The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1856-12-05
Mtsttlldup.
From NordhoH's Whaling and Fishing.
HIPPoPoTAmUs HUNTING.

10 Gus supply OF MoQu loF WnAl-
ing cruise, is work requiring some
days, aud often even weeks. and II had
been determined that the 6rst, and i'll
need be the next day likewise, should be
devoted to a thorough inspection Of the
/ facilities Of the place. in order that we
might work at rs little disadvantage as
1 possible rn.u
Consequently we, the mates boats
crew. had been ordered to prepare for
general cruise. We provided ourselves
with a store Of bread and beef. filed the
boats breaker with water, spread our
sail 10 the light breeze, and pointed the
boats bow TO the nearest island. Land
ing here. we found nought but wilder
ness Of low Jungle, which was scarcely
penelrable, together with poor landing
We examined three or four Of the islets,
aud having at last fixed upon a suitable
place whore to commence operations,
were abont to return on board, when The
mate said:
Trim AFT, Tom, there's a good breeze
fair coming and going, and we'lltake a
look on the mainland
Accordingly. the boats head was laid
shoreward, aud we spread ourselves out
az full length upon the thwarts. enjoy
ing an unusual treat Of some cigars which
our chief officer had good nAturedly
brought with him.
When within about mile and a half
Of the main land, we found The water
shoaliog, being then not more than three
fathoms---eighteen feet deep.
| sV a. lii IN,
just then, said the boat steerer, who was
aft, the mate having stretched himself
upon the bow thwart to take a nap.
1t was nothing but apuaiug Pig said
he droWsily. .U l..H.
There il is again, and no putting pig
either nor porpoise--nor--no, said he
with some degree Of animation - nor
anything else that wears black skin that
l ever saw before .
This had the effect Of rousing us up,
every one casting his eyes ahead to catch
a sight Of the questionable black skim
There he blowsP - and there againP
'aud over here tool said several voices
in succession.
1t amt a spout at all, boys, let's pull
up and sec what IL is
We took to our oars, and the boat was
soon darting forward at good speed to-
wards the place where we had last seen
the object Of our curiosity. .l
Stern allp suddenly shouted the mate,
as the boat brought up 'all standing
against some object which we had not
been able to see on account Of the murk'
mess Of the water, the collision nearly
( throwing us upon OUR backs into the bot
tom of the boat. AS we backed off, an
enormous beast slowly raised his head
above the water, gave Il loud snort, and
incontinently dove down again, almost
before we could get a fair look at il. F .
What is it2' was now the question
s which no one could answer. I'D ..
Whatever il is, said the mate, whose
whaling blood was up, 'if it comes with
in reach of my iron, Ill make fast TO it,
lads---so pull ahead" ..I igaao
We weIe again under headwsy, keep
ing bright look out for the re appearance
of the stranger s..a
There they are, whole school, said
the mate. eagerly, pointing in shore,
where the glIstening Of white water
showed that number of the noudescrpts
were evidently enjoying themselves
Now, boys. pull hard, and Wen soon
!. try their mettle' q.
There's something broke water, just
ahead, sale the boatsteerer. f..
Pull easy. lads--I see him there
way enough-there's his backl' .i f-.a
: Stern all shouted he, as he darted his
iron into back as broad as a small sperm
whales. I.-
Stern all--back water--baek water,
every mani and the iu(uriat9d beast
made desperate lunges in every direction,
making the white water fly almos; equal
2 TO whale. af.I- ~ I. s.rp.
We could not see the whole shape Of
, the creature, as inhis agony aud surprise,
he raised himself high above the surface,
We all recognized at once the Hippo
potamus, as he is represented in books Of
i natural history. a.. ..tl
Our subject soon got little cooler and
giving savage roar, bent his head round
until he grasped the shank Of the iron
between his teeth. With one jerk he
drew it out Of his bleeding quarter, and
shaking it sayagely, dove down to the
d UebN0hAF q AAN WANNA NfN' ffNAN 'fs-F fr~Nt~r
two fathoms deep, and we could sec the
direction in whion he was travelling along
. the bottom, by line Of blood, as well as
by the air bubbles which rose to the sur
face as he breathed .E
lTFGive ma another irons Charley, aud
wen not give him chance 10 pull IL out
next time! H
The iron was halded up, and We slow
ly sailed in the direction which oul
} prize was following along the bottom.
Here's two OF three of them astern oi
US, said the boatsteerer. r1 tr
Just then two more rose, one on either
side Of the boat, and nrather unpleasant
proximity. and before we had begun Il
, realize our situation. the wounded beast
unable any longer to stay beneath th'
. surface, came mp TO breathe just ahead.
f Pull ahead little; let's get out Of
d this snsrl. Lay the boat aroupd--so--
c now, stern all, and the iron was planted
4 deep in the neck Of our victim. With Q
roar louder than dozen fthe wild bulll