Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-05-17
A SEA CAPTAINS MARVELLOUS
YARN.

Il -
Capt. John o. Holmes. who recently
arrived at San Francisco from Valpar-
also. IS responsible for the following sto
~. which be declares to be strictly true
The captain had been cruising among
the Society islands. when. putting into
small cove. one day for water. num-
Der Of natives. as usual. came on board
to trade. Among them was = stout.
eOmely maiden Of eighteen, to whom the
mate took great fancy. She was the
daughter Of . chief. and reciprOcating
the mates affection the twain were mar
ried. grand feast hOnOring the 0eca-
sion. Wi-Wi was the name Of the bride.
siguitying in the language Of Der eOun-
try. 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 captain.
who, sailor-like. felt the unseemliness Of
having woman aboard. However. the
vessel left the island and stood for Tahi-
ii. where she loaded with oranges and
bore thence for Valparaiso. On the vOy-
age 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 ineommode the tur-
ties. which could be seen floating all
round the ship. Some Of these were of
very large size. and 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,
Man 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 leevard
and night falling made the task of res
euing her one of extreme difficulty. But
the mate was in the boat, and, though
half erazed at the mishap which had be-
fallen 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 unfortunate Fi-Wi
was seen The men gave her 10 as
lost, but the mate was still hopeful
''Wi-Wi is FISH," said he, land one
night at sea will not hurt her. Wewill
lay BY till morning" So they lay in
the boat that night, shouting but hear
ing no response. In the morning the
mate saw dark object on the top Of a
surge long way of. There is some
thing over there, +" said he; give way
for it '.It's only turtle answered
the men Never 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 boat crew with &
cry of JOY, and plunging into the SCI
swan to the boat. The turtle was ther
secured and tOwed to the ship. wher'
Wi-Wi was received with three cheer,
and . tiger. A glass of brandy stimu
lated her and made her loquacious. She
told the story of going overheard. how
being bruised by striking against tn
rail she could not reach the ship b.
swimming. but, floating at the mercy o
the waves. was at last thrown on th,
back Of the turtle. which was eompla
Gently oseillating on the surface Of tn
water. But for this singular assist
anee, said the captain. "Wi-Wi mus
have persisted. and it is to be regretted.
ne added in choking voice, that tn
creature which had 50 providentiall,
saved the life Of human being should
have subsequently, been utilized in til,
form Of turtle soup