The following story is another example of the truth that is stranger than fiction.
    During a voyage made by the bark Gladstone London to Sydney, in Australia, on the 22d of October, while the vessel was in latitude forty-two degrees south, and longitude ninety degrees east, a seaman fell overboard from the starboard gangway. The bark was scudding along with a rough sea and moderate wind, but on the alarm of “Man overboard” being given, she was rounded to, and the starboard life-boat was lowered, manned by the chief officer and four men. A search for the unfortunate man was made, but owing to the sea he could not be discovered, but the boat steered to the spot where he was last seen. Here they found him floating, but exhaused, clinging for bare life to the legs of a huge albatross.
    The bird had swopped down on the man while the latter was struggling with the waves, and attempted to peck him with his powerful beak. Twice the bird attacked his prey unsuccessfully, being beaten off by the desperate sailor battling with two enemies-the water and the albatross-both greedy and insatiable. For the third time the huge white form of the bird hovored over the seaman preparatory to a final swoop. The bird, eager for its meal, fanned its victim with its wide-spread wings. Suddenly it occurred to him that the huge form so close to his face might become his involuntary rescuer. Quick as thought he reached up and seized the bird, which he proceeded to strangle with all his might. The huge creature struggled with wings and paddles to free itself.
    In the contest the sailor was beaten black and blue, and cruelly lacerated, but he held his own, and slowly the bird quivered and died. The carcas floated lightly on the waves, its feathers forming a support for the exhausted man, who had so narrowly escaped a lingering death.
    But another danger awaited him. He was not much of a swimmer, and the excitement of the extraordinary conflict began to tell upon him. He was faint and grew giddy. But with one arm around the albatross’s body under the wings, and a hand clutching the bird’s feet, the sailor awaited his chance of rescue. Presently he heard his comrades shout from the boat; and in a few minutes more was safe on board the bark, though a good deal shaken and exhausted.-Harper’s Young People.
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