The Van Buren press., 1895-03-16
SEAL KILLING.
This Lifo 1s One Of Much Work
and No Play.
First steps Toward tho Production OF b
Seal Garment "A Dreadful slaugh-
tor That ID Full of Profit
and Danger.

First steps Toward tho Production Of b
Seal Garment "A Dreadful slaugh-
tor That Is Full of Profit
and bangor.
Moth by east half moth! Out all
lightsl And stop that fearful noise be-
tween decks!"
cay, ny, sir!"
"Tell the chief to stir up his fire care
fully, and not make so much smoke, or
we will be cut out."
With this gruff ending the skipper
continues pacing the bridge pulling at
the short stem OF clay pipe that he
holds between his teeth, and every now
and then taking his binocular from the
rail OF the bridge and casting anxious
glances toward the horizon, where he
can but just discover the outlines of a
steamer against the sky.
His chief mate, with si@sessa tA6 con
versation has been conducted, leaves
the bridge and, going forward, eau
tions the men that the skipper wants
quiet.
The old men understand at once the
meaning of this order, and put sud-
den end to the rollicking OF the young
ones, the squeak OF all accordion, to-
gether with the shrill whistle OF d tin
flute, stops.
The old salts, seeing that the quar-
termaster is lowering the masthead
light, and that the side lights have al
ready been taken from their boxes and
hidden, turn their guilds over in their
checks, and one OF them, giving an ex-
ira hitch to his trousers, says: 1.-THE
skipper beant goin' ter lead tn way ter
tn banks fur thut tub ter foller!"
mo, thut ee beant," rejolns his com.
panions.
ZEE be on the rang tack, though, fur
this trip, to my thinkin'," says one OF
the men.
"Let 'um alone, mate" replies the
first speaker. "The skipper beant
shut ee's lights for nothink. Let 'un
aloner'
What vivid contrast between the
commanding officer OF this steamer and
that OF the crack Atlantic liners. No
gold lace and snowy uniforms. No
jaunty blue cap set on locks fresh from
the hands Of the barber. No relief
from the rounds of duty to be found in
promenade OF the deck with little
hand tucked under his arm. and n
chance to whisper soft nothings into
nm ear which receives them as ver-
liable truths
No chance to escort some pretty maid
to his perch on the spacious bridge,
and there explain to her the intricacies
Of the numerous bits OF machinery
with which its heavy rail are adorned,
and at the same time, under cover Of
the "dodgsr," press her hand in his
while she wonders at his impudence.
No stupendous air ofimportance with
which to mystify the timid traveller
and ward OFF any inquiry as to the
ships rate of speed. Nothing but q
hardy follower Of Father Neptune, who
long ago received his baptism of salt
water, and, with it, plentiful sprink-
ling Of 10y sleet, which has ofttimcs
held him fast within its stern embrace.
An old seal killer, is he? And the
dodge which he has adopted now in
putting out his lights, although else
where q dangerous trick, is but part
OF his early training In an endeavor to
outwit his companions on the other
ships, and gain the ice before them.
lie had noted the winds for weeks
before the time came for him to leave
the harbor on his mission, formed his
own conclusions as to the course he
should sail, and kept this secret closely
locked beneath that sealskin waistcoat
which covered his breast.
Don't imagine this to be the same
dainty fur which protects my lady's
shoulders from the piping visits Of
Jack Frost. Not a bit OF It, A coarse,
gray, hairy garment this, spotted here
and there with black dots, and so
strong smelling OF the oil Of the ami
NAL Us to render its use anywhere but
in the open air, and on the person Of
one OF these sturdy bearers, decided
ly disagreeable experience.
The telegraph under his hand indi-
Gates to the engineer to slow his en-
gines to half speed, while the fremen
open the furnace doors, SO that there
may be no lifting Of the safety valves,
and thus, by the escaping steam, be-
tray their whereabouts to the others Of
the fleet who left the harbor at the
same time. -
The sky is rapidly becoming over
cast, and now and then q flake Of snow
is driven by the wind against his
cheeks. 1t is just the weather that he
had been praying for; for, under the
cover OF the storm, which is rapidly
coming up, he can feel free to shape his
course towards the direction where he
is certain he shall find the seals.
Thicker and thicker falls the snow,
and the wind, rising, drives 1t in whirl-
ing masses against the canvas sides Of
the bridge. No use Of man In the
zero nest" at this time; they are yet
too far from the object Of their search,
and the night Is too dark, the storm
too severe, to render this post one of
any Importance.
The telegraph signals Full speed
ahead" now, and the engineer opens
wide the throttle, while the flremen
shovel the Goals into the yawning fur.
mace mouth, and stir up the fire, until
the hand on the gauge stands steadily
at sixty points, and the ship, feeling
the pressure Of the screw, plows
through the angry sea, tossing great
masses of foam from her bows, as
though she felt that her very fate de-
pended on the fearlessness with which
she met their advances.
keep q sharp lookout there for
rardl"