The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-10
CHAPTER XXNII.
ENCOUNTER A wHALER.

I had been SIX DAYS and nights at sea and
the morning of the seventh day had come.
With the exception of one day Of strong
southwesterly winds, which ran me some
thing 10 the norlhward. the weather had been
fne-bitterly cold, indeed, but bright and
clear In this time had run 4 distance Of
about $50 miles 10 the east, and with no other
cloths upon the schooner but her spr.tsail
On the morning Of the seventh day came
on deck. having slept since o'clock
On looking over the larIoard bulwark rail,
the first thing ! saw was "A ship about two
miles of. She was on the larboard tack
under course, toIsails and maintopgallant-
sail, heading a. If to cross my bows. The
sunshine made her canvas look as white as
snow against the skirts of the body of yapor
that had irailcl little 10 locward Of her,
and her black hull flashed as though she dis
charged Lroadsde every tino she rose wet
10 the northern glory out Of the hollow of the
swell with n curl OF silver az her cat water
Ny heart came into my throat, ! seemed
not to breathe not 70 have saved my life
could have uttered q cry, 50 amazed and
transported was ! 10y this unexpected apparl-
ton. | stared Ike one ia dream. and my
head felt as if all the blood in my body had
surged into it, But then, all on a Sudden,
there happened "A revulsion Of feeling Sap
pose she should prove priyatcer-a French
war veSsel-ot "a nation hostile 10 my owni
Thought 50 wrought IN me that ! trembled
like an idiot in fright. The telescope was
too weak 10 resolve her-l could DO letter
with M eyes and stood at the bulwarks
gazing and gazing. as if she were the specter
ship of the Scandinavian legend.
There were flags below, and could have
boisted a signal of distress. but 10 what pur-
pose. If the appearance OF the schooner did
not sufficiently illustrate her condition, there
was certainly no virtue IN the language and
declarations of bunting 10 exceed her own
mute assurance | watched her with pas
sion of anxiety. never doubling her intention
to sr.ak % meat all events 10 draw close
and look at me-whOily concerning myself
with her character. The swell made rs both
dance. and the blue brows of the rollers
would often hide her 70 the height of her
rails: bat we we're closing each other md
ding fast -she travelling at seven and at
four miles in the hour-and presently could
see that she carried a number of boats
y WiultI. llipuSht . HhA 'AA''' NUN
was sure of it 10y perceiving the rings over
her topgallant rigging for the lookout to
stand in.
On being convinced Of this ran below for
shawl that was in my cabin, and, jumping
on to the bulls arks, stood llOurishing II for
some minutes to let them know that there
was man aboard She lutied 20 deaden her
way that might swim close, and as we APP
preached each other | observed a crowd Of
heads forward locking at me, and several
men aft all staring intently
\ man scrambled On to tho rail, and with
an arm claSping a backstay hailed me:
"Schooner ahoylN he bawled with a strong
nasal twang in his cry. "What ships that"
THE Boca del Dragon" shouted back.
"Where arc you from, and where are you
bound tor
IL have been locked up il the ice,' |
cried, "and am in want OF help. What ship
are you"
"The Susan Tucker, whalcr, of New Bed
ford twenty months ont he returned.
"Wherc in creation got you that hooker
I'm the only man aboard, ! cried and
have no boat. Send to ne, in the narce u
God, and let the master coIacl"