The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-01-05

with a muttered oa III and an ugly. ominous
frown at the captain, walked away and
prepared 10 get his boat ready for lowering
along with the rest
The captains wife was greatly affected
ard disappointed by the turn affairs had
taken, and II was noticeable that a de-
cided estrangensnt sprang Up hencsforrh
between her and her husband, while she
bestowed on all occasions a sympathetic
and tender affection upon the second mate,
calling him "pobre hombre mi querido
paisano."
When we had been out OF port about two
months and were stin cruising off the coast
or Ecuador, and the humphack season was
drawing 70 close, there occurred q series
or the most tragic scenes and events that
I ever witnessed and lived through during
the many years Of my seafaring life, which
even after we had passed through their
various stages cast a shadow OF gloom
around those OF US who remained together
for brief space OF time aboard the Ill
starred Golconda, until We finally reached
Tumbez.
While cutting in a whale on the hump
back grounds on the coast of Ecuador
large numbers OF divers kinds OF fish in
varisbly gather about the vessel 10 feed
on the offai and bits OF bIubber floating
around, and on these occasions we often
managed TO hook a goodly number OF big
and small ones, some Of the species being
very palatable. At the time referred to
above, toward the close OF the humpback
season. We caught couple OF very large
dolphins These fish, when they are
stripped Of their rainbow-hued skins, pre-
sent white. succulent flesh. like that OF
the swordfish. which is fairly good eating.
especially when fried In pork fat, in which
style IL Is generally prepared aboard whal-
ers. Our captain, a native OF Cape Cod,
was very fond OF fish chowder, and on
~rs1E g~.wx Il sI@1 a.
OF the fish cooked thus, solely for aim
self. as all the rest OF us preferred IL fried.
Dolphins. bonitas, albicore and similar
fish. are often poisonous. especially II they
are left exposed 10 the rays OF the moon
over night after being caught. People par
taking of these kinds Of fish aboard ship
sometimes show marked symptoms Of
poisoning. such as a severe swelling OF the
face and entire head. accompanied by an
acute, burning pain, the face assuming
a dark crimson color. This state often
lasts for many hours, racking the brain of
the sufferer. and IL no proper remedies
are at hand II may prove fat>l. To deter
mine whether such fish are poisonous a
silver coin is generally put into the fry
Ing pan or pot along with the fish. and IL
the silver turns black the mess is not fit
to eat, As all sailors well know.
Everybody partook freely OF the dolphin
at supper that night. and nobody felt any
bad sensations except the captain. who
ate the chowder prepared for him by the
steward according 10 a recipe of his own.
A few hours after supper symptoms like
those heretofore described began to show
themselves on the captain, who thought
little about the matter at first, for he had
been affected before like that, he said.
after eating dolphin, but he thought It
strange that none OF the rest OF us who
had eaten fried dolphin were affected. and
asked II a piece OF silver had been put in
the fish kettle with his chowder, 10 which
the steward replied IN the affirmative, and
said that the coin had shown a bright
color when II was removed from the boil
ing mess. The captain retired early. but
during the night got up at intervals, pac-
ing up and down in the cabin, suffering
from acute pains IN the head and stomach.
The mate got him some Dover powders
out OF the medicine chest, and after TAX
ing a couple OF these in a cup OF warm
water he slightly vomited, which caused
him no material relief. On the contrary,
toward morning his condition grew rap
idly worse, and at o'clock. while the
crew were at breakfast. he expired IN
great agony, in the presence or his WIFE
and those of US who belonged IN the atter
part OF the vessel. Mrs. Gait VINO haa
been watching by her husbands SIDE
nearly all night, did not appear greatly
affected BIZ her bereavement. she was
calm and stoiii and. with the exception
OF shedding a few tears. showed no Signs
OF deep grief or sorrow over the loss OK
her husband. and few, therefore, were the
words OF consolation bestowed upon her
h,, ra The second mate ala not offer
her the least coincidence. but silently went
on deck TO stand his watch
The crew were deeply moved when tne
.ad tidiugs reached them. and i felt inc
loss OF my old friend and former snip
mate keenest OF all We begged the mats
20 have the remains buried ashore, anu as
wa were In sight OF the coast or Ecuauor
he readily acquiesced. and the brig was
nut about and tackled for shore the PERU
,,tap coIo-s displayed at halfmast When
close 10 the land we backed our yards ana
clay TO-" while the deceased captain
boats crew proceeded ashore Win
counle OF spades and dug grave at some
u.,ta distance back OF the beach. at a
rlace designated by the whalemen or the
burnDhank feet OF those days as the gar
aen spot." a lovely knoll. between Sua
and AtacAna, where orange ana lime trees
are interspersed with stately cocoahut
Mains. a tiny rivulet winding It's way
,hrough the groves down 10 the Dazzling
white sand beach. In he meantime our
,cooner assisted by the mate. VINO was
ouffe handy az carpentering, MADE tol-
erahiy neat coffin which when hnlshed III
tho evening was painted black ana isit 10
dry over night As is usual when on tIe
humpback grounds. we anchored 'haI
night. leaving the coloTs flying At halt-
mast and lighting a row or lantei Is On
.ns ron OF the try WORKS In honor or me
ssad The next afternoon the CONN Win
the remains OF our dead captain was
nlaced in his former boat, which was then
taken In tow by the mates boat nearly all
~ rs following the marine funeral process
stnn In a third boat. leaving the second
mate who seemed greatly adverse 20 ac-
connnarving u. IN charge OF the vessel
az also the cook and one sailor. Al the
burial the mate read the prayer Ter the
deaA and after singing hymn we closed
the lone grave and erected a simple wood
On cross, which the cooper had MADE
over H. and ~hien tore tls
.swa and date u death or
,nv OLD friend snd shipmate, whom
hsa met by chance only two months be-
SO when he was in robust health, Atue
dreaming that his last sleep would De IN
..ths garden spot on the coast OF Ecua-
Ar where he had been whaling 50 many
years
oar mate. Mr. Leighton. was now mas
- ,,ro tenn OF the brig. He proved 5000
ravtga.or. and Ne started on saoTs az
,. ,roeas1{ng 20 the sperm hale
mods around the Galapagos ISLANDS,
7-S,>n la of tho coast OF Peru 4 turned
-, "a va had surInssed. Mrs. Cats gT;ef
- tha sudden loss OF her HUSBAND was
o,vthinr bat deep-rUoIed. IN less liAh q
.,crth Sra was noNlse loatn 70 FeceiV
~. marked attentions bestowed upoa hcF
- - handsome young ''passano.' VINO
vs. srlitten by her cnsrus an 80 , =. =.
W =. -, Nh her. as could be plainly
-, T-hev seemed 20 fairy oAsN IN tne
s.--At-s ~ their love, whtch must haNe
- - q, tha CAPTAINS denise. ana