Austin's Hawaiian weekly. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1899-190?, 1899-07-22
The Yarn of Bill the Whaler.

But what" said Freddie the lad, to Bill, the
whaler; what was really the most extraordinary
thing that ever happened to your"
Now Freddie, the lad, was six, while Bill, the
wl1aler, was nearer sixty yet they were the great
est of cronies Every fine day, and the days are
always fine in Southern California, you might
see the pair; the grey head and the gold, Out on
the rocks together or sometimes idling along
shore in Bills boat fishing for rock-fsh
Many and wonderful were tho stories that
Freddie would retail to his father in the even
ing, and so we'll did he succeed in the telling that
on rare but never to be forgotten occasions Mr.
Hammond would make one OF the fishing party
himself, and then under the luxurious influence
OF an Havana cigar would Bill outdo himself and
give his always vivid imagination unchecked
flight:
The most extr'ornary thing that ever hap
pened," repeated Bill between chews. THE most
extr ornary? Wal, don't know as how rightly
know which is the most plumb extr' ornary."
Cause dads coming down to go fishing this
afternoon. He said he wanted re-cre-a-shun, an
he told me to tell you to think of the most
traordnary thing that had ever happened to you
and tell it to us this afternoon
Your paw is very representative listener and
has uncommon judgment in the matter OF Ha-
vana cigars replied Bill, land | will do my ut
most to think of the most wonderful thing tibet
ever happened to me, tho it's hard matter to de-
eide in hurry"
Half an hour afterwards, when the lines were
baited and Bill had secured and lighted his Ha-
vana, he announced himself as ready to begin
Mr.. Hammond settled himself comfortably in
the stern under the shadow of the sail, while
Freddie Struggled at his feet.
oval" started in Bill II don't know but what
my viyage to the North Pole mightnt be looked
on as fairly extr' ornary so I'll spin YOU that
Twas in the spring OF 81 that | made the
trip. 1t would probbly astonish some OF these
explorers to know that Bill Bristol, the wlaler
had been plum to the North Pole and back agen.
while some on em was a-rockin' in their cradles.
amt Dragging man nor yet writin man. so
tibet this is the first time I've spun this warn and
it'll likely be the last. In 60 | shipped with
wllaer and we was out up north all the season
and hardly saw blow. The men was feeling out
O sperrts and the Capen was down with the
scurvy, SO we made for home and there | was,
IN the spring O. 81 back in New York agen look
ing ter fresh job. was hanging round the docks
one day, talking to the mate of Whaling ship as
was just getting ready to start was first mate
with clear certificate myself those days-when a
nervous looking chap, wi his face all kivered
over with bright red whiskers comes I'D to the
chap was talking to and ses he:
wal, ses ne. all excited, are YOU coming
with me! Now don't disappoint me, start to-
morrow. My other mans sick. and if YOU don't
cor come the president only knows where I'll get a
-, ;! told ye afore,' SEES the mate, kind O. short
Ike thought: I've signed articles with another
man and can't come
whiskers. "eeN' Ses
=, NO SEES the mate agen, but here's man
e eliat II go With you, mebbe,' and he brings me