The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-03-17
MisceII0 ne us.
A TRUE STORY OF PERIL.


When was bowman of the larboard OF
chief mates boat, in the Druid, we lower
ed one afternoon in chase of "sxty- barrel
bulls" on what was known to the initiated
as the middle Ground" between Austria
liz and New Zealand. We made last to
one of tho whales, a lively fellow, who ran
us something of dance before we sue
cccded in giving him his death wound.
But all this time our steed had been
running us to leeward, and meanwhile the
captain had struck another, and the ship
kept her huff, so as to support the wind
ward boats. The second mate also kept
near the captain, and when our whale went
in his "ilurry," which was not until nearly
manGuvres Of the ship that the boats were
windward of her.
The sun was just dipping when we got
a hole cut in our whales nib-end, and a
strap rove for towing. A dark cloud-bank
was settling down in the weather horizon,
out of which strong wind might he ex-
pected at short notice. An attempt with
a single boat to tow the whale to windward
would be sheer folly there was nothing
for us to do but to either give up our prize,
or to wait the movements of the ship.
The mate looked anxiously at the ship,
and at the threatening aspect of the
weather; than at the sixty barrel bull, the
prize we had fought so hard to win, and
seemed unable, for time, to make up his
mind what course to pursue.
"What do you think of it, Beers ~ said
he, at last, to his boatstcerer, with the man
ncr of one who wishes to divide his re.
sponsibilities with counsellors.
"Well, dino, sir; it looks kind o. iu-
brious to hang on here. The ship won't
run off the wind till she gets that whale
fluked and don't know as she win then.
And therell be a change of weather with
in an hour"
"And it'll be dark in less than an hour"
added the mate. "If there was prospect
for fair weather, wouldn't care for the
darkness, because we could keep the run
Of each others lights but as it isl think
we'd better waif the whale, and get to the
ship while we have daylight"
A hole was cut in the body of the whale,
and the "waif''-a flag attached to slen-
der spruce staff from the towing strap, and
the order given to pull ahead, the boats
head being laid to windward, on a bee
line for the ship, then some four miles off.
We were all glad enough, it must he
confessed, to abandon the whale and con-
suit our own safety. 1t was very early in
the voyage, and no similar emergency had
before occurred. We had seen Just enough
of the captain to feel that he was q driver,
where the interest of the voyage was con-
cerned. Consequently the mate, very
young officer, felt keen responsibility, and
an equally keen anxiety to learn how his
course would be judged.
1t was quite dark when we pulled up
under the lee of the Druid within hail
but the black squall still hung threatening
in the sky, and there had been as yet no
actual change in the weather. The ship
had her helm up, and was just in the act
of paying off, while the signal-lantern was
swaying and Pickering at the mizzen peak
"Boat alloy |" roared the captain, sharp
ly, as soon as he perceived our approach.
"Who is there-Mr. Andrews 2"
GAY, ay, sir!"
"Wheres your whalo7'
1.-TWO points forward of your lee.bcam-
four miles off,"
"W hat in thc-did you leave him for2''
The mate made no reply to tine question
until the boat was secured alongside by her
warp, and he had jumped in on the quar-
ter deck. The ship continued swinging
off until her head was pointed in the right
direction, but, with her topsais on til. ,ap
and one whale tluked towing alongside
her progress was not very rapid.
1--WE didn't think it prudent to lie by
said Mr.. Andrews, in an apologize tone
"as the ship was so far from us and every
appearance of stormy weather."
1--WE didn't think, sir 2" rctorted Cap.
tain Gibbs. "Who's we? l want you to dc
the thinking, Mr.. Andrews, in charge OF
your boat The rest didn't ship to think
81 know it, sir, but in case of emergency
it may be well enough to consult those
who are sharing the risk with you"
"Consult bel Of course Jack will
always say, Save my precious life-cu
away the whale, and We'll pay for it = Ant
there's sixty barrels of sperm oil gone t.
the ID. You might as well look for
needle in haystack now. 1t won't do TO
US, at the outset of the voyage, to throw
away chance like that. We must run
little risk sometimes-that's what we al
shipped for"
This haunting language had the effec
which might have been expected upon tn
young mate.
swell, I'll bet | can run as much risk a
any live man of my inches, if you think i
prudent to do so. But | had charge o
other mems lives, as we'll as my own, an,
and should feel just as responsible to yo
and them, if had erred the other way b
venturing too much, and any accident ha,
happened. Haul up the boat here, my crew
and jump in"
"Hold on, Mr.. Andrews" said the CAP
tain. ave can run down the best part G
distance with the ship"
When wejudged ourselves within mil
or less of where the whale had been lief
the ship was then brought to the win
again. There had as yet been no ncreas
of wind. and, though the night was yer
dark, the bank or squall appeared to hay
lifted little, and to have less heavy ap
pearance than at shutdown.
81 don't believe but what it'll all pas