Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-11-20
A SAILORS YARN.

the average old forecastle sailor can
explain. but nevertheless he thorough
~ believes in the old saying.
Several years ago l was making my
first voyage as boy on one OF the big
clippers bound to San Francisco, when
one Sunday afternoon, just after cross
ing the equator in the Pacific. my
room mate Weakened me at the end Of
my watch below, saying: Come for
ward quick; there are some sharks
over the bow and the sailors are trying
to catch one.
The whole crew had gathered for
ward and all were watching the sharks
and the done fisherman who held
the line.
Finally one, after viewing the bait
from all sides made lunge towards
st. and turning on its side swallowed
the pork and was about to make off
with the lunch, when the line
brought him up with round turn.
After several trials the moose finally
frightened around his tail. and with
shouts of delight at the unexpected
result the sailors grabbed the rope
and ran him up tail first
All sailors regard sharks as their
worst enemies, SO this one was given
no quarter and as the fellow hung in
this powerless position they drew their
knives, and swarming over the bow
on the ropes and stays, proceeded
with the work of torture.
, When at last the shark was dead
they cut off some pieces for breakfast
and the rest which was dropped over
board. made a supper for its hungry
companions of few hours ago.
AS we sat at supper that evening an
'old shell-back" said: I'VE have
caught our shark, now watch out for
the breeze"
Some OF the younger members of
the crew laughed at the idea but the
old sailor shook his head as he said:
'Its coming sure enough, and you
will soon have more breeze than you
want"
Not a sign of a breeze was to be
seen, and the ocean was as placid as a
mill pond. AS the sun sank into the
peaceful ocean the clouds overhead
turned brilliant scarlet Further
and further this mantle of red stretch
cd out until the whole heavens were
one mass OF blood red clouds.
Below the CLASSY surface of the great
ocean reflected the brilliant color of
the sky above until it seemed as if the
ship was floating on sea Of blood.
1t was a sunset which / shall never
forget and some of the old sailors as
they watched, growled out The
breeze will be hard one and 1t will
not be long coming, either"
Some of the moro superstitious said
that sunset meant something bad would
happen, and all because We had killed
the shark.
AS We breakfasted on shark steaks
the next morning the ''breeze" had
commenced and the ship was once
more in motion. The wind was light
from the west, but the ship was roll
ing uneasily in swell from the south
west which was increasing much fast
er than the breeze. Where the heavy
swell came from, with such Il light
wind, we did not know, but it was no.
Gced that the captain seemed uneasy
and was watching the weather very
closely.
The swell still increased and during
the morning an unusually heavy roll
sent the big kettle OF pea soup Aging
off the stove, emptying its contents
into the lee scuppers. Another kettle
Jul was made and this nearly followed
Che first before we succeeded in stow
ing it away where it belonged.
Although only boy i had learned
TO steer, but as | went aft TO take my
,trick at the Wheel after dinner the
captain shook his head and said: Il
guess you had better let man take it
to-day"
The breeze was rapidly becoming
iresher. and one after another the
light sails came in. IL was rain
ing, but as the weather was very
warm the men, with only shirts and
pants on. took it as it came rather
than TO hamper themselves with hot
oil suits. Now and then sea swept
over the rail. but the salt water was
10 warm that the men enjoyed rat her
shan minded the duckings.
Az the wind hauled more TO the
north the ship was put about and
headed TO the westward, which brought
the swell ahead and she now pitched
unessly in the sea.
The watch on deck were kept busily
at work taking in sail before the stead
ily Increasing breeze and before p.
m. II became necessary 10 call all
ba.is-
In came the to'-gallant sails and
these We're followed by the big main
rail. which gave us hard tussle. II
sailors ever enjoy gale it is during
warm weather when with light cloth