Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-06-10
Whales at Bay.

AS soon as all had taken their seats,
says writer describing the scene in the
st. James Magazine, we rowed off silently
with double-banked oars. Five large
boats were ali we could man, as many of
the fishermen had gone to the banks in
the morning though their brown sails
were III sight, time did not allow of their
recall. Our armament was most ludi-
crOus; beside guns we carried axes
lances, old swords, and several kettles
for making noise with Several were
busy improvising formidable weapon
by fastening scythe blades to short poles :;
one man, called while moving, sat in
the bow holding his scythe. As we left
the cove, the women kept calling after
us, and wishing good luck, and then
hurried to the cliffs, where they watched
the progress of the chase. Making q
long detour the boats were quietly form
ed in a semicircle to seward of the dark
group which appeared unconscious of
our approach ; as soon as all were placed,
the leader fired q gun and we bore down
upon the whales with all speed, shouting
and splashing the water A movement
is seen among the whales, dark forms
disappear, and presently emerge again );
they move slowly at first, then increas-
ing their speed, rush in a foaming crowd
toward the shore. We follow at our ut
most speed, regardless Of the spray that
dashes over the boat Suddenly the fish
pause, feeling, perhaps, by instinct, that
they are getting into shoal water they
turn, seem to deliberate and select the
weakest spot for charge our speed is
slackened, and all prepare for struggle
After a moments pause, headed by the
largest of the herd, they rush at my
boat, which happened to be in the centre
of the line. On they came, raising a
wall of foam, behind which are dimly
seen arched backs and agitated fins; we
shout, fire our guns, throw stones, and
dash the oars in the water. They hest
tate, few plunge under the boat [
feel their backs scrape against the keel
as we are thrown over and half-flled
with water the next is received with a
blow of an ak from a gigantic fisherman !;
terrified and spouting blood, the whale
rushes back into the herd, and heads for
the shore in his blind agony. We re-
double our exertiOns, and the fish finally
yielding, follow their wounded compan-
IOll, hlIIi ulllS UIlC1lboCIfOHo oli SllOlS,
where they lie wallowing III the shallow
water. With cry of triumph borne
back from the women who stood on the
cliff, dancing and waving their arms in
delight at the prospect of an abundant
winter supply of food, all the boats row.
ed to the shore, each striving to be first
to commence the fight. With a final
cheer the men drove the boats in among
the fish, leaped out and began to strike
right and left. Quite satisfied with my
exertions, sat in the boat and watched
the strange combat, already closing, as
the poor stupid fish, ignorant of their
strength, fell easy victims to their de-
termined enemies. The sight was
strange and striking the cloudless sun
was shining on the waves of the bay,
blue, except over large patch, many
yards i'll extent, dyed red with blood.
Each wave showed a streak Of crimson,
as it washed over the glistening bodies,
rejoicing that it could insult the strange
forms that had lately swan lords of the
deep. Behind narrow beach rose the
steep cliff, down which were running the
women and children, their shrill cries
rising above the shouts of the men and
roar of the waves. Gradually the tumult
ceased, except where whale in the last
throes wrapped himself in cloud of
bloody spray, and deluged the men who
stood by watching for another blow.