The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-11-16

hummocks of the seaweed that pro.
truded from the water, but offered lit
| tie security,
There was long projection OF the
stuff landward, and on this they trav-
eled as far as possible, and then they
began to shout loudly for help.
Potter had managed to keep above
water, and he repeatedly fred his shot.
gun.
After the sun had Set they once Inn
agined that they heard a response
from the shore. They shouted and
fired again and again, and looked and
iictened intently. but heard nothing
more and could detect no sign of life
| on land.
The sea field was narrower here;
| the swell from the ocean made long,
| uneasy undulation in the kelp which
| frightened them still more, and they
tr1ed to 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 a
sudden rush by one Of the brutes,
which might easily carry a man from
his footing.
Potter fired into the water at the
nearer shark. and succeeded in fright
ening both of them away, but they re-
manned near by, watching with hun
cry eyes.
The men were now much exhausted
and chilled by the water. Coville Ind
that he could go but very little further.
AS it 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
their chances Of rescue seemed re-
mote.
When they reached n place near the
boat the sharks were frolicking about
them in savage playfulness, beating
the water into bubbles by their strong
rushes to the surface. None Of them
seemed inclined to charge on the pris-
oners as yet, although In the dark 1t
was only a question Of time when they
would be seized under the water.
One of the monsters swept into the
kelp 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 holder 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
voice. They stared in amazement;
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! I 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
kelp beds. The men were crying to
her frantically, and then began to
founder across the weeds until Potter
at last sprang into the open water and
swan the few remaining feet. He
seized an oar.
"Coville's done upw he cried. "He's
just hanging to the stuff with his
hands! Push the boat I'M!
Potter leaped out again and caught
til, young naturalist in 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
rowed down the mirrored channels of
the kelp fields and turned the boat to-
ward the home shore.
Coville shuddered a little when they
looked back and saw the indistinct
shadows Of moving shark in the
beautiful submarine gardens beneath
them.
THAT was a narrow escape, wasn't
it? But it was pretty near worth it
to find out where the sandpipers nest.
Wen come out again tomorrow
Youths Companion.