The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-02-28

"a El5<31x3A -tntrty yehrs uHo
.Ses - which was fierce
- .7-s~~ lyskeptical of Dago
virtue, freely allowed that John was
tho exception which proves the rule.
Therefore no ono was surprised wnen
old Hank Timrod, master of the Java,
signed him "a fourth mate. As this
officer acts "a captains boatsteerer
when the "old man" lowers, and
heads the starboard boat when he
does not, il goes without saying that
he must be good timber through and
through.
It was not common. on an American
whale ship, for Portuguese to berth
aft, but before tho Java had crossed
the western ocean on her way to the
southern whaling grounds John was
accepted by Coffin, Holder and Bige-
low, the mates, as an all-around good
fellow, and "a capable seaman rs
ever snilIed brine. His whaleman-
ship was an unknown quantity, for
mono had sailed shipmates with him
before. But they took it for granted,
and grew fond Of tho grave, undemon.
Sfrative man who never dourtcd, but
always welcomed their rough fellow
ship. EtS ~ = ;i,N--.> "a .iiF9iaaSSas.' 81,
Ono day, in the South Atlantic, n
''lone" bull whale was raised from the
mainmast head. 1t was preaching
long distance 10 windward, aud it
took Tho blufl-bowed Java three hours
10 beat up to where the lonely mon
arch could be seen from the deck.
Bigelow, tho third mate, was in the
slings at tho main-royal yard with his
glasses. He scanned tho whale long
and closely, while it lay spouting
without Thought of enemies. Sud-
denly he sent his voice to the deck:
"I never seen q sperm bull like this
'ere, Cap'n Timrod. He's queer an
no mistaker'
.vsThe cold man," pacing his quarter
like o penned animal, paused in his
swift stride and looked inquiringly
aloft: "What do you mako of him,
Birp'
r4s'I'm blowed il he's q Protestant"
answered Bigelow with brief
chuckle. "He's marked with cross
on This head"
"a Portuguese John, who stood by the
ttarboard boat near the master, gave
asudden start as the whale was de-
scribed, and was about to speak, but
restrained himself, and Bigelow con-
tinued: 80, FSs ."Ap.+,..s.-..
Nas.'Heems like the cross was painted
on with white lead. The long streak
goes from the nose to tho hump, an
the GROSS bar reaches clear athwart his
head, i%.' .. ~
s(The body Of the sperm whale Is covered
With what may be described rs black pig
ment. 1t Is slightly thicker than coat OF
paint, aud may bo readily scratched OF
bringing to view dull white skin which
covers the bIubber. 1t seems possible that
Sacred Ben may, have carelessly scratched
his head on the rocks at the bottom OF tho
sea In the regions where hc is supposed to
chase the giant squid. In that way the re-
tgtous symbol which SO astonished Mr..
Hgeiow may have been produced. =
p Captain Timrod happened to glance
at his fourth mate, and to his surprise
Johns swarthy face had turned that
livid yellow which takes the place of
emotional paleness in the Latin races.
"What is it, John?" he asked, in
surprise.
The.Portuguese's voice was husky,
and he shivered as he answered, point
ing in the direction of the bull: 'Sac-
red Ben, sir! The Whale Of the
Cross'
"Heyl" exclaimed the "old man"
with an expression of deep interest.
''I've heard OF him before. He's got
bad record!"
Portuguese John moved nearer, and
laid his unsteady hand on the MASTER s
arm. captain, he said in strained
whisper, "that whale means death.
He kill my broth, three year ago. in
the Indian Ocean. And many morel
He stove three boats Of the Mary, an
get away with four irons and all the
lines. That time 1 know for I was
there. My broth, Anton, he steer
Misser Brown, the mate; an all that
boat crew Sacred Ben kill. An many
morel hear OF him in othair ships.
He always kill, an always get away. y
II heard Of the Mary losing her
boats. I was in the Okhotsk tina,
year." answered Timrod. "Well,
what of it, John?"
captain, for Christ his sake, dc
not lower after the Whale OF the
Crossl"
The sailor in Hank Trimrod quakoi
because Of the superstition begot bJ
the sea, but after moment the tough
Yankee spirit OF the New England
whale-hunter surged up in his breast
s'sacred Ben will try out like any
Other whale. reckonI' he .griml,
nuttered.