The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-06-01

BrR. W. rRowBRIDor.

w uSIo away
Two points off our lee bow--'bout three
miles,
what spoutf
'Three spermP
AYE, aye, sirP
The above conversation occurred on board
the whaling | ark Gipsey in the South
Pacific Ocean, some years since. The sea
was rolling heavily, anc it seemed certain
death to venture out in no boats in such a
gale. But we had now been some three
months from New Bedford, and had cap
tured but one small whale of only fifty
barrels; the skipper was therefore deter
mined not to allow single chance to pass
by without making In effort to shorten the
time Of our probation. We were running
before the wind under reefed topsails, and
the waves mountain high, rolled nearly
over our poop and shook the brave little
bark, until she trembled as if in fear.
But for all this the men cheerfully obey
ed the orders to man the boats, for well
they knew that every whale taken lessened
the distance between them and their homes
or sweethearts, as the case might be.
In few minutes everything was prepar-
ed, and the men awaited further orders.
'All ready theres'
'Aye, aye, sir!
'Then lower away
A loud cheer, the ratiling Of the hemp
passing through the blocks, and the two
boats with their living freight touched the
sea. But they were not both destined to
engage in the sport, for large billow
sweeping past at that moment buried one
of them in its briny folds. A loud shrek,
piercing cry of some strong swimmer in
bis agony, and many poor fellow sank to
the bottom. A few, however wcre rescued
and the boat started off in pursuit of the
whales. Could we have done so without
risking our lives, wo would perhaps have
returned to the ship, but such was not to
he our fate.
Bv this time the whales had made sew
cral miles on their pursuers, and 1t seemed
an impossibility for us TO overtake them.
But The men, encouraged bv the voice of
the chief mate, chccrfully lay to their
long oars, until they bent with the force
tf the heavy pull.
/ was kept employed bailing ont the
heavy sea as it washed over us, for at cvc-
ry wave we were nearly swamped. The
sgnal from the bark told us our direction,
and after long pull of over three hours,
the monster of the deep rose not two hun
drcd yards distant from us. At this mo-
mcnt the mate stood up, and in harsh but
low tones cried through his closed teeth: :
Pull mcn--for your lives pull--two
moro strokes and we're on to him. That's
il; Gree morc; that'c the talk; inter him
with yer lance! Stern all ! he yelled now
loudly.
Two irons had been launched into the
back of tie largest Of the three, who now
felt that tie Philistincs were upon him,
and he lash,d his hukcs in manner per-
| fcctlv tcrrfc. The sea for yards around
was orc pool Of gore, tossed by the com.
bin influence Of The wind and tn, whale.
Soon he gathered himself for mighty
effort, and throwing forth a stream Of blood,
he started with the speed of ightnirg 10
windward. TEen came a scene terrific, yet
grand The line sped through the bolt
hole with n noise resembling the brewing
Of storm during calm, or the hmm OF
the swarming bees in tho silent underwood ;
while the friction caused sparks TO fly from
the wet wood.
On, on, went the little boat; now rising
to the top Of some huge wave, then bound
ing through the air to meet another
None but our light little skiff would have
lived through it. We had no time for
thoughts Of darger, for it was all around
us, and no one in the boat expected to be
alive for five minutes longer.
AsWe mounted the top Of a high billow
my eyes searched for the bark. She was
nowhere to be seen. Again l scancd the
horizon, but no sail nat my view. men
toned this to one of my companions, and
Immediately cut the rope that held his
whaleship to us. The shock nearly rent
the boat in pieces. but the men laying tc
their oars soon had her under way. We
all looked for the missing bark, but she
was not within the scope of our vision.
The storm after few hours abated, and
the heavy waves were changed to slow
rolling pillows. The clouds cleared away
from the horizon, leaving the sun jus
sinking to his watery bed. But where wal
the bark? This was question often ask
ed, but never answered. We had beer
saved from horrible death, only to meet
with one still more horrible!
We all knew that it was almost an i'm
possibility for the bark to find us in The
wide expanse of waters, and we saw moth
ing but a slow death by starvation await
ing us. Night came on, and the stars on
by one appeared to cast their gentle beam
upon us. One of these was taken for th,
barks light, but after rowing for some tim'
we discovered it TO be but world looking
down upon us.
Morning came, the sun arose and cas-
its burning beams upon the waters. Still
no bark The day passed, and again w
saw him leave us to light up the other sid
Of the world, and still no bark Anothc
night was spent in anxious longings for tn
morning which came again, but only u
disappcint those who wished him there.
The men began to despond, .heir hope
died out within their breasts. Not a par
ticle Of food had passed our lips for thcs
threo long days. The sun only rendered
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