Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-10-10
Whales ut 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 all we could man, as many of the fish
crmen had gone to the banks in the morn
ing; though their brown sails were in sight
time did not allow of their recall Our
armament was most ludicrous: 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
i'll the bow, holding his scythe. -A
. As we left the cove the women kept call
ing after us. and wishing good luck, and
then hurried to the cliffs, where they watch
ed the progress of the chase . Making a
long dctour, the boats were qnietly formed
in a semi-circle to scaward of the dark
group, which appeared unconscious of our
approach; as soon as all were placed the
leader fired 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 increasing their speed
rush in foaming crSyd toward the shore
We follow at our utmost speed, regardless
of the spray that dashcs over the boat
Suddenly the fish pause, feeling, perhaps, by
instinct, that they arc getting into shoal
water, they turn, seem to deliberate and Sc
lect the weakest spot for charge; our
speed is slackened, and all prepare for a
struggle. After moments pause, headed
by the largest of the herd, they rushed at
my boat which happened to be in the centre
of the line On they came, raising wall
Of foam, behind which are dimly seen arch
ed backs and agitated fins we shout, fire
our guns, throw stones, and dash the oars
in the water They hesitate a few plunge
under the boat; I feel their backs Scrape
against the keel as we are thrown over and
half filled with water from a gigantic fish :;
terrified and spouting blood, the whale
rushes back into the herd. and heads for the
shore in his blind agony. "#T.rt6 ..i
We redouble our excrtions, and the fish,
finally yielding, follow their wounded com.
panion and fling themselves on the shore,
where they lie wallowng in 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 rowcd for the shore,
each striving to he first to commence the
fight. With final cheer the men drove
the boats in among the fish, eaped out, and
began to strike right and left. Quite satis-
fed with my exertions, sat in the boat and
watched the strange combat, already clos
ing, as the poor, stupid fish, ignorant of
their strength, fell easy victims to their de-
termined enemies. T tn s -i -.
The sight was strange and striking; the
cloudless sun was shining on the waves of
the bay; blue, except over large patch,
many yards in extent, dyed red with blood.
Each wave showed II stream of crimson as
it washed over the glistenng bodics, rejoic-
ing that it could insult the strange forms
that had lately swan lords Of the deep. Be-
hind a narrow beach rose the steep cliff,
down which were running the women and
children, their slrill cries rising above the
shouts of the men and roar OF the waves.
Gradually the tumult ceased, except where
whale in the l;lst throes, wrapped himself
in cloud of bloody spray, and deluged the
men who stood by watching for anothcr
blow.