The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-10
4 Whaling Adventure.

We had an adventurous season. Abou
three hundred barrels of oil wer,
taken, or at least preserved two boat.
destroyed entirely lone Of those men
toned in my last letter :; and one crew,
of six persons were for three hours in
the water, without the aid or knowledge
of the other boats. The boat in ques
ton, Frederick Young's, was some three
miles from the shore, and having impru.
IDENTIFY fastened to COW whale, no other
boat. being in sight, she very quietly
turned the boat bottom up without stay.
ing a plank, and then went off some
distance. The crew set about righting
the boat, but of course could not free
her from water however, they got the
oars lashed ethwart, and, though the
gunwale was level with the sea, commenc-
ed padding leach boat always carrying a
set OF paddles besides the oars very
comfortably toward the shore, as I said,
about league distant. The current
was against them, and they did not
make much progress, still they were
gaining ground, when to their surprise
they saw the wounded whale coming
toward the boat. As soon us they were
convinced the boat was the object which
engaged her attention-she either sup
posing it to be her cali, which lay dead
some two miles distant, or actuated by n
desire for yengeAnce-the crew leaped
overheard, and the irritated monster
placed her head on the boat, and there
remained motionless for some time.
Then she retired to a short distance, and
the headman swan back and got lance
ready, determined to use it if the whale
came again within reach. She did re-
turn, and Young actually thrust the lance
several times in her "spout-hole." Feel
ing the smart, the whale settled down
several fathoms, then came up swiftly
and smashed boat and oars into frag-
ments. There was now no alternative
but to strike out for the land. One of
the crew, an English sailor, could not
swim, but two OF our people bid him put
an arm on each of their necks, and they
would not leave him while life remained.
The last time they saw the whale she
was in very weak state from loss OF
blood, but still remaining by the de bris
of the boat. And, now, for three long
weary hours, did they exert their energies
to the utmost but, the current setting
of, they had not gained more than q
mile. The. poor sailor was almost ex-
hausted, and most began to think their
ultimate safety doubtful. There wasalso
a lad Of sixteen, one of our own people,
who was beginning to weary, so that the
other two of the crew-were obliged to
keep by his side to encourage him. That
which seemed to alarm the lad more
was the preseftce of immense sharks,
whose fins were continually coming in
contact with his legs. At this time
their perilous situation was unknown to
the other boats, or to us on shore. AT
length my son Fletcher, seeing nothing
of Young's boat for several hours, left of
chasing whales and went in quest OF him.
After a search OF some time he conclud-
ed the boat must have landed, and began
to think Of doing so himself, as what are
technically called "the chances" OF the
day were over. While rowing eisurely
along shore, about mile from the land,
Fletcher, who was standing up steering,
fancied he heard something Ikea distant
shouting or calling. Having mentioned
this to the boats crew, they ceased pull
ing, and surveyed the adjacent ridge,
which came down nearly to the water S
edge, thinking it might be some one
desirous oftellinc them in what direction
the other boats were. But they could see
no one. Presently they heard the same
sounds again, and then, after snort
interval, a third time. Fletcher and his
crew were now of opinion that 1t was
from seaward the voices proceeded
Having come to this conclusion, the
boats head was turned in that direction,
and "Spring, boys, there's help needed
somewhere" was the conclusion, ana
they bent to their oars with good Will.
After pulling near mile, the steersma9,
who had perched himself on the gunTaiIe
of the boat, fancied he saw three black
spots on the water, about the size and
sppearance of cocoa-nuts, and quickly
became assured they we're human heads,
Thinking these were all that were left ol
tbe crew of Youug's boat, he became
so affected that he sank down in tht
stern.sheets, and could not utter a word
This, OF course, alarmed the boats crew
bnt he speedily recovered himself, ant
simyly said, "Pull boys +; there they are
inst ahead" Soon they had the thre'