Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1888-03-15

/ found II more difficult TO tend the lin
than he imagined. Bill Scanlan'
lanees were in position and he stoo,
watching his line.
''Snub her little. George"
"Ay, ay, I'm snubhing ii all I dare.
Don't snnb it too hard, Bill 7
shouted the captain.
"Ill look out for that. sir"
The line now Stacked.
"Haul in !" cried Bill.
The crew hauled in the line as fast
as George could coil it in the stern
sheets without difficulty.
He won't run away. bat he's GO
lag to fight" said the captain. "Pull
ahead, yon and the third mate, and
stand by to lance him as socn as be
has risen. Keep on hauling, Bill,
and get a good lance in as soon as you
can."
He was obeyed and he got near the
third mate. The old bull came up
head frat, seemed to stand on its tail
as it turned round and round with its
great head out Of water and its sharp
eyes flashing. 1t was evidently sur
veying the ground TO ascertain in what
direction to commence his attack.
"Give him plenty of line, Bill, said
the captain, lust keep in the slack,
that's ALL"
"All right" replied Bill, who was
abreast Stacking out.
Look out there !" cried the prin.
cipal speaker to me, "he's going for
you"
Sure enough, he had stopped turn
ing, and was gradually resuming a
natural position in the water, head.
ing toward. my boat. His head was
lowered to and under the water, but
was Immediately raised again, and out
he preached.
Stern Stern Stern T. / cried
He came down again wide of his
mark, but near enough for me to set
my lance into his side about two feet
abaft of his hump. He turned to re-
new the attack, and, as he drew back,
the captain and third mate got in tel
ling lances; and Bill, with a stroke OF
his oars, got in position near me and
set his lance in where knew it would
do excellent service.
The old bull quivered, and spouted
to the height of fully fifteen feet. 1t
turned suddenly. Bill piled his oars
and George skilfully steered him SO
as to keep the boat in good position.
That's right. lay me on, George,
lay me on = shouted Bill, as he threw
his lance in again; and the captain
and third mate darted energetically
from their positions on the other side
Of the whale.
Lay me on! Lay me on |" con-
tinued Bill, drawing out his lance and
it on the bow Of the boat to
straighten its shank.
George handled the boat dexterous.
ly and so placed it as to enable Bill,
as it came down on the whale with
the sea, to give the latter the benefit
of the whole length of the lance in the
most vital part Of its huge frame.
"Stern! Stern all Slack out
That's settled him." he cried.
"Well done, Bill T. shouted the cap
tain.
Stern Stern all = the rest of Us
yelled.
As expected Bills lance had settled
him, for the whale threw up, in spout
ing, a thick column of blood, and
went with speed in circle, outside Of
which it took the whole strength OF
the boats crews to stern. 1t contin-
ued round and round, rapidly dimin-
ishing the diameter of its circular
course, preached out of the crest of a
sea in lis furry" and finally laid,
"fin out" dead.
The captain, third mate and re-
turned to the vessel, which was run
down to the whale, and, when, after
unusual difficulty, on account Of tie
heavy sea, the tluke chain was put On,
the captain called the hands aft, and
said -
BILL Scanlan is to be second mate,
and ! want you to respect him as
much as you do me. George, you can
move out Of the forecastle into the
steerage. Breakfast, everybody, now,
and be quick about it, so We can. COM
mence cutting in"
All hands save such as were neces-
sary on deck went below to finish the
meal which had been interrupted
when the whale we had alongside was
raised from the masthead, and, if pos
sible, ate enough to last till late in
the day; for after commencing to cut