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I used to swim across the channel to
Rattlesnake Island when I lived on Tyndall
Air Force Base , across the bay from
Panama City , Florida . We all knew the sharks
loved the funneling action of the channel
to the bay . And we were always aware that
there were sharks near by . We saw them
everyday . Yet the allure of the island just
a scant one hundred yards was too much
temptation for a ten year old boy to pass up .
So I would , along with Joe my best buddy ,
swim across holding our rod and reels high so
they would not get soaked in sea water . I admit
that there was apprehension evident in my
strokes and kicks but we made it safely across .
On the other side there were no rattlesnakes
anywhere . Just gorgeous unclaimed white
sand beaches and aqua clear water .
Needle fish scooted across the surface and
schools of mullet were jumping for all to see .
I did little or no fishing , just running and jumping
into the surf . What an afternoon it was . But the
sun slid down and we knew we had to leave
soon as the big sharks move in at dusk
to feed into the night .
So we stepped into the swirling waters of
the channel and then plunged in and starting
swimming . Sharks have all black eyes and an
expressionless grin that is all business .It sports
a mouth full of jagged dagger like teeth . They
are cautious up to a point but no one knows
where that point is . Once that point is reached
. . . well you don't want to see that point while
you are in the water .
So about half way across the channel we see a
dark shadow swim by in front of us . Between
us and the beach we are heading to . We know
it's a shark , a big one . Perhaps more than
fifteen feet long . We can't stay where we are
at, but we fear to move on . So finally , taking a
deep breath we swim on , slow and steady .
Finally the beach is at hand . Our feet touch
sand and we run up on the beach and collapse .
Then with heaving chests of fear we look back
only to see the shark swim by again . Needless
to say that was my last visit to Rattlesnake
Island .