The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-05-02

heard quiet splash behind met
was the doctor entering the water.
The ordeal of our lives was now COM
menced in earnest.
Passing through the entrance with
a prayer on my lips, swan into the
sunlit zone of my danger. For
moment was blinded by the myriads
OF dazzling lights that danced upon
the surrounding wavelets, and In that
moment my consciousness became
filmed over with the fear of death.
With an effort I regained my self
control and struck out boldly. with
what soul narrowing dread during
those first few strokes I scanned the
waters no pen of mine can adequate
ly describe; never. hope, shall
experience the like again. Then,
with mixed feelings of pleasure and
grave concern at finding the death
bringing fin absent. headed for the
opposite shore with all my might and
main. Would the shark scent us
and return? That was the thought
that rankled in my mind.
Halfway across, as l turned my
head seawards, fancied I saw the
dreaded fin projecting above the even
surface Of the ocean. To fancy 1t led
me to dwell upon the horrible reality
Of 1t, and my speed, in consequence,
soon diminished. With a great men,
tai effort I forced my thoughts into
other channels; then / commenced to
forge ahead again.
II was not far nova few more
feet and would be safe.
A moment more and touched q
rock, and pulled myself ashore. ]
was saved.
But what about my poor friend
the doctor? Turning, l beheld him
about thirty feet from the shore,
swimming very feebly. In his wake
fioated crimson stain and a clot or
two of blood-his death scent His
face was CHASTITY pale, and its express
sion painfully haggard; and although
flash OF courage spasmodically IL
Illuminated the features / could see It
betokened a speedy collapse. No
doubt, seeing that l was safe, he had
taken an extremely pessimistic view
of his own position. He commenced
to swim lower in the water, and re-
allied he was about to drown! DOC
tor, doctorl" / shouted. Buck up!
Don't be afraid! There's nothing
dangerous near you. Everything's
quite clear. Fire away"
The spasm of despair had passed.
Well for him that It had, for at that
moment l was about to plunge in to
help him the deadly fin suddenly ap-
peared close at hand. There, few
dozen feet from the inlet's mouth,
seeking the deep water ingress. My
eyes Travelled from the fin to the doc
tor, and l tried to weigh up the
chances between them. If the shark
delayed little there was a chance
just a chance.
Meanwhile the doctor, innocent of
his danger, was swimming a great
deal better. But suddenly as
glanced furtively seaward, the huge
fin abruptly turned its thin edge to-
wards the entrance, and the brute
came tearing up the entrance pas
sage in series of tacks as 1t crossed
and recrossed the scent of blood.
What was l to do? A few moments
more and all would be over.
With a voice into which I tried to
force an air of calmness / cried
Swim up, old man! Put up more
strength behind those strokes-that
Is better"
Out of the corner of my eye 1 saw
the fin drawing steadily nearer.
Keep your eye on NEEDN'T let
it stray!" l called again. Make
for this rock"
The fin was now heading directly
toward him.
Beads of cold perspiration stood
on my brow; ran into the water up
to my waist and fairly shrieked at
him. Doctor! for the love of heav-
en-svim Swim-swim for your
life--quick! All! Thank God!"
bent down and seized him, swing
ing him by a mighty effort clear out
of the water.
An instant later the teeth of the
shark clashed as he whisked by in
all his hideousness. And then, saved
from the very jaws of death, Butler
and fell upon the sand, utterly ex-
hausted and unnerved. The Wide
World Magazine