Year: 1875




lv arrived in this city from Valparaiso,
is responsible for the following striking
narrative, which he vows is as "true
STEEL" The captain had been cruising
among the Society Islands when, put
ting into small cove one day for water,
a number of natives, as usual, came on
board 10 trade. Among them was a
stout, conely maiden of eighteen, to
whom the mate took great fancy. She
was the daughter of a chief, and recipro-
eating the mates affection the twain
were married, a grand feast honoring the
occasion. Wi-Wi was the name of the
bride, signifying in the language of her
country, big Fish," or, to interpret
more particularly, Great Swimmer"
she having an extended notoriety as an
expert in the art of swimming. Having
married the mate she took up her quar-
ters on the ship, much TO the dislike of
the captain, who, sailorl like, felt the un-
seemliness of having a woman aboard.
However, the vessel left fhe island and
stood for Tahiti, where she loaded with
oranges and bore thence for Valparaiso.
On the voyage this incident occurred:
Wi-Wi, the mates wife, was one even
ing performing her ablutions near the
bows. There was a moderate sea run
ming, not, however, enough to incom-
mode the turtles, which could be seen
floating all round the ship. Some of
these were of very large size
and were known as the green turtle. 1t
happened, while the fair islander was so
engaged, that the ship toppled her bow
under and picked up sea, which, pass
ing over, carried Wi-Wi with it far to
leeward. The crew were at supper, but
the man at the wheel saw Wi-Wi as she
went over, and shouted "Man over
board" At this cry, 50 terrible on ship
board, the crew rushed on deck; the
ship was brought to and whaleboat low
cred. By this time Wi-Wi had drifted
some distance to leeward, and nightfall
made the task of rescuing her one of ex
treme difficulty. But the mate was in
the boat, and though half crazed at the
mishap which had befallen his dusky
wife, resolved to make every effort to
save her. So he urged his men with
telling earnestness- They, too, shared
his spirit and pulled away on their dan
gerous venture.


But night fell. and no signs of the
unfortunate Wi-Wi was seen. The
men gave her up as lost. but the mate
was still hopeful. "Wi-Wi is a fish"
said he, "and one night at sea will not
hurt her. We will lay by till morning"
So they lay in the boat that night shout
ing, but hearing no response. In the
morning the mate saw a dark object on
the top of a surge long way off. "There
is something over there" said he, "give
way for it." "it's only a TURTLE" an
swered the men. Never mind" repli-
ed the mate, "give way" They
gave way, and after hard pull,
the sea having risen, reached the
object. 1t was an immense turtle, and
on the back thereof sat Wi-Wi. She
hailed the boats crew with cry of joy,
and plunging into the sea swan to the
boat The turtle was theE secured and
towed to the ship, where. Wi-Wi was re-
ceived with three cheers and a tiger. A
glass of brandy stimulated her and made
her loquacious. She told the story OF
her going overheard; how, being bruis
ed by striking against the rail, she could
not reach the ship by swimming, bnt.
floating at the mercy of the sea, was at
last thrown on the hack of the turtle
which was complacently oscillating on
the surface of the water. "But for this
singular assistance" said the captain,
"Wi-Wi must have perished; and it is
to be regretted" he added in a choking
voice, that ~the creature which had so
providentially saved the life of human
being should have subsequently been
utilized in the form of turtle soup
[San Francisco Bulletin.