Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-05-22
CASTAWAY ON A TURTLE.
How a south Sea Woman was Saved from
Drowning.

How a South Sea Woman was Saved from
Drowning.
Captain John o. Holmes, who recent
ly arrived from Valparaiso, is RESPONSE
BILE for the following striking narrative,
which he vows is as "true as STEEL:
The captain had been cruising among
the Society islands, when, putting into
a small cove one day for water. a number
of natives, as usual, came on board to
trade. Among them was stout, comely
maiden of eighteen, to whom the mate
took great fancy. She was the daugh-
ter of chief, and reciprocating the
mates affection the twain were married,
a grand feast honoring the occasion.
Wi-Wi was the name of the bride, signi-
flying in the language of her country,
big Fish, or, to interpret more par
ticularly, "Great Swimmer" she having
an extended notoriety as an expert in
the art of swimming. Having married
the mate she took up her quarters on
the ship, much to the dislike of the cap
tain, who, sailor-like, felt the unseemli-
ness of having woman aboard. How
ever, the vessel left the Island and stood
for Tahiti, where she loaded with oranges
and bore thence for Valparaiso. On the
voyage this incident occurred: Wi-Wi,
the mates wife, was one evening per-
forming her additions near the bows.
There was moderate sea running, not,
however, enough to incommode the tnr-
ties, which could be seen floating all
round the ship. Some of these were of
very large size and were known as the
green turtle. 1t happened, while the
fair islander was so engaged, that the
ship toppled her bow under and picked
up sea, which passing over, carried
Wi-Wi with it far to leeward. The crew
were at supper, but the man at the wheel
saw Wi-Wi as she went over, and shouted
oman overheard. At this cry, SO ter
rible on shipboard, the crew rushed on
deck; the ship was brought to, and a
whale-boat lowered. By this time Wi
Wi had drifted some distance to leeward,
and nightfall made the task of rescuing
her one of extreme danger. But the
mate was in the boat, and though half
crazed at the mishap which had befallen
his dusky wife, resolved to make every
effort to save her. So he urged his men
with telling earnestness. They too
shared his spirit and pulled away. on
their dangerous venture.
But night fell and no sign of the un-
fortunate Wi-Wi was seen. The men
gave her up as lost, but the mate was
still hopeful. "Wi-Wi is fish" said
he, "and one night at sea will not hurt
her. We will lay by till morning" So
they lay in the boat that night shouting,
but hearing no response. In the morn
ing the mate saw dark object on the
top of surge long way off. "There
is something over there" said he
"give way for it, cts only turtle, "
answered the men. "Never mind, re-
piled the mate, "give way" They gave
way, and after a hard pull, the sea hay
ing risen, reached the object. 1t was
an immense turtle and on the back thereof
sat Wi-Wi. She hailed the boats crew
with cry of JOY, and plunging into
the sea swan to the boat. The turtle
was then secured and towed to the ship
where Wi-Wi was received with three
cheers and tiger. A glass of brandy
stimulated her and made her loquacious.
She told the story of her going over.
board, how, being bruised by striking
against the rail, she could not reach the
ship by swimming, but, floating at the
mercy of the sea, was at last thrown on
the back of the turtle which was com.
placently oscillating on the surface Of
the water. "But for this singular as
sistance," said the captain, "Wi-W,
must have persisted and it is to be re-
GREETED" he added in choking voice
"that the creature which had so provi
dentially saved the life of human
being should have subsequently beer
utilized in the form of turtle SOUP"