The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-30

the iron between his teeth. With ole
ierk, he drew IL out OF his bleeding
quarter, and shaking II savagely, sank
down to the bottom. The water was
here but about two fathoms deep.
and we could see the direction IA which
he was travelling alone by "A line OF
blood. as well as 10y the air bubbles
winch rose TO the surface as he breath
ed.
Give me another iron, Charley;
and well not give him achance TO pull
il out next time"
The iron was handed up, and we
slowly sailed in the direction our
prize was following along the bottom.
Here's two or three astern OF rs,
said the boat-steerer.
Just then two more rose, one on
either side OF the boat, and in rather
unpleasant proximity, and before we
had begun TO realize our situation,
the wounded beast, unable any longer
TO stay beneath the surface, came up
TO breathe just ahead of us.
"Pull ahead little-let rs get out
of this snarl Lay the boat around,
so-now, stern all, " and the iron was
planted deepin the neck of our victim.
With roar louder than n dozen OF
the wild bulls of Madagascar, the now
maddeped beast made for the boat.
Back water,-back water, | say!
Take down this boat sail. and stern
all, for your lives," as two more APP
peared by the bows, evidently pre-
pared TO assist THEN comrade. He
was making the water fly in all dir
ections. and having failed to reach the
boat, was now vainly essaying TO
grasp the iron, which the mate had
purposely put into his short neck, 20
close TO his head that he could not
get il into his mouth.
stick out line till we get clear of the
shoal, and then well pull up on the
other side of this fellow. and III soon
settle him with lancet"
This was done; and as we again haul
ed upon the still furious beast, the mate
poised his bright lance for moment,
then sent il deep into his heart.
With tremendous roar and des-
perate final struggle of scarcely min
ute's duration, our prize gave up the
ghost, and, after sinking momentarily,
rose again 20 the surface, lying upon
his side, Just as a whale does when he
DIES.
His companions had left us, and We
now, giving three cheers for victory,
toved the carcass TO the not far-dis-
.act shore. IL MSS luckily high tide,
and we got the body up TO high-wattr
mark, where the speedily receding tide
left il ashore.
On measuring, we found ourprize 20
l.. Il. Il. foot
long, from his head TO the commence
ment of his short hairless tail. We
could not measure his girth, but b
bulk was enormous. His legs We
disproportionately short, giving him,
consointly with his short neck and
very large head. an awkward stolid
appearance. which the agility lac dis
played in the water by no means JUS
titled.
We had not been long on shore,
when several natives made their APP
pearance. They testified much Joy at
the sight OF the prize, and went
through most lively pantomime,
from which we gathered that the
beasts were great plague to them,
that the meat was good TO eat. and
that they would like "A portion. The
hint was not lost upon us, who had
not tasted fresh beef for six months.
What shy you, boys; will you try
a piece OF hypopotamus steak" pro-
posed the mate; and as no one dis
scented, we got the axes, and aftercon-
siderable chopping and hacking rot
of the head. when we were enabled to
cut ourselves about twenty-five
pounds OF what appeared 10 be toler-
ably tender meat, of the fore-quarter
of the animal.
Our steaks were cooked for supper,
and whether it was that we were
blessed with an unusually good appe-
title or that the meat was actually
well-navored, certain il Is that they
tasted delicious, and that we ate
heartily OF them.-From Whalers
Note Book