Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-11-10
SAVED BYA WHALE.
IN adventure that Actually occurred.
by ". II. MACY.


"WE'LL nave 10 cut loose and let go.
It's almost ight and I'm afraid he viii
run us out of sight of the ship. With
light air she can never work up to US"
The speaker was Mr.. Ransom, second
mate Of the ship Crusader, Of New Bed
ford, in whose boat was but oarsman.
We had been fast for two hours to a vic
ious right whale, a regular old nor
wester, who seemed not disposed to
show us any play, but tore through the
water at racehOrse speed, and was now
runningUs directly to the windward.
II wouldn't cut as long as we can see
her two gallant sails, Mr.. RANSOM - said
Easton, the boatsteerer, II think he
must bring to, soon, and if you can get
one good lance at him, We'll be alright
eyes; but he won't give rs the chance.
He seems to be as strong as ever, and so
far as I can see, has no idea Of bringing
to-"
In the ardor Of the chase, during the
afternoon, We had been separated from
our comrades, having struck the whale
when there was no other boat within sup
porting distance
They had done their best in vain at,
tempts to reinforce US, but were now so
far astern rs to be no longer distinguish
able. We had not as yet been able to
approach the monster near enough to
lance him effectuaIly, and we had no
bombs with us, the ship having only
one gun, and this was in charge Of the
chief mate, as commodore of the light
fotilla.
Still onward cur tireless steed, his
trumpet blast ringing loud and clear, as
ever and anon he cameup with his spir-
acIes to the surface for breath; our light
boat dancing his wake splitting the seas
with his sharp prov, and sending a
cloudof spray III our faces.
The second mate turned and lsIcw
another anxious glance at the distant
mast heads of the Crusader, rapidly sink
ing OH the western horizon; while the
working of his features plainly bespoke
the conflicting emotions natural to a
young and ambitious officer under the
circumstances indicated.
81 hate to cut from whaIe.U said he,
'for know could muckIe him if he'd
show me the ghost of a chance. But
there's only a little more daylight, and
we mustn't run the risk of Ioosing the
ship. You see how tits, boys?" he ad-
ded, interrogatively, as he fourfshed his
boat knife in the air, and
''What's that yonder? a fog bank
shutting down 81 as I saw the ugly mist
rising over the water. you see it sir?' |
"Cut1' shouted Easton, as his eyes
followed the glance of mine. Cut quick, /
Mr.. RANSOM
The officer no longer hcsitated. A
single stroke of his keen blade severed |
the line and the whale, as ifiu triumph
ant joy at being greIeased, struck the sur
face with laundering fiat blow Of his
pondersus flukes, and vanished from our
sight mder The disturbed water.
clay around, Easton! Give up the
mast and sail. Hold on! Your com
pass first, and let's set the bearing of the
ship"
The little boat compass was pulled
from its elects under the stern, and
quickly, but too late. The bank of mist
had rolled toward us, and the top gal
liant sails Of our Heating home were no
longer in sight. Before the compass
could be opened and steadied for setting
bearings, we were cnveloped in the fog,
and our visible horizon limited to uradius
Of fifty yards.
Cup sails as quiel, as you cam" said
Mr.. Ransom. "Oars! Quick, boys, and
give way with will We can do no
more than to pail square to the lceward
if it had only held Off until we could /
have got the ships bearings But the /.
is of mo use 10 ne now"