The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-03-25

DOal, ana set OH Tor the shore on a recon-
oitring expedition. in order to ascertain
whether any natives-hostile or peacea-
ble-wcre to be met with, and also to pick
out the most likely spot whence to obtain
stock of wood and water
Hoisiing the sail, light fair wind soon
waited US 10 the nearest little islet. But
here nothing rewarded orr patient search.
Low, impenetrable jungle, together with
soft black mud, marked with what aston-
ished us, the footprints of some strange
and monstrous beast, formed an altogether
uninyi log wilderness. Proceeding to the
next and largest island of the group, how
ever, we found abundance of good water,
and fair proportion of dry wood trees fit
for our purpose. Hsving selected suit
able landing place, ana seen no trace of in
habitants, gave the order to shove off,
and the boats bead was oEce more turned
towards her massive mistress, looming fair
aud tall, at anchor in the distance The
msiniand was only mile or so from where
we now lay on our oars; and, as gazed in
that direction, the temptation to visit it
the curiosity 10 explore a strange coast
came strong upon me.
"Well, boys said | to my crew,
'what do you say for stretch as far as
the shore away there There is leads
ing wind, fair going and coming, ard we
might find better wood and water
This latter expression of opinion was 10
save my dignity from suffering by any sus-
picion of lille curiosity.
OF course, my men were only too de-
lighted at the prospect of run ashore
the islands being small, uhinieresting, and
uninhabited
Hnuiing aft the main sheet, and keep
ING The boat away for the desired coast, |
iel Long Tom, my boat steerer, in charge.
and stretched myself out in the stern
sheets. whilst The rest of the crew follows
Ell my example by throwing themselves
into the most comfortable positions they
could find along he-thwarts.
The breeze was gradually falling
lighter, and for some time we sailed
gently on, still and silent, save for the
musical lap of the ripples against our
bows
The soothing aspects of nature tended
TO throw me into dreamy sort of reve-
rie, from which was suddenly aroused
by my boat steerer's exclamation
81 saw black SKIN shining in the sun
just ;hen, sir. -
"Hell," said l, drowsily, ''it's only
bottle nose or Forpoise -
And did not even take the trouble to
raise my head above the gunrrel
A few moments elapsed, and we had
got into shallow water, when Long Tom
shouted
There il is again"
"Where away Where away :"
cried. startled by his animation
s'Ihere away. sir,' pointing ahead
s.and it's no porpojse, nor bottlc-1ose, nor
nor anything as ever l seed 'afore, as
wears thick skin!''
All eyes were now straining to catch
glimpse of Long Toms strange discovery.
''There she blowsl There she blows!"
came in chorus from nv men, as large
black back rose slowly above the surface,
rolled steadily over, with a motion gust
like that of spouting or playing whale,
and then sank out of sight only a short
distance ahead.
"Wsit BIT, my lads, said /. Gun
ship the mast stow away the sail then
out oars, and wen see what it is y
My orders were promptly obeyed :
Then my sturdy oarsman gave way with
a will, and The light whale boat was soon
darting swiftly forward TO where the OBJ
ject of our curiosity had last appeared.
L was standing on the bow platform,
directing Long Tom at the steering oar,
when suddenly we drought up all stand
ing against something hard, upon which
the boat had run "stem on, like nor'>
west buffalo," as my mariners expressed
it.
'.Starn all Starn all!'' I roared.
As the boat was backed off, an enor-
nous beast heavily raised its huge head
out of the water, gave us a look, uttered
a loud sort of snorting below, and then
sank down again in the muddy water,
through which we had not been able to
discern it.
''Holy sailor, Bill!'' l heard the bow
oarsman say to his nearest shiFmate.-
"What is it? I'm bIest if ever saw
such thing before, and I've been whal-
ing, man and boy, nigh upon twenty
years" as
s'Pass me up the iron, boys" said l,
interrupting the conversation, land if it
comes within reach again wen soon find
out what kind of creature it is
A whale boat is never without the gear
Of her profession; and so, when my men
saw me handle the haEpoon, they gave
an approving shout, and eagerly gave
way again in obedience TO my order for
them TO pull ahead.
With iron poised and ready, ] was in
tently watching for the strange monsters
re-appearance, when my boat steerer
cried s.
"There they are, way in shore there
a hull school ov EN-" t@
Sure enough, the glistening black
backs tumbling about in the foamy white