The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-08-24
WHAT THE SEA GAvEUP.

The wbaler NeTrImac was rolling
along on her way round Cape Horn to
the Pacific Ocean. 1t was blowing a
gale, and the sea was heavy. tossing the
old ship hither and thither, and caus-
ing her bell to ring loudly a. every
roll and plunge TIE watch were
gathered af. under the round house,
out Of the way Of the seas. which were
continually deluging the decks forward.
Whenever one Of the men had occasion
to go into the forecastle. he would
watch his chance--that is he would wait
until the ship was tossed upon the crest
of lofty sea. and then rush forward
as if his life depended upon his speed
in order to avoid the next ware that
came rolling and laundering along to
sweep the weather rail. Pacing the
windy ward side OF the quarter deck
with his hands in his pockets, the stur-
dy skipper would now ard then direct
an ANXIOUS glance sloft at his CULVER
ing masts, which, with every plunge Of
the vessel, looked as If they we're about
10 60 by the board. Mr. Bart. the mate,
who walked on the other side OF the
deck. was a tall, raw-boned man, with
lank jaws, projecting teeth, and skin
which va. Of the hue Of Hottsnto.'s
A more disagreesble looking individual
never existed; and yet some Of the
formost hands, who belonged to the
same town in which he lived, when at
home, were often heard to speak Of
Barts beautiful wife. who was devot.
edly attached to her husband.
Slowly pacing the deck as mentioned.
this officer. CHANGING TO glance aloft,
noticed that the main-top gallant-sall
was partly blown TO the turns OF the
gasket accordingly he turned toward
tbs group Of men under the roundhous
and ordered one of them to 60 aloft and
arrange the sail. The man sprang to-
ward the rigging to obey. and had al
ready swung himself into the shrouds,
when BAIT called him back.
on second thought said he, I'll 60
myself. | haven't had any exercise
for some days and it'll be a benefit TO
me to 60 alott.
Better leave your ruby with me,
then, cried the captain, pl .yfully, and
he pointed toward beautiful ring.
which certainly looked out of place on
ono Of the crooked. tborny fingers Of
the mates right hand.
Bart shook his head and laughed.
He would not have parted with that
ring for worlds rs it was gilt from
bis beautiful wife.
Rapidly mounting tho shrouds. be
wassoon on the yard; and he had nearly
arranged the sail TO his satisfaction.
when y sudden, unexpected roll of the
ship threw him headlons from his po-
sition into the stormy sea
The thrilling cry of Man overheard
had not rung twice through the vessel.
when boat was lowered. manned by o
good crew The captain was in the
stern sheets. and as he ordered his men
to pull ahead. he saw the mate, who
was An excellent sw INNER, appear upon
the crest Of lofty sea not far ahead
and wave his hand.
This was joyful sight to the cap
tain; for he thought much Of his first
mate. who. though he was O man Of
b J.,
and one of the best whalemen out of
New Bedford.
Encouraged by the CHEEKY voice of
the skipper. who, now laughing and
rubbing his hands. urged his men to
pull ahead with a will. the sailors laid
back to their oars, pulling such power
full strokes that the boat was soon with.
in a few fathoms of the first officer. A
moment later the captain bounding for
ward, leaned over the head Of the little
vessel to grasp the swimmers arm; but
just as he was on the point Of seizing it,
tho mate, with a strange. wild cry.
disappeared from his sight,
As ifsrell- the crew sat for
some moments staring ut each other,
and unable to utter word. In vain
they waited hoping thai Bar. would
soon reappear-he never rose; and with
heavy hearts the crew returned to the
ship lamenting the fate Of an officer
who had won tho respect if not the love
Of all hands.
The second mate, however, was the
only man who shed tears over the mel
ancholy affair; but the second mate was
something Of hypocrite. and his ship
mates. one and all. believed that his
grief was teigned; that he was only too
glad to step into the shoes of the FIRST
officer, so as to lord 1t over tho foremost
hands who had wounded his dignity by
bestowing upon him the sobriouet of
Whale Tosser. he having boosted while
intoxicated. that he could toss . whale
on his back.
About week after the incidents de.
scribed. the Merrimac arrived in the
Pacific Ocean.
Onemorning, while ore ofthe men was
fishing with hook and line. he oh.
served curious looking fish swimming
near the bows. 1t was about six feet
long. very broad. and shaped like a cat.
fish. The attention Of all hsnds being
directed TO this singular creature. the
new mate stated that it was specie, of
fish which he had often seen off Cane
Horn. and which was as ravenous as a
shark.
One OF the boa.steerers sprang upon
the how armed with harp,on. which
he darted through the creatures BODY
II was then landed on deck, where,
after struggling awhile, it died. Wish.
Ing to dissect the curious animal the
captain procured his knife and cut il
open While pursuing his inves,iga-
uoh he saw something which glistened
among the intestines; and drawing il
out was startled TO discover that it was
tue ring, the identical ruby. which