Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-04-03

4 NORWEGIAN WHALE HUNT.
of Chase After the Monsters
of tiia Sea.


We arc in the middle of flock of giants
of the sea. The enormous brown and blue
bodies rise out Of the sea; the back is bent
upward, it looks like the bottom of cap
sized ship: it disappears; but the sea be-
comes 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-duil snorts are heard, |
laundering and trembling, as if the deepest
strings of a dozen double-basses were being
played down below; and at others, a sharp |
ewishing sound, like an enormous foun- !
tain suddenly set to play, and column Of |
crystal spray ascends some thirty feet into |
the air. The gigantic, glistening body ap-
pears on the surface; the back is bent up
ward a second. and it again disappears. 1t
looks as if the whale was warm and COM
Portable enough; the sea water, to us look
ing so cold, plays pleasantly around it; hot
steam issues from its dilated nostriis, and
it seems like man enjoying a refreshing
morning dip.
During the last quarter of an hour we
have seen some forty whales, but none have
come within the range. The gun has no
certainty much beyond thirty yards, so that
the whale must be nearly under the ships
bow when firing. As we stand looking at
this ma niticent spectacle the water close
around the ship suddenly becomes light
green in color, and somewhat calm. Then
deep, heavy thunder; the ship trembles
from stem 10 stern; a great column of
Gampness is shot into the air. drenching US
all; a dull snort. and an enormous blue
whale rises out of the sea 4 few yards Oh
our starboard side. Now the Captain will
fire, we think, involuntarily holding on to
the wire rigging; but Foyn stands by his
gun without making the least movement,
and the next sound the whale again de-
scends into its waterv home. The range
was probably not good one. 4 few MN
utes after the same thunder, the same SEN
satiOn, 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 we'll as his OWN Every
second seems an eternity. He raises the
gun, aim. Alas a heavy sea strikes the
vessel, heels 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 Incl
dent, and somebody suggests To go aft and
| have smoke, when suddenly two whales
are seen some distance off, now going side
! by side, now behind each other The helm
IS turned, and We follow them III hot haste
through wind and waves. A complete ST.
! lence reigns on board during the pursuit,
Z Oiil9 iAph anu lIeH DIOh6Il DN Tie NaDtdlll
! short words of command. who stands
calmly watching the animals Now the
| vessel heels over-the whales are within
range. StoD," sounds in the eugine-roOm.
But the speed was too great, and we shot
! past them. Full speed ahead" sounds
again. Two men at the helm ~ The
! vessel turns swiftly, and we separate the
couple. The whales disappear. We follow
the direction they are taking, and look =
a little before us the sea becomes emerald
green. Slow" again. The vessel moves
slowly forward, and the whale reappears
! twenty yards OFT. Stop" shouts the Capt
ain. The gun is turned. raised and again
| lowered-not a sound is heard on board
the whale has puiled-the back is bending;
the Captain ainls-and laundering report
rends the air, and makes the vessel tremble
in every section. 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 answer.
Almost absurd to attempti it in such Il sea;
one risks losing the gear and frightening
the whale"
In the meantime all the crew are busy
clearing the line of the harpoon, and We are
still III doubt whether we have hit him, but
| the suspense does not last lsng, as immedi-
ately look out r' is shouted by the
| Captain, and the line runs out with terrific
| speed and u great noise. " Full speed
ahead is shouted below but the ship is
running double her highest speed, such is
the strength Of the whale which has her IN
tow. The animal is fleeing at the top of its
speed, and We follow right through the
breaking seas. Ten minutes pass by-they
seem ten hOurs-when suddenly a blood
streaked column OF water is seen on the
horizon. IL is our whale! Another mo-
! meut, and a clear one is seen. 1t is his
companion which follows his 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 while the haul-in
begins very carefully, and finally the great
| body rises to the surface, the snip heeIing
over. After few hours hard work in Sc
curing the monster to the vessel with
chains aad ropes, the course is shaped for
home
What do you think of it, Captain ?" /
ask
a Not bad he answers simply. "St4w-
ard, give the crew drink all round And
let Us have Som ething TO eat"
The Whale measured more than eighty
feet i'll length.
Once more his widowed mate takes q
| turn round the ship, when she STANDS out
| 10 sea, while ne, with car noble spoil in
| tow, slowly make FOR the whale station in
South Varanger.-[Cham6ers' journal.
-s E----
Soils, pimples, ringworm, and ali that
class OF affections arising from impure
blood, are cured by Hoods Sarsaparila,
which expels all impurity, and vitalizes
and enricheS the blood.