The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-10-05
CAPT. jim McMILLANS TAME WHALE.
AN UNUSUAL FISH STORY.

He did not want TO kill his new
found prize and was at loss how tc
mold 1t when the tide came in again
Dut concluded to build a small inclos
ure around the whale on the beach and
at future time expected to securely
tasten big hawser about the tail of
the fish which would hold. lie set to
work and soon had the captive secure
~ fenced In on all sides so that escape
was almost impossible, and when the
salt water of the Bay of Fundy again
reached the young whale there was
some fun for short time. Next day
the captain came to Eastport and from
n blacksmith secured stout iron band
to fit securely around the outer end of
the whales tail, Just back of the outer
| fin.
I'm the band was an eye to fasten
on light chain, and with his newly
made collar he soon returned home
and after some difficulty. at low tide
had the iron band fastened around his
victim on the beach. When the tide
again came in part of the fence was
removed, and the chain was securely
fastened on both ends, one being in the
eye Of the band, the sea monster was a
| prisoner
Captain Mcmillan concluded to al
low his captive into deeper water than
| his cove afforded, so that the fish
might be able to look after its supply
of food during the day when he was
not around, For a few days the cap
tive whale made a lively time of it and
tried to break away from the chain.
but finally was obliged to submit. and
after n short time devOured a quantity
of food brought near the weir by the
owner. Many Of the island residents
came from the nelGhborlng places to
see the captive whale on the chain and
Captain Mcmillan was asked why he
did not exhibit his prize at the large
cities across the border and along the
Maine coast.
That would have been easily enough
done had the fish been dead. or small
enough to carry about in a boat, but
how could he get forty -five.foot
whale out Of the harbor in safety?
at was not long before the big fish
began to show signs Of becoming tame.
and on the approach of meal time was
always found ready to devour the food
provided.
I'm several weeks inns baby whale
had increased somewhat in length and
also became quite tame. so that when
the veteran seaman came near it in his
boat his captive would play alongside
After two months had passed and the
fish had increased in size to be noticed
Jim thought he had better secure Il
stouter chain to hold his pet, and again
made visit to Eastport for a longer
and heavier piece of chain. This he
soon secured and returned to his Cana
dian home TO make the change, when
he was much surprised and disappoint-
ed when he was told that the whale
had broken the chain ana disappeared
into the deeper water of the Bay Of
Fundy. 1t was quite a shock to Cap
tain Jim to find the broken chain and
lose his whale after so much expense
and trouble, but be returned to his
house and talked over the loss with his
wife
Never mind. Jim, perhaps the big
fish will come back for his dinner as
usual. as I've heard Of such things.
and, you know, that wasn't no ordl-
nary whale neither That whale was
tame when it left these waters, and
mark me when say that you'll see the
fish back when it's time for the grub to
be served
THE husband allowed that the whale
was certainly tame. but how was he to
again capture the big. fellow If he
shouldn't return to the cove for the
customary noon meal
ia better shoot the critter and be
sure of the carcass this time; what do
you say. wlfcyT
Don't YOU be too hasty. Jim. but
wait for developments. as the whale
will return often II 1t comes back once,
| you can bet. Only wait and see.
AT the appointed hour for feeding
his former pet Captain Mcmillan went
| down TO the ledge where he had stood
so often on recent days and tossed the
food into the bay to his friend, the
| whale
He threw the bucket Of food to the
water and watched 1t sink below the
! surface, but before the last particle
! had disappeared the dark form OF q
long. slender fish came to view, and
when the tail was exposed there was
the telltale iron ring and hanging to 1t
a small piece Of chain.
That's my whale" exclaimed jim.
as the big fish swan lelsurely about
| the cove and did not seem to want to
leave the small harbor when the food
was gone.
The old seaman remained on the
| rocks for long time. and was then
convinced that his wife was right
| about the fish which had come back to
stay, evidently. Next day, and as fast
| as meal time came, there was the tame
whale and soon the islanders heard Of
Jim's lucky find. When Jim went out
to gather up his lobster traps or haul
| In his fishing lines and nets the whale
accompanied him. and always was re.
warded by receiving newly caught
cod or pollock on the hooks. One day
Captain Mcmillan started out on fish
ing trip down the bay. and not far
from Grand Manan. n. b.. fierce gale
arose and a clustering snowstOrm set
In. which promised to last for several
days.
Mrs. Mcmillan and her children