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

we nad Detn some nlnt monthc
from home, and were nearly ont of
wood. Sailing lazily down the Mo-
zambique Channel, but seeing no signs
OF sperm whales. We arrived at the
Bazastea Islands, whittier thecaptain
had determined 90 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
cnmstances contributed. in the pres
ent instance, TO making them fav-
orite place OF resort for our cap
tain.
We sailed into the little bay formed
by the islands and the neighbor:ng
mainland, about seven o'clock one
morning; and after coming 20 anchor,
furling sails and clearing a space in
the hold for the reception ofthe wood,
took axes TO the mates boat and
proceeded 70 an inspection of the fe-
cilities for cutting and boating of fire
wood, afforded by the different little
islets.
IL must be promised here, that our
ship lay at the distance of about two
and half miles from the mainland,
the different isles being from half mile
20 three miles distant.
To cut "A supply fwood for n whaling
cruise is a work requiring some days,
and often weeks; and IL had been de-
termined that the first, and il 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 tthe
mates boat 3 crew had been ordered
TO prepare for a general cruise. We
provided ourselves with a store OF
bread and beef, filled the beaker wit IA
water, spread our sail TO the hgLt
breeze, and pointed our boat to the
nearest island.
Landing her, we found nought but n
wilderness OF low Jungle which was
scarcely penetrable, together with n
poor landing. We examined three or
four of the islets. and having at last
fixed upon suitable place where to
commence operations, We're about to
return ON board, when the mate said.
"Trim aft, Tom-there' : agood breeze,
fair coming and going, and Wei take d
look at the mainland.
Accordingly the boats head was
laid shoreward, and we spread our
selves at full length upon the thwarts,
al q
which our chief officer had good
naturally brought with him.
When within about mile and o.
half OF the mainland, and, we found the
water shoaling, being then not more
than three fathoms-eight feet-deep.
II saw black skin glisten in the
sun Just then, said the boat-steerer,
who was ait, the mate having stretch
ed himself upon the bow thwart to
take nap,
1T was nothing but n putting pig,
said he, drowsily.
There il is again, and no putting
pig, either nor porpoise, nor mo,
said he, with some degree OF ANNA
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 sight OF the questionable
black skin
There he blows--and there again
and over here, too" said several
voices i'm succession.
1T amt spout at all, boys let s
pull and see what IL is
We took to our oars, and the boat
was soon daTting forward at good
speed, toward the place where we had
last seen the object of our curiosity
stern ALI" suddenly shouted the
mate, as the boat brought mp "all
standing" against some object which
we had not been able to see on ac-
count of the murkiness OF the water,
the collision nearly throwing us down
into the bottom OF the boat.
AZ We backed of, an enormous beast
Slowly raised his head above the wa
ter. gave a loud snort, and incontin-
entity down again. almost before we
could get fair look ut IL"
What il III" was now the question,
which no one could answer.
Whatever IL is, said the mate,
whose whaling blood was up, III il
comes within reach OF my iron, I'll
make fast TO il; SO pull ahead
We were again under Roadway, keep
ing bright look out for the reap
pcarance OF the stranger.
There they are, n whole shoall
said the mate, eagerly, pointing IN
shore, waere the glistening ofthe white
water showed that n number OF the
nondescripts were evidently enjoying
themselves. "Aow, boys, pull hard,
and well soon try their mcttle.'
There's something broke water
just ahead" said the boat-steercr.
Pull easy, lads. | see him. There
way enough-there's his back"