The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-19

A San Francisco paper OF recent date
tells the following:
Captain John o. Holmes, who recently
arrived in this city from Valparaiso, is
responsible Tor the following striking
narrative, which he vows is as
srrue as steel:" The captain had been
cruising among the Society Islands,
when, putting into q small cove one day
for water, a number Of natives, as usual,
was stout, comely maiden Of eighteen,
to whom the mate took great fancy.
She was the daughter Of chief, and re.
ciprocating the mates affection the
twain were married, a grand feast hon.
oring the occasion. Wi-Wi was the name
| of the bride, signifying in the language Of
her country, "Big Fish," or to interpret
more particularly, "Great Swimmer"
she having an extended noteriety as an
expert in the art of swimming. Having
married the mate she took up her quar-
ters on the ship, much to the dislike of
| the captain, who, sailor-like, felt the un-
seemliness OF having woman aboard.
| However, 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 even
ling performing her ablutions near the
bows. There was moderate sea run
ming, not, however, enou to incom-
mode the turtles, which could be seen
floating around 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 a sea, which passing over,
carried Ni-Wi with it far to leeward.
L nh, hIrt ho a ~
the wheel saw Wi-Wi as she went over,
and shouted s'man overheard" At this
cry, SO terrible on ship-board, the crew
rushed on deck; the ship was brought to
and whale-boat lowered. By this time
Wi-Wi had drifted some distance to lee.
ward, and nignttall made the task Of
rescuing her one of extreme difficulty
But the mate was in the boat, and
though half-crazed at the mishap which
had befallen his dusky wife, resolved tc
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 unfor
ltunate Wi-Wi was seen. The men gave
her up as lost, but the mate was still
hopeful. "Wi-Wi is a fish," said he
"and one night at sea wont hurther. W.
will lay by till morning." So they lay
lin the boat that night shouting, but hear.
ling no response. In the morning thu
mate saw q dark object on the top OF I
lsurge long way OF. 'eThere is some
thing over there" said he; "give way fol
it," sits only q turtle," answered the
men. "Neyer mind," replied the mate,
"give way" They gave way, and after
hard pull, the sea having 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 thi
boat. The turtle was then secured ant
towed to the ship, where Wi-Wi was re
ceiyed with three cheers and tiger. A
glass Of brandy stimulated her and
J made her loquacious. She told the stor.
of her going overheard, how, beinl
bruised by striking against the rail, sht
could not sreach the ship by swim
ming, but, floating at the mercy of tn
sea, was at last thrown on the back o
the turtle which was complacently os
cillating on the surface OF the water
"But for this singular assistance" sal,
the captain, "WtWi must have pei
ished; and 1t is to be regretted" b
added in choking voice, "that the cres
: ture which had SO providsntially save
1 the life Of q human being should hav
, subsequently been utilized in the forI
Of turtle souri,