El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-15
THE HARPOONER.

The ship moved on in silence through
the tranquil waves of the north Pacific
the old Arctic, the lucky ship of the
whaling fleet. A man was standing near
the forecastc. shading his eyes with his
hand and peering out ahead He was
tall and strongly built, his face marked
by the tattoong instruments in use in
the north seas. Yet he was an American
and had the air of a model sailor, as in
deed he was-Nat Myers, harpooner in
the captains boat and king of the fore
castle. No man of all the crew had more
influence. but il was not the influence of
fear. for the men loved him. With the
strength of an OK, he had the calm, even
temper SO often seen in men of giant
build. as il. knowing his strength. he
would not use il against his weaker
brethren.
Standing upon the forecastle by his
side was boy about II years of age
q beautiful lad, with brown, curling hair,
sunny blue eyes and delicate face. How
do you feel since you have been in the
Paci6c?" said Nat.
81 get stronger every day.
you've been coddled too much and
swallered too much candy and sech
truck. Once let me git you you can
eat salt horse like man, and you are
all right
George Belts was the captains neph-
ew, and the doctors had said that the
only thing which would save his life was
sea voyage. and they gave him in
charge of Captain Jacobs. That worthy
passed him over to Nat Myers.
Take care of him, Nat" he said.
At first George fairly hated the old
salt. who forced him to eat salt pork and
bolt tough corncd beef dignified by the
names of salt horse" and mahogany"
when il was almost impossible for him
to eat He complained to his uncle, who
grimly said that he had nothing to do
with the matter.
But he'll kill me. uncle,'
"No. he won't, my boy. He'll make n
man of you"
As the days went on. and George grew
more accustomed to life on board ship.
he really began to like his tormentor. He
had gained so much strength that he
could run up the rigging like a cat, and
the smartest men on the ship could not
catch him when he was once upon the
ratlines. And by the time they had pass
ed the Sandwich Islands. although del
icate looking boy. he was stronger than
he had ever been in his life.
"Iookee here-we are going to have
the biggest storm you ever see"
.'rshaw, There never was a fairer
day"
'Lookee, my son." said Nat in a threat
ening manner. Member what ] told We
about conterdicting me?"
Three hours later. when the first mate
had the deck. and Nat was standing on
the topgallant forecastle. with George
by his side. the squall burst upon them
with sudden fury. The first wave which
came aboard crushed in the rail and
swept the decks. and Georgia Belts was
carried out into the boiling ocean.
1t was broad daylight, and Nat. with
a cry like that of Il wild beast robbed OF
her young. hurled himself over the rail.
holding in his hand n light plank. the
only thing which he could seize. They
saw him rising upon the top of n great
wave, and then George Belts came into
view beyond him. struggling for his life.
Bear up, my lad,' they heard him cry
through the roar of the tempest ''Old
Nat is coming"'
The boy. who. slight as he was, was a
strong swimmer, tossed his hand in the
air a signal that he heard.
The crew OF the Arctic could do moth
ing. for il required all their strength and
skill to save the ship. 4 dozen voices
together volunteered to man a boat.
mo. lads" said the captain sadly. NO
man can love his nephew better than l
do mine. | will not risk half dozen
lives for two. Besides. the ship would
run boat out Of sight in half an hour.
even If we could lower one. Bear a
hand oh the braces-meet her, meet her,
you at the wheel; don't let her fall off,
And the Arctic sped on before the aw-
full gale. leaving Nat Myers and George
Belts at the mercy OF the angry sea.
The old sailor struggled on. and at last.
with a cry of joy. he saw the boy clutch
the end of the board.
That's right. my son. he said
"Cbccrily. chcerily, lad-'
The ship is away" said George sadly
as he saw the Arctic rush on before the
wind
Newer you mind, sonny" And he
passed his arm about the lad. and. strip
pin. off his belt. raised the boy so that
he lay upon the board and then bound
him to il. face down. but in such posi- |
tion that he could raise his head foot
IL l.