The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1891-04-09
A THRILLING ADVENTURE.

zambique Channel, but seeing no signs
OF sperm whales, we arrived at the
Bazastea Islands, whittier the captain
had determined to 60 in search of
a stock of wood. These isles are stu
ated in the Mozambique, at but short
distancesfrom the mainland of Africa.
They are thickly wooded, and but
sparcely inhabited, both which cir
cumstances contributed, in the pres
ent instance, to making them q fav-;
orite place of resort for our cap
tain. g''
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 of the wood,
took axes to the mates boat and
proceeded to an inspection of the ia
cilities for cutting and boating off FIRE
wood, afforded by the different little
iSlets
1t must be promised here, that our
ship lay at the distance of about two
and a half miles from the mainland,
the different isles being from half a mile
to three miles distant
To cut a supply ofwood for whaling
cruise is a work requiring some DAYS,
and often weeks; and it had been de-
termlned that the first, and if 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 a
wilderness of low jungle, which was
scarcely penetrable, together with a
poor landing. We examined three or
four 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 a good breeze,
fair coming and going, and we'll take a
look at the mainland"
Accordingly the boats head was
laid shoreward, and we spread our
selves at full length upon the thwarts,
enjoying all unusual treat Of some cigars,
which our chief officer had good
naturally brought with him.
When within about q mile and a
half OF the mainland, and, we ound the
water shoaling, being then not more
than three fathoms-eight feet-deep.
Il saw a black skin glisten in the
sun just them" said the boat-steerer,
who was aft, the mate having stretch
ed himself upon the bow thwart to
take nap,
1T 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 a sight of the questionable
black skin"
'"There he blOws-and there again
and over here, too" said several
voices in succession.
at amt q spout at all, boys let's
pull and see what it is"
We took to our oars, and the boat
was soon da1ting 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 &C
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 a loud snort, and incontin-
emily down again, almost before we
could get a 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, eff it
comes within reach of my iron, I'll
make fast to it; so pull ahead"
We were again under Roadway, keep
ing q bright lookout for the reap
pearance of the stranger.
"There they are, a. whole shoal!'
said the mate, eagerly, pointing in
shore, where the glistening 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. I see him. There
way enough-there' his back"
'Stern all!'' shouted he, as he DART
ed his iron into back as broad as a.
small sperm whales. A..
"Stern all! Back water--back water,
every manV And the Infatuated
beast made desperate lunges in every
direction, making the white water fly
almost equal to awhale. s-
We could now see 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
ed in books of natural history.
Our subject soon got little cooler,