The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-03-06
G hasing a w h ale.

APRIL 9TH, 1913. We were running down
for the Albadra Islands with n fine steady
breeze. The morning was bright and clear
and the water of that peculiar color which
whalemen regard as the favorite resort for
whales. | had the forenoon watch below,
and was just congratulating myself upon get
ting through with my "doubie attitudes
when the loud, clear voice ola man at the
mast head came ringing down the forecastc
"There she blowsw was the thrilling cry
"That's once!" shouted the captain
%rhat's twice, by lingo"
There she blows"
"Three times? Where away, Tabor"
"Otf the weather bow, sir. two points,"
SLOW far?"
"a mile and half There she blows"
'Spcrm whale! Call all hands,"
There was n rush OH deck, each man try
ing to get TO the scuttIe first. Then came
halfa dozen loud knocks, and hoarse voice.
shouting;
"Larboard watch, ahoy! Turn out, my lads!
Sperm whale in sight! Heave out Lash
and carry! Rise and Chime! Bear ahand,
my lively hearties!"
Those who were "tuIned in' rolled ont ms
soon as possible, and buckled OH their ducks,
and in less than two minutes we were all on
deck, ready for orders The tubs were put IN,
the mainyard hauled aback.-We all now
perched ourselves in the rigging, and kept n
sharp look ont on every side for the whales
next rising. Twenty minutes elapsed since
the spout was first seen: twenty five passed,
and the captain began to get into a 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
ublquity, sang out:
"There she blows; there she blows"
"Where now?" roared the captain.
"OH the weather quarter. Two large
sperm whales, sir Go it boots"
"Clear away the boats-Come down from
the mast head all you that don't belong there,
Bear hand, we'll take them this rising"
shouted the captain, ina fierce sharp voice
"AIl ready. SIR"
"Lower away, them"
The waist and larboard boards were in
stantly down, ready to "bend on" Captain
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, l was as
tough and muscular as my comrades, the
boat danced along the waterin fine style. Al
though the arboard boat was much easier
pulled, and had the Oldest and stoutest of the
whole crew,we contrived, by unusual eXer-
lions to keep ahead off her, till the real ''tug OF
war" came. Then was our mettle put to the
test. One ofthe whales was leisurely max
ing TO windward not more than halfa mile
off.
"Lay back, my lads" cried P, pale
with excitement. "Keep the larboard boat
astern. Never say die. That's our whale.
Oh, do spring--do spring. No nose-stead-
y and soft's the word"
We applied to this appeal by "piing up the
agony" on the oars. Away sprang our boat,
trembling and quivering as she darted
through the waves. She really seemed to
imbibe the general excitement as she parted
the clear blue water, and dashed it toatning
from her bows Onward we flew. The lar
board boat was hard upon our stern; the
whale rolling lazily in the trough ofthe sea-,
a few darts ahead. ....
"Oh, lay back, lay back" whispered P
trembling with eagerness not to be outdone
by the mate. "Do spring, ny boys, if you
love gin. Now is your time, now or never.
Oh, see him, see him, how quiet he lies. Put
the beef on your oars, every mothers son of
you. Pile it on, pile it on.-Thats the way
to tell it. Our whale this time" .....
"Stand up, Tabor" cried in q low
voice.
Peaking his oar, Tabor sprang to his feet,
and grasped harpoon.
"Shall / give him two irons"
"Yes he may be wild"
Another stroke or two and we were nara
upon him. Tabor, with unerrlng ann, let ny
his irons, and buried them to the Sockets l"
the huge carcass ofthe whale.
"Stern ALL Numbered P
HStern alp, echoed the crew, but 1t was
too late. Our bows were high and dry on
the whales headl Infurated with the pam
produced by the harpoons, and doubtless
much astonish to find his head so roughly u
sed, he rolled halfover flashing the sea with
his aul.nr md In Lis .st,.lI nnes dnShinQ in two