The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1885-07-28
SMELLING AN EARTHQUAKE.
Abnormal Development Of Sea Captain.
Olfactories.


Olfactories.
1--WE was anchored in the harbor OF
Manila" said bronZed and weather
beaten sailor, as he stretched his legs
under the table and looked meditatively
at n glass of beer which had just been
placed before him. ''lt were in the
ship Albert, as l shipped into fur the
voyage and our old mans name was
Cole. the old man was the best | ever
see at scentin' blow. Why, bless We,
that nose of his were better than any
barometer that ever was made. Many
a time I've seen him a-walking up and
down the poop with the sky rs blue and
wind as fair Us anything. Suddenly
he'd stop, cock up his nose and give a
sort of snuff like. Then he'd snuff all
round the compass and sing out for to
shorten sail aud get ready for blow.
And the blow came, too. The old man
used to say he sometimes lied. but he
never made mistake.
well. rs | was saving, we was
anchored in the harbor Of Manila 1t
was the most beautifullest day you ever
see. Not enough wind to ripple the
water. and not a cloud in the sky. The
old man was ashore. Bimeby he camo
aboard. As he stepped over the side he
stopped and gave a great snuff. Then
he snuffed harder and harder all round
the compass. Then he looked scared
like and rushed below to look at his
barometer. He brought the barometer
up ON deck and placed it where he could
keep his eye on it, and began to get the
ship ready for a typhoOn, for that was
what he thought were a-cOmin. The
barometer didn't 90 down bit, but that
didn't fool the Old man. He sent down
the sky sail AMI royal yards. bent on
purycnter backstays, put double gas
ketS on all the sails 'cepting the fore
and main tawpS'ls, and did every thing
he could think of TO get the ship IN
condition for 4 tvphOon. We Overhauled
the sheets, halyards. buntlinS, elewlins
and braces of the fore and main tawpS i,
and fixed the gaskets so "a we could
get um oil in about two shakes OF a
lambs tail, fur you see we wanted to be
able TO get sail on to her quick to keep
her off shore if so be rs she would drag
her anchors. We put out both anchors
and all the chain we had, and it was 3
powerful lot can tell you.
"Well, that night there want any
sign of blow-juSt as calm and pleas
| ant as il had been, and there WAS the
old man a-walkin' up and down the
deck purity much all night a-lOOkin' al
that barometer. which never moved IN
| inch. The next morning thu barometer
q I'd 90 down a little, and the old man
looked actu'lay pleased, fur YOU see
| he'd rather lie in the biggest blow that
ever was than b. caught ut a mistake
In 'Smellin' bad weather. Well, about
loon that dav. while we were ut din
ncr. there come dull rumblin' sound
md the ship began to tremble all over
ike as if she had struck a rock. Then
h. began 10 90 up. up, and we rushed
| Jut of the foe tie to see great tldal
wave sweeping into the harbOr and or
shore the dust and bricks and trees was
l-tlyin' round in great shape. We was
| III pretty well scared, but fortunately
Se had out so much chain that we rode
| he wave in safety. In the midst of the
confusion l saw the old man clingins
for dear life to the tiferail and heard
him shout: A earthquake, by thunder
j thought twas a typhOOn. ~ l.
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