The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-04-23

the fo'c's'le of the Beluga silent.
Sullcu company of men Of all shades
Of color sat at their 4.3O n. III.
breakfast. Some munched st1lidly at
blocks of fat pork and 1inty biscuit.
others just drank alleged coffee and
smoked. And they were the majority.
for few there are who, after night of
sleep, especially in such an atmosphere,
can rise and begin the morning meal
land such mcaD in five minutes. But
those who did not eat concealed their
portions about their persons. usually
In the breasts of Jumpers" for there
was never more than enough to 90
round
Suddenly. with q voice like that OF n
frantic bull, came the expected COM
mand. Nov. way boats. there" 1t
was Immediately followed by STAN
pede, each man struggling to be first
up the narrow ladder, each man dread
ing the sure and painful position Of the
last. Reaching the deck, the rushing
band divided itself in four. one part TO
each boat. where it hung cleaning
specially against the violet sky. None
cast glimpse upward or around, for
none had time or thought to spare. Yet
the scene was entirely worthy OF mans
best notice. The daily miracle Of dawn
always is-but here, The ship lay mo-
tionless, anchored apparently upon
lake Of transparent ink, in whose still
depths strange gleamngs occasionally
heightened its mystery of utter dark
ness. Around rose the solemn tree-clad
hills Of IIapai, now in deepest shadow.
Away TO the south. southeast and east
the way out to the broad bosom of the
Pacific la clearly open between the
several islands. and although from the
two former quarters there was as yet
no tightening Of the deep velvety pur-
pie Of the night. there was something
remotely like the opening OF n door
leading from dark hall into tine clear
air; n little draught Of freshness seemed
stealing in from thercc. But from the
east there came through that gap
quiycrinG throb Of opal-t!nted light.
Just ripping along the horizon and
touching tho still waters that lay be
tween IL and Us with the suggestion of
glory 10 come the first heart beat OF
that sweet day before which the mod
est stars paed ard vanished. And
overhead the returning legion of flying
foxes. fresh from their long nights
raid among the fruit trees. passed like
squadrons of dark snirts hastening
hack TO their native gloom at the ad-
vent Of light. and occasionally from
their midst came a wall wrlnging the
heart like n sudden terror.
TO most Of us all this was but sug-
gesicl. hardly realized; yet we moved
with utmost quiet. unconsciously fall
ing in with our environment. And
when the rattle of a block, the sharp
click Of an oar on n gunwale, or n
hoarse oath broke the sacred peace of
the moment. an involuntary Hush
rose 10 the lips. Ten minutes after our
appearance on deck we were all in our
places and, with the steady. splashless
stroke Of trained whaling oarsmen,
were silently gliding toward the por-
tails OF the day. As the oars rose and
fell they lifted overflowlng chalices of
emerads. and as the sweet dark crept
"HhN EAFul lihfH VI ever lllI
color. Of infinite and indescribable va
riety, stole over the placid surface of
the quiet sea. A cool breath crept from
the dawn point to meet us; 1t kissed
our heated necks. put fresh vigOr into
our strokes. freshened, strengthened,
until at ringing shout OF command
We flung our oars with one accord and
prepared TO make sail. Is 1t of any
use. | wonder. trying TO describe the
scene that greeted us as we did so?
fear rot. where SO many master hands
nave failed. so lct me say simply that
the pass ahead. leading seaward. was
ahood with molten ruby. amethyst and
opal. with q background OF flaming
gold, before which the shrinking eyes
closed. And the glory OF the Lord
was revealed" Ha, ha. how raptur-
ously the blood. so sluggish before.
courses through our veins as the boats,
bIrdlike. skim over the sparkling waves
on the lightsomc way to windward.
But the business OF the day needs re.
membcrlng. We are out after whales,
and unto him who can first report the
presence OF one, afterward caught
shall be given so. SO keen lookout
Is kept for a while. until the wonderful
beauty OF the scene obtains the sway
over our minds again, and the boat
glide swiftly along the steep shores Of
the outsrmost island.
''Ah-biow-w-w-w-ww almost In I
whisper and several hands are polnte,
to where, against the dark green OF th'