The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-09-23
A Fighting octopus.

tiers. from the Coast of Maine in and on
the borders of the Gulf Stream to the cold
waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Inn
agine bag of flesh, over which waves of
color are constantly sweeping, and from
which eight arms radiate like the arms OF
gigantic spider, their under sides lined
with sharp suckers, and between them,
where they join the body, two parrot-like
bills. On each side of the lower part OF
the bag put two fierce green or yellow eyes,
give the whole mass tremulous motion,
and YOU have general idea of the appear
ance of the octopus, second cousin OF the
giant squid. In size they range from
foot across upward. The suckers on the
arms are SO many airpumps, so that when
they are pressed upon the body piston,
like arrangement exhausts the air, and the
suction presses Gin many kinds) sharp,
''sawedge," bony plate, or ring, into the
flesh, making hundreds of terrible wounds
In the Bahama Islands these animals
are very common, and often of great size,
and their capture affords considerable sport
to winter visitors at these isles of summer
The largest octopus ever caught was found
upon the beach at Nassau. Each arm
measured five feet, and the entire monster
weighed nearly 300 pounds.
Several years agoa party from New York
spent the winter at Nassau, and the boys
for there were four or fye-had lively
encounter with the octopus. They had
fine cedar boat fitted for their benefit; her bow
and stern were decked over and formed
alright compartments, while row of air
tight cans extended around under the seats
SO that their craft would float when full OF
water-a fact tested on many an occasion.
Sometimes they had to drag her almost out
of the water, but finally the head of "Yel-
low Tall Reef was reached, and they were
upon unexplored ground. The reef was
about three feet under water and covered
with small heads of the coral known as
Meandrina, interspersed with fans and
plumes -
The boat was hauled between two OF the
heads, and Tom, Harry and the others were
sitting on her gunwale resting when they
were attracted by shout from Will, who
had waded away over the heads.
HHere's queer-looking something under
the corals' he shouted. "Come over!' Z
The boys moved off in his direction.
at looks like bundle of snakes, he
continued. "Well, here goes! and aim
ing his grains at the object, Will let drive.
There was commotion for moment.
Will chung to his spear, the pole bending
and writhing about. lH
81 can't see what it isl he shouted.
''Come quick!'
The boys pushed hard, but were yet
twenty Or thirty yards from Will when he
jumped upon coral head with scream,
and up from the water, clinging to his legs,
appeared Shiny, writhing, clinging mass
of flesh that Mortified the boys.
Will had lost his hold upon the spear, but
courageously drew his case-knife and cut
at the monster, that had now crept up to
his waist
at is an octopus!'' shouted Tom, as the
boat rushed into the head of coral, and
seizing his spear, overheard he went, and
as Harry grasped Wills extended arm and
tried to drag him into or towards the boat
he hurled his spear again and again into
the creature and endeavored to push it
from Wills knee, where it had now settled
under the vigorous blows of the knife.
Two of the arms were severed in this
way, but the others chung like leeches,
winding about his legs, doubling and twis-
ting all the while.
Will was faint and weak, but the rest
encouraged him, and finally he struck
deep blow into the body of the monster,
and Tom settling down almost under the
water, with tremendous lift tore the ugly
creature from its hold
At the same moment the boys in the
boat, who had chung to Will, fairly jerked
him into the boat, with some of the arms
of the octopus still clinging to him.
Tom was not a moment behind, as the
creature had escaped from him, and ne
was likewise hauled aboard.
Will was badly cut; his legs, arms and
neck were covered with round marks, as
if he had been cupped; and some of them
bled badly, while other sharp bites were
evidently the marks of parrot-hke bills.
The water for many feet about them
still showed evidence of the struggle, be
ing as black as ink from the sepia the ami
NAL had elected in its fear or rage.
Will was determined to have the body of
the octopus. So after the water had clear
ed, they commenced the search, and final
ly the ugly fellow-or what was left of it
was found under clump Of branch cor
al. The boat was held over the spot, and
three spears were sent into it at once.
Even now it struggled hard, and as they
lifted it aboard the creature dragged at
least fifty pounds of dead coral with it.
But once in the boat it was soon finished
with hatchet and packed away in half a
barrel, which it nearly filled, and was found
to weigh afterwards 10 pounds.
'You wouldn't believe creature like
that would have so much strength, said
Will, as they started for home GAS soon
: as I hit it it seemed to run up the spear.
: and nearly twisted the pole out of my
hands, and the water became as black as
ink; and the first thing knew felt some
thing like red-hot band clasp my leg
and then another and then made jump
for the ''head, and the animal tried to climt
upon me. I don't know whether he wal
trying to attack me or escape; but Iy'
learned one lessOn-never to strike an
octopus unless you are in boat"
CHAPPED HANDS. raw winds o
late autumn often produce in the hands o
those who are much exposed to them tha
roughness and cracking of the skin know
as chapping. If nothing is done to prevent
and the person is obliged to have his hand
frequently wet and dried, the cracks vii
. get deep and be painful. Corn husking i
/, frequently accompanied by sore hands fron
!, this cause. AS both a precaution and cur
! for chapped hands we have used the follow
! ing with benefit: Wash the hands, AM
the face also if it is inclined to chap, witt
borax water, and afterwards rub with a
8 ointment made by melting mutton talloy