The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-05-08

proceoded msrhodically TO hsh them
on board.
We procured strong lines. baited tn
hooks with pieces of pork. lashing |
thereto a buoy formed of common
cork. and lowered four OF them over
the stern.
They had scarcely touched the
water, when amid a furious tapping
Of heavy pinions, they were eagerly
swallowed; the hooks and lines began
to bear taughtly and we soon had four
gigantic albatrosses splashing the
water into froth in their Intellectual
efforts to escape.
We t0wed them in, hand over hand,
and after measurement found the
smallest to be eleven feet from the tip
of one wing to the tip Of the other.
Though rank and fishy in favor the
flesh of these birds was made into
sea-pies. on which the crew were re-
called for two days after, and they par
took of it with great apparent relish.
But Jack is not very particular, es-
pecially when at sea.
Though none Of the crew shared the
superstition connected with the de-
struction Of an albatross, and probably
none, save Hislop and myself, knew
the splendid ballad written by Coler-
/ idge, it would seem as if our misfor-
tunes commenced with that days wan
ton sport!
The huge sea birds became shy and
left us. The sun set amid saffron-col-
ored waves, and the western sky was
all a1ame, when the sails began to
/ I'll and collapse as the wind came in
heavy puffs, causing the masts to sway
from side to side. and the bellying
courses to crack and flap with sound
like thunder.
at last there came a steady breeze;
the courses were left fall, and with
both sheets aft, for the wind was fair.
the Eugene once more walked through
the shining waters.
Full, round and silvery the moon
arose, and tipped with liquid light
every wave, that seemed to dance on
ward with the brig, which in half an
hour had the snow-white foam flying
in sheets over her eatheads.
1t was about the hour of 1 in the
morning that the horrible event.
which l am about to relate occurred.
l was in the middle watch, relieving
Weston, who, as the tropical dewi
were heavy, always ordered Billy thu
cabin boy to give me glass Of bran
, dy-and-Hater before going on deck, 70
fear Of agzie, and then he turned in.
The srIlen Spaniard Antonio was a
the wheel. Tom Lambourne, Ned Carl
ton and l were walking to and frc
lettering at times, and looking at tn
compass to see how she headed-noy
1 aloft to observe how the sails drew
anon over the side, where the waite
dubbed merrily past, or ahead at tn
v patch of blue and star-studded SIX
e which was visible under the leach {
! the fore-course, as the briggs bow file
every now and then, and she role
g heavily from side to side, as all vei
I sells do when running before the win,
/ All was very still, for. save the bull
q BILE of the water in the wake asterl
/ or a gurgle as it surged up in the rue
der case, the creaking of a block, {
It the iron sings Of the lower yards, nj
e a sound stole upon the first hour
Is the silent morning.
lie Two Of the albatrosses we h;
le caught were hanging by the legs fro
L the gallows-top abaft the foremo:
3 where their great extended win
. swung somewhat mournfully to al
IS fro in the wind and by the motion
X the ship.
is CTo be continued)