White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-08-23
CHAPTER XII
Shipwrecked in Southern Seas

we amused ourselves ny p'dJiH6
with the sharks The landlubber can
scarcely imagine the hatred the sailor
feels for those bloodthirsty monsters.
We had particular grievance
against them. swim now and then
would have provided US with needed
baths and would have been pleasant
and vigorous diversion from the end
less monotony of cabin and deck, our
wooden prison. Many time looked
down into the cool, refreshing ele-
ment, and shark would idle beneath
my gaze, as though waiting for me
there. The sailors passed the time
by angling for the voracious mon
sters. They would catch couple, tie
their tails together and throw them
back into the water. The sharks, IN
able to agree on the direction of their
mutual movement, would have great
tug Of war. The sailors thought the
plight Of their loathed enemies quite
comical.
Or they would take large shark,
tie an empty and water-tight barrel
to his tail, and heave him over. The
fish would dart downward, but the
barrel would stay relentless at the
surface. Now would ensue a desper-
ate struggle which we could follow by
watching the gyrations of the barrel.
The sharks displayed an excellent eye
for chunks of bacon with hand gre
nades in them. When the bomb went
off In the creatures stomach, pieces
of shark would go flying in all direc-
lions.
We had been in the Pacific for five
months now, and had sailed $4,000
miles. With our stale water and the
lack of fresh food. scurvy was break
Ing out among our men, and then beri.
berf, which turns the blood to water"
Limbs and joints were swelling. We
imperatively needed fresh water and
food and a rest on shore. But where
could we go? ALI the islands of the
Pacific were in the hands of the
French, British and Japanese. We
certainly felt It keenly, now that the
whole world was against us. There
was no inhabited place that would
welcome US. 1t made us feel very
lonely.
"Well," said to my boys. I'VE will
pick out some nice deserted island
where there will be no hand raised
against us and no wireless to call the
cruisers, and we will get water and
some kind of vegetables and maybe
shoot some game and have fine
shore leave Then, after we have rest.
ed up what no, boys and away for
more adventure"
Buccaneel.ing in the Pacific, wttb
only three ships sunk in tive mouths
seemed. much too unprotitable
planned that. after brief sojourn on
some peaceful South Sea isle, we
would sail for the Antipades. Then
we would destroy the English whaling
: station and oil tanks at South Georgia.
sink few ships. capture one ON which
to ship our prisoners, and, If we got
away safely continue our cruise in
the prosperous waters of the Atlantic.
Our first plan was to sail direct to
one of the larger Cook islands. But
we gave that up for fear of finding
wireless station there that might give
US away. We did not WANT ITO move
east of our present longitude. for that
would have taken us against the trade
wind and compelled US to use our mo
tor. 1t was necessary to save the en-
CINE as much as possible and not have
1t wear out on us. We hoped we would
need 1t for further captures and es
capes.
to NJ ,fcsfu fol, 10
(some Biographies include 1T in the
Sicily [sles). seemed about right for
our purpose. 1t was a French pos-
session. and. so far as we knew. unin
habited. 1t was one OF those isles OF
the South Seas SO Enthusiastically beau
tiful and SO awkward for the sailor to
approach. Only seldom does he find
one with decent anchorage. and no
where In the world are the winds and
currents more treacherous.
On the morning of July % we sight
ed Mopelia. and steered toward it.
Words fail me when try TO describe
its beauties From the blue ocean rises
q mass of green palms. The sunlight
glows in the green. II soineh4,w even
seems to turn the sunlight green
Against the dark blue of the sea and
the light-blue of the Sky, the sunlight
seems to be drawing the green island
out OF the water. and the soft south
wind carries the scent of flowers far
out to sea. 1t is the greeting of the
island. and we inhale 1t deeply.
Here was typical coral atoll-the
kind you dream about. A circular
reef studded with waving palms and
within the reef lovely, placid la,
goon. The coral shore was. snow
white, and. with the suns RAYS re-
flecting from it. 1t looked like spark
ling jewel set In an alabaster ring.
like emeralds set in ivory There
were coral terraces below the water
The sl,alower ones were white or
pale green. and as you peered deep
er into the water you saw every con
ceivabe tint of green and blue. sea
green, emerald green. blue green
azure blue. sapphire blue. navy blue
violet.
AS we sailed nearer and nearer that
alluring coral shore. we saw flowers
among the palms, flowers OF all colors
and immense numbers of orchids. The
hues of the flowers were reflected IL
the water over the white coral tina!
deepened and turned green. Within
the circular reef the lagoon seemed
f,1Ilv dam 40 tho CON mt SiIG, nOlx