Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-08-23
From Brownies Whaling Cruize.
A VIVA L e III A s Z.

lie morning was UTISlt anu CLEAR. anu Tie
water of that peculiar color which whale
men regard as the favorable resort for
whales. ha6 the forenoon watch below,
and was just congratulating myself upon
getting through with my double attitudes,
when the loud clear voice of a man at the
mast head came ringing down the forecas-
tie.
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 p
of the weather bow. sir, two points
sHow far p
"A mile and half: There she blows
Sperm whale! Call all hands!'
There was general rush on deck each
man trying to get to the scuttle FIRST
Then came half dozen loid knocks, and
hoarse voice, shouting,
Larboard watch ahoyl Turn out, my
lads? Sperm whale in sight! Heave out!
Lash and carryl Rise and chime! Bear
hand, my hearties.'
Those who had turned In, rolled out as
soon as possible, and buckled on their
ducks, and In less than two minutes we
were all on deck, ready for orders. The
tubs were put in the boat and the main
yard hauled aback. We all perched our
selves in the rigging, and kept sharp
lockout 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 state Of
nervous anxiety. We strained our eyes
in all directions to make 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,
sThere she blows!'
sWhere now p roared the captain.
of the weather quarter! Two large
sperm whales, sir. Go it boats!'
Clear away the boats! Come down
from the masthead, all you that don't be-
long there!' Bear hand? Well take
them this rising, shouted the captain, in
loud voice.
'All ready sir
Lower away then!
The waist and larboard boats were in
stantly down, ready TO bend on Cap
tain And some Of the 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
any of 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 exertions,
to keep ahead of her, till the real tug Of
war came. Then was our mettle put to
test! One of the whales was leisurely
making to windward, not more than half
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
noise, steady, and soft's the word
We replied to this appeal by "pulling
up the agony" on the oars. Away sprang
our boat, trembling and shivering as she
darted through the waves. She really
seemed to imbibe the general excitement
as she parted the clear blue water, and
dashed it foaming from her bows. On
ward we flew /! The larboard boat was
hard upon our stern the whale rolling
lazily in the trough Of the sea, a few darts
ahead.
oh, lay back! whispered P,
trembling with eagerness not to be out
done by the mate. DO spring, my boys.
If you love life! Now's your time!-
Now or never! Oh, see him! see him F!
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 a
low voice.
Peaking his oar, Tabor sprung TO his
feet, and grasped harpoon.
Shall give him two irons -
Yes he may be Wild
! Another stroke or two and we were
hard upon him. Tabor, with unerring
aim, lei fly his irons, and buried them to
the sockets in the huge carcase Of the
whale.
Stern all thundered P.
Stern ALL echoed the crew but It was
too late. Our bows were high and dry on
the whales head! lnfuriated with the
pain produced by the harpoons and doubt
less much astonished to find his head so
roughly used, he rolled half over, lashing
the sea with his fukes, and in his strug-
giles dashing i'll 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 hear
ties! Stern hard! stern stern before he
| gets his fiukes to bear upon u.s.
| Stern all = shouted we, and in a mo-
ment more we were out Of danger. The
whale now turned fiukes,' and dashed of
to windward with the speed Of a locomo-
tive, towing us after him at glorious rate.
We occasionally Stacked line in order
TO give him plenty Of play.
A stiff breeze had sprung up, causing a
rough chopping sea; and we leaked badly
in the bow. 1t fell to my lot to keep the
water bailed out and the line clear, as the
others hauled in; ticklish job, the last,