The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-04-15
For the Wing Standard.
KILLING A WHALE.
From. MS. Journal entitled IA Cruise IN Whaler."
BY JACK BOWLINE.

hllILlINU "A w I1hLC.
From MS. Journal entitled A Cruise in Whaer. !"
BY JACK BowLINE.
%2 April 9, 1913
We.were running down for the Aldabra islands,
with fine steady breeze. The morning was
bright and clear, and the water was of that pecu-
liar color which whalemen regard as the favorite
resort for whales. | had forenoon watch below,
and was just congratulating myself upon getting
through with my "double attitudes" when the
loud, clear voice of man at the masthead came
ringing down the forecastle--
',There she blows !" was the thrilling cry.
"That's once - shouted the captain.
"There she blows -
"That's twice, by jingo!"
There she blows ~
"Three times. Where away, Tabor!'
"Of the weather bow, sir, two points"
" How far :"
"a mile and a half. There she blows!'
"Sperm whale Call all hands !"
There was a rush on deck, each man trying to
get to the scuttle first. Then came half dozen
loud knocks, and hoarse voice shouting
"Larboard watch, ahoy! Turn out my lads !
Sperm whale in sight! Heave out heave out
Lash and carry Rise and chime Bear hand,
my lively hearties!''
Those who were turned in" rolled out as soon
as possible and buckled on their ducks, and in less
than two minutes we we're all on deck, ready for
orders The tubs were put in the boats, and the
manyard hauled aback. We all now perched
ourselves in the rigging, and kept sharp look
out on every side for tine whales next rising
Twenty minutes elapsed since the spout was first
seen; twenty-five passed, and the captain began
to get into state of nervous anxiety. We
strained our eyes in all directions to snake
spout" Half an hour flew by, and no spout was
seen. 1t began to look like hopeless case, when
Tabor, whose visual organs appeared to have the
power of ubiquity, sang out
There she blows there she blows -
"Where now :" roared the captain.
"Off the weather quarter Two large sperm
whales, sir. Go it boots -
"Cear away the boats Come down from the
masthead all you that don't belong there Bear
a hand-we'll take them this rising !" shouted the
captain, in fierce, sharp voice.
Sail ready, sir"
Lower away, then ~ ra I|
The waist and larboard boats were instantly
down, ready to "bend on" Capt A ----- and
some, of his boats-crew being too i'll to man the
other boat, we struck off for the whales without
them. pulled the aft oar, as usual and, as by
this time / was as tough and muscular as my
comrades, the boat danced along the water in fine
STYLE Although the larboard boat was much
easier pulled, and had the oldest and stoutest Of
the whole crew, we contrived by unusual exer-
tons to keep ahead of her, till the real '4tug Of
war came Then was our metal put to the
test One of the whales was leisurely making
to windward not more than half mile of.
Lay back, my lads I" cried Pope, pale with
excitement" keep the larboard boat astern =
Never say die That's our whale Oh, do spring
do spring! No noise STEADY and soft's the
word"
We replied to this appeal by "piling up, the
agony" on the oars. Away sprang our boat,
trembling and quivering she darted through
the waves. She really seemed to imoioe the
general excitement as she parted the clear blue