The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1907-04-26


max OF horror before ending forever
our nerve racking vigil. But IL came
not. And so We commenced 10 hope
that our trick had been successful:
TO hope with an intensity that smut
out all other emotions.
Now, IL ever, the moment for
leaving the cavern had come. Yet
we felt loath 20 90. for blood still
trickled occasionally from the doc
tors wounded foot-manifestly a
state Of things that enhanced our
danger tenfold. Still go We must.
and each must take his chance
Calming myself as best could.
whispered: Doctor, who leads the
way"
"You. If you like" he reioiled.
In this reply there was nothing
suggestive OF cowardliness, for 10
-ollow in the wake Of a trail OF
blood left by the Doctors foot was.
i'm the event Of the keen scented
shark being absent from the inlet.
equally as dangerous as swimming
in the lead I'm case the brute was
still present. 50 decided TO lead
Quietly / slid down into the water
and anxIously commenced 10 breast
the tide. At the cayern's mouth [
heard quiet splash behind me--it
was the doctor entering the water
The ordeal of our lives was now COM
menced in earnest.
Passing through the entrance with
prayer on my lips, | swan into the
sunlit zone Of my danger. tor a
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 | regained my self
control and struck out boldly. With
what soul narrowing dread during
those first few strokes / 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 I'm my mind.
Halfway across, as | TUNED my
head seawards, / fancied ] saw the
dreaded fin projecting above the even
surface of the ocean. To fancy il led
me 10 dwell upon the horrible reality
of it. and my speed, in consequence,
soon diminished. With great men,
tai effort | forced my thoughts into
Other channels; then I con- menced to
forge ahead again
It was not far nova few more
feet and | would be safe.
A moment more and I touched
rock and pulled myself ashore.
was saved.
But what about my Toor friend
the doctor? Turning | beheld him
about thirty feet from the shore,
swimming very feebly. Ia his wake
.floated a crimson stain and akclot or
two of blood-his death scent. His
face was CHASTITY pale. anG its express
sion painfully haggard; and although
fash of courage spasm odically IL
Illuminated the features l could see it
betokened a speedy collapse. No
doubt, seeing that | was safe, he had
taken an extremely pessrnistic view
of his own position. He commenced
20 swim lower i'm the water, and re-
allied he was about 20 drown Doc
tor, DOCTOR" / shouted Buck up!
Don't be afraid, There's nothing
dangerous near you Everything $
quite clear. Fire away
The spasm of despair had passed.
Well for him that it had. for at that
moment | was about to plunge in TO
help him the deadly fin suddenly APP
peared close at hand. There, a few
dozen feet from thu inlets mouth,
seeking the deep water ingress. My
eyes travelled from the fin TO the doc
tor, and I tried to weigh up the
chances between them. II the shark
delayed a little there was a chance
just a chance.
Meanwhile the doctor, innocent of
his danger, was swiEming a great
/ deal better. But suddenly as
glanced furtively seward, the huge
fin abruptly turned is thin edge to-
wards the entrance. and the brute
came tearing up the entrance pas
sage in series OF tacks as it crossed
and recrosSed the scent OF blood.
What was to do? 4 few moments
more and all would be over.
With a voice into which / tried 70
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 | saw
the fin drawing steadily nearer.
Keep your eye on me-don't LEI
IL stray" | called sEain. Make
for this rock. -
The fin was now heading directl!
toward him.
Beads of cold persI.iration stoot