The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-09

Gu the Whale again. I'm going to
put another iron in him. If he makes
for us. jump overheard, swim a few
strokes and then tread water" We
wore around the whale and got within
half ships length of him. when he
settled little. rose with half breach,
and came straight toward us again.
We as rapidly backed water, and
tried to sheer off, but in moment the
furious leviathan was close astern of
US. and threw out his terrible jaw.
tJump! shouted the mate; and we
all went overheard.
For some reason the whale missed
his blow at the boat. and rushed by,
going in the direction of the ship.
As we swan we could hear the shout
ing on board.
Cummings got his boat to the lee of
the ship. The whale coursed back and
forth. exhibiting unmistakable evil
dence of angry defiance. They feared
that he would run them aboard.
On our part. we saw that our boat
remained uninjured. and returned to
it; the last but one of us was climbing
in when the mate again shouted,
Jump! He's coming!'
took long header out, on the side
next the ship. and as l rose 1 heard
crash behind me. The whale had re-
turned and made an end of the boat
this time.
We all swan in the direction of the
ship, and Mr.. Cummings boat stole
cautiously around the bows and picked
US up.
Meantime Madagascar Jack" was
thrashing the fragments of our second
l. 4 IL
as to his fighting quality. We had al
ready lost one man and two boats; and
the captain deemed any further effort
to kill him unwise and extra hazard
Gus. So thought most of the men.
But the second mate held out and
exclaimed:
me for a set at that old man-killer, or
will ye see me go alone?"
The captain did not exactly forbid
it; and three of us. Coles, the black
smith, a boat-steerer named Preston,
and /, volunteered to accompany An
drews to make a third attack on the
whale.
We pulled round the bows in Mr..
Cummings boat and heard the whale
at little distance, near where he had
stove the last boat.
A few drops of rain were falling, and
the mist had settled again instead of
clearing
Ship your oars and take the pad
dies" said Andrews. dip easy.n
He picked up the boats lance in
stead of the harpoon. IF we can
creep up where can get good set at
him just behind the hump, it's all I
ask" he continued under his breath.
Immediately we espied the black
back of the monster through the mist,
not half a cables length away. He
seemed to be lying there as if on the
wait for US. Then, after moment or
two. he thrashed the floating splinters
of the boat again.
With hearts humping hard. for we
felt it to be matter of life and DEATH
the boat was propelled forward on the
left side of the whale, and glided past
his fiukes Andrews planted his foot
on the rail, and seized the lance pole
in both hands.
The whale moved slightly forward,
but the boat continued overreaching
| him for several seconds. till we were
nearly abreast his shoulder.
Then the mate lunged at him with
will. burving the lance in his side.
He had struck the s.life;;" the lance
entered so deeply. that. Andrews went
half-overboard with it.
The whale squirmed spasmodically,
then started forward. staving in the
broadside of the boat before we could
edge off. We jumped out and dived
as deep as possible, to escape a second
| blow.
swan under water for twenty OF
thirty yards, and when rose and got
the brine out of my eyes. saw the
whale making off. Andrews and both
the others had risen near me; and a
moment after. we all saw blood fly
from the animals spiracles.
Madagascar Jack" was done for al
last. He Jagged around for ten or
fifteen minutes, however.
They could not see us from the ship;
but they had lowered another boat and
on Andrews triumphant hail came
and picked US up.
This whale made eighty-five barrels
of sperm oil; and we had. moreover.
the satisfaction of having rid this ocear
of dangerous rogue. ."-Cephas N
Watkins IN Youth's Companion.