Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-23

| sun the long DOQy or the whale even
blacker than the sea, was plainly seen in
the rudy glare; and life was added to
the immense scene by the four white
specks-the misunderstanding to a
point as they drew near the motionless
monster.
1t was not until the boats had left the
ship that we realized how threatening was
the weather. Every moment the seas
came wilder and heavier against the yes
sci. Only now and again, as they were
lifted on a sea, could we catch sight of the
brave little boats. The breeze grew
stronger every minute and, before the first
boat neared the whale, was Whistling
through the rigging in the wild way that
tells of coming gale. The Captain re-
| GREETED the lowering of the boats and soon
signalled them to return. But the men
were excited and refused to see the signals.
Filled to the gunwale, the seas flashing
over them every moment, on they went,
where only thing so nearly perfect as a
whale-boat could keep atloat. AS the first
boat swung round to run down to wind
ward on the whale, the red sun stood fair
! ly on the black field of ocean.
Talk about the bravery of soldiers in
battle, or of men ashore in any enterprise
you please, what is it to the bravery of
such deed as this? A thousand miles
from land, six men IN twenty ightfoot
shell, coolly going down in a stormy sea
to do battle with the mightiest created an
imali 1t is the extreme of human cool
ness and courage, because it is the extreme
of danger. The soldier faces one peril
the bullet. The Whaleman, in such a case
as this, has three mighty enemies to fight
the sea, the gale, the whale.
We saw the harpooner of each boat
stand up as they came within hearing
| distance and send in his two irons. All
| the boats were fast before the monster
seemed to feel the first blow. Then came
the fight-the cruel and unnatural fight
between vast power and cunning skill.
The black water was churned white as
the flukes struck out in rage and agony.
The sun disappeared and the gale
screamed wilder in the rigging. We
| could no longer see the boats from the
ship. The few men on board clewed up
the light sail and took a reef in the top
sails, and by this time the night was dark
as pitch and the gale had whipped and
howled itself into hurricane.
1t was fearful to think of the four small
boats out IN such a sea as was then run
| ming. We on the ship had to cling to the
rail or the rigging; the terrific strength
of the waves swept the heavy vessel about
like a cork. [ saw the Captains face a
moment as he passed the binnacle-lamp,
and it was absolutely deformed with grief
and terror-not for himself, brave old
sailor! but for his boys in the boats
"WhO's at the wheel ?" he shouted
send steady man to the wheelw
"Ay ay, sir!" answered deep, quiet
voice; 1--we got the wheel"
That was Chips, and [ walked aft to be
near him. Just then a long hail came
through the darkness and we saw the
| flash Of a boats lantern on the lee-quarter.
In minute more line was flung aboard
and we soon had one crew safe on deck.
| 1t was the mates boat.
Where are the others? 90 was the first
| question
| Fast to the whale" was the answer; ;
land there are no lanterns on the boats. -
| One of the men from the boat relieved
Chips at the wheel, and he went forward
to rig lanterns at the fore and main tops.
When this was done we stood together on
the fore-castle, looking and listening for
the boats. Suddenly he turned to me and
said:
We're going to lose some one tonight
| While | was at the wheel it seemed as if
something whispered in my ear that we
were going to lose one man to night
[ said he was growing as supe' stitious
as old Kanaka Joe; and he answered:
q can't help it. It did seem that [
heard that whisper, and SO plain was it
that | nearly dropped the wheel in terror"
Another shout from the sea cut off
further talk, and we soon had two more
boats at the davits. The absent one was
Mr.. Joseph and we knew that through
thick and thin he would hold on to the
whale. 1t was hours before we found
him; and when we did he refused to cut
his line from the carcass. The Captain
cried to him that he could not hold the
whale in such a sea. But the old whale
man shouted back: "He's a hundred-an'-
fifty -barreler; and, if you don't take the
line aboard, We'll stick to him in the
bOat!''
Soon after, as the gale was moderating,
the line was taken in, passing through
strong iron brace, screwed on to the star
board rail just forward Of the gangway
amidships, from which it was taken back
and made fast to the windlass-bitts at the
foot Of the mainmast. 1t was a new line
of stout Manila hemp, and its strength was
put to fearful test. A hundred fathoms
astern of the ship it held the monster car
cass; and, as the vessel rolled heavily to
the sea, the strain on the line was terrific.
Standing forward of it, I laid my hand on
Al tho Straip papa -