The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-07-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
For the Daily Press.
Adventures in the Pacific.
BY HARRY MINcER.


@what do you see alof, there?r sung out
Captain Piper to the boatsteerer at the main
top-galant cross-trees.
II can't make it out, sir; there's white wa
ter about three miles off-two points on the
lee bow.
"Put that wheel up roared the skipper
asquare In the main yard, haul down the head
sheets, ,'-and, with spy-glass thrown over his
back, he mounted the fore-rigging, in the joy
full expectation of raising sperm whale.
Reader, were you ever in whale ship. and
reader, were you ever whaling9 Ihope not
Well, if you wish to behold human nature
in its many phases, just try two years before
the mast in whale ship. But to my story.
The above scene occurred on that great
cruising ground for sperm whales, known to
whalemen as the "ofi-shore ground" The first
intimation we had of anything being in sight,
was the fact of whistling Jack, the boatsteerer
on the lookout aloft, having ceased his warb-
lings, and was now observed to have his eyes
intently fixed upon something on the distant
horizon, and who now seemed like one in a
trance, with his head thrown forward from his
chest, as he "made OUT the object, preparatory
to giving that cry--so soul-awakening to the
whaleman-so inspiring In its effect.
But @Whistling jack had been observed by
the everything eye of Capt. Piper, who, but
just aroused from sleep, was still Illuminating
upon the bright visions of oil and cents per
gallon, which generally were the sole burdens
of his dreams.
Up went the wheel, and up went Capt. Pip
er; and as the ship slowly drew down to the
spot at which 'white water had been seen all
hands Of the watch, then on deck, were eager
ly, If not anxiously speculating as to its ma
ture. Not a sound above whisper was to be
heard, except the voice of the skipper, to the
man at the wheel, as he bade him to "mind his
steering;" "don't fall off any more" and such
like other iujunctions.
Il guess we are near enough soliloquized
the eager captain. "Haul back the main yard"
This done, all were upon the lookout"
Twenty minutes of suspense had passed, but
nary sign Of the leviathan, and the poor skip
per had turned to descend, with unwilling step,
when
"There she breaches-there she blows
came from our grey-headed Nantucket mate,
who, standing on the house aft, beheld the
monster as he broke water directly in the wake
of the ship, and but one short half-mile away.
Slip, slip, slide, slide, came the skipper, and
"where away?" from his lips came forth in
fragmentary parts.
"Call that internal watch below" said he, in
big excitement. "Stand by the boats every
man--Liyely, boys; pass in your lines. Re
lieve the wheel, here, you nigger. Iwant that
man In the boat"-and amidst the confusion so
incident to such scenes, up piled the watch from
below, each man carrying his garments in his
hand, all, from being SO suddenly aroused from
their dreams of home, as to be under the mo-
mentary impression that the ship was sinking.
This idea was soon dssipated by the gentle ad-
monitions Of Capt. Piper, accompanied by sun
dry threats which were, however, never in
tended TO be put into execution.
"Hoist and swing-lower away" and in we
tumbled, each one feeling, as he left the ships
side, uncertain as to whether he should return
TO Chamber up again.
'Out oars, and pull away" and Off we sped,
four boats Of us, In chase of the greasy war
rior, and as we shortened the distance between
us and him, so also increased the excitement.
1t was my lot to pull the mid oar of the lar
board boat, under the charge of the scrap
island" mate; and as we bent the ashen blades,
six hearts would at times leap into six throats
at the thought of what was coming.
"Pul hard and strong-two boats length
off, oh do pull, boys, there she lays and rolls
and rolls like log in the water-good boys
three dollars apiece if you will get me along
side of that fish," and as his pleadings and
promises poured forth, so did his agony in
crease, until, unable to contain himself longer,
he cried OUT -
Anything you want my brave lads,-ny
house, my share of the voyage, my rife, my
anything.-dont look over your shoulders, I'll
break your heads; spring hard, hard, hard y
and in voice of thunder, "Stand up, jack y
said he to the boat-steerer or harpooner
"Give it to him-are you fast ?r and seeing
the line commence to run out, continued -
"Change ends, oh for Gods sake, stern ~
as he beheld the whale, maddened with pain.
turn suddenly and make for the boat with
open jaws.