Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-11-21
Inclaents 81 Spernl IEhallng.

The good barqne Fish was lying be.
calned OFF The west end Of Celebes, with
a large sperm whale alongside, ready 10
cut ID. The sea was smooth as 4 pond.
and the sun as hot as blazes.
'lnboard there! shouted the mate, who
was ON . stage over the side; 'inboard
there, ahoyr
Sir, was the response.
'Whnse hook on is it q
Mime responded voice from the half
deck, and up bounded Tom, a smart
young boat-steerer, with nothing on hut a
pair Of drawers. In couple Of winks he
made a dash at the open gangway overs
board, for he was good smimmer, but
nnIuckIly his foot slipped, and instead Of
Jumping ontside of the whale, which was
evidently. his intention, the back of his
bead struck the ridge Of the whale, and
he went down with his hands extended
over his head. All who saw him sup
posed he was going down fathom or two
to cool off. aud expected him up again in
a few seconds but not appearing soon,
the men along the gangway and The mates
upon tile stages roared out, Hes g0ne
save him. bnyss and IN second FIVE of
Our best swimmers plunged after him, and
a boat was lowered at the same time.
I3at il was all in vain poor Tom rose
no more; even the men plunged after
him only saw d shoalof sharks descending
in the direction they supposed he was
sinking. No doubt lie was devoured in
less Than five minutes after he jumped
overheard. Shoals Of sharks generally
keep company with whalers, especially
when they have whales alongside, and
dash at everything that is thrown over
board. They would eat whales bIub~
Der In d tight, if not kept off BY spades
and lances. These sharp instruments
are appreciated BY them--they seem to
know that their touch is death. and in
ssinctinely, keep respectable distance,
uHtil the carcass Is surrendered to them in
due form then they hare b blow out and
q free fight, without Interference from
salt beef surgeons.
RDor Tom had taken his last dive.
Tile boat after pulling astern, following
the Get of the current for reasonable
Tins. returned and vas Iloistecl up in sill.
ence The men were too oppressed with
u sing tie usual song, and walked for
wafd without exchanging word. The
captain had walked the qaarler-deck full
Eve minutes, apparently LOST ia tlought,
when fhe man Il glae mast head sung ont,
There she blows there again- there's |
two 0f them.
sHT1s3rs ~ IL ~, y,
spfingIag into the main rigging.
glit astefn, sir large wllalesl There
goes hukes. headed across the ships wake /
90 port There she blows, there again,
continued The lookout, and soon the cap
tain end mates aereup alongside Of him.
Clear aGvay the b0aEs shouted the /
eapian aad gas ready ia lower away !! /
DsWs from alofG sEip4keeper. away /
assis ind keep good look out.
AlI hands Nefs on lliemnYe, full of life /
ard animation. Poor Tom was forgot-
Ten ii the excitement of the moment ii
vas nat Mnfil tlaa captains boat had drop. /
ped asseFn that he recalled III mind the /
fase II his boat ssseerefs by liis absence
from she bow aE ssig boat but seeing the
caoia bo looking over ths taffail, he
snu@ ogsf
egeEb0arl, kSGlis aEia II pick I
wast gou % pell lsle afteF orr.
hE x8aaasHt' hesitation, ID iltWas
g board fathana deep. bat rose 10 the
sssrsaee lilEe cork and was dragged on
b1ard
Now said the captain, who vas loy-
ial YOUNG fellow, and delighted to identify |