Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1891-07-04
THRILLING ADVENTURE.


of sperm whales, We arrived at the
Bazastea Islands, whittier theeaptain
had determined to 90 in search of
a stock OF wood. These isles are stu
ated in the Mozambique, at but short
distances from the mainland Of Africa
They are thiekly wooded, and but
sparcely inhabited. both which cir
cumstances contributed, in the pres
ent instance, to making them a fay-
orite place of resort for our cap
tain.
We sailed into the little bay formed
by the islands and the neighboring
mainland, about seven O'Clock one
morning; and after coming to anchor,
furling sails and clearing a space in
the hold for the reception ofthe wood,
took axes to the mates boat and
proceeded to an inspection OF the fa-
cilities for cutting and boating off fire
wood, afforded by the different little
islets.
ship lay at the distance of about two
and hall miles from the mainland,
the different isles being from half mile
to three miles distant.
Tocut supply ofwood for whaling
cruise Is a work requiring some DAYS,
and often weeks; and it had been de-
termIned that the first, and il need be,
the next day likewise, should be de-
voted TO thorough inspection of the
faculties of the place, in order that
we might work at as little disadvantage
as possible. Consequently we [the
mates boats crew had been ordered
to prepare for a general cruise. We
provided ourselves with store of
bread and beef, filled the beaker with
water, spread our sail to the light
breeze, and pointed our boat to the
nearest island.
Landing her, we found nought but
wilderness of low jungle, which was
scarcely penetrable, together with
poor landing. We examined three or
Jour OF the islets, and having at last
fixed upon a suitable place where to
commence operations, were about to
return on board, when the mate said.
Trim aft, Tom-there' s good breeze,
talr coming and going, and we'll take
look at the mainland.
Accordingly the boats head was
laid shoreward, and we spread our
selves at full length upon the thwarts,
enjoying an unusual treat ofsome cigars,
which our chief officer had good
naturally brought with him.
oh
half ofthe mainland, and, we found the
water shoaling, being then not more
than three fathoms-eig feet-deep.
II saw black skin glisten in the
sun just then, said the boat-steerer,
who was aft, the mate having stretch
ed himself upon the bow thwart to
take a nap,
ut was nothing but a putting pig"
said he, drowsily.
''There it is again, and no putting
pig, either, nor porpoise, nor no"
said he, with some degree of anima-
ton; "nor anything else that wears
black skin, that ever saw before"
This had the effect of rousing us up,
every one casting his eyes ahead to
catch sight of the questionable
black skin"
"There he blows-and there again
and over here, too" said several
voices in succession.
sit amt spout at all, boys let's
pull and see what it is.
We took to our oars, and the boat
was soon daIting forward at good
speed, toward the place where we had
last seen the object of our curiosity.
"Stern all!'' suddenly shouted the
mate, as the boat brought up ''all
standing" against some object which
we had not been able to see on ac-
count of the murkiness of the water,
the collision nearly throwing us down
into the bottom of the boat.
AS we backed off, an enormous beast
slowly raised his head above the wa
ter, gave loud snort, and incontin-
emily down again, almost before we
could get fair look at it"
what is it?" was now the question,
which no one could answer.
Whatever it is" said the mate,
whose whaling blood was up, ''if it
comes within reach Of my iron, I'll
make fast to it; SO pull ahead"
We were again under Roadway, keep
ing bright lookout for the reap
pearance of the stranger.
"There they are, whole shoall''
said the mate, eagerly, pointing in
shore, where the gIistening Of the white
water showed that number of the
nondescripts were evidently enjoying
themselves. "Now, boys, pull hard,
and We'll soon try their mettle."
There's something broke water
just ahead" said the boat-steerer.
"Pull easy, lads. / see him. There
way enough-there's his back"
"Stern all!' shouted he, as he dart
ed his iron into back as broad as a
small sperm whales.
"Stern ALI Back water-back water,
every mani" And the Infatuated
beast made desperate lunges in every
direction, making the white water fly
almost equal to whale
We could now sec the whole shape of
the creature, as, in his agony and
surprise, he raised himself high above
the surface. We allrecognized at once
the hippopotamus, as he is represent