The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1857-05-16
laippopotamus Hnating.

|F 10 Cnt supply OF W0od Tor WhaAAg
cruise il work requiring some days,
aud even some weeks, and it had been
determined that the first, and If need be
the next day likewise, should be devoted
to q thorough inspection Of the facilities
Of the place, in order. that we might work
at q little disadvantage as possible.
sa Consequently we, the mate % boats
crew had been ordered to prepare for a
general cruise. We provided ourselves
with store Of bread and beef, filed the
boats breaker with water, spread our sail
to the light brccsc, and pointed tho boat's 8
bow towards the nearest island. On
landing, we found nought but wilder
ness Of low jungle, which was scarcely
pcnetrable, together with poor Mnding.
We examined three or four Of the islets,
and having at last fixed upon suitable
place where to commenceoperations, were
about TO return on board, when the mate
said, Ee4a s@@Gf4.. rs. es-&s s,..s
1 sTrim AFT, Tom, there's goed breeze,
fair coming and going, and we'll take a
look at the main land"
Accordingly, the boats head was laid
shoreward, and We spread ourselves out
at full length upon the thwarts, enjoying
an unusual treat Of some cigars which
our chief officer had good naturedly
brought with him. -l:~...1 ,...a,,5
When within about mile and half
Of the main land, We found the water
shoaling, being then not more than three
fathoms--eightecn feet--decp. s.., =.
81 saw black skin glisten in the sun
just them" said the boat stearer, who
was aft, the mate having stretched him.
self upon the bow thwart to take nap.
1t was nothing but putting pig"
said he, drowslly. # .a.r & ge s....s .
"Therc it is again, and no putting pig
either--nor--no,' said he, with some
al ,ra.:ou---t -t'nor anything else that wears
black skin that I ever saw before"
This had the effect Of rousing US ~ ev-
cry one casting his eyes ahead TO catch
sight Of the questionable black skim
as There he blows !--snd there again 7
and over here to, said several voices in
succession. e f@ I, ga3
at amt spout at ali, boys, lets pull
up and see what it is r sd
We took our oars, and, the boat was
soon darting forward ut good speed to-
ward the place where we had last seen
our curiosity.
s'Stern all" suddenly shouted the
mate, rs the boat brought up call 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 loud snort, and
iiacontinently dove down again almost be-
| fore we could geta fair leok at him.
,"What il it;' was now the question;
which no one could answer.
| Whatever it is" said the mate, whose
whaling blood as up, !" If it comes within
reach Of my iron, I'll make him fast to it,
| lads-so pull ahead" .t
We were az ain under headway, keeping
a bright lookout for the rcappcaranee OF
the stranger.
There they are, whole school, said
the mate, eagerly, pointing in shore, where
the glistcning of whitewater showed that
number Of non-descripts were evidently
enjoying themselves. "Now, boys, pull
hard, and we'll soon try their mettle.
There's something broke water, jus,
ahead, said the boat stearcr.
''Pull easy, lads---I see hiIn--therc--
way ugh-there's his back" a
'sStern all - shouted he, as he dartcd
: his iron into back ~ broad as small
sperm whales.
"Stern all--back water--back water
every man.
I Aud the internal beast made desperat,
! mngcs in every direction, making the wa
ter Ay almost equal to whale.
We could now see the whole shape 0
the creature, az, in his agony and surprise
: he raised high above the surface. We al
, recognised at once the Hippopotamus, a
. he is represented Ia hooks Of natura! his
tory. @t
. Our subject soon got little cooler, an,
giving savage roar, he bent his hea,
round until he grasped the shank Of tn
) iron between his teeth. With one jerk h
drew it out of his bleeding quarter, an,
! shaking it savagcly, dove down to the bot
: tom. The water was here about two faith
oins, and we could see the direction il
!, which he was travelling along the bottom
: by line Of blood, as well as by the al
bubbles which rose to the surface as b
). breathed
! "Giye me another iron, Charley, an
We III not give him u chance to pull it GU
the next time ..-...
ID The iron was hauled up, and we slowl
{ sailed IN the direction which our prize wa
K following along the bottom.
J. s"Here's two or three OF them astern Q
= us, said the boat stearcr.
$ just then, two more rose, one on eithe
b side of the boat, and in rather unpleasar
n proximity, and before We had begun to r,
r. alize our situation, the wounded beas
J. unable longer TO stay beneath the surfae
came up TO breathe,
g .'Pull ahead little; let's get out of tn
g snarl Lay the boat around d--so--sterl
Q ALL" and the iron was planted deep in til
r neck of our victim. With roar loult
!. than dozen ofthe Wild bulls of Madsga
1t car, thu now .naadened beast made for til
II boat. e' 4M
"Back water back, Isay! Takedow
this boatsail and stern all Stern {,
your lives, men"' as two moro appcare
a by tn bows, evidently preparing TO asst
u their comrade He was making the "
= ter fy in all directions, and having fails
: TO reach the boat, was now vainly essayin
to, grasp the. iron, which the mate hi
= purposely put into his short neck, so clo