The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-03-10


combat. First, at a distance from the
ship, whale was seen foundering in a
most extraordinary way, lashing the
smooth sea into perfect foam, and en-
deayoring apparently to extricate himself
from some annoyance. As he approach
ed the ship, the struggling continuing and
becoming more violent, 1t was perceived
that fish, apparently about twenty feet
long, held him by the jaw, his contor-
tons, spouting and throessall betokening
the agony OF the huge monster. The
whale now threw himself at full length
from the water, with open mouth, his
pursuer still hanging to the jaw. the blood
issuing from the wound IL dyeing the sea
to distance around; but all his founder
ings were of no avail; his pertinacious
enemy still maintained his hold, and was
evidently getting the advantage Of him.
Much alarm seemed to be felt by the
many other whales around. These
''killers," as they are called, are of a
brownish color on the back, and white on
| the belly, with long dorsal fin. Such
was the turbulence with which they pass
ed, that a good view could not be had Of
! them to make out more nearly the de-
scription. These fish attack a whale in
the same was as dogs bait bull, and
worry him to death. They are armed
with strong sharp teeth and generally
seize the whale by the lower jaw. 1t is
said that the only part Of them they eat
is the tongue. The whalers give some
marvellous account of these killers, and of
their immense strength; among them that
they have been known to drag whale
away from several boats which were
towingit TO the ship.
A MEETING IN THE ANTARTIc SEAS
At four P. NJ, discovered ship ahead,
and shortly after another was made, both
stanling to the northward: the brig hauled
up to the northwest, intending to cutthem
off and speak to them, supposing them to
be the Vincennes and the Peacock. Short
ly afterwards they were seen to be stran-
gers, being smaller ships than our own.
At fifty minutes past four the Porpoise
hois;ed her colors. Knowing that an
English squadron under Captain Ross,
was expected in these seas, Lieutenant
Commandant Ringgold took them from
his ships, and was, as he says, ''prepar-
ing 10 cheer the discoverer of the North
Magnetic Pole" Sat fifty minutes past
four, being within a mile and half, the
strangers showed French colors: the lee
ward and sternmost displayed a broad
pennant. Concluded now that they
must be the French discovery ships under
Captain D'Urville, on a similar service
service with ourselves. DESTROYS of
speaking and exchanging the usual and
Customary compliments incidental to ma
val life, closed with the strangers. de-
string TO pass within hail under the flag
ships stern.
While gaining fast, and being within
musket shot, my intentions too evident to
excite doubt. so far from any reciprocity
being evincede, | saw with surprise sail
making by boarding the main tack on
board the flag ship. Without a mo-
ment's delay hauled down my colors
and bore up on my own course before the
wind" 1t is with regret that mention
the above transaction, and it cannot but
excite the surprise of all that such cold
repulse should have come from French
commander, when the officers of that na-
ton are usually so distinguished for their
politeness and attention. 1t was with no
small excitement heard the report Of it,
hot Of
alike engaged upon an arduous and haz-
ardous service, In so remote region, sur
rounded with every danger navigators
could be liable to, should meet and pass
without even the exchange of common
civilities, and exhibit none of the kind
feelings that the situation would naturally
awaken. How could the French com
mander know that the brig was not IN
distress or i'll want of assistance! By
refusing to allow any communication with
him, he not only committed wanton
violation of all proper feeling, buta breach
of the curtesy due from one nation to
another Il is difficult to imagine what
could have prompted him to such
course.
REVOLVING CUsToMs OF THE FFEJEE
IsLANDs.-Not only do many Of the ma
tives desire their friends to put them to
death TO escape decrepitude, or immolate
themselves with similar view, butfami-
les have such repugnance TO having de-
formed or manned persons among them
that those who have met with such mis-
fortunes are almost always destroyed.
An instance Of this sort was related to
me, when a boy, whose leg had been
bitten off by shark, was strangled, al
though he had been taken care of by one
of the white residents, and there was
every prospect Of his recovery. No 9TH
er reason was assigned by the perpetra-
tors Of the deed, than that, if be had lived
he would have been disgrace to his famI-