Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1852-03-04

I
cupidity-holding out that we nigh
possibly get him into some souther,
port.
81 do not order one of you TO q
in the boats," l said, "but who vii
volunteer Let me say 10 thei
credit every American in the shiJ
stepped out at once, followed by al
but one native and Two Eng!ishmen
II ordered the boat-steerers and of
lfcers to examine and see that every
thing in and about the boats was ii
perfect order. had already jumped
into my boat when The Serpent be,
gan TO move quite rapidly, and il
was necessary to stand after him
The wind was piping uP strongly
but as we gained 1 continued &c
carry all sail, hoping TO be able to
lower before the gale rendered il
impossible. The Serpent worked to
windward, which compelled ne to
haul on the wind, and soon af.er
| carried away my loretop gallant
mast; this was most unlucky for US,
and what was still worse we lost
sight of the monster. We repaired
damages with all possible despatch,
and still kept on the wind hoping
TO see his snakeship. In less than
an hour we saw him again, but
some ways TO windward; soor as
certaining that he partly turned
and was headed baft our beam, ]
put the ship about on the other
tack. The wind had increased so
much that was obliged 10 put a
single reef in the fore and mizzsn
top sails. The Serpent disappeared
for a few minutes again, but when
he rose he was a mile ahead OF the
ship and going slowly TO leeward,
having made complete circuit.
l frankly admit my hopes were
feeble of ever really capturing him,
and the gale made me hesitate about
lowering, but the time arrived, tue
Serpent was still, and we nearly a
half mile to windward. come 10
with the head yards aback to have a
better control Of all the ship, and
told the ship-keepeE to keep close to
Us, and bv no means TO lose sight OF
us for an instant. We lowered, my.
self taking the lead, and in a few
,strokes-the wind and sea carrying
US to leeward-I told the boal-steer-
er, James Whitemore of Vermont,
to s'Stand up;" with cain. anu cool
intrepidity he laid hold of bis iron,
(harpoon,) and when | beckoned
with a movement of my hand, quick
as thought both Of his weapons were
buried to the socket in the rePuiSive
body before Us. | shouted "Stern,"
but there was no visible motion of
his snakeship. | shifted ends with
the boat-steerer, and cleared away a
lance as quick as possible, beckoning
them TO pull up, that might get
lance, when a movement Of the
body was visible, and the head and
tail of the monster rushed as i, were
to touch the wound. The frightlul-
ness OF the head, as it approached
the boat, filled the crew with terror,
and three of them jumped overheard.
| instinctiveIy held out my lance
and its sharp point entered the eye
Il was knocked over and felt
deep churning Of the water around
mel rose 10 the surface and caught
a glimpse Of the writhing body, and
was again struck and carried down;
| partly los! my consciousness under
water, but recovered it when | rose
again. in the bloody foam, the Snake
had disappeared, and Ishouted, "Pick
up the line" The third mate, Mr..
Benson, caught blight Of my line
near the end, and bent on his, which
in an instant began TO be taken out
rapidly. The mate picked me up as
soon as | Irose to the surface, and in a
few minutes all were picked up-one
was severely brusied and another in
sensible, but he recovered, and both
are now well. The Snake had taken
my line, the third mates, and was
taking the second mates, when !
ordered the mate 10 bend on and
give his line 10 the ship. The snake
was sounding, and | cautioned the
officers not TO hold on too hard for
fear Of drawing the irons. At frs,
the line went out rapidly, bat de-
creased gradually, nevertheless |
was Obliged TO get up a spare line
out of the fore hold and bend on
For fear that the ship would by its
weight on the line draw the irons, ]
put on several drags and gave the
line TO the mate, when il became
stationary. There was now out
four boats lines, 225 fathoms in,
boat. and two-third's Of another line,
100 fathoms more-in all one thou
sand fathoms, six feet in afathom-
six thousand feet-better than one
mile and an eight, an enormous depth,
and the pressure at that distance is
inconceivable. 81 taf