The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1902-11-05

on the horizon no vessel ever came
near enough TO see their signals. In
the meantime. little work was done
more with a view to passing the time
than out OF regard for the interests of
the employers who had apparently SO
cruelty abandoned them on this unin-
habited and seldom visited isle.
Four months thus dragged YEARLY
away, Ihe men maintaining themselves
rs best they could by shooting birds
and collecting eggs and shell-fish
One Saturday evening OConnell and
man named Peters, having been "fos-
sicking" about the shores OF Water
island IN quest of shell-fsh. delayed
their departure for the larger island till
a much later hour than usual. When
about halfway between the two islands
they encountered the full force of the
outgoing tide, and found their progress
with the tull water-cask, to which they
were harnessed by ropes, rendered ex-
tremely difficult. After half an hours
struggle. curing which very little way
was gained, Peters announced his in
ttntion OF cutting himself adrift.
OConnell besoueht his mate to hold
on until the tide turned! but Peters.
drawing his knife, severed the rope
which attached him to the cask Short
ly afterwards ne disappeared in the
direction of Copper island.
OConnell, left to himself. struggled
wildly for time to hold his own, but
the buoyant cask was towing him out
to sea at an ever.increasing rate of
speed, and at last he was reluctantly
Obliged 10 release himself. By this
time, however, he was an alarming
distance from the shore, and he saw
that his only chance was in remain
ing afloat Until the tide turned, when
he might hope. by its aid. to reach the
land. The night was clear and a bril-
liant moon was shining. Suddenly, to
his horror, an ominous triangular fin
hioke the surface of the water not
three fathoms' length from wheye he
swan. Another and yet another ap-
peared. and the unhappy man pres
eEtiy discovered that he was in the
midst of q school of sharks! Utterly
exhausted as he was, his position was
n terrible one. In describing his feel
ings to me, he said that he should not
have believed 1t possible that any
combination of circumstances could
have reduced him to such state of alb
Jcct fear as that on which he now
found himself. Already he seemed to
feel the cruel teeth rendering his ma
keG flesh, and he snuddered with utter
terror. The scene was as light as day.
ana the sharks were plainly visible as
they circled round him. He saw one
monster suddenly change his direction
and make straight for him. But O'Con-
nell was like flesh in the water and
drawing the sheathe knife from the
belt round his naked waist he -Irew
his arms above his head and sank like
stone. AS he rose again some sec
ords later he found himself directly
beneath he shark. and thrust his knife
m TO the hilt in the monsters stomach.
Tie wounded shark at once made of.
and some ether prey possibly present
ing itself, the Others followed It's eX-
ample, TO O'Conrclls great relief.
By this time the tide was on the
turn, and after long and exhausting
swim O'Conncll, shaken and weary,
landed on Copper island shortly after
daylight, having been eight hours in
the water. His companions had. of
course, given him up for lost, as ac-
cording To the account of Peters, who
had gained the shore in safety, he was,
when last seen, drifting rapidly out
II sea. O'Connell proceeded to the tens
and pulling aside the flap, looked in
| al the sleeping men. Peters was slum-
hering as sweetly as though he had not
few hours before abandoned his mate.
O'Connell picked up piece of turf and
| threw 1t lightly on the sleeper's face.
Peters sat up, and seeing the boss"
standing there, dripping wet. thought
he looked upon ghost. and with cry
OF terror fell back in dead faint, hi;
previous nights adventure having left
him in weak state.
The little colony was now in a very
had way, being without water save for
little which had been reserved in
kerosene tin. This lasted till the
| ''ShihS ii Tie nchl udy, ana Inen,
when O'Connell was seriously contem-
plating return TO Water islanu'
with the Kerosene tin, rain happily fell
and all hands were at once engaged
IN the important work of collecting it
The tent was pulled down and con-
v.rted into 9. canvas cistern, and ev-
cry available vessel was filled.
Two days later great excitement was
occasioned in the little community, 50
strangely marooned on this inhospita-
lie islet. by the appearance of a SAL
to the southwark. evidently bearing
in the direction of the island. The
anxious miners gathered upon the
beach and breathlessly watched thc
nearing craft. Thoy soon discovered
that 1t was none other tnan D--'s ov.
eidue schooner. Presently q boat was
lowered, and D. himself, with 6
crew of three men. was seen approach
ing the island. The miners met hin
with a storm of inquiries as to the do