The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1857-12-23
CHEwED UpBY A WHALE.
BIZ y. P. WILLIS.

My most interesting acquaintance at
Seonscet, was Nantucket skipper" who
had once been chewed up by whale
his surviving to tell the story, Of course
being simply because the dainty leyiathan
not liking the taste of him, had dropped
the willing nlouthful out again upon the
clean table-cloth ofthe ocean. This was
forty years ago; and it is rare instance
you will allow, ola morsels proving pleas
ant company so long after being rejected
BY reluctant stomach at sea!
l should ask pardon, however, for
speaking thus Familiarity of one of the
best specimens of manhood that | have
ever had the happiness to meet-a sea-
captain now in his seyenty-third year, as
tall, straight, vigorous and cheerful, at
this advanced age, rs when "mate' at
wenty-fve-one of the most respectable
citizens New Bedford, at present, and
enjoying comfortable independence from
the capture of the whale that wouldn't eat
him, and of other whales who similarly
left him unswalowed. But [ must give
You the particulars of the half mast-ication
of Captain Gardner-who, by the way,
in addition to bis singular experience as a
mouthful, has the popularity Of being the
son Of the first white male child born on
Nantucket.
Newly arrived at the honors of cap
taincy, our Nantucket skipper was crui
sing along the coast of South America
Just off Peru-when there was q cry from
the mast -head-''A whale hop The di-
rection was given, the sails trimmed for
the oyertaking of the monster, and when
within a mile, the boats were lowered,
each with its crew of six, the Captain him.
self taking the harpoon of the advancing
boat which WAS selected to make the as
saut. ..
Quietly ahoat lay the annphibious Shy
lock Of the sea. (the levi--athan belongs
] take it. to the tribe Len, )and, as the
boat came within happening distance, the
inevitable iron, hlnlod by that strong arm,
penetrated to his vitals Not as usual
however, did the struck monster dive out
of sight; but turning and making straight
for his enemies, he rolled his huge bulk to
get fairer grip, and brought his jaws to-
gether upon the boats prow-the forward
half of that slight structure, Captain all,
disappearing like the best part ofan apple
tart in the MUNICH of hungry school boy.
The remainder of the crew, the helms
man, and four oarsmen, had jumped over
board; and, as the whale, with another
roll, dived down to die, out Of sight, he
threw up the unswallowcl Captain-the
relief-boat pulling instantly to the spot and
taking the crushed morsel and the five
swimmers safely from the water.
1t was the chewed-up right hand of the
Captain as he sat by me at the table,
which had first excited my curiosity
Stimulating the inquiries which drew from
him at last, this thrilling story the
stunar or what was visible below the coat
sleeve, looking ike twisted ropes end,
but still retaining clutch enough to carry
the chowder-spoon to his mouth -Four
of the whales teeth were driven into him;
one entering his skull, q second breaking
his collar bone, third breaking his arm,
and the fourth crushing his hand-the re-
mainder of his body being simply squeez-
ed into jelly. The healing of the wound
in the head left a cavity like the inside of
an ege-shell! and though the hair has
crown over it, hair still brown and thick
with the stubborn vitality of an un-kill-a-
bic Nantucketor, it tells after forty years,
the size of the tooth that did it. [ laid
the ends ofmy three fingers very COM
fortably in the hollow.
But after all the history Of this perilous
adventure seems to be the most remarkable
part of With crew composed almost
entirely of well grown boys, and the
ship lying hecalmed in mid ocean-six
days sail from any port, even with fair
fair wind-how was this crushed and min
gled sufferer to be doctored and be cared
for'
Captain Gardner, providentially, though
so nearly eaten up, retained full possess
ion of his senses. His first mate was
young, but very smart lad, and possess
ed fortunately, of Yankee aptitude
good at everything; and with the aid of
the sufferers directions, he did the work
of a surgeon. The Captain ordered him
first to make splints, and then to set his
broken arnl-the collar bone being left to
heal ITSELF unset, las it is this day without
perceptibly affecting his shape or the