A FIGHT WITH A SHAHS.

Auckland Star, Issue XXXVI, 21 October 1905, Page 11

A FIGHT WITH A SHAHS.

Barhadoes. one of the Caribbean Islands, was the scene ot the following vtvid and well-authenticated story of a terrible fight with a shark, oue of the real man-eating tribe:— A ship named the Southern Trader, from Liverpool, with a cargo of coal, had just discharged her freight at the port referred to, when the crew who had been engaged in the dirty work resolved upon a good salt water bath, and accordingly ventured into the sea. The c«ral shores of Baibadoes abound ia sharks, and the first mate of the ship, who remained aboard, espied one of these monsters making toward* the men before they had been ten minutes in the water, and instantly gave the alarm. The sailors hastened towards the boat which the mate sent to them, and all succeeded In getting safely on board excepting one foremost hand—he was the last of his compeninns to reach the boat. Just as he was aboart to lay his hands upon the gunwales the shark seized him in his capacious jaws and literally bit him in two, instantly swallowing a portion of the body and the lower limbs. The upper part of the body was taken ou board, but. of course, life became extinct immediately. The" crew in the boat were almost cra2y with excitement and horror. There was ou<? among them, however, who said nothing, out gazed first at the dismembered body and then at the spot where the shark's black dorsal fin showed above the surface of the water, it was the chum of the poor victim. They had been warm and consistent friends for many yeare, and the bitterness of his feelings made him for the moment quite dumb. In the meantime, the insatiable shark was swimmiiig hither and thither throngh the blood-*tained water in search of the remainder of his prey. The rest of the crew were only too thankful to be safe in the boat, but not so with John Hodge, the dead man's cbnm, wbo was seen to hasten on board the ship, where he entered the coot's galley, and having secured a lons sharp butcher's knife, made his way back to the boat, now alongside.

"Loot ye. messmates," said he, coolly, "I'll kill that devil, »r he shall eat mc, too."

Saying which, he took the long knife between his teeth and leaped fearlessly Into the sea. It was all done so quickly that no one eonld have, Interfered had they been so disposed, but all looked at each other in silent amassment at such te-jierity.

The moment that the intrepid seaman struck the water the shartt saw him, and made for the spot. Both were equally eager, the one for his prey, the other for vengeance. The monster was soon beside his enemy, and quickly turned half upon his | back, after the manner or his tribe, to j seize him in his. terrible jaws. But John i Hodge was seif-possessed. and at that ia- | stant dived beneath the shark, at the same | time thrusting his long knife deep into his, belly, causing the water to b« dyed all about then with his blood. He managed to giTe the monster two telling wounds before he came again to the surface. The enraged Ssh became confused, and his adversary, avoiding his head, rave him repeated stabs with the butcher 1 * knife. The shark retired.

for a moment out of tOe olomijr eircae tSiat now surrounded them, followed in''iaCnnt.,i style by the sailor- i A&Lwe have said. tie .sea moEsner lad. tamed, ami was again making toward : the sailor, but the 'latter. s» far from TeaEsfing any fear, seemed to. have gained coendteaice during the brief enowmteey aaid as thesJurfc j approached him once more he- dived tienestth him, and. inflicted two vital stabs in the bowels. The water occame rod with h*joa in all directions, and those in the "boat be-, gan to think that their eoawsade had beea wounded. Tney got out oars.-And.were,.now palling toward himSoon the fish turned and came «t niai a gain. The iaen in. the boat and im the ship held their very breitths in the intensity of their excitement at the sfcrajg* dael between -man and Sshv The whole scene thus far 2«ad scarcely occupied three minutes of time, and the men were noo much, "confused to attempt to assist their daxing comrade. As tbey appisoacbefl, they sew that Uhe ! fight was over,' and the shark-was turning upon its back, and iashfng the water slowly with its tail. It was the death, throe! Job a Hodge was taken on board, excited and much fatigued, but uninjured. A boat bo-ii ' was attached, to the shark, and he wiis towed to the beach, where he., was drawn op upon Q»-3sfn w was opened, and tne I lower portion, ot the dt-ad maaij tody was taken oat,, and being placed with the rear," jof the corpse, it was decently buried. NiJi- \ ther John Hodge aor the- -cxesr of the Sor/th.- ---| em Trader will ewer forget this fight /with a shark a-c Sarbadoes.