The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1891-04-09
| THRILLING ADVENTURE.

AOu hOllSp tNilO hSLC IlSebIly OuG Vi
wood. Sailing lazily down the Mo-
zambique Channel, but seeing no signs
of sperm whales, we arrived at the
Bazastea Islands, whittier the captain
had deter mined to go 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 thickly wooded, and but
sparcely inhabited, both which Cir
cumstances contributed, in the pres
ent instance, to making them a fav-
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 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 half miles from the mainland,
the different isles ngfrom half a mile
to three miles distant.
To cut a supply ofwoodfor a whaling
cruise is work requiring some days,
and often weeks; and it had been de-
| termmed that the first, and if need be,
the next day likewise, should be de-
/ voted to q 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 general cruise. We
provided ourselves with a 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 agood breeze,
fair coming and going, and we'll take q
look at the mainland"
Accordingly the boats head was
laid shoreward, and We spread our
selves at full length upon the thwarts,
enjoying all unsual treat ofsome cigars,
which our chief officer had good
naturally brought with him.
When within about a mile and a
half O: Sic mainland, and, wefound the
water shoaling, being then not more
than three fathoms-eight feet-deep.
II saw 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,
at 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 l 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.
at amt spout at all, boys let's
pull and see what it is"
We took to our oars, and the boat
was soon darting 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 call
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 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, a whole shoal!'
said the mate, eagerly, pointing in
shore, where the glistening ofthe white
water showed that a 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's his back"
"Stern ALL" shouted he, as he dart.
ed his iron into a back as broad as g
small sperm whales.
"Stern all! Back water--back water
every man, And the infuriated
beast made desperate lunges in every
direction, making the white water fly
almost equal to whale.
We could now see the whole shape O
the creature, as, in his agony anC
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
and giving a savage roar, bent his
head round as he seized the shank O
the iron between his teeth. With one
jerk, he drew it out OF his bleedin!
quarter, and shaking it saYagely, sanl
down to the bottom. The water was
here but about two fathoms deep
and we could see the directioni in which
he was travelling alone by a line O
blood, as we'll as by the air bubble!
which roseto the surface as he breath
ed.
"Give me another iron, Charley
and we'll not give him achance to pull
ii out next time"
The iron was handed up, and W,
slowly sailed in the direction Our
prize was following along the bottom
Here's two or three astern of us,
said the boat-steerer.
Just then two more rose, one OF
either side of the boat, and in rathe1