Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-07-02
New Series, Vol. 9...NO. I.

ing,
Larboard watch ahoy Turn out nv lads
sperm whale in sight ITeave ont Lash and
, curry h'se and Chime ! Bear hand, my live
~ hcartcs ?
; Those who were rolled in rolled out as onick
as possible, and bnckled on their ducks, and
IN less than two minutes were all on deck ready
lor orders. The tubs were put in the boats and
the main yard hauled aback. We all now per-
ched ourselves in the rigging, and kept sharp
look-out on every side for the whales next rising
twenty minutes elapsed since the spout was
hrst seen twenty-five passed and the captain
began to get into a state of nervous anxiety
We strained our eyes in all directions to make
a 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 ubiqnty sang out
There she blows there she blows =
| Where now I roared the captain.
or the weather quarter Two large sperm
whales, SIR, Go it, boats
Clear away the boats Come down from tho
mast head, all you that don't belong there ! Bear
a hand welt take them this rising shout
ed the captain, in fierce, sharp voice
All ready, sir
| Lower away, them.
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, at 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 the stoutest
OF the whole crew. we contrved, by unusual ex-
ertions, to keep ahead of her, till the real tug
Of war come. Then was our mette put to the
test One of the whales was esurely making
to wndward not more than half mile Off
Lay back INV lads : cried p, pale with
excitement. Keep the arboarl boat astern -
Never say die That's our whale Oh, do
spring-do spring No noise 1! Steady and
sofi's the word
We replied to this appeal by piling up the
agony OH our oars. Away sprang our boat,
trembling and quivering as she dar'ed through
the waves. She really seemed to mbibc the
general excitement as she parted the clear blue
water. and dashed it foaming from her bows
Onward we flew The larboard bow was hard
upon our stern the whale rolling lazly in the
trough of the sea- few darts ahead.
'Oh, lay back lay back = whispered p
trembling with eagerness not to be outdone by
the mate. Do spring, my boys, if you love
gin Now's your time Now or never Oh,
see him ! how quiet he lies Put the beef on
your oars, every mothers son of you. Pile it on
pile it on That's the way to tell it Our whale
this time =
Stand up, Tabor ! cried p, in low
voice
Peaking his oar, Tabor sprung to his feet, and
gra sped harpoon.
Shall give him two irons ??
Yes; he may be Wild
Another stroke or two aud we were ard nm
on him. Tabor with unerring aim let fly his
irons, and buried them to the sockets in the
, huge carcass of the whale.
Stern all : Numbered p.
Stern all : echoed the crow but it was too
late. Oar bows were high and dry on the
whales head. Infuraed by the pain produced
, by the larpoons. and doubtless much astonshed
+ to find his head so roughly used, he rolled half
over flashing the with his tukes. and in his
struggles dashed in two of the upper planks
Boat stove boat stove was the general cry.
Silence : Numbered the second mate, as he
! sprang to the bow, and exchanged places with
Tabor All safe my heartes Stern hard
!, stern, stern, before he gets his iukes to bear
upon us.
Stern all = shouted we, and in moment
> more we were out of danger. The whale now
turned ilukes, and dashed off To wndward with
the speed OF locomotive, towing MS after him at
, a glorious rate. We occasionally Stacked line
in order to give him plenty of playa stiff
breeze had sprang mp. causing rough, choppng
sea and we leaked badly in the bow blanks. 1t
fell to my lot TO keep the water bailed ont and
the line clear as the others hauled in. ticklish
job, the last for as the second mate said, sin
Gle turn would whip oil shin as slick as goose
grease.
Notwithstanding the roughneSs of the sea. we
shot ahead with incredible swi.tness and the
way we walked past the larboard boat whose
crew were tugging and laborng with all their
might, was surprising.
Hoora for the waist boat : burst from every