, 1901-01-08
A WHALE HUNT.
DOUBLE ENCOUNTER CLOSE TO
A VESSEL.
Aravelsrs WitAsss One OF the Most
asArt-Lifting sight- Undsr Heaven
The Lsoksrs-on Scarcely Bre.thsd-Ln
VORTEX Among Msddcnsd Titans.

About five hundred Yards apart two
massive bodies occasionally broke the
bright surface up into a weller of
white. then disappeared for two or
three minutes. to reappear at the same
furious rush Behind zach Of them.
spreading out about twenty tathoms
apart. anne two OF the boats, leaping
like dolphin from crest TO crest of the
big waves, and occasionally hidden al
together by a curtain OF spray. Thus
they passed the Mirzapore. their gt-
gantic steeds in full view OF that awe
stricken ships company, privileged
for once In their lives to see at close
quarters one Of the most heart-lifting
sights under heaven-the Yankee
whale-isher at handgrips with the
mightiest. as well as one Of the fere-
est of all created things. No one spoke
as that great chase swept by; but ey-
cry face told eloquently OF the pent-
up emotion within. Then a strange
thing happened. The two whales, as
they passed the Mirzapore. swervsd
each from his direct course until they
met in full career, and in Il momen
were rolling each over each in a hor-
rible enlargement of whale-line amid
a smother Of bloody foam. The buoy
ant craft danced around, one strong
figure erect in ZACH bow poising a long
slender lance; while In the stern OF
each boat stood another man who
manipulated a giant oar, as II It had
been u feather, to swing his craft
around as occasion served. The look
ers-on scarcely breathed. Was 1t pos
sible hat men. Just homely unkempt
figures like these. could dare thrust
themselves into such a vortex among
those wallowing maddened Titans? In
deed it was. The boats drew nearer,
became involved. lances new, oars
hent,and blood-torrents Of blood-be-
fouled the glorious azure ri the waves.
Suddenly the watchers gasped In ter
ror. and little cries OF pain and sym
pathy escaped them. A boat had dis
appeared. Specks foated. just visible
in the tumult-frasments of oars.
tubs and heads Of men. But there was
no sound. Which made the scene all
the more impressive. Still the fight
went on. while the spectators forgot
all else-the time. the place; all senses
merged In wonder at the deeds Of
these. their fellowmen. just following
In the ordinary way their a%vocation.
And the thought would come that but
for an accident this drama being enact
ed before their eyes would have had
no audience but the screaming sea-
birds lowering expectantly in the I'M
needing blue. The conflict ceased. The
~distained waters became placid. and
upon them hoated quietly two vast
corpses. but recently 30 terrible ia
their potentialities of destruction. By
their sides lay the surviving boats
two OF them. that is. the third was
busy picking up the wrecked hunters.
And the old ship, with an easy adapt
ing Of her needs to the light air that
hardly made itself felt, was gradually
approaching the scene The passen-
gers implored Captain James to owe
a boat and allow them a nearer view OF
these recently rushing monsters. and
he. very u~nwillingly. granted the 70
quest. So slow was the operation that
by the time the port lifeboat was In
the water the whaler was alongside OF
her prizes, and all her crew were toll
Ing slavishly to free them from tho
ENHANCEMENT Of whale-line In which
they had involved themselves. But
when the passengers saw how the life
boat tumbled about alongside In the
fast sinking swell, the number Of those
eager for a nearer view dwindled to
half a dozen-and they were repentant
Of their rashness when they saw how
~unhandily the sailors manipulated
their QUESTIONABLE Magazine.