The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-11-08
Following n Whale.
OLIVE HARPER

A ship some time ago arrived at
Bristol after a successful whaling
voyage. Time was when thousands
of vessels tracked the great sea mon
sters 10 search Of oil, but the diseov-
cries Of the mineral article have made
rhe trade no longer remunerative, or
at least much less in object of pur-
suit. The ship referred to was the
West Wind, commanded by Captain
Parker, who had most perilous ad-
venture during the cruise, and which
came very near costing him his life.
I nder the most favorable eireumstan-
ees the occupation of the whaler IS
one OF great danger and physical trial
and very few ships ever return to
port without losing one or more hands
by the ordinary exigeneiesof of the ser
vice.
1t seems that Captain Parker was
out from bis ship with boats crew.
chasing a whale, aud having fastened
bis harpoon to the creature. it dived
as usual, aud the line eoiled 10 the
bows of the boat, began to run out
with lightning speed, as the monster
sunk to the extreme depth of the
ocean At this critical juncs2re Cap
tain Parker went to the forward part
of the boat, to be sure that there was
no twist 10 the rope to prevent its
working clear. The line was running
out with such rapidity as to cause
the smoke TO arise from the wood
work of the boat, and the Captain
threw water as is the custom; but by
an unlueky lureh Of the boat, be was
eanted from bis position, and be nat
urally threw out his left hand, to pre-
vent himself from falling, but in so
doing be placed it so that the rope
coiled around bis wrist, and be was
overheard aud out of sight in an in
stant.
He was perfectly conscious while
be was rushing down, head foremost,
and With an incredible swiftness, and
it appeared to him that his arm would
be torn from the socket, so great was
the resistance of the water. During
these awful moments be was well
aware of bis perilous situation, and
tha: the only chance for life was to
cut the lines. But how could be do
this? lie could not move bis right hard
from his side, to which it was closely
pressed by the force of the element
through which be was being drawn
The pressure on his brain grew more
and more terrible, and roaring as of
thunder sounded in his ears. He
opened his eyes for sicgle instant,
and it seemed as though stream Of
fire was passing before them; and
now came that inevitable activity Of
the brain which cbarscteriZes all
such perilous situations where ones
whole life seems TO pass in review in
an instant of time. But the captain |
was very practical man, cool and
courageous always, consequently still
selfpossessed
He began to struggle with all his
muscular power to reach the knife
which be wore in his belt. He felt
that be was growing weaker every
instant. and il was now or never with
him though we should say, paren-
that what requires so long
to describe, occurred in time that was
recond by sounds rather than min
utes. Ohlif he could command but
his right hand for one stroke up
on that fatal line ! Now his heart be-
gan to fail him. He did not sbso-
lutely despair, but his brain reeled,
his nerves seemed to alternate before
bis eyeballs. and bis bead felt
as though compressed in an iron vice.
Were these bis last moments! He
thought, 10 spite of the sgonizing pain
be would make one more brave ef-
fort.
The line providentially siackened
for second; be reached his knife,
aud as quick as thought itself, as the
rope became raut again, the keen edge
of the knife was upon il, and by
desperate effort Of bis arm il became
severed. He was freed, and then