Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-16
THE YANKEE WHALER.

the South African coast is the Bluff of
Natal. Its majestic position, standing
boldly out from the mainland and rising
straight up from the deep ocean to
height of several hundred feet; the bril-
liant hues OF the thousand and one varl-
etl"s OF tropical foliage which cover its
steep sides from top to bottom: the clear
sky above and the bril- ht plumage OF the
birds flashing in the sun-all contribute
to make the spot picturesque IN the ex-
treme. In the maze Of the gigantic IN
dcrwood on the Bluff, at the time Of which
am writing, leopards, tiger-cats, mon
keys, scrpents and other beasts and rep
tiles roamed at will, the perceptions sides
and wild ENHANCEMENT insuring protec-
ton from the attacks of the hunter.
Within the last few years a road has
been made up the Bluff, and lighthouse
now crowns the summit. The inner or
nothcrn side Of the Bluff forms one side
OF the Bay of Natal, while low sand-hills
enclose it on the north. The northern
coat IS irregular, and 4 sand-hill project
ing TAR into the bay almost puts it into
two parts, so forming douLle harbor.
From this point the harbor. bar stretches
across, and the water being there very
shallow, vessels of large size are prevent
ed from passing into the inner harbor.
Fortunately, however, the bluff protects
them on the south, and except when
north or east winds are blowing, a toler-
ably good anchorage is obtainable On
account of the impossiblity of em1grant
ships sailing over the bar, the early emf
grants were transported from the ships
to the beach in the inner harbor in large
surt-boats, and frequently had to be car
ried through the surf to the shore by
hattirs. On the sand-hill that divides
the bay there stands a look out and the
port captain or harbor-masters house,
and about two miles up the south shore
IS situated the town OF Durham, the only
road to which, at the date of this story.
was through the bush-path.
Earl in the afternoon Of one OF the
hottest days of the summer Of 1856, the
thermometer registering something like
one hundred and ten degrees in the shade,
the bay as calm as glass, and the beach
quite deserted, the men in the lookout
were surprised to see long, rakish
schooner sail the bluff and drop anchor
in the outel bay. No sooner was she
brought to than Il whale boat was lower
ed and put off from her side The har-
bor-mastcr hurried down, followed by
halt-adOzcn men, to the beach, aud be.
fore the men had reached the shore a
small crowd Of white men and Kaffirs had
gathered round. AS the boat ran on to
the single, tall, sallow man, whose
bony frame, sharp eyes and features pro-
claimed him an American before he spoke,
jumped ashore, and asked, in sharp
nasal tone, ''Who's boss (chief personage)
herc?'
Il am the Port Captain" said that
tuncrlonary, stepping forward. Do you
want me?'
"Wal, yes, l do-some. I'm cap'n
OF the Southern Cross Schooner-thar She
IS. She's sprung a bad leak, and I want
to beach her here and examine her tim
bers. My lads is Almost done up with
pumpin'. She's film most awful
quick, aud [ want some men come Oft
and take hand at the pumps NV
crew can't keep on much longer, guess;
"Wherc are you from, and where bound,
captaln?' asked the harbor-master.
I'm cruisin after whales, and thar's a
pile of lie abroad But sir, if we stop
palav'ring here, I shan't get my ship
beached. What men can you git me,
now, quick?"
"Therc's plenty of Kaffirs about" said
the harbor-master; but you must get per-
mission before you can take any OF them
off to your ship.'
'Permlssion!" echoed the stranger
1'wa}, ncver Who's got charge Of this
lot? Who do they belong to? /.
They don't belong to anybody This
IS British colony, captain. But you
must get leave to take 'em aboard, or else
you can't have 'em," replied the harbor-
master, emphatically.
'Who'll give me permission: You?"
asked the captain.
mo, can't, you must 90 and get o
magistrates order.'
'Whar's he to be found? Jest show
me the way. Look sharp, boss, COS I'm
IN mortal hurry, you know"
The harbor-man turned away, saying,
"Up in Durham, you know"
How fur'si that?" broke in the Yankee,
"A good two miles, through the bush
path: You'll have to get horse.'
''Wharll giHone,' asked the captain.
At this moment Mr.. Mckay, the GOV
eminent land-agent, who, full of offic1ous
curiosity had come down from the Gus
tom House, pushed through the crowd,
and said, "1'll lend you horse, captain.
Jest come this way.
you're very obligin', ST." said the
captain, turning and following the agent.
cpl accept your offer and feel honored.'
In few minutes the horse was produce
ed, and negro engaged to run ahead
and show the way. AS the captain
mounted the horse, he turned to the har-
bor-master and said, you'll be able to
find boats enough to take fifty niggers off
at once, ch2'
ooh, yes, we can do that"
oval, now," said the stranger. as q
parting observation, faint it plaguev
shame that man can't save his ship
without all this palaver? Here's the
Southern Cross-as smart schooner as
ever sailed under stars and stripes-a-
maxim water like mad, and I've cot to
go through all this performance before
I ken git few darued niggers to pump"
And away he rode toward Durham.
The magistrate not only gave the
American captain the necessary order
but opened bottle of wine, and, drink
ing to his success, promised any further
assistance that lay in his power, and in
two hours after leaving the harbor the
stranger was half way back again.
During his absence all had been hustle
at the harbor. More Kaffirs had come
down in the hope of being hired, and
great was the amount of speculation as to
the terms likely to be offered. These