Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-05-26

-cncy The entire crew agreed that the
of Salem again, and those who had eX,
ira garments began TO put them on so
As h save being deSpoiled. Captain
and mate sat down on the cabin sky
light and sighed and groaned, while
Nancy walked the deck and OCCASION
ally glanced from the whale 10 the frig
ate. When the latter had come up
within five miles she lost the last of the
breeze. She knew the brig to be Yam
kcc trader, and her captain would take
no chances. Down dropped boat, and
fifteen men followed it. and in min
ute more ii was headed for the brig,
"Waal. mebbe you can git some con-
fort out of that" growled Captain Eli
sha as he rose up and pointed toward
the boat.
THAT boat hain't boarded us yet" re.
piled Nancy.
"But what's to hinder herr
cant tell. but | somehow feel as If
Providence would pull us out Of this
Elisha IIopewell, you hain't got half
the grit | thought you had. and you've
chewed tobacco and eat Goldfish till you
seem to have lost all your faith"
Even though the frigate was five
miles away. a sort of quiver Went
through the whale rs her boat struck
the water. 1t could not be doubted that
he heard the sound. When the boat had
covered a mile he parted from the brig
and Slowed himself around almost by
inches. Ten minutes more. and there
was cry that he had disappeared. He
went as he came, silently and without
showing a patch of foam. The boat was
pulling steadily on, with the young sun
glistening on the bayonets of the arm
ed crew, and Captain Elisha had just
fetched another groan of despair when
there were shouts of astonishment from
forward and aft.
The whale had preached between the
boat and the brig. He came up from
the sea a. If he had 200 pounds of
steam on and had forced good third
of his length out of water before he fell
on the surface with a mighty crash.
He did not rush at the boat, but he lay
fair in her course and beat the water
into acres of foam and rolled this way
and that until the seas he kicked up
made the Mary Ann dance The boat
came to a sudden stop. 1t looked as If
the whale had chip on his shoulder
and was aching for row. After ten
minutes Of delay the boat put about
for the frigate.
BY Josh and by JOSH" whispered
the captain.
"Have | gone squint eyed, or has the
boat put back?" demanded the mate.
ELISHA Hopewell, dye see the wind
comn'?' asked Nancy as she pointed
to the northwest. Better make good
| use of it to git out of this.
The sails of the Mary Ann were
spread, and she made good two miles
headway before the frlgate felt the first
! puff. A chase followed, but what was
a good sailing breeze for small brig
was a slow pace for heavy frlgate,
and by and by the pursuer hauled off
and went his way. A few hours later
the cargo was landed, and the brave
| General Greene had the munitions to
| fight the gallant action of Eutaw
Springs. When the last barrel of pow.
der and the last pound Of lead were out
Of the brig Captain Elisha descended to
the cabin and kissed his wife with re-
sounding smack.
la, now, but what's come over you
Elisha?' she asked in surprise.
you saved the Mary Ann, and, by
Josh, I'll kiss you again"
Cit out and don't act like boy!
never saved the brig t all. All did
was to tell you to- hang on and trust in
that whale and Providence, and hope
it'll be lesson to you fur the rest of
your days not to holler before you're
! hurt"