48 MADRAS 



experience afterwards convinced me that it was a repe- 

 tition of what befel me the morning Ave anchored at 

 Kedgeree. However, I was perfectly recovered when 

 we reached the ship ; we found her ready for sea, and I 

 returned to my duty as if nothing had happened. 



Our next destination was Madras, to join the Admiral ; 

 and in our short passage to that Presidency we lost 

 from sickness our only marine officer, the other being 

 left behind at Portsmouth, as well as a midshipman, 

 and the other doctor's mate, Avith two or three of the 

 men, Avhich Ave attributed to the effect of the climate 

 upon a tAvo-decked vessel. 



We did not remain long at Madras, but long enough to 

 Avitness an aAvful casualty, not of A^ery frequent occur- 

 rence, but one to which the seafaring life is subject, 

 among other dangers, unknoAvn to the dAvellers upon 

 terra firma. 



Whoever has been to Madras, and remained- on board 

 a ship at anchor in the roads, must knoAv hoAv the Avaters 

 are infested with sharks, though they are seldom seen or 

 knoAAQi to rise to the surface, unless attracted by some- 

 thing in the shape of prey, and are therefore aptly 

 denominated ground sharks. It Avas the custom to liea\'e 

 a studding-sail overboard in the morning, and, by attach- 

 ing it to the fore and mizen chains, make a sort of j30ol 

 for the men, particularly those who could not swim, to 

 bathe in, and so preserve them from the attacks of these 

 voracious monsters. 



One of our men, an excellent swimmer, had the temerity 

 to venture beyond the sail, when a shark like light- 

 ning rose from the bottom and with his extended jaws 



