Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1901-08-21
A Ride with a bark.


Ride with hark.
Among the "Queer Steeds" of which
C. F. Holder tells in the ST. Nicholas.
perhaps the queerest is nurse"
shark, captured at sea, and imnounded
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 Z
mile long, so feet wide, and from six 10
eight feet deep. 1t required a dozen
or more men to haul the fish, which
was IL feet in length, over the little
tide gate. Just before it was released
rope bride was passed oyer it-a
loop that fitted over the head and was
frightened just behind the fins, so that
1t remained in place, a perfect saddle
girth. To this rope about 10 feet
long was attached, and in turn made
fast to float. All this was prepared
in advance, and it 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 it went dashing away, the
telltale float following at the surface.
For some time we had been engaged
in building a boat which was to be
the carriage Of this steed. The masons
had given us the frame of a great
brick arch upon which they were
working. This resembled a scow with
square ends 1t was a perfect skif,
except that the planks were an inch
apart; but we filled these crevices and
calked it with oakum. The day be-
fore the shark was caught the boat
was launched and tested, and it was
found that it would hold three boys,
two on lower seat, and one on the
box seat of the coach. The shark ride
was looked forward to with the great
est interest.
Finally the day arrived, and very
early, while the great tropical sun was
creeping up through the vermiilion
clouds, we made our way around the
wall and to our marine carriage. Being
the originator of the scheme, the priv
ilege Of the box seat was awarded to
me. Literally, this seat was box
a discarded cracker box. My two COM
panions sat upon a board in the stern
to balance the skiff. We were soon in
place, and sitting on the box I care
fully padded the little craft CIT from
the tide gate, and began the search for
our steed. padded down one side'of
the great wall, keeping perfectly qaiet,
as every quick movement threatened
us with capsize.
Presently we saw the float lying mo-
tionless on the water near the wall.
The shark was undoubtedly asleep, lit
tie suspecting the rude awakening that
was il. store for him. I now handed
the paddle to one Of the boys behind
me, and took in hand our painter. The
I5iatteris is the rope fastened to the boat.
and it was my intention to secure this
to the float and to arouse the shark
One OF my-cnnlp lpanio ons esiSennte
| "; and the fiat bottonedS boat slowly
sdrifted on. Leaning forward, / picked
up the float and quickly ran the paint
.er through hole that had been left
In the float for the purpose, and fas-
tened it with a bowline knot in a
1 very seamanlike manner. When tfa7
was done, 1 hauled in the slack and
gently pulled the rein, while one of the
boys "clucked" at the shark and the
other said "Gedap!" No response.
! Then l gave another jerk at the line,
and the sharp woke up.
have often read of boys who wake
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 ex-
actly how this shark woke. 1t fairly
leaped out Of sound sleep, and jerked
the skiff ahead so violently that tho
box seat upset and 1 fell backward
upon my companions. The upset was
certainly not very dignified begin
ming, and I. heard roar of laughter
from some fun-loving lookers-on.
The shark. now feeling the rope,
dashed along at rapid pace. making
it extremely difficult for us to retain
our places; but my companions aided
me, Carefully raising me, they righted
the box. secured the painter and
held the single rein in triumph. It
was a signal success. We had har-
messed the shark, and were moving at
a rate that was wildly exciting. The
speed was so great that the boat was
pulled almost bow under, and wave
of foam preceded us. The boys held
on tightly, but occasionally raised one
hand and waved their hats and cheered
| when a head appeared at portfolio Of
the fort