The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-04-24
a WHALE HINT
no" the Exciting Sport Is Carried On by
Norwegian Hunters.

sea; the back is bent upward, it looks
like the bottom of a capsized ship; it
disappears; but the sea becomes almost
calm where the whale went down, and
several minutes elapse before the waves
are able to conquer the calm. From
time to time deep, dull snorts are heard,
Numbering and trembling. as if the
deepest strings of dozen double-basses
were being played down below; and at
others, sharp swishing sound, like an
enormous fountain suddenly set to play
and column of crystal spray ascends
some thirty feet into the air. The
gigantic, glistening body appears on
the surface; the back is bent upward a
second, and it again disappears. 1t
looks as if the whale was warm and
comfortable enough; the sea water, to
us looking so cold, plays pleasantly
around it; hot steam issues from its
dilated nostrils, and it seems like a
man enjoying refreshing morning dip.
During the last quarter of an hour
we have seen some forty whales, but
none have come within range. The
gun has no certainty much beyond
thirty yards, so that the whale must be
nearly under the ships bow when
firing. Aswe stand looking at this mag
nificent spectacle the water close around
the ship suddenly becomes light green
in color and somewhat calm. Then a
deep, heavy thunder; the ship trembles
from stem to stern; great column of
dampness is shot into the air, drench-
ing us all; dull snort, and an enor-
nous blue whale rises out of the sea a
few yards on our starboard side. Now
the Captain will fire, we think, invol-
unfairly holding on to the wire rigging;
but Foyn stands by his gun without
making the least movement, and the
next second the whale again descends
into its watery home The range was
probably not good one. A few min
utes after the same thunder, the same
sensation, the same column and the
same snort-another whale appears on
the port side. The Captain turns the
gun, while we watch, with beating
hearts, the movements of the animal
as well at his own. Every second seems
an eternity. He raises the gun, aim.
Alas! a heavy sea strikes the vessel;
keels her over; the gun is lowered, but
the whale is gone. They seem all to
have disappeared now, not a puff to be
seen. We stand and talk about the in
cident, and somebody suggests to go
aft and 'have a smoke;" when sud-
denly two whales are seen some dis
lance off, now going side by side, now
behind each other. The helm is turned
and we follow them in hot haste
through wind and waves A complete
silence reigns on board during the pur-
suit, only now and then broken by the
Captains short words of command,
who stands calmly watching the ami
mails. Now the vessel heels over the
whales are within range. ''Stop,"
sounds in the engine-room. But the
speed was too great and we shot past
them. Full speed ahead" sounds
again. 1.-TWO men at the helmn' The
vessel turns swiftly and we separate
the couple. The whales disappear
We follow the direction they are tax
ing, and look!-a little before us the
sea becomes emerald green. "Slow,"
again. The vessel moves slowly for
ward and the whale reappears twenty
yards off. ''Stop," shouts the Captain.
The gun is turned, raised and again
lowered-not u sound is heard on
board-the whale has puffed-the back
is bending; the captain aims and a
laundering report rends the air and
makes the vessel tremble in every Sec
ton. We have watched all this with
every nerve strained, and hardly feel
the icy foam of the sea which bedews
the cheek and benumbs the hands.
'Did you hit him?" we shout to the
Captain.
Don't know" is the laconic an
swer. "Almost absurd to attempt it
in such sea; one risks losing the gear
and frightening the whale. y
In the meantime all the crew are
pusy clearing the line of the harpoon,
and we are still in doubt whether we
have hit him, but the suspense does not
last long, as Immediately ''look out!'
is shouted by the Captain, and the line
runs out with terrific speed and great
noise. Full speed aheadl'' is shouted
below, but the ship is running double
her highest speed, such is the strength
of the whale that has her in tow. The
animal is fleeing at the top of its speed.
and we follow right through the break
ing seas. Ten minutes pass by-they
seem ten hours when suddenly a
blood-streaked column of water is seen
on the horizon. 1t is our whale! An
other moment, and clear one is seen.
1t is his companion which follows her
wounded mate. Both go down; the
line does not run so fast; the wounded
whale appears once or twice more,
when he sinks. The whale is dead.
After a while the hauling-in begins
very carefully, and finally the great
body rises to the surface, the ship keel
ing over. After few hours hard work
in securing the monster to the vessel
with chains and ropes, the course is
shaped for home.
what do you think of it, CaptainP'
I ask
Not bad" he answers simply
Steward, give the crew drink al
round! And let us have something tC
eat.
1.-The whale measured more than
eighty feet in length.
Once more his widowed mate takes q
turn round the ship, when she stands
out to sea; while we, with our noble
spoil in tow, slowly make for the whale
station in South Varanger.-Chan'berS