Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-02-23
whales ~ nay.

As soon as all had taken their seats
says a writer, describing the scene, in
the st. james Magazine, we rowed of
silently, with double-banked oars. Five
large boats were all we could man, as
many OF the fishermen had gone to the
banks in the morning; though their
brown sails were In sight, time did not
allow of their iecall. Our armament
was most ludicrous; beside guns, we
carried axes, lances, old swords, and
several kettles for making noise with.
Several were busy improvising formi-
dable weapon by fastening scythe blades
to short poles; one man, called while
moving, sat In the bow, holding his
scythe.
As we left the cove the women kept
calling after US, and wishing good luck
and then hurried to the cliffs, where
they watched the progress Of the chase.
Making long detOur, the boats were
quietly formed in a sem:-circle to sea-
ward 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 pres
emily emerge again; they move slowly
at first, then increasing their speed rush
in foaming crowd toward the shore.
We follow at our utmost speed, re-
gardless of the spray that dashes over
the boat. Suddenly the fish pause, feel
ing, perhaps, by instinct, that they are
getting into shOal water, they turn, seem
to deliberate and select the weakest spot
for a charge; our speed is slackened,
and all prepare for a struggle. After a
moments pause, headed by the largest
of the herd, they rushed at my boat
which happened to be i'm the centre of
the line. On they came, raising a wall
of foam, behind which are dimly seen
arched backs and agitated fins; we shout,
fire our guns, throw stones, and dash
the oars in the water They hesitate;
few plunge under the boat; feel their
backs scrape against the keel as we are
thrown over and half filled with water
from gigantic fish; terrified and
spOuting blood, the whale rushes back
into the herd, aud heads for the shore
in his blind agony.
We redouble our exertiOus, and The
fish, finally yielding, follow their wound
ell companion and fling themselves on
the shore, where they lie wallowing in
tile shallow water. With a cry of tri-
umph borne back from the women who
stood OH the cliff, dancing and waving
their arms i'm delight at the prospect of
All abundant winter supply of food, all
the boats rowed for the shore. each
striving to be first to commence the fight.
With a final cheer the men drove the
boats in among the fish, leaped out, and
began to strike right and left. Quite
with my exertiOns, sat in the
boat and watched the strange combat,
already closing, as the poor, stupid fish,
ignorant OF their strength; tell easy
victims to their determined enemies.
The sight was strange and striking;
the cloudless sun was shining OIL the
waves of the bay; but, except over
large patch, many yards in extent, dyed
red with blood. Each wave showed
stream of crimson as it washed over the
glistening bodies, rejoicing that 1t could
insult the strange forms that had lately
SWAN Lords OF the deep. Behind
beach rose the sleep cliff, down
which were running the women and
their shrill cries rising above
the shouts of the men and roar of the
waves. Gradually the tumult ceased,
except where q whale i'm the last thrOes,
himself i'm cloud of bloody
spray, and deluged the men who stood
by watching for another blow.