The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-05-15
Two Men and a Shark

hio iu'tStiSdtiOHS.
Not wishing to return into the cold
and gloomy interior of the cave, l re-
mained at the entrance, basking in
the warm sunshine.
Except for few sea birds that
whirled In giddy flight far above me
in the clear blue heavens, not liv-
ing thing gave signs of Its existence.
The transparent waters of the mighty
Pacific, with the suns rays dancing
on the tiny waves, Tapped melodious-
ly at my feet. Farther seaward, and
as far as the eye could reach, the
solemn, stupendous grandeur of the
ocean lulled ones senses into a be-
nign forgetfulness. One felt ones
helplessness, ones utter insignifi-
cance
But bark! What was that strange
swishing sound that broke the ST.
lence? 1t was quite close to me
beside me. Horrors sprang to
my feet with G sharp exclamation,
for there, not dozen feet away, was
a tall, triangular fin-the dorsal fin
oI nuSe snarK!
A cry from me brought Dr. Butler
quickly to my side. Great heav-
ens!" cried he, visibly affected, as
he gazed upon the hideous creature.
What a bloodthirsty brute he looks!
The blood from my foot must have
attracted him from the OPEN"
A moment more and terrible
thought flashed simultaneously
through our brains. This horror
creating denizen of the deep was our
jailer! So long as he remained there
our only avenue of escape was closed.
The doctor turned and looked at
me In silence, and in silence I re-
turned his scrutiny. Each knew cnly
too well that for us there was no
way of gaining the opposite shore
and liberty except by swimming
across the inlet. We knew, more
over, that If we assayed the passage
one of us must be taken by the mon
ster to pay the price of the others
liberty.
But, the reader may ask, why not,
In preference TO such horrible
death, stay indefinitely in the cavern,
even to the point of dying of starva-
tion? Unfortunately for us, how
ever, we had no alternative, for we
knew, from the marks on the rocks,
that when the tide rose the shark
would be able to invade the cavern!
No: as surely as the waters ebbed
and flowed, certain and horrible
death awaited one or other of us
Not hairs breadth backward or
forward did the creature move from
his post outside the cave. Grim and
expectant he lay there in all his re-
pulsiveness, the vanguard of death.
Once he tilted himself slightly, and
by so doing showed us his horrid
grey eyes and his more horrid mouth
"a mouth that bristled with many
rows of teeth. The great brute
seemed to root us to the spot with a
fascination of horror, for time passed
and we knew 1t not. How long we
remained staring at the creature I
cannot say, but when we woke from
our terror induced stupor our feet
were being laved by the incoming
tide.
"Bailey!" cried DR.. Butler, sud-
denly. Come into the cavern. An
idea has struck me which may save
us. Quick!"
Leaving the brink, padding
through the rising water, l dumbly
followed my companion. Already his
face had become pale and haggard; ;
mental anguish unrelieved soon pals
the brightest face.
well. DOCTOR" murmured I, as
we stood inside, what is it,"
"Why, this" he answered, quiet
ly. Maybe II we keep ourselves out
Of his sight in this cave, and remain
absolutely silent, he may get the i'm
preston we have departed, and then
perhaps he will leave the inlet. l
can suggest nothing better. What
do you think about it?"
II guess we'll try it,. said I, with
a little hope stealing back to me.
Right; now let us take seats on
these lodges"
Doctor" said I, moment after
wards, don't you think you had bet
ter take your injured foot out of the
water?" BY this time few inches
of water covered the entire floor of
the cavern. II notice it still bleeds
a little, and no doubt the shark will
stay as long as he scents the blood.
Try that ledge higher up"
How thoughtless of mel" cried
Butler, changing his seat. "And
now, Bailey, old friend"-his voice
grew grave-"give me your hand. 1t
may be the last shake for one of us
in this world, so let it be a long one
and a good one." Solemnly we shook
hands.
"And now, NUNS the word" add
ed Butler, calmly.
After that we maintained a death.
like silence as we crouched there in
that inc-cold and tomb-like hollow
each busy with his own sombre
thoughts. Occasionally, during this
terrible death watch, glanced tow.