Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-09

Joy, instead OF going away, came along
from rock to rock to a promontory
where his words could be distinctly
heard.
81 don't understand" cried De Jough.
"Are you hurt? Can't you swim
ashore2"
"a big shark Is swimming around the
wreck" yelled Wat, land can't get
away from it! Oh, Mr.. de Jough for
give me and save mcv
The schoolmaster did not reply for a
moment. He was startled. There was
no small boat nearer than the harbor,
three hours away. There and back
would be six hours at the very least,
and by that time it would be cold and
lark, and Wat might get so crazed with
cold and terror and lonellness-might
grow delirious, in fact-that he would
jump overheard to swim ashore, when
his fate would be awful. These things
the master thought Of in moment,
thought of something else for q mo-
ment, just the value of his own life,
thought for not single moment Of
that boys attempt to raise mutiny In
the school, and the next moment he
was stripped to the skin.
Cheer up Wat, my boy" he shout.
ed, as If Wat was n good comrade in.
stead Of an insolent pupila Keep a
good heart. I'm coming"
He was coming! Wat could not re.
ply. How could Mr.. de Jough pass out
If ne could not pass in? He looked and
saw the master on his knees praying
and Wat knelt also.
When De Jough rose up, he had a
long bladed open claspknife In his
mouth and Immediately dived into the
water. The shark felt the vibration
caused by that plunge and darted lit
tie way in, at once on the alert. Wat
still kneeling. watched with claspet
hands and anxious eyes The head oil
the master appeared, his strong arms
striking out resolutely. A few yards
he came, when the monster detected
him and made rush. For moment
Jan dc Jough paused, then suddenly
Owed, and the next instant the shark
leaped clear of the water and, sinking
again, left behind it on the surface q
great red stain. De Jough came up
Wat saw the enraged sharks fin neal
the surface, saw the CLEAN of its white
belly as 1t turned on its back SO tina
its hideous mouth could bite, saw jar
dive once more and then saw the grea
/ fish roll over in mess of blood anC
slowly sink. Jan had killed the shart
In its own element. Wat leaped then
with glad shout of thanks, and In {
short time was safe on shore.
II thank YOU" he cried. clinging tc
the students side, land, Mr.. de JouFh
was an awful cad to say that this
morning. Lick me as much as yor
please, and l won't cry out. You car
kill me If you like. I'm ashamed OF
myself"
De Jough only pressed his hand ant
smiled.
We'll try to forget all that. Wat,
said he. "But, though am not blacl
man and couldn't help it if were. ye
it was black man who saved yol
from the shark"
How"
because a Kaffir on the coast, a ia
nous diver, taught me that trick, with
out which l could not have saved you
So, you see, Wat, it is unwise to sneel
at any person Of any race. black
brown or white, for 1t is more thar
likely that person may be able, know
ing what you don't know, to be 81
service to you"
Wat bowed his head, abashed.
"Mr. de Jough," he said after awhile
I'm coming to school tomorrow, aud
were the boys rude?'
"a little"
swell" said Master Wat, ~tney
won't be any more. They NOV me
and like you, Mr.. de Jough."