Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 July 1892 — Untitled [ARTICLE]

Within Six miles of the raft the shore was distinctly visible; unfortunately, at this moment it fell calm, and the sail hung listlessly upon the mast at the very time when they longed for a brisk breeze to conclude their voyage. Ned determined to lighten the raft and to paddle her forward with oars; accordingly they threw overboard the sand and firewood, er with a quantity of the salt beef," and one of the heavy< chests; this made a great in the buoyance of the vessel. The water was the heaviest portion of the cargo, but they dare not wate this, as there might be no supply on shore. “Fire _ sVer"‘sOme"mOrb"beet,”cftedNed; “we have three turtles, and biscuits enough to last a month.” Tim looked wistfully at the good beef, as one by one he threw the large pieces overboard. “Dat’s enuff, Massa Ned!” said he, “Don’t trow, all de good meat away; ’pose we get hungry one day, eh?’ 1 “Suppose the wind should change and blow off shore before we land,” us? We must lighten, |h e raft as much as possible; throw all the beef overboard except"half a dozen pieces, then heave the heavy chest away likewise.” Tim obeyed the order in exceedingly low spirits, and being of a careful disposition and deeply interested in the commissariat arrangements,' he pushed the large chest overboard first, after he had emptied the contents, and then h§ reluctantly threw another piece of beef into the clear water. Hardly had the joint splashed into ,the sea when a dull, cloud like appearance was seen in the deep wafsr close to the raft; this became more dense, until a distinct and huge brown body rose rapidly to the surface, and turning upon its side, a long white belly was exposed as it opened its huge' jdtvs and swallowed the piece of beef that Tim had just thrown overboard. It was an enormous shark, and as the water was as clear as crystal, it • could be distinguished as minutely asthough it were nin a glass case as a specimen—the long sci mater-shaped back fin frequently protruded above the surface as it swam fearlessly and apparently lazily around, the raft with its large white eye's.gleainiug as it hunted for fresh prey. “Oh my eye, Massa Ned!” cried Tim, “dere’s a big shark been and swallered de beef! Tank God Tim’s not de beef!” “Shoot him with one of the muskets,” cried Ned who was at the helm; and at that moment snatched a loaded musket from the chest in which they were stowed, but, upon second thoughts, he laid it domip and,diving among the miscellantp ous articles in the carpenter's tool box, he quickly produced a large shark hook about sixteen inches long; a; chain of about two feet in length was already attached with a swivel, and Tim with great quickness fastened it to a rope. Having prepared his tackle within a couple of .minutes, he now stuck a fat and tempting piece of beef upon the kook; but the shark had disappeared. “Why didn’t you shoot him as I ...told.yo«?-” asfceSLNed*. .AiNoro we-'ve. lost him. ” Tim replied by throwing his large bait far into the water; and the fat beef could be distinctly seen far be-, low, as it hung about four fathoms beneath the surface. —“He’ll come again. Massa Ned,' 1 said Tim. “don't be fraid.. If he see Tim bake a syim de shark come catch him quick, I knows, now Tid cateh de shark. I seed him when he swim round de raft wink’d his big eyes; he thought, ‘Dere’s Tim—like to swaller ’im!’ Now' Masaa Ned, wait a little, see Tim swaller de shark.”

As Thn gave this little programme of the entertainment, he slowly drew in the line, and as the piece of -white beef came near the surface several small fish, striped like perch, of about two pounds weight, followed the bait, which, having smelt, they darted away as though afraid. “Ha, ha!” exclaimed Tim, “Hi 3 Tittle frens gone to tell him Tim cooked de beef ready; now de shark won’t be long.” Tim was well up in shark-fishing, as heTiad seen, many caught; and as he saw the arrival of the pilot-fish, tnat almost invariably accompany the shark, he was not wrong in expecting its return. In a shot time the monster issued from directly beneath the raft, where he had ’myst probably been concealed, and, swiming slowly toward the bait, he first smelt it, then, with a quick and sudden turn, he bolted it, together, with j the hook and chain, and dashed off into the deep water. “Ha, ha!” roared Tim, “now’s got him tight! now Tim swaller de j shark!” At the same time he al- f lowed the rope to run from the coil | on deck until about eighty yards had been expended; then, as the fish had halted and turned, be drew in j some slack line, with which *he took j around the turn of the mast; after this he drew in line hand over land until he felt a tug that would have i pulied Tim overboard, had lie been | unprepared, and away dashed the shark once more. This time Tim ; was determined 10 make him work for his line, and, having grasped the the rope between a portion of a sail to prevent it from chafing his hands, he held on with all his might, and merely allowed it to slip through his grasp«as he felt himself compelled. The fish was not many feet shorter than the raft, and as he ran out the < entire length of line that Tim had " fastened to the mast; he now dragged the raft along in .whatever direction he chose to take As it was perfect- | ly calm. Ned left the helm and came to Tim’s assistance, and the two strong lads of sixteen gave the shark