St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-12-13

was light the men pulled. We he'd
gone nearly . mile think, whom theboy
at the helm gave q loud grunt. the only
sound that had been made. and pointed
up tho coast. Following the direction
indicated, I saw what appeared to be
the heads Of several men on the clear
surface Of the calm water. The natives
lcthargetic enough at any time. seemed
to be excited. and Immediately turned
the boat in that direction and began t.
pull with all their energy. tho boy help
ing along by bending HIS body. as man
of-war's men often do in race.
We soon camc up to tho place and saw
the curious heads projecting from the
water ahead. Ono of tho men put his
oar away and took up . harpoon, and
silently the boat moved ON. now could
SEQ that the animals werc not seals, bet
octaceans Of some kind. Suddenly
there camo . fash, and as one Of the
creatures dashed out Of tho water saw
that 1t was veritable unicorn, SO far Al
the horn was concerned, as from the
head projected q long blade or tusk.
The sight appeared to spur the men on
to greater exertions, and, in q moment,
We were in the midst OF boiling mass
Of heads and tails. knew what the
buck fever was from personal experience
with moose; but l certainly never ex.
perienccd tho feeling that camc over
me Is tho animals dar:ed this way and
that about us.
Suddenly large horn CLEANED by our
side; the next instant tho harpoon was
plunged into its owner. and We were del.
uged with foam from the big animal
that rose high in air. 1t must ha,s
sosnded. as whales do, going directly Z,
the bottom with rush that made IT,
gunwale Of the boat smoke. Again It
went down, the coils OF rope fairly
leaping from the box; then came q stoy,
and then the mon hastencd to take in
tho slack, coiling II back with marvel.
BUS rapidity. Tho animal had to rise
md breathe. and soon an enormous white
ivory tusk shot out Of tho water not .
loot from tho bow. Then came . curl
BUS performance; for . moment the
narwhal seemed to fairly balance. and
then tho boy. seeing the long tusk SO !
near, graspcd it and was jerked of his I
|eet For second he chung to the |
horn as ono would to . flagstaff, then
vas dashed into the water and run
,yer in tho mad rush Of the animal that
low dashed away in a lateral direction.
The boy was picked up in . half
condition, cufied and tossed
INTO the bottom Of the boat; not q mo-
nent too soon, as the line, exhausted
gain. brought up with . jerk, and
way went the boat in . wild race over
no sea.
1t was now merely . question Of en-
lurance, and directing US all to sit in
he stern SO that the bow of the canoa
ras we'll out of the water. tho harpoon.
Z sat and held tho line in place. For
mile. nearly, tho gamy animal tore
through the water without showing
igns Of fatigue. then it began slowly
o abate its pace, so that the men ven
ured to take hold of the limo and haul
a. Slow work it was. Every gull tho
nimal seemed to resent with fierco
ursts Of speed, darting this way and
hat. leaping from tho water. turning
yer and over. trying in every way to
scape tho terrible weapon that held it.
'scape, however, was impossible. and
lOwly the limo came in, until finally
he animal was alongside and landed.
beautiful creature it was, . narwhal
the largest size, nearly fifteen feet
ing, Of q dark, spotted color; making IL /.
striking object rs It rolled about in
10 water. Tho horn OF the narwhal
as q spiral piece OF ivory eight feet
! length, and was in reality tusk or
18th protruding from tho left side Of
10 upper Jaw.