The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-08
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one another. The wind seemed to como
from every point Of the compass and the
elements were determnd to smash every
thing In sight. AZ o'clock, when I went
on deck. another vessel could be seen
dtmly through the haze OF driving snow.
1t looked to be miles away. An hour later,
as the captain and 1 SAT in the cabin we
heard the shouting Of orders and scurry-
ing of feet overhead We rushed on deck
and at a glance saw that the other ship
was running us down.
Marrow Escape of Two Ships.
Twice the attempt was made TO set
little sail. but each time tho wind tore the
sail out OF tho rings and the ship re-
fused to respond to the r1Idder. Every
man Of us. thirty-seven in ALL was on
deck facing shipwreck in this terrific gale.
The captain stood near the rail amidships
awaiting the blow from the other vessel
which was bearing down rapidly on us.
driven irresistibly by the wind We
could see her thirty-five men, like us,
facing what seemed to be sure death. Not
man ffinched on either vessel. 1t was
only to wait to see whether we should
jump aboard her or they aboard us,
whichever escaped with least damage, or
whether all should be compelled to take
the chances Of life on a floating cake of
Ice.
Just as her bowsprit touched the shrouds
Of our mainmast as she was scudding
with tho gale. the sea eddying from her
rapid approach swirled q heavy cake OF
ice against her cutwater, and between the
two ships. Steering on she rushed past
US like horrible vision and disappeared
in the storm. The awful suspense was
over. and the captain. usually ruddy and
aglow with health. turned to me deathly
white, and said, calmly:
Come. let's go below" That" he
said later, was the narrowest escape I
have had In my IS years of whaling"
As guest OF the feet I spent a few
weeks on the vessel. then went 10 another
and by the time we reached Indian Point,
few days after this storm. had changed
for third time, We went to the settle
mept at the Point to learn the news. and
to ship few natives whalemen. As
the anchor went down, the natives. men,
women and children, swarmed over the
rail- One man accosted the captain with
hello. and presented a very dirty and
much crumpied piecs Of paper. II was .
letter OF recommendation, at least was
supposed to be such by the possessor OF
it. II read about like this:
The bearer is Shoe Fly. who served
on the good ship Blank the season Of
1886. lie Is the LATEST man I ever saw,
and OF no use whatever. He does not
hilu" IA DtihSinS pm rom the naWNe pipe
and was never known 20 DO a stroke Of
work He has got the appetite of four
men, and when not eating can always be
found asleep. Whenever you .cour deck
include him as part OF the deck, only usa
the lye stronger He has never been
known to wash himself He Is a most in
ferbal liar and damned nuisance at nil
times. Whoever ships him win regret It"
This letter was written by some sailor.
but was valued Just as highly by Shoe
fly as though written by some we'll
known master who highly recommended
him.
In order TO remain In the good sraces
OF the natives II Is n custom TO feast every
boat load. so the captain ordered up the
viands. A bucket OF ship bread was
Dumped down on the deck and about a
quart OF molasses poured over t. The
natives OF all ages and sires squstfed
DOWN around Il and the bread was Ovid
ei equally. 20 the smallest fraction. Then
they attended strictly to business Every
crumo was eaten. the deck duly iapped up
so that no maissSes should waste ~
sweetness in that land OF raw meat diet.
and privileges were extended TO fzvorttes
~ allowing them TO lap besmeared faces,
ana so the feast ended with many a
grunt ana "ehee." This word is very .x-
pressive when accompanied with a grace
fai rub q the stomach.
Wasting time on natives was not whal-
ing. and trading was not worth while
when we stood the chance 20 catch =
whale which wa& worth Zoo that season.
So We pushed ON ard a few DAYS later
was at anchor under Cage Fast. tire east
ernmost extremity az Siberia Several
other vessels were az anchor. and As soon
as the mud hooks" were d0wa we we're
~ for gam. The yarns we've many. FOR
each master had te take a turn. and there
we're seven OF them, and thia was tho arst
line they HAD met this season
Excitement OF Catching First whale
Dinner iuterv~aed. and WALLS smoking
and walking he deck afterwar5 there
wSs shout from che southsrnrnost YES.
se!, pillow In an instant twenty
eight or thirty small boats wore rnmnsuv-
sring TO make fast 10 the whale He rose
20 the surface. BALI mile ~ % from the
FIRST boats. and then "sognded" II wAs "a
minutes before he again appeared. ar9
tEan within halt a mile 81 u.s. Before tire
rpogtlng ceased nearby boa hzd a har-
"oon fast in the small" The Part %
ne whale between enc "aukes' or tan
and the "bilge' or body. which Is the
vital s.ot.
AS he vas not fatally wounded he maj.
a frantic effort 20 escape 70 thu shors
Ice. Then, suddenly changing his mind
Re miiied about and went seward for
,wo miles or so, towing the boa: AZ
friEh;ful speed. not over the waves but
thrsutnx them. throwing water IN every