Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-11-20
THE YANKEE WHALER.

THE YANKEE WHALER.
One Of the most striking hcadlands OF
the South African coast is the Bluff O
Natal. Its majestic position, standing
boldly out from the mainland and risinS
straight up from the dep ocean to
height of several hundred feet; the bril-
liant hues of the thousand and one vari
eti"s of tropical foliage which cover it,
steep sides from top to bottom: the clea,
sky above and the bright 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 I'M
derwood on the Bluff, at the time of which
| am writing, leopards, tiger-cets, mon.
keys, serpents 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 las, few years road has
been made up the Bluff, and lighthouse
now crowns the summit. The inner OF
cothern 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 u sand-hill project
ing far into the bay almost puts it into
two parts, so forming double 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, toler-
ably good anchorage is obtainable. On
account of the impossiblity of emlgrant
ships sailing over the bar, the early emf
grants were transported from the ships
to the beach in the inner harbor in large
surf-boats, and frequently had to be car
ried through the surf to tho shore by
Katfirs. On the sand-hill that divides
the bay there stands 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.
Early in the afternoon of one OF the
hottest days of the summer of 1855, 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 SEQ long, rakish
schooner sail the bluff and drop anchor
in the outer bay. No sooner was she
brought to than whale-boaG was lower
ed and put off from her side, The har-
bor-master hurried down, followed by
>half-a- dozen 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)
here2"
az am the Port Captain" said that
tunceionary, stepping forward. Do you
want mes'
oval, yes, do-some. I'm cap'n
Of the Southern Cross Schooner-thar she
is. She's sprung bad leak, and want
to beach her here and examine her tim
bers. Ny lads is Almost done up with
pumpin'. She's film most awful
quick, aud want some men come of
and take hand at the pumps My
crew can't keep on much longer, 1 guess
"Where are you from, and where bound,
captalnf' asked the harbor-master.
"I'm cruisin after whales, and thar's a
pile of lie abroad. But sir, if We stop
palay'ring here, shant get my ship
bsached: What men can you git me,
now, quick?"
"There'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 .'
"Permissionr" echoed the stranger
wal, I neverl Who's got charge of this
lot2 Who do they belong to-
They don't belong to anybody. This
is British colony, captain. But you
must get leave to take 'eln aboard, or else
you can't have EN-" replied the harbor-
master, emphatically.
"Who'll give me permission? Yous''
asked the captain.
mo, can't YOU must go and get q
magistrates order"
''Whars he to be found2 Jest show
me the way. Look sharp, boss, COS I'm
in mortal hurry, you know"
The harbor-man turned away, saying,
"Upin Durham, you know"
"How fur's that?" broke in the Yankee.
"a good two miles, through the bush.
path. You'll have to get horse"
"Whar II I git one," asked the captain,
At this moment Mr.. Mckay, the gov
eminent land-agent, who, full Of officlous
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
I'll accept your offer and feel honored''
In few minutes the horse was produe-
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, "You1l be able tc
find boats enough to take fifty niggers of
at once, eh3"
ooh, yes, we can do that"
oval, now" said the stranger, as d
parting observation, saint it plaguey
shame that man can't save his shiI
without all this pa!avera Here's the
Southern Cross-as smart a schooner a.
ever sailed under stairs and stripes-a
maxim water like mad, and I've got tt
go through all this performance before
l ken git q few darued niggers to pump
And away he rode toward Durham.
| The, magistrate not only gave thu
American captain the necessary ordel
but opened bottle of wine, and, drink
ing to his success, promised any furthe
assistance that lay in his power, and il
two hours after leaving the hsrbor tn
stranger was falf way back again.
i During his absence all had been bustl
at the harbor. More Kaffirs had com
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