'm his arms, and
they stood together until Kate forced
the boat in near them. The men were
almost beside themselves with the Joy
Of their release. They lay Imply in
the bottom of the boat, telling the
story of the adventure, while the girl
rCwed down the mlrrored channels of
the kelp fields and turned the boat to-
ward the home shore.
Coville shuddcred little when they
looked back and saw the indlstlnct
shadows of "A moving shark in the
beautiful submarine gardens beneath
them.
THAT was narrow escape, wasn't
II? But Ii was pretty near worth II
10 find out where the sandpipers nest.
Wen come out again tomorrow"
Youths Companion.