The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-16

soon after breakfast, while the crew
of the Samoa was preparing to weigh
anchor and | was in the cockpit OF
the yacht gazing idly across the CLASSY
waters, spied what at first appeared
to be a giant fin thrust above the sur
face at some little distance away.
Look out there and tell me whai
you see,' | said pointing towards the
strange apparition.
We'll, sir, if the periscope of SUBJ
marine had suddenly appeared in our
vicinity the excitement aboard the
Samoa could not have been greater
Everybody rushed to the rail on the
strange object.
Its a devil Of a big shark or a
whale somebody said.
No whales were ever seen in these
waters was the instant reply, and as
for sharks-well, that must be the
great-granddaddy of all OF EN-, he's
so big
II had not had any big game sport
in a long time and instantly became
intensely interested in the strange OBJ
iect lying out there in the water. We
could see his huge bulk projected
partly above the surface like water
logged, capsized vessel.
I'm going to see what that thing
is and put harpoon in him. / de-
clared. watching my men to see how
they took the suggestion.
Il could not help smiling at the evil
dent reluctance some of my crew show
ed about tackling such big game, but
their hanging back simply put me on
my mettle and made me more than
ever determined to have a try at the
creature. whatever it was.
Lower the lifeboat,' ordered.
Who's game to so with men7'
Two men stepped forward. In a
couple OF minutes we three put off
from the yacht. while the rest OF the
crew Rugged the rail and watched us
start on our great adventure.
The creature was evidently drowsy
and was moving so slowly through the
water as to make scarcely a ripple on
the sunlit surface. We brought the
boat pretty close without in the least
disturbing him.
Now for it, I said. standing UP
in the bow with a harpoon poised ready
10 drive it into his vitals.
You may be sure il was an exciting
moment, for | didn't know what might
happen when the creature felt the
sharp steel piercing his hide. | dared
not fail TO strike, and strike deep, ana
nerved myself to hurl the harpoon with
sll my strength into the animals body.
"Whizz. the weapon flew from my
hand and struck true to my aim. II
went deep and held firmly.
Immediately we backed away some
little distance, paying out the line that
held the harpoon. and we'll we did so
for the monster dashed out with its
tail. and made such a commotion in
the water that we must have been
swamped had we not backed out Of
danger.
THE creature. maddened with pain,
thrashed the water till ii fairly boiled.
ITS enormous body was the center of
a swirling maelstrom made by its con-
vulsive gyrations. The monster churn-
ed the water 10 foam and set up such
4 swell that our boat rocked drunkenly
and was nearly upset more than once.
Suddenly he dashed off like a shot
towards the open sea, the line fairly
smoking as we paid il out through the
aits. Easing the line as best we could.
We made ii fast and were soon being
towed through the water in the wake
" the creature at the fastest pace any
~ us ever expected to hit short OF an
airplane. Now began that thrilling,
nerve-racking and never-to-be-forgot-
zen chase which waS to last with hardly