The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-10-02
Taking A Swordnsll,

1t was some time before we could distin-
gulsh the speck, rising and falling with the
sea, which had attracted tile old whale
mans attention. Soon he pronounced it a
'fish, " and after putting us on the other
tack to run down partly to leeward of it,
went below to bring up the irons.
When we had worked perhaps mile be-
f11o ff,n Il we lay to for our n1t to sskeen her.
head on if you can," and the one who held
the air tight barrel was told when y're
sure pve struck him, over with it," lie
was AZ cool as a cucumber as he took the
harpoon and cutting spade forward, coiling
in the line Zone end of which was fastened
to the harpoon, tho other to the barre) care
fully on deck, with the caution: 'Ware
when it flakes OUT" and taking only
enough with him to his roost on the bow
spirit end to give him ample elbow room.
His station reached, he fixed the spade in
support ready to receive it, laid the iron
in front of him across the cage, waved his
hand, and we filled away, close hauled.
Never was mile more slowly sailed by
the little group in the pit of the White
Cloud. Never had our hearts beaten faster
than as we nearcd the fifteen feet fish, roll
ing, asleep, In the trough of the sea. Now
the pilot is almost over him; slowly he
raises the iron, braces himself, and hurls it
with all the strength of both sinewy arms.
The iron sinks deeply into thcsleeping fish;
there, is mighty surge, the line flakes
overheard as quickly as thought, the float
splashes us it disappears beneath the water,
then all Is still. We huff and wait. Pres
emily up bobs the float. The fish finding
the strain of the air-tight barrel too severe
Is coming to the surface. Now the water
bubbles and boils just under our lee, and
the swordflsh breaches half his length out
of his element, shakes himself savagely,
and swimsat lightning speed for the barrel.
lie strikes it again and again with his
sword, but it rests 80 lightly on top of the
water that lie cannot injure it. Then he
stops, looks at us an instant, and darts
toward the boat. We have not time to
bring her head around, and if he strikes it
will be amldships. The pilot comes quickly
aft, bringing his longhandled three corner
cd spade, and as the fish comes within
striking distance, aims one swift, unerring
blow full at his forehead. Thetcrrible sword
drops harmless, the upper muscles at it's
base are severed and he passes uader us,
jarring the boat and splashlng us with
water as he sounds. Again the float goes
under and is out of sight q longer time
than before Again the fish throws him.
self out of water, showing his sword hang
ing down at all angle of forty five degrees
He swims once or twice around the barrel,
then starts to windward at too furious a
speed to last with the float ploughing be-
hind him. When we beat up he is feebly
fighting it. He sounds for short time,
but comes up exhausted. Once or twice
lie rolls over on his side, but RECEIVERS HIM
self and swlms On In short tacks. We
press him too closely, and he charges us
again, but we make no effort to avoid him,
knowing that now he Is powcrless to in
jure us nor does lie try to strike, apparent
ly realizing that his weapon Is powerless,
but goes under, coming up the other side.
And SO he sounds and swims, fights and
runs, until at last he succumbs to exhaust
ion and lies still. We work UP alongside,
and as we luff the pilot puts lance into
his very life. There Is shudder along his
whole body, his fins work convulaively a
moment, and then he lies motionless and
dead. We rig tackle to.our main. mast,
and after considerable labor get him aboard
when we can examine at our leisure his
peculiar shape, and admire his graceful,
''clipper build" Our Nantucketer estimates
his weight at between 800 and 600 pounds.
His sword Is over three feet In length, it's
broken point and nicked edges proving that
Its owner was an old as we'll as q fighting
fish. Our fish Is on board, and after re-
serving d few choice cuts, turned over to
our pilot, who asks that we run to Martha's
Vineyard that he may dispose Of him be.
fore he spoils. And 90 we set gaff and lib
topsalls, haul or before the wind, and iay
our coursc northward. aE,'' HiH = a#tl =