Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-11-30
LOVE IN A WHALER.
BY ]. ALDEN TABER.

Inc gOOd snip OSceOla, nalllng from
Nantucket, was three months out
from port, and although for the past
month whales had been seen In large
schools, any attempt TO lower boat
to capture them was sure to galley"
the monsters, and they would disap-
pear to be seen no more that day, and
prehaps not for several days. With
no other sail in sight, and with every
condition favorable, the officers were
utterly::at a loss to account.tor the act
ton of the whales.
Captain Harlow, fine specimen of
the Yankee whaleman, had taken
with him on his trip-which he pro-
posed to make short, or "plum.pud-
ding" voyage-his wife and daughter
Elsie, pretty and intelligent girl OF
twenty. There was also on board q
son OF one OF the owners of the vessel,
Matthew Starbuck, and it was
more than limited in the fore
castle that young Starbuck was
making the voyage because Henry
Macy the mate, was q rival for the
hand and heart of the captains pref
ty daughter, and he did not propose
to leave the field, or more strictly
speaking, the ship clear for Macy's
love.making. The mate was q hand
some young fellow, with well-knit
figure and brave as q whaleman, He
had been remarkably successful in his
previous voyage, and the owners had
promised him command OF the o.
ceola on ner next trip if the vessel
continued her good luck, Capt. Harlow
having sIgnifed his intention OF retir-
ing from the sea.
Now this promised promotion
of his rival did not please Matthew
Starbuck and not being as straight
and honest as the majority
of Nantucketers, and not as brave, he
to prevent it if he could do
so without risk to himself. Having
lived among oil hunters all his life
he had learned the habits of the
whale thoroughly, and havinga liberal
allowance OF Yankee sharpness, he
soon had g. plan concocted, which
while there was little chance OF sus-
picion falling on him, was pretty sure
to prevent the ship taking enough oil
to warrant the making OF a captain OF
his hated rival.
1t was early on O. bright September
morning, and the ship was moving
lazily along through the waters OF the
Atlantic Ocean; Captain Harlow was
confined to his cabin, severely indis-
posed, and the mate had charge OF
the deck. Suddenly the man at the
sang out, ''There she
blows!" and Immediately all was bus
tie on board. A large school OF sperm
whales was in sight scarcely a mile
away, and two boats were lowered to
give chase, the young mate himself
taking charge OF the waist boat. he
waved his hand cheerlly to Elsie as
she stood smiling on him from the
cabin door, and Starbuck, intercept
inc the signal, growled something I'M
under his breath,
while he FASTENED to the forward part
of the vessel. 1t was evident that he
had something concealed beneath his
coat, and he cast furtive glances
around to assure himself that he was
until gaming a sheltered
spot near the house, he drew out
and proceeded co myster-
iously manipulate 1t.
Watching the boat containing her
lover as it shot through the water,
Elsie did not notice Starbuck, but as
her eve wandered for amoment ahead
of the pursuing sailors, when the I'M
conscious whales were dlsportlng
themselves, it encountered something
bright, dancing from wave to wave,
and gradually nearing the school.
What could it be? She was too &C
customed to the bosom Of the deep not
to know that it was something unusu-
al, this dancing bit OF light. All
at once her school days came before
ner. She remembered the piece OF
broken looking glass kept IN her desk
for the purpose of rejecting the suns
rays so they would play about the
teachers eyes, and keep that worthy
what could be the matter
with his glasses. Some one was per-
forming this same trick on board the
ship, and the purpose was clear. 1t
was to brighten the whales so that
the boats now in chase could not ap-
proach them. She knew that, while
whales are ordinarily dull and easily
approached if proper care is observed,
p very little thing will sometimes
galley" them and cause them to go
down. No better method could be
Laken than to throw the bright rays
Of the sun into their stupid little eyes,
and certainly none that would excite
less suspicion. With senses 5harpened
by love. she soon had the culprIt In
view, and stealing noiselessly up to
where he was crouched, she said with
forced calmness:
.'Mr. Starbuck, may l ask what
that instrument is you have in your
hand?"
Not having heard the light footsteps
of the girl, Starbuck was much atartl-
ed at the words so close to his ear.
and in trying to hastily conceal it,
he dropped the instrument with a
crash to the deck. while he nervously
answered:
sit is nothing, Miss Elsie, only all
instrument have made to take the
sun with. 1t is useless now, | guess"
II hope so, am sure" said Elsie
meaningly, as she picked up the frag'
nnents and SAW that they once were q