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| committer | nfenwick <nfenwick@pglaf.org> | 2025-02-07 17:24:24 -0800 |
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diff --git a/old/55780-h/55780-h.htm b/old/55780-h/55780-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index a9ec651..0000000 --- a/old/55780-h/55780-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7884 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Strife of the Sea, by T. 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Jenkins Hains - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: The Strife of the Sea - -Author: T. Jenkins Hains - -Release Date: October 20, 2017 [EBook #55780] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE STRIFE OF THE SEA *** - - - - -Produced by Charlie Howard and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div id="i_frontis" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 36.8125em;"> - <img src="images/i_002.jpg" width="589" height="407" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">IN THE WAKE OF THE WEATHER CLOTH.—See Pages <a href="#ip_313">305–320</a>.</div></div> - -<h1 class="gesperrt">THE STRIFE<br />OF THE SEA</h1> - -<p class="p1 center large vspace"> -<span class="gesperrt">T. JENKINS HAINS</span><br /> - -<span class="p1 small wspace">AUTHOR OF “THE WIND-JAMMERS,” ETC.</span></p> - -<div id="if_i_003" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 18.3125em;"> - <img src="images/i_003.jpg" width="293" height="324" alt="" /></div> - -<p class="p2 center vspace"><span class="gesperrt">NEW YORK</span><br /> -<span class="large wspace">THE BAKER & TAYLOR CO.</span><br /> -<i>33–37 East Seventeenth St., Union Sq., North</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage p4 center">Copyright, 1903, by THE BAKER & TAYLOR CO.</p> - -<div class="p1 center smaller"><div class="inline-block"> -Copyright, 1901 and 1902, by <span class="smcap">Harper & Bros</span>.<br /> -Copyright, 1902 and 1903, by <span class="smcap">The Success Co</span>.<br /> -Copyright, 1902 and 1903, by <span class="smcap">The Independent</span>.<br /> -Copyright, 1903, by <span class="smcap">The Butterick Pub. Co. (Ltd.)</span> -</div></div> - -<p class="p1 center"><i>Published October, 1903.</i></p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="newpage p4 center vspace">TO<br /> - -<span class="larger wspace">ROBERT MACKAY</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_vii">vii</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="CONTENTS" title="Contents">CONTENTS</h2> -</div> -<div id="if_i_007" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.25em;"> - <img src="images/i_007.jpg" width="356" height="220" alt="Contents" /> -</div> - -<table id="toc" summary="Contents"> - <tr class="small"> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr">PAGE</td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Old Man of Sand Key</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_11">11</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Outcast</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_37">37</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Sea Dog</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_77">77</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Cape Horners</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_101">101</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Loggerhead</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_135">135</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The White Follower</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_165">165</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">King Albicore</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_199">199</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Nibblers</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_227">227</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Johnny Shark</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_251">251</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">A Tragedy of the South Atlantic</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_277">277</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">In the Wake of the Weather-Cloth</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_313">313</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_viii">viii</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="ILLUSTRATIONS" title="Illustrations" class="show">ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> -</div> - -<table id="loi" summary="Illustrations"> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Clawing off the Cape</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#i_frontis"><i>Frontispiece</i></a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td> </td> - <td class="tdr"><i>Facing Page</i></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Great Shape Sailed for the Top of - the Buoy</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_44">44</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Full into the Center King Albicore Tore - His Way</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_214">214</a></td></tr> - <tr> - <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Line Was Whizzing Out</span>,</td> - <td class="tdr"><a href="#ip_300">300</a></td></tr> -</table> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">9</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_11">11</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_STRIFE_OF_THE_SEA" title="The Strife of the Sea" class="show"><span class="larger">THE STRIFE OF THE SEA</span></h2> -</div> - -<hr /> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_OLD_MAN_OF_SAND_KEY" title="The Old Man of Sand Key">THE OLD MAN OF SAND KEY</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_11" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.6875em;"> - <img src="images/i_011.jpg" width="363" height="595" alt="THE OLD MAN OF SAND KEY" /> - <div class="captionh"><i>THE OLD MAN OF SAND KEY</i></div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">He</span> was an old man when he first made his -appearance on the reef at the Sand Key -Light. This was years ago, but one -could tell it even then by the way he drew in his -chin, or rather pouch, in a dignified manner as -he soared in short circles over the outlying coral -ledges which shone vari-colored in the sunshine -beneath the blue waters of the Gulf Stream. He -had fished alone for many seasons without joining -the smaller and more social birds, and the -keepers had grown to know him. He was a -dignified and silent bird, and his stately flight -and ponderous waddle over the dry reef had -made it quite evident that he was a bird with a -past. Sandy Shackford, the head keeper, knew -him well and relied implicitly upon his judgment<span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">12</span> -as to the location of certain denizens of the warm -Stream. He had come back again after a month’s -absence, and was circling majestically over the -coral banks not a hundred fathoms from the -light.</p> - -<p>The day was beautiful and the sunshine was -hot. The warm current of the Gulf flowed -silently now with the gentle southwest wind, and -the white sails of the spongers from Havana -and Key West began to dot the horizon. Here -and there a large barracouta or albicore would -dart like a streak of shimmering silver through -the liquid, and the old man would cast his glance -in the direction of the vanishing point with a -ready pinion to sweep headlong at the mullet or -sailor’s-choice which were being pursued.</p> - -<p>His gray head was streaked with penciled -feathers which grew longer as they reached his -neck, and his breast was colored a dull, mottled -lead. His back and wings gave a general impression -of gray and black, the long pinions of -the latter being furnished with stiff quills which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">13</span> -tapered with a lighter shade to the tips. His -beak and pouch were of more than ordinary -proportions, for the former was heavy and -hooked at the end and the latter was large and -elastic, capable of holding a three-pound mullet.</p> - -<p>He soared slowly over the reef for some time, -and the keeper watched him, sitting upon the -rail of the lantern smoking his pipe, while his -assistant filled the body of the huge lamp and -trimmed its several wicks.</p> - -<p>To the westward a slight ripple showed upon -the surface of the quiet sea. The pelican sighted -it and stood away toward it, for it looked like a -mackerel that had come to the surface to take in -the sunshine and general beauty of the day. In -a moment the old man had swung over the spot -at a height of about a hundred feet; then suddenly -folding his wings, he straightened out his -body, opened his beak, and shot straight downwards -upon the doomed fish. It was literally a -bolt from heaven from out of a clear sky. The -lower beak expanded as it hit the water and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">14</span> -opened the pouch into a dipper which scooped -up the mackerel, while the weight of the heavy -body falling from the great height carried -everything below the surface with a resounding -splash that could be heard distinctly upon the -light. Then up he came from the dive with the -fish struggling frantically in his tough leathern -sack. He rested a moment to get his breath and -then stretched forth his pinions again and rose -in a great circle into the clear blue air.</p> - -<p>“The old man’s fishin’ mackerel this -mornin’,” said Sandy, “an’ I reckon I’ll get the -dory an’ try a squid over along the edge o’ the -Stream as soon as the breeze makes.”</p> - -<p>“Well, take care you don’t lose nothin’,” said -Bill with a grin.</p> - -<p>“Whatcher mean?” snarled the older keeper.</p> - -<p>“Nothin’,” answered the assistant.</p> - -<p>“Then don’t say it,” said Sandy, and he -walked down the steps of the spider-like structure, -muttering ominously, until he reached the -reef a hundred feet below, where, hauled high and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">15</span> -dry, lay his boat. Sandy was an old man, and -had depended upon false teeth for some years. -The last time he had gone fishing he had lost -them from his boat, and as he could not leave the -light he had nearly starved to death. In desperation -at last he had set the ensign union down -and signaled for assistance, the second keeper -Bill being ashore on leave, and after the U.S.S. -<i>Ohio</i> had come all the way from Key West to -find out the cause of the trouble he had been -forced to explain to the officer his humiliating -disaster. As the danger of landing in the surf -had been great and the services of the man-of-war -had been required for a whole day, he had -been forced to listen to a lecture upon the absurdity -of his behavior that did little to encourage -him, and it was only his emaciated appearance -and unfeigned weakness from loss of food -that saved him his position as keeper.</p> - -<p>He shoved his small boat off and sprang into -her. Then he stepped the mast, and hauling aft -the sheet swung her head around and stood off<span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">16</span> -the reef, riding easily over the low swell. High -above him was the lantern, and he looked up to -see Bill gazing down at him and pointing toward -the southward, where a ripple showed the breaching -fish. His lines were in the after locker, and -he soon had them out, one of them with a wooden -squid trolling over the stern as the little craft -gathered headway.</p> - -<p>The memory of his former disaster now came -upon him, and he took out his teeth, which were -new, and examined the plates upon which they -were fastened. A small hole in either side -showed, and through these he rove a piece of -line. Then he placed the teeth back in his mouth -and fastened the ends of the line back of his -ear.</p> - -<p>“Let ’em drop an’ be danged to it, they’ll git -back mighty quick this time,” he muttered. “I -wonder where that old pelican left the school of -fish?”</p> - -<p>The old bird had satisfied his present needs -and had flown away to a distant part of the outlying<span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">17</span> -bank, where he was now proceeding to enjoy -his catch at leisure. Far away to the northward, -where Key West showed above the horizon, -a long line of black specks were rapidly approaching -through the air. They were the -regular fishermen of the reef, and they were -bound out to sea this morning for their daily -meal. On they came in single file like a line of -soldiers, their distance apart remaining regular -and the motions of their leader followed with -military precision. Every time he would strike -the air several sharp strokes with his wings, the -motion would be instantly taken up by the -long line of followers flapping their own in -unison.</p> - -<p>The “old man” heeded them very little indeed -as he quietly ate his fish, and they knew -enough not to bother him. They sailed majestically -past and swung in huge circles over -the blue Gulf to locate the passing school.</p> - -<p>The old man mused as he ate, and wondered at -their stupidity. Even the light-keeper knew as<span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">18</span> -much as they. There was the breaching school -a mile away to windward, and the stupid birds -were still watching him.</p> - -<p>He saw his wives go past in line. There was -old Top-knot, a wise and ugly companion of -former days, her penciled feathers on her neck -rubbed the wrong way. Behind her came a -young son, an ingrate, who even now would try -to steal the fish from him did he but leave it for -a moment to dive for another. He glanced at -him and ate steadily on. He would finish his -fish first and look out for his ungrateful son -afterwards.</p> - -<p>Further behind came his youngest companion, -one who had hatched forth twelve stout birds -during the past few years and who was still -supple and vigorous, her smooth feathers still -showing a gloss very pretty to look at. But she -gave him no notice, and he ate in silence until -they all passed far beyond and sighted at last -the breaching mackerel.</p> - -<p>When he had finished he sat stately and dignified<span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">19</span> -upon the sand of the reef, all alone. Far -away to the southward, where the high mountains -of the Cuban shore rose above the line of -water when he soared aloft, a thin smoke rose -from some passing steamer. To the northward -the spars of the shipping at Key West stuck -above the calm sea. All about was peaceful, -bright, and beautiful daylight, and the ugly -spider-like tower of the Sand Key Light stood -like a huge sentinel as though to guard the -scene.</p> - -<p>The day was so quiet that the sullen splashes -of the fisher birds sounded over the smooth surface -of the sea, and the breeze scarcely rippled -the blue water. The deep Gulf rolled and heaved -in the sunshine, and the drone of the small breakers -that fell upon the reef sounded low and had a -sleepy effect upon the old fellow who had finished -his fish.</p> - -<p>He sat with his pouch drawn in and his long, -heavy beak resting upon his neck, which he bent -well into the shape of a letter S. Now and then<span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">20</span> -he would close an eye as the glare from the white -coral in the sunshine became too bright. The -man in the boat was trolling back and forth -through the school of fish with hardly enough -way on his craft to make them strike, but every -now and then he saw him haul aboard a shimmering -object that struggled and fought for -freedom. Above, and at a little distance, soared -the pelicans. Every now and then one would -suddenly fold its wings and make a straight -dive from the height of a hundred feet or more, -striking the sea with a splash that sent up a -little jet of foam.</p> - -<p>The sun rose higher and the scorching reef -glared in the fierce light. The old man shifted -his feet on the burning sand and looked about -him for a spot where he might bring another fish -and lie quiet for the afternoon. He turned his -head toward the westward, where Mangrove Key -rose like a dark green bush a few feet above the -water of the reef. Two small specks were in the -blue void above it, and his eyes instantly detected<span class="pagenum" id="Page_21">21</span> -them and remained staring at them with unwinking -gaze.</p> - -<p>The specks grew larger rapidly, but they were -a long way off yet, and he might be mistaken as -to what they were. He had seen them rise above -the blue line before, and if they were what he -took them to be there would be trouble on the -reef before long. Yes, he was not mistaken. -They rose steadily, coming on a straight line for -him, and now they were only a mile distant. -Then he noticed one of the objects swerve -slightly to the eastward and he saw they were, -indeed, a pair of the great bald eagles from the -Everglades of Florida.</p> - -<p>He was an old man, and he gazed steadily at -them without much concern, although he knew -they meant death to all who opposed their path. -They were pirates. They were the cruelest of -killers and as implacable and certain in their -purpose as the Grim Destroyer himself. The -pelicans fishing for their living over the reef -were good and easy prey. A sudden dash among<span class="pagenum" id="Page_22">22</span> -them, with beak and talons cutting and slashing -right and left, and there would be some full -pouches of fish to empty. It was much better to -let the stupid birds fill up first and then sweep -among them. Then, after despoiling them of -their hard-gotten catch, they would carry as -much of the plunder as they cared for to some -sheltering key to devour at leisure.</p> - -<p>The white head of the leading pirate shone in -the sunshine and his fierce eyes were fixed upon -the fishermen. The old man was apparently -unnoticed, although there was little within the -sweep of that savage gaze that was left unmarked. -Those eyes could see the slightest object -on land or sea far beyond the reach of ordinary -vision. They had even this morning, -probably, been watching the fishermen from -some distant key miles away to the northward.</p> - -<p>The old man was a huge, tough old fellow, -and he dreaded nothing. He gazed at the fishermen -and a feeling of disdain for their weakness<span class="pagenum" id="Page_23">23</span> -came upon him. He thought of his old scolding -mate, Top-knot. What a scared old bird she -would be in a moment with that great eagle -sailing straight as a bullet for her, his beak -agape, and his hoarse scream sounding in her -wake. How she would make for the open sea, -only to be caught in a few moments and torn -until she disgorged her fish. His eldest son -would make a show of fight, perhaps, and in a -very few minutes would be a badly used up pelican. -As for the rest, how they would wildly and -silently strike for the open ocean, going in single -file as was their custom, only to be overtaken one -by one, until they were all ripped and torn by -the fierce fighters, who would follow leisurely -along behind, striking and clutching, screaming -and calling to increase their fright and dismay.</p> - -<p>He was almost amused at the prospect, for the -pirate birds seemed to know him instinctively for -a barren prize and swept with the speed of the -wind past him and over the reef to the blue -waters of the Gulf beyond, where the fishermen<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">24</span> -were still unaware of their approach. He would -watch and see the skirmish, for no harm could -come to him even though all the rest were killed -and wounded. He swung himself around and -gazed seaward again, and suddenly the thought -of his uselessness came upon him.</p> - -<p>Why should he sit there and see this thing -done—he, an old man? He had led the flock -for many years. Should he, the father of many -and the companion of all in former days, see -them cut up by two enemies? What if they no -longer cared for him? What if the younger -birds were ungrateful and would steal his fish? -Was he not the old leader, the one they all had -looked to in the years gone by? Did not even -the men in the tower treat his knowledge with -respect? And here a couple of fierce marauders -from the forests of the land had passed him to -wreak their will upon the timid birds whose leader -had grown old. Memories of former days came -to him, and something made him raise his head -very straight and draw his pouch close in.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">25</span> -He sat gazing for a few moments longer. -The eagles now had closed up half the distance, -for they were going with a rush. A pelican saw -them and headed straight out to sea, striking -the air wildly with outstretched pinions. Then -in they dashed with hoarse cries that caused the -keeper in the boat to luff into the wind to witness -the struggle.</p> - -<p>The old man launched his weight into the air, -and with a few sudden strokes rose to the height -of a couple of fathoms above the sea, bearing -down toward the screaming birds with the rapidity -of an express train.</p> - -<p>Above Sandy Shackford a very mixed affair -was taking place. The two eagles had dashed -into the pelicans without warning and were within -striking distance before many of them could -even turn to flee. Old Top-knot had just caught -a fine fish and was in the act of rising with it -when the leading eagle swooped down upon her -with a shrill scream. She was an old and nervous -bird and a touch from any other creature she<span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">26</span> -dreaded at all times. Now, right behind her -came a giant shape, with glaring eyes and -gaping beak, a very death’s-head, white and -grisly, while beneath were a pair of powerful -feet, armed with sharp talons, ready to seize her -in a deadly grip. She gave a desperate leap to -clear the sea and stretch her wings, but the sight -was too much for her, and she sank back upon -the surface. The great eagle was too terrifying -for her old nerves, and she sat helpless.</p> - -<p>In an instant the eagle was upon her. He -seized her fiercely in his talons and struck her -savagely in the back, and the poor old bird instantly -disgorged her newly caught fish. Her -savage assailant hesitated a moment before -striking her down for good and all, while he -watched the fish swim away into the depths below. -Then he turned to finish her.</p> - -<p>At that instant there was a tremendous rush -through the air, and a huge body struck him -full in the breast, knocking him floundering -upon the sea. The old man had come at him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">27</span> -as straight as a bullet from a gun, and, with the -full force of his fifteen pounds sailing through -the air, had struck him with his tough old body, -that had been hardened by many a high dive -from above.</p> - -<p>The eagle was taken completely aback, and -struggled quickly into the air to get out of that -vicinity, while the old man, carried along by the -impetus of his rush, soared around in a great -circle and came slowly back to renew the attack. -In a moment the eagle had recovered, and, with -true game spirit, swung about to meet this new -defender of the fishermen. They met in mid-air, -about two fathoms above the sea, and Sandy -Shackford cheered wildly for his old acquaintance -as he landed a heavy blow with his long, -hooked bill.</p> - -<p>“Go it, old man!” he cried. “Give it to -him. Oh, if I had my gun, wouldn’t I soak -him for ye!”</p> - -<p>The other birds had fled seaward, and were -now almost out of sight, being pursued by the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">28</span> -second eagle. One limp form floated on the sea -to mark the course of the marauder. Old Top-knot -had recovered from the shock, and was now -making a line for Cuba. The old man was the -only one left, and he was detaining the great -bald eagle for his last fight, the fight of his -life.</p> - -<p>Around and around they soared. The eagle -was wary and did not wish to rush matters with -the determined old man, who, with beak drawn -back, sailed about ready for a stroke. Then, -disdaining the clumsy old fellow, the bald eagle -made a sudden rush as though he would end the -matter right there. The old man met him, and -there was a short scrimmage in the air which -resulted in both dropping to the sea. Here the -old man had the advantage. The eagle could -not swim, his powerful talons not being made -for propelling him over the water. The old man -managed to hold his own, although he received -a savage cut from the other’s strong beak. This -round was a draw. During this time the second<span class="pagenum" id="Page_29">29</span> -eagle had seen that his companion was not following -the startled game, and he returned just -in time to see him disengage from a whirlwind -of wings and beaks and wait a moment to decide -just how he would finish off the old fellow who -had the hardihood to dispute his way. Then -he joined the fight, and together they swooped -down upon the old man for the finish.</p> - -<p>He met them with his head well up and wings -outstretched, and gave them so much to do that -they were entirely taken up with the affair and -failed to notice Sandy Shackford, who was creeping -up, paddling with all his strength with an -oar-blade.</p> - -<p>The encounter could not last long. The old -fellow was rapidly succumbing to the attacks -of his powerful antagonists, and although he -still kept the mix-up in a whirl of foam with his -desperate struggles, he could not hope to last -against two such pirates as were now pitted -against him. One of them struck him fiercely -and tore his throat open, ripping his pouch from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_30">30</span> -end to end. He was weakening fast and knew -the struggle must end in another rush. Both -eagles came at him at once, uttering hoarse cries, -and drawing back his head he made one last, -desperate stroke with his hooked beak. Then -something seemed to crash down upon his foes -from above. An oar-blade whirled in the sunshine -and struck the leading eagle upon the head, -knocking him lifeless upon the sea. Then the -other rose quickly and started off to the northward -as the form of the keeper towered above -in the bow of the approaching boat.</p> - -<p>Sandy Shackford picked the great white-headed -bird from the water and dropped him -into the boat and the old man looked on wondering. -He had known the keeper for a long time, -but had never been at close quarters.</p> - -<p>“Poor old man,” said Sandy. “Ye look -mighty badly used up.” And then he made a -motion toward him.</p> - -<p>But the old pelican wanted no sympathy. His -was the soul of the leader, and he scorned help.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_31">31</span> -Stretching forth his wings with a mighty effort, -he arose from the sea. The reef lay but a short -distance away, and he would get ashore to rest. -The pain in his throat was choking him, but he -would sit quiet a while and get well. He would -not go far, but he would be alone. The whole sea -shimmered dizzily in the sunshine, but a little -rest and the old bones would be right again. He -would be quiet and alone.</p> - -<p>“Poor old man,” said Sandy, as he watched -him sail away. “He’s a dead pelican, but he -made a game fight.”</p> - -<p>Then he hauled in his lines, and, squaring -away before the wind, ran down to the light with -the eagle and a dozen fine fish in the bottom of -his dory.</p> - -<p>The next day the old man was not fishing on -the reef. The other birds came back—all except -one. But the old man failed to show up -during the whole day.</p> - -<p>The next day and the next came and went, -and Sandy, who looked carefully every morning<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">32</span> -for the old fellow, began to give up all hope of -seeing him again. Then, in the late afternoon -when the other birds were away, the old man -came sailing slowly over the water and landed -stiffly upon the coral of a point just awash at -the end of the key.</p> - -<p>As the sun was setting, the old man swung -himself slowly around to face it. He drew his -head well back and held himself dignified and -stately as he walked to the edge of the surf. -There he stopped, and as the flaming orb sank -beneath the western sea, the old man still stood -watching it as it disappeared.</p> - -<p>Sandy Shackford lit the lantern, and the sudden -tropic night fell upon the quiet ocean.</p> - -<p>In the morning the keeper looked out, and the -old man was sitting silent and stationary as before. -When the day wore on and he did not -start out fishing Sandy took the dory and rowed -to the jutting reef. He walked slowly toward -the old man, not wishing to disturb him, but to -help him if he could. He drew near, and the old<span class="pagenum" id="Page_33">33</span> -bird made no motion. He reached slowly down, -and the head he touched was cold.</p> - -<p>Sitting there, with the setting sun shining -over the southern sea, the old man had died. He -was now cold and stiff, but even in death he sat -straight and dignified. He had died as a leader -should.</p> - -<p>“Poor old man,” said Sandy. “His pouch -was cut open an’ he jest naterally starved to -death—couldn’t hold no fish, an’ as fast as he’d -catch ’em they’d get away. It was a mean way -to kill a fine old bird. Ye have my sympathy, -old man. I came nigh goin’ the same way once -myself.”</p> - -<p>And then, as if not to disturb him, the keeper -walked on his toes to his boat and shoved off.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_35">35</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">37</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_OUTCAST" title="The Outcast">THE OUTCAST</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_37" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.8125em;"> - <img src="images/i_037.jpg" width="365" height="590" alt="THE OUTCAST" /> - <div class="captionh">THE OUTCAST</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> day was bright and the sunshine -glistened upon the smooth water of -Cumberland Sound. The sand beach -glared in the fierce rays and the heat was -stifling. What little breeze there was merely -ruffled the surface of the water, streaking it out -into fantastic shapes upon the oily swell which -heaved slowly in from the sea. Far away the -lighthouse stood out white and glinting, the trees -about the tall tower looking inviting with their -shade. The swell snored low and sullenly upon -the bar, where it broke into a line of whiteness, -and the buoys rode the tide silently, making -hardly a ripple as it rushed past.</p> - -<p>Riley, the keeper of the light, was fishing. -His canoe was anchored close to the shore in three -fathoms of water, and he was pulling up whiting<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">38</span> -in spite of the ebb, which now went so fast that -it was with difficulty he kept his line upon the -bottom. When he landed his fiftieth fish they -suddenly stopped biting. He changed his bait, -but to no purpose. Then he pulled up his line -and spat upon his hook for luck.</p> - -<p>Even this remedy for wooing the goddess of -fortune failed him, and he mopped his face and -wondered. Then he looked over the side.</p> - -<p>For some minutes he could see nothing but the -glint of the current hurrying past. The sunshine -dazzled him. Then he shaded his eyes and -tried to pierce the depths beneath the boat.</p> - -<p>The water was as crystal, and gradually the -outlines of the soft bottom began to take form. -He could follow the anchor rope clear down -until a cross showed where the hook took the -ground.</p> - -<p>Suddenly he gave a start. In spite of the -heat he had a chill run up his spine. Then he -gazed fixedly down, straight down beneath the -small boat’s bottom.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">39</span> -A huge pair of eyes were looking up at him -with a fixed stare. At first they seemed to be in -the mud of the bottom, two unwinking glassy -eyes about a foot apart, with slightly raised -sockets. They were almost perfectly round, -and although he knew they must belong to a -creature lying either to or against the current, -he could not tell which side the body must lie. -Gradually a movement forward of the orbs attracted -his attention, and he made out an irregular -outline surrounding a section of undulating -mud. This showed the expanse of the creature’s -body, lying flat as it was, and covering an area -of several yards. It showed the proportions of -the sea-devil, the huge ray whose shark-like propensities -made it the most dreaded of the inhabitants -of the Sound. There he lay looking serenely -up at the bottom of the boat with his -glassy eyes fixed in that grisly stare, and it was -little wonder he was called the devil-fish.</p> - -<p>Riley spat overboard in disgust, and drew in -his line. There was no use trying to fish with that<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">40</span> -horrible thing lying beneath. He got out the -oars and then took hold of the anchor line and -began to haul it in, determined to seek a fishing -drop elsewhere or go home. As he hauled the -line, the great creature below noticed the boat -move ahead. He watched it for some seconds, -and then slid along the bottom, where the hook -was buried in the mud.</p> - -<p>It was easy to move his huge bulk. The side -flukes had but to be ruffled a little, and the great -form would move along like a shadow. He could -see the man in the boat when he bent over the -side, and he wondered several times whether he -should take the risk of a jump aboard. He was -a scavenger, and not hard to please in the matter -of diet. Anything that was alive was game to -his maw. He had watched for more than an -hour before the light-keeper had noticed it, and -now the boat was drawing away. His brain was -very small, and he could not overcome a peculiar -feeling that danger was always near the little -creature above. He kept his eyes fixed on the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">41</span> -boat’s bottom, and slid along under her until his -head brought up against the anchor line, now -taut as Riley hove it short to break out the hook. -This was provoking, and he opened a wicked -mouth armed with rows of shark-like teeth. -Then the anchor broke clear and was started upward, -and the boat began to drift away in the -current.</p> - -<p>The spirit of badness took possession of him. -He was annoyed. The boat would soon go away -if the anchor was withdrawn, so he made a grab -for it and seized the hook, or fluke, in his mouth, -and started out to sea. Riley felt the sudden -tug from below. He almost guessed what it was, -and quick as lightning took a turn with the line -about the forward seat. Then, as the boat’s -headway increased rapidly, he took the bight -of the line aft and seated himself so as to keep -her head up and not bury in the rush. His knife -was at hand ready for a sudden slash at the line -in case of emergency.</p> - -<p>“If he’ll let go abreast o’ the p’int, all right,”<span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">42</span> -said Riley. “I seen lots harder ways o’ getting -about than this.”</p> - -<p>The tide was rushing out with great rapidity, -and going along with it the boat fairly flew. -Riley watched the shore slip past, and looked -anxiously toward the lighthouse for the head -keeper to see him. It would give the old man a -turn, he thought, to see a boat flying through -the water with the occupant sitting calmly aft -taking it easy. It made him laugh outright to -imagine the head keeper’s look of astonishment. -Then he saw the figure of the old man standing -upon the platform of the tower gazing out to -sea. He roared out at the top of his voice, hoping -to attract attention, but the distance was -too great.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the sea-devil was sliding along the -bottom, heading for the line of white where the -surf fell over the bank of the outer bar. The -hook, or fluke, of the anchor was held securely -in his powerful jaws, and the force necessary to -tow the following craft was felt very little. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">43</span> -great side fins, or flukes, merely moved with a -motion which caused no exertion to such a frame, -and the long tail, armed with its deadly spear -of poisoned barbs, slewed slightly from right -to left, steering the creature with accuracy. -And while he went his mind was working, trying -to think how he could get the man from -the boat after he had taken him out to sea -beyond any help from the shore. A sea-devil -he was, and rightly named. This he very well -knew, and the thought made him fearless. He -had rushed many schools of mullet and other -small fish, who fled in frantic terror at his approach. -He had slid into a school of large porpoises, -the fishermen who seldom gave way for -anything, and he sent them plunging in fear for -the deep water. Once he had, in sheer devilry, -leaped upon a huge logger-head turtle weighing -half a ton, just to see if he could take a nip of -his neck before the frightened fellow could draw -in his head behind the safe shelter of his shell. -He could stand to the heaviest shark that had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">44</span> -ever entered the Sound, and had once driven his -spear through the jaws of a monster who had -sneaked up behind him unawares and tried to -get a grip upon his flukes. All had shown a -wholesale respect for his powers, and he had -grown more and more malignant as he grew in -size and strength. Even his own family had at -last sought other waters on account of his peculiarly -ferocious temper.</p> - -<p>Now he would try the new game in the craft -above, and he felt little doubt as to the outcome. -A sudden dash and twist might demoralize -the floating tow, and as he neared the black -can buoy which marked the channel, he gave a -tremendous rush ahead, then a sudden sheer to -the right, and with a quick slew he was heading -back again in the opposite direction.</p> - -<div id="ip_44" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 24.125em;"> - <img src="images/i_047.jpg" width="386" height="593" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE GREAT SHAPE SAILED FOR THE TOP OF THE BUOY.</div></div> - -<p>Riley felt the sudden jerk ahead. He was as -far as he wished to go down the shore, but had -hesitated to cut the line in the hope that the -devil would let go. Lines were not plentiful, and -to lose this one meant an end to fishing for several<span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">45</span> -days. The canoe shot ahead with prodigious -speed. Riley seized the knife and was -about to cut loose, when there was a sudden sheer -to starboard, and before he could do anything -the canoe was jerked quickly over upon its side. -He leaped to the rail and tried to right it, but -almost instantly it was whirled about and capsized. -The sea-devil now dropped the anchor -and turned his attention to the boat. The -fluke, taking the ground in the channel, anchored -the craft a few feet distant from the can buoy, -and Riley was climbing upon the upturned -boat’s bottom as the creature came up. Lying -flat upon the keel, Riley balanced himself so as -to keep clear of the sea, watching the big black -can swinging to and fro in the current. If he -could but seize the ring in the top he might pull -himself to a place of safety.</p> - -<p>The devil came back slowly, looking about -for the occupant of the small boat. He was not -in sight, and the craft was perfectly empty. -This puzzled him, and he began circling around<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">46</span> -to see if he had overlooked him in the tideway. -Then he saw a movement upon the boat, and -made out the keeper lying upon the keel. He -came slowly up to the side of the craft, and Riley -saw a huge shadow rising alongside of him, -spreading out a full two fathoms across the -wings, or flukes. The ugly eyes were fixed upon -him, and he yelled in terror. It was like some -horrid nightmare, only he knew the deadly nature -of the creature, and realized what a fate -was in store for him once the devil had him -fast.</p> - -<p>The devil was in no hurry to rush matters, -however, for now that the boat was again stationary -he would investigate the subject before -making an attack. He was not hungry.</p> - -<p>Riley edged away from the huge shadow as -far as he could, and called frantically for help. -The can buoy swung close to him, and he looked -up to see if it were possible to make the spring -for the top. To miss it meant certain death. -Then it swung away again, and he closed his eyes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">47</span> -to shut out the horrid shape rising beside the -boat.</p> - -<p>The mouth of the devil was under a breadth of -shovel-shaped nose, and it could not be brought -to bear at once. It would necessitate a leap to -grab Riley, and as the devil was in no hurry he -swam slowly along the sunken gunwale waiting -for a better opportunity to seize the victim. He -was apparently certain of his game, and he would -take his time.</p> - -<p>Riley shrieked again and again in terror, -clinging with a frantic clutch to the capsized -boat.</p> - -<p>About this time, Samuels, the keeper, who was -in the tower, happened to turn around far enough -to notice the black speck of the upturned boat. -He was expecting Riley to show up about this -time of day, and the speck upon the surface of -the Sound attracted his attention. In a few -moments he made it out to be the boat bottom up.</p> - -<p>Instantly he sprang for his glasses. He saw -Riley lying upon the bottom. He rushed to the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">48</span> -beach as fast as he could and pushed out in a -dory. His companion was in danger from -drowning, and he would rescue him if possible. -He knew nothing of the danger that lurked below -the surface of the sea. The sea-devil was out -of sight, and his small dorsal fin would not -show any great distance.</p> - -<p>Riley howled and clung to the bottom of the -boat, while Samuels strove to reach him, and -all the time the devil swam slowly fore and aft -along the side trying to decide whether to make -the leap or push the boat bodily over again. -The last method appeared to be the least irksome, -and he gave the boat a good shove with his -nose.</p> - -<p>Riley felt the heeling of the craft, and -clutched frantically at the now slanting keel. -She was turning over again, and in an instant -he would be in the water. The thought of the -ending gave him a madman’s energy. He saw -the buoy swinging closer and closer to him as -the craft was pushed along sideways. Then a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">49</span> -sudden eddy of the tide swung it within a few -feet of the boat.</p> - -<p>The devil, seeing the boat turning slowly over, -pushed harder. In an instant the man upon the -bottom would be in the water and easy to seize. -He gave a sudden shove, throwing the capsized -craft almost upon its side. As he did so Riley -made a last desperate effort. He arose quick as -lightning and balanced for an instant on the -settling canoe. Then he sprang with all his -strength for the ring-bolt in the top of the buoy.</p> - -<p>Whether it was luck or the desperate strength -of despair, he just managed to get the fingers -of his right hand into the ring. The can toppled -over as though it would capsize and land him in -the sea, but with his legs in the water almost up -to his waist, it brought up on its bearings, balanced -by the heavy weight below. Then he -hauled himself up and tried to get his legs -around the iron.</p> - -<p>At each effort the can would twist slowly in -the sea, and down he would come again into<span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">50</span> -the water, holding on by the ring above his -head.</p> - -<p>The sea-devil gave the craft a tremendous -push which sent it clear over, and then he slipped -under it to find the game on the side beyond. -The man was gone, but he saw him hanging to -the buoy close by, and he gave a sudden dash to -seize him. At that instant Riley clambered like -a cat upon the swinging iron, and by almost -superhuman balancing he sat up on the top, some -four feet clear of the water, his legs swinging -on either side, making frantic efforts to keep his -unstable craft from turning around in the current -and spilling him into the death-trap which -now lurked below in plain view. He prayed for -a whale iron, and screamed for help. Then he -swore furiously and madly at the shape with the -stony eyes which, as implacable as death itself, lay -watching him as though certain of the ultimate -outcome of the affair. Without even his knife -he would not be able to make the least resistance. -A harpoon iron would have fixed things differently.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">51</span> -Oh, for one to throw at the hideous thing -waiting for him! How he would like to see the -barbs sink into that hard hide and pierce its -vitals. He raved at it, and cursed it frantically, -but the sea-devil lay there silently watching, -knowing well that it was but a question of a few -minutes before he would be at his mercy.</p> - -<p>The hot afternoon sun beat pitilessly upon the -clinging wretch upon the can buoy, and the heat -upon his bare head made the water dance about -him. But to lose his balance was fatal, and he -clung and cried, prayed and screamed, cursed -and raved, alternately, adjusting his trembling -body to each movement of his float.</p> - -<p>As the minutes flew by, Samuels, who was rowing -to him with rapid strokes, heard his outcries, -and turned to look. He could not understand -the man’s wild terror. It was evident that there -was no time to lose, and he bent to the oars -again. Suddenly he heard a piercing scream. -He turned, and in time to see a great shape rise -from the water like a gigantic bat, and sail right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_52">52</span> -for the top of the can buoy. It struck it fair, -and the thud of the huge body resounded over the -sea. Then it fell slanting off into the water with -a great splash, and when he looked at the top of -the can there was nothing but a piece of blue -cloth hanging to the ring-bolt. Riley was gone.</p> - -<p>In an instant Samuels sprang to his feet and -stood looking at the eddying current, paralyzed -with horror at the sight. The hot sunshine and -smooth sea were still all around him, but the monstrous -shape had disappeared and his companion -along with it. Now he knew why Riley -had screamed and cursed so frantically. It was -not the fear of drowning that had called forth -such madness. But even while he stood there in -the sunlight a horrible nightmare seemed to be -taking possession of him, and he was trembling -and helpless. He gave a hoarse cry and set his -teeth to control his shaking nerves. Then his -brain began its normal working again, and he -seized his oars and gave several tremendous -strokes in the direction of the buoy, looking<span class="pagenum" id="Page_53">53</span> -over his shoulder and feeling his scalp tightening -upon his head. There was a cold chill in -his blood, as though the weather were winter instead -of torrid July.</p> - -<p>Suddenly something showed on the surface -just under the boat’s bow. He shivered in spite -of himself, but the thought of his comrade -nerved him for the ordeal. He sprang forward, -knife in hand, to seize it if it were Riley’s form, -or face the monster if he appeared. A white -hand came slowly upward. With a desperate -effort Samuels reached over and jerked the form -of his assistant into the boat, and as he did so -a huge shadow darkened the water beneath -him.</p> - -<p>The sea-devil, carried along by the momentum -of his rush, had knocked his victim into the water -from the buoy top, but had swept past him before -he could swing about far enough to seize -him in his jaws. This was all that saved Riley.</p> - -<p>Instantly Samuels, who had a stout craft, -seized his oars and pulled for the lighthouse, gazing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">54</span> -fixedly upon the smooth water astern of him, -and shivering with a nervous shake at each ripple -in the wake of his boat, lest it were made by the -denizen below the surface. But nothing followed. -The Sound was as smooth as glass, and -the sunshine and silence were undisturbed. The -great ray had missed his victim, and was swimming -slowly around the can buoy looking for -him. He had failed to notice Samuels pick him -up, although he had seen his boat pass.</p> - -<p>While Samuels watched astern he saw the capsized -craft near the buoy move suddenly, as -though some power were exerted upon it from -below. The sight caused him to bend with renewed -vigor to his oars, and, with his heart sending -his blood jerking through his temples with -a pulse he seemed almost to hear, he drove his -boat for the beach and landed safely. As he did -so Riley sat up and looked about him with eyes -that were like those of a man in a dream. His -lips were swollen to a livid blue and he puffed -through them, making a ghastly sound as they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">55</span> -quivered with his breath. Samuels spoke to him, -but he would only gaze about him and make the -blowing noise with his mouth. Then the elder -keeper took him gently by the arm and led him -painfully up the sand to the lighthouse dwelling. -The next day the victim was raving. It -would take a long time for the poor fellow to regain -his equilibrium, and absolute rest and quiet -were the only thing that would steady the terribly -shaken nerves. Samuels took the man to -the nearest town, and then went back to tend the -light alone.</p> - -<p>The following week Samuels spent brooding -over the horrible affair. The log of the keeper -refers to it several times, and it was like a wild -nightmare to him during his watch on the tower -during darkness. During the daytime he -thought of it continually, and began to devise -different methods for the capture of the sea-devil, -which he believed to be still in the entrance of the -Sound. He had sent word of the unfortunate -Riley’s condition to the inspector, and was tending<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">56</span> -the light alone when the new assistant came to -relieve him. When he arrived he found Samuels -hard at work upon a set of harpoons and lines -which he had been preparing for his hunt, while -a couple of large shark-hooks lay in the small -boat ready baited. Two small boats were made -ready, and the shark-hooks and lines were placed -in one. The other contained five lilly-irons of -the grummet-and-toggle pattern and two hundred -fathoms of small line capable of holding -the small boat while being towed at any speed. -With this outfit they began to spend the days -upon the waters of the Sound, rowing in company -to the various fishing drops, and trying -for a bite upon the great hooks.</p> - -<p>Not a sign of the sea-devil had there been -since the day the keeper had met him. The -weather was clear and fine, and the sea smooth. -Nothing rose to break the even surface. But -Samuels hunted quietly on, never losing faith -that some day the monster would break water -again and give him a chance for either a harpoon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">57</span> -or hook. In his boat he carried a long whale -lance with its heart-shaped head as sharp as a -razor, covered in a wooden scabbard to keep off -the dampness. It would penetrate any living -body a full fathom, and nothing of flesh and -blood could withstand its stroke.</p> - -<p>The sixth day out the new keeper began to -give up hope of seeing anything like the game -they sought. He carried ordinary hand lines, -and busied himself fishing during their stays at -the different drops. Sea bass, drum, and sheeps-head -were biting lively, and he managed to make -good use of the time they were away from the -light. Toward the late afternoon the fish suddenly -stopped biting. It was the beginning of -the flood tide, and therefore not in keeping with -the usual state of affairs. Something was the -matter, and Samuels began to pay attention to -his shark lines.</p> - -<p>In a short time one of them began to go in -little jerks. It was loose, with a turn around a -cleat so that it might run with any sudden pull.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_58">58</span> -Then it began to go steadily, going faster and -faster, as fathom after fathom of it flaked overboard. -As a shark is never jerked for some moments -after he has taken bait, on account of his -habit of holding a morsel in his mouth sometimes -for minutes before swallowing it, the line -was let run. After a shark gets it well in hand -he suddenly bolts the food and makes off. Then -is the time to set back with a full force upon the -line in order to drive the barb of the hook into -his tough throat. The chain leader of the hook -will then be the only thing he can set his teeth -upon, and he will be fast if the barb once gets -under the tough hide.</p> - -<p>Samuels let the line go for nearly a minute -before a quickening in the movement told him -that the fellow at the other end had swallowed -the bait and was making away. Then rising -slowly to his feet he let the line run through his -fingers until he took a good brace upon the seat -of his boat with his foot. Then he grasped the -line suddenly with both hands, and setting back<span class="pagenum" id="Page_59">59</span> -upon it with all his strength he stopped it for an -instant. The next moment there was a whir of -whistling line. He had dropped it and it was -flying overboard. Before ten fathoms of line -had gone, Samuels had it on the cleat again -and was snubbing it in jerks which sent his -boat as deep as her after gunwale. Soon, however, -the line began to give a little. Foot by foot -he hauled it in, until a long dark form showed -beneath the surface of the water. It was only a -shark after all, and he was given a taste of the -whale lance to quiet him.</p> - -<p>While he was engaged in this he heard a sudden -roar behind him, and he turned in time to -see a gigantic form disappear in a tremendous -smother of foam. It sounded like a small cannon, -and he well knew there was only one creature -in the Sound that could break water with such a -rush and smash.</p> - -<p>The shark was forgotten, and as soon as possible -the hook was rebaited and cast. The other -line was now watched, and the painter of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">60</span> -other boat was passed over to make them tow -together if the line should be taken.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the new keeper, who had been looking -steadily over the side into the clear water, -gave a shout and pointed below.</p> - -<p>Just a fathom beneath the boat’s keel a gigantic -shadow drew slowly up. It was a giant ray, -the dreaded sea-devil they had been waiting for.</p> - -<p>Samuels gazed down at it and could see the -stony eyes fixed upon him. Grasping a harpoon -he sent it with all his force down into the -depths. It was a wild throw. But he had waited -so long that he could not miss any chance.</p> - -<p>The long shank of the iron disappeared in the -foam of the splash. Then there was a moment’s -pause. Almost instantly afterwards the line was -flying furiously over the side. The toggle had -penetrated, and they were fast.</p> - -<p>The assistant keeper tossed over the anchor -buoys to mark the slipped moorings, and then -Samuels snubbed the line.</p> - -<p>Instantly the boats were jerked half under<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">61</span> -water. Settling back as far as they could, they -both tried to keep the bows of the towing craft -from being towed under, and the line had to be -slacked again and again to save them. Away -they went, one behind the other, the ray leading, -Samuels’ boat next, with him in the stern-sheets, -holding a turn of the line which led over the runner -in the stem, and the new keeper, standing -with steering oar in hand, slewing his flying -craft first one side and then the other to keep -dead in the wake.</p> - -<p>The breeze making from the sea sent the spray -over the boats in sheets, but they held on. The -devil was heading for the bar under full speed, -for the iron had pricked him sorely in the side, -and he was a little taken aback at this sudden -reception. He could not yet grasp the situation, -and would circle about before coming close to the -small craft again. But there was something -dragging upon him that began to cause alarm. -There was a line to the thing that pricked so -sore. The feeling at first caused a desire to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">62</span> -escape from the unknown enemy, but gradually -as the pain increased anger began to take the -place of fright, and he tried to find out just who -his enemies were. He swerved near the can buoy -and broached clear of the sea to get a better -view. The crash he made as he struck the sea -again sent the spray high in the air, and the -line was whirled out with renewed force.</p> - -<p>But the men behind him had no thought of letting -go. With lance in hand Samuels waited -patiently for a chance to haul line. As long as -the toggle would hold there was little chance for -the iron drawing, for the skin of the ray was as -tough as leather, and the flesh beneath it was -firm.</p> - -<p>On and on they went, the flood tide setting -strong against them. The swell from beyond -the bar was now felt, and the ocean sparkled in -the sunshine where it was ruffled by the outside -breeze. Two, three miles were traversed, but -there was no slacking of the tremendous pace. -The ray evidently intended to get to sea before<span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">63</span> -attempting to make any change in his actions. -He was going at a ten-knot gait, keeping now -close to the bottom, and heading right through -the north breaker, which rolled in curved lines of -white foam upon the bar. The channel he cared -not the least for, and Samuels watched the roaring -line of white with concern. The small boats -would make bad weather of the surf, even though -the sea was smooth, for the swell rose high and -fell heavily, making a deep rumbling snore which -grew louder and louder as they approached. -Far away the lighthouse shone in the sunshine, -and the buoys stood out like black specks to mark -the way through the channel.</p> - -<p>Samuels got out his hatchet ready for a sudden -cut at the line if the surf proved too dangerous. -They were nearing the inner line of breakers, -and it would be only a matter of minutes before -they were either through or swamped. There -must be some hasty judgment, but it must be as -accurate as it would be hasty, for there would -be no chance to change his mind when the water<span class="pagenum" id="Page_64">64</span> -rose ahead. It was breaking in a good fathom -and more.</p> - -<p>The sea-devil seemed to know what was in -store for the boats towing behind. He broached -again and took a good look astern where they -flew along behind him. Then with redoubled -speed he tore through the inner line of breaking -water, and before Samuels could grab the hatchet -to cut loose, his boat rose upon a crested breaker -and plunged headlong over into the trough beyond, -pulling the assistant through, and almost -swamping him. It was now too late to let go. -Ahead was another wall of rising water which -would break in an instant, and the only thing -to do was to go on and trust to the boat’s riding -over it all right. To turn the slightest, one side -or the other, meant to be rolled over in the rush -of foam.</p> - -<p>Samuels held on grimly. Once outside he -hoped to haul line and come to close quarters -with the devil. Then he would deal with him in -a more satisfactory manner. That long lance<span class="pagenum" id="Page_65">65</span> -would be brought into play, and the fight would -be with the odds upon his side. But he had -reckoned somewhat hastily with this outcast of -the ocean. All the fearless cunning of the sea-scavenger -was being brought into play. The -pain in his side where the iron held was making -him more and more savage. He saw it was useless -to run away, for the iron held his pursuers -to him. He had only intended to make a short -run at the beginning, and then turn to meet -whatever there was in the shape of a foe. There -was little fear in his make-up. The sudden alarm -at the stroke of the iron was merely the natural -instinct of the wild creature to keep out of harm’s -way. He had intended to come back and try his -hand with the small craft, only he would not run -into unknown trouble. It would be wiser to take -things easy and approach the matter slowly, -watching a good chance to make a rush in when -a fitting opportunity occurred. But because he -would go slow he would be none the less implacable. -He had never withdrawn from a fight yet,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">66</span> -and his peculiar tenacity had more than once -brought him off victor when the odds were -against him. He was wary—an old wary fighter -who began the struggle slowly only to learn the -forces opposed to him. When the issue was well -begun he would break forth in a fury unequaled -in any other denizen of the ocean. The continual -pain of the pulling-iron was now goading him -into a condition of frenzied fury. In a moment -he would turn, just as soon as he had the small -craft well into the foaming water, where he knew -it would be difficult to navigate.</p> - -<p>Samuels had thought of the ray’s probable -run for shoal water, and dreaded coming up with -him in the surf. He could not turn his small -boat broadside to the breakers without getting -rolled over and swamped, and his oars would be -useless to pull clear with the iron fast. He hoped -the ray would make for the bottom in the deep -water beyond and pull him through. Just as -the outer breaker rose ahead the line suddenly -slacked.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">67</span> -This was what Samuels dreaded most, and he -began to haul in hand over hand. Instead, however, -of the line leading ahead, it suddenly let -off to starboard, and he was forced to let it go -and take to his oars to keep the boat’s head to -the sea that was now upon her. He called to the -new keeper, who let go the line between the boats, -to take out his oars also. Both now headed -straight for the crest, which instantly broke over -them, half filling Samuels’ craft and settling her -almost to the gunwales. At that moment the -line came taut with a jerk. It swung the boat’s -head off broadside to the sea, and the next minute -the breaker rolled her over and over. As it did -so a giant form rose like a huge bat from the -foam with mouth agape and flukes extended, its -tail stretching out behind, and the line from the -harpoon trailing. Down it came with a crash -which resounded above the roar of the surf, and -the boat disappeared from view.</p> - -<p>Samuels had by good luck been thrown -clear of the craft when the sea struck, and his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_68">68</span> -head appeared a fathom distant just as the devil -crashed down. It was a close call. Then, as the -half-sinking boat returned slowly, bottom -up, to the surface, he made for it with all -speed.</p> - -<p>Beside it floated the long wooden handle of -the lance, the blade resting upon the bottom a -fathom below. He seized it as he grasped the -keel, and calling for the keeper in the other -boat to look out, he made ready for the devil’s -return, for the line was not pulling the boat -away, showing that the slack had not been -taken up, and that the creature was still -close by.</p> - -<p>He was not wrong in this. The huge devil -swerved almost as soon as he disappeared below -the surface and headed back again slowly to -where the boat lay in the foam of the breaker. -He kept close to the bottom and came like a -shadow over the sand.</p> - -<p>The sun was shining brightly and objects -could be seen easily. Samuels soon made out a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_69">69</span> -dark object creeping up from the side where the -ray had gone down. The water was hardly over -his head when the seas broke, and between them -it was not more than four and a half feet deep. -He could keep his head out and his feet upon -the sand until the rising crest would lift him -clear, when, by holding to the upturned boat’s -keel, he could keep his head out until the breaker -had passed, the tide setting him rapidly towards -the deeper water inside the bar.</p> - -<p>The keeper in the other boat saw the shadow -and called out, at the same time getting a harpoon -ready and resting upon his oars. The -smooth between breakers gave both a good -chance to note the position of the approaching -monster.</p> - -<p>The sea-devil came slowly up, his eyes showing -through the clear water and the line from the -iron trailing behind him. When within a couple -of fathoms he made a sudden rush at the capsized -boat.</p> - -<p>The new keeper threw his iron well. It landed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">70</span> -fairly in the top of the broad back and sank -deep, but it did not in the least stop the savage -rush. The huge bulk rose to the surface at the -instant the iron struck and came straight for -Samuels, who held the lance ready in one hand -and clung to the keel of his boat with the other. -He drove the long, sharp weapon a full two feet -into the monster’s vitals and then ducked behind -the sunken gunwale to avoid the teeth.</p> - -<p>There was a terrific commotion in the sea. -The devil bit savagely at Samuels’ arm, but -missed it, his teeth coming upon the gunwale -of the boat and shearing out a piece. Then he -gave a tremendous rush upon the craft and -drove it before him until it disappeared under -the surface. The great ray smote the sea with -his flukes and strove after his prey, but the lance -was firmly planted in him, and, try as he might, -he could get no nearer than the length of the -handle to the keeper, for with this grasped -firmly in both hands Samuels went below the -surface only to get his foothold again and reappear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">71</span> -to be driven along before the furious -creature.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile the new keeper came hauling line -from the rear. There was a smooth between -the seas, and he pulled the boat close to the -floundering devil before he knew what was -taking place. Then, with three irons ready, he -drove one after the other in quick succession into -the monster. Taken from the rear in this manner -the devil whirled about. His barbed spear -in his tail he drove with accuracy at the form in -the boat, striking the keeper in the thick of the -thigh and piercing it through and through. -He fell with a yell, clutching the boat to keep -from being drawn overboard, and the spear -broke off short, the poisonous barbs remaining -in the flesh.</p> - -<p>The sudden diversion saved Samuels. He -managed to withdraw his lance, and by an almost -superhuman effort he drove it again into the -devil just as a sea broke over him. When he -came to the surface again he was exhausted and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">72</span> -expected to fall a victim, but the great creature -made no attack and only swam around in a circle, -apparently dazed.</p> - -<p>Samuels lost no time in getting aboard the -still floating craft, taking the towline with him. -She was full of water from the breaker which -had rolled in, but it had struck her fairly in the -bow and she would float a little longer. He -reached for the oars and held her head to the sea, -while the other raised himself in spite of the -agony of his poisoned wound and bailed for his -life.</p> - -<p>The sea-devil was mortally hurt and was failing -fast. He came to the surface and made one -blind rush at the boat, but he missed and received -the last iron fairly between the eyes. -Then he began to go slowly away, following the -flood tide, and towing both boats in through -the breakers to the smooth water beyond. In -a short time the motion ceased, and Samuels -hauled in the lines until he was just over -the body in two fathoms of water and clear<span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">73</span> -of the surf on the bar. Then he turned his attention -to his wounded comrade, and by great -force pulled the long, barbed spine through the -flesh of his thigh and sucked the wound. As -the tide was flooding, they left the capsized boat -fast to the devil on the bottom below, knowing it -would not get far adrift, and made their way -to the light, where the keeper’s wound was carefully -cauterized and bound up.</p> - -<p>The great ray lay quiet for some time, his -flukes acting as suckers to hold him down. Then, -the feeling that his end was at hand coming -gradually upon him, he fought against the -deadly weakness of his wounds. Summing up -all the remaining energy within his giant frame, -he rose to the surface to make one last, desperate -rally and annihilate the towing craft. He -breached clear of the sea and fell with a resounding -crash upon the fabric, smashing it -completely. Then he tore it with his teeth and -flung the splinters broadcast, reaching wildly -for anything which looked like a human form.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">74</span> -Then he suddenly stopped and a quiver passed -through him. He gave a mighty smash with his -flukes upon the remains of the boat, and then -his life went out. He sank slowly down upon -the clean sand below, and the ground-sharks of -the reef came silently in to their feast.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">75</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">77</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_SEA_DOG" title="The Sea Dog">THE SEA DOG</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_77" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 26.3125em;"> - <img src="images/i_079.jpg" width="421" height="584" alt="THE SEA DOG" /> - <div class="captionh">THE SEADOG</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">He</span> was a yellow brute, mangy, lean, and -treacherous-looking. He had been in -two ships where dogs were not particularly -liked by the officers, and the last one had -gone ashore in the darkness during a northeast -gale off the Frying Pan. How he had come -ashore from the wreck was a detail beyond his -reasoning. Here he was on the beach of North -Carolina, and not one of his shipmates was left -to take care of him.</p> - -<p>He had at first foraged among the bushes of -beach myrtle and through the pine woods, stealing -into the light-keeper’s yard at Bald Head -during the hours of darkness, and rummaging -through his garbage for a bit of food to keep -the life within his mangy hide. He had now -been ashore for nearly five months, and during<span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">78</span> -all that time he had shown an aversion to the -light-keeper’s society. There was no other human -habitation on the island, and the light-keeper -had fired a charge of bird-shot at him on -two occasions. This had not given him greater -confidence in strangers, and that which he had -had was of a suspicious kind, born and nurtured -aboard ship, where a kick was the usual salutation. -He was as sly as a wolf and as wild as a -razor-back hog, for he had gradually fallen -upon the resources of the wild animal, and his -one thought was for himself.</p> - -<p>He had broken away into the night howling -after the last reception by the light-keeper at the -Bald Head tower, and sore and stiff he had -crawled into the bushes to pick at the tiny -pellets that stung so fiercely. In the future -he would be more careful. He must watch. -Eternal vigilance was the price for his worthless -life. All the evil desires and instincts begotten -through a line of rascally curs now began to -grow within him. He would not repress them,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">79</span> -for was it not manifest that he must exercise -every selfish desire to its utmost if he would live? -His eyes took on that wild, hunted look of the -beast with whom all are at war, and his teeth -showed fiercely at each and every sound. A -sullen savageness of mind came upon him more -and more every day, until after these months -of wildness he had dropped back again into the -natural state of his forefathers. He was a wild -dog in every sense. As wild as the hogs who -rooted through the pine woods or tore through -the swamp, lean as deer and alert to every danger, -the degenerates of the well-bred pigs of the -early settlers.</p> - -<p>Sometimes he would run along the edge of -the beach in the sunlight and watch the surf, but -even this was dangerous, for once the light-keeper -happened to be out hunting and sent a -rifle bullet singing past his ears. He broke for -cover again, and seldom ventured forth except -after the sun went down. In the daytime he -would go slinking through the gloom of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">80</span> -dense thickets with ears cocked and senses alert, -watching like a wolf for the slightest sign of -danger. A wolf is seldom seen unless he means -to be, and the yellow dog soon became as retiring.</p> - -<p>Small game furnished food during this season, -for the creeks swarmed with fish and crabs, which -were often caught in shallows at low water, and -gophers were plentiful, but sometimes when the -wind was howling and soughing through the -forest, and the rain rattling and whistling -through the clearings, he would try the light-keeper’s -back yard again, and grab a defenseless -duck or goose that happened to be within reach. -Their squawking was music to his ears, for he -remembered the flash and stinging pain following -his earlier attempts to procure food, and he -would dash furiously through the timber with -his prize, nor stop until many miles were between -him and the bright eye that flamed high in -the air above and could be seen fifteen miles or -more up the beach. The lighthouse was an<span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">81</span> -excellent guide for him in all kinds of weather, -but it was especially useful on very dark and -stormy nights. To him it meant a guide out of -danger, even as it did to his earlier masters, and -he soon learned to navigate by it.</p> - -<p>He grew more and more savage as his life in -the wilderness went on, and as his savageness increased -so likewise did his cunning.</p> - -<p>William Ripley, the light-keeper, and his assistant, -were both good hunters. They had -plenty of time during daylight to make long excursions -along the beach, and through the pine -woods, and they often brought home a hog or -two. They were worried at the visits from the -strange animal who left footprints like those of -a dog, and who kept always well out of sight -after his first visits, when a glimpse of yellow had -flashed through the darkness, giving something -tangible to fire at. They had seen the vessel -come ashore on the outer shoals, some twelve -miles away, and had seen her gradually break up -without being able to lend a hand at saving her<span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">82</span> -crew. Nothing had washed on the beach that -had signs of life, and it had never occurred to -them that a yellow dog had been a survivor of -that tragedy. The wreck had been visited afterwards, -and the vessel’s name discovered, but -nothing was ever heard of the men who had -manned her, and who had evidently gone to the -port of missing ships. Their interest in the matter -ended after getting a few fathoms of line -and a bit of iron-work, and the shifting sands of -the treacherous Frying Pan soon swallowed up -all trace of the disaster.</p> - -<p>But ducks and geese were scarce and valuable. -There was a thief abroad, and something must -be done. The cold weather was approaching, -and already frost had turned the leaves of some -of the trees. Soon a slight fall of snow announced -that winter was upon the coast in -earnest.</p> - -<p>The cold was hard upon the outcast. His -thin hair was but poor protection against the -wind, and the food of the creeks was disappearing.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">83</span> -He was getting more and more savage and -desperate, and the great eye that shone above -him through the blackness was attractive, for it -showed where there lay plenty. Often, when the -gale blew from the northward, and the weather -was thick, the wild ducks and geese came rushing -down the wind and headed for the eye that shone -so brightly in the night. It had a peculiar dazzling -fascination for them, and they would go -driving at it with a rush of a hundred miles an -hour, only to find too late that it was surrounded -by a heavy wire net. Then, before they could -swerve off, they were upon it with a terrific -smash. Headlong into the iron meshes they -would drive until, flattened and distorted lumps -of flesh and feathers, they would go tumbling -down to the ground beneath. In the morning -the keeper would see traces of their feathers -and sometimes a duck or two, but more often he -saw the footprints of the strange animal that so -resembled either a dog or wolf.</p> - -<p>“I reckon it’s about time we caught up with<span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">84</span> -that un,” said Ripley, one morning; “there -aint been no wolves around this here island sence -I kin remember, an’ I’m bound to find out jest -what kind o’ critter this one is. Why, what d’ye -s’pose he done last night, hey?”</p> - -<p>“Don’t ask me no riddles when I’m sleepy,” -said the assistant.</p> - -<p>“Oh, well, it’s no matter, then,” said Ripley, -and he turned into the house.</p> - -<p>“Well, what?” asked the assistant.</p> - -<p>“The first thing he done was to eat the seat -out’n your pants you left hangin’ on the line, but -that’s no matter——”</p> - -<p>“What next?” asked the assistant, awakening -a little.</p> - -<p>“Well, he chewed the uppers off’n your rubber -boots, them ones you said cost five dollars——”</p> - -<p>“Name o’ sin, no! Did he? Where’s the -gun, quick——”</p> - -<p>“Hold on a bit. Wait a minute,” interrupted -Ripley. “There aint no hurry about the case. -I was jest a-sayin’——”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">85</span> -“Go on,” said the assistant earnestly.</p> - -<p>“Well, then, don’t interrupt me no more. -That blamed critter got old red-head by th’ neck -an’ walked off with him, an’ there aint no better -rooster ever been hatched. That’s erbout all.”</p> - -<p>“You kin hand me down the rifle,” said the assistant; -“that critter or me leaves this here -island, an’ that’s a fact.”</p> - -<p>The track led down the beach, and there was -no trouble following it. The assistant started -off at a swinging pace, determined to cover the -distance between himself and the thief before -midday.</p> - -<p>But the track soon led into the scrub and was -lost. When it was taken up again it was a good -half-mile farther down the shore. Here it swung -along easily for a short distance until a heavy -belt of timber was reached, and where the ground -was hard and covered with pine-needles. There -all trace of it was swallowed up as soon as it -struck the pines. The assistant came home that -evening a tired but no wiser man. That night<span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">86</span> -the outcast saw the man-tracks, and knew he had -been followed, and the spirit of deviltry entered -deeper into his pariah soul. He would make -them sorry for his nightly visits. All were enemies -to him, and the more harm he could do to -everything alive the better it would be. Savagely -he snarled at the footprints. As the moon -rose he saw the beautiful light silvering the cold -ocean, and it stirred something in his hard heart. -He raised his nose high in the air and let forth a -long howl of fierce defiance and wrath.</p> - -<p>Slinking through the darkening shadows of -the forest, the outcast made his way to the clearing -wherein the great eye rose above the ground -to the height of a hundred feet or more. Here -he halted upon the outer edge, where the thicket -hid him in its black shadow. Then he raised his -voice in such a prolonged howl that the fowls -secured within the coops of the yard set up a -vast cackling. He changed his position in time -to avoid a charge of buckshot which tore through -the thicket and rattled about the leaves beneath<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">87</span> -the trees. Then he slunk away for a little while, -only to return again and give vent to his feelings -in a succession of yelping barks, such as had -never disturbed the quiet of the island before. -Another charge of shot rattled about him, but he -was now far too wary to get hit, and his hatred -was greater than his fear. It gave him a savage -joy to listen to the crack of the gun or the -sharper snap of the rifle, for he knew it worried -the keeper to hear him and know he was near. -Night after night he now came, and many were -the shots fired at him, but all to no avail. He -would do any mischief he could, and woe to any -duck or chicken that came within his reach. His -high, yelping howl resounded through the clearing -and sounded above the dull roar of the surf, -making night hideous to the keeper on watch in -the light above.</p> - -<p>Once he caught a loose fowl, and its feathers -were strewn about the yard. Again he found a -string of fine fish the keeper had hung up for -the night. They went the way of the ill-fated.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">88</span> -His keen sense of smell told him many things the -keepers did not wish him to know, and he managed -to keep out of harm’s way.</p> - -<p>But this could not last. Ripley was an old -hunter, and was not to be disturbed beyond reason. -He brought out an old mink-trap, with -steel jaws of great power, and he buried it in -the sand on the edge of the clearing, smoothing -the rumpled surface of the ground so that nothing -showed, and strewing the place with dead -leaves. Then he killed a sea-gull and dropped it -almost directly over the steel jaws. The outcast -would doubtless smell it and stop a moment to investigate. -He had only to step upon the ground -in the near vicinity and his leg would be instantly -clasped in a steel embrace.</p> - -<p>The first night the keeper watched for him. -It was very dark, and the cold north wind -soughed through the pines, and the surf thundered. -The cold made the keeper’s teeth chatter -a little as he watched in silence from his place -upon the outer rail of the tower. He had his rifle<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">89</span> -with him for a finish, should the trap take -hold.</p> - -<p>The outcast came slinking along late that -night. He was hungry and wet, and the light -attracted him as it did always on particularly -bad nights, for it stood for the mark of plenty, -the only thing on the barren island that kept a -glimmering of the past in his sullen mind. He -noticed a peculiar smell as he skirted the fringe -of the cover, and soon spied the dead gull. How -came it there, was the question. Gulls did not -die ashore. At least, he had never seen one. But -he knew them in the air. There was something -suspicious in the matter. Why should a gull be -dead so close to the lighthouse? He began to -investigate, and drew near the danger zone.</p> - -<p>But months of wildness had made him cunning. -All the sly instincts of the races of animals -from which he had sprung had been developing. -He approached the bait slowly, barely -moving, and touching the ground ever so lightly -with his paws. Then he halted. No, it would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">90</span> -not do. There was something wrong with that -bird, showing like a bit of white in the darkness. -He could smell it plainly. It was the scent of a -man. He drew slowly off, and began nosing -about for the trail, and soon found it. He followed -along, and it led straight to the dwelling -where the keeper lived. Then he went back a -little way into the scrub and sat upon his -haunches, and, in spite of his cold and hunger, -he lifted up his voice in a long, dismal howl, that -to the keeper’s ears had an unmistakable ring of -derision.</p> - -<p>Night after night the trap was set, but the -pariah kept clear. Then, one day, it grew thick, -and a cold wind began setting in from the sea. -Before night it was howling and snoring away -with hurricane force, driving the seas roaring up -the sands, and tearing their tops into smothers -of snowy spume drift.</p> - -<p>The pariah came to the beach and tried to -look seaward to see what was coming with that -fearful rushing blast, but the wind was so strong<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">91</span> -and the snow so blinding that he soon took to the -cover, and headed for the light, in the hope he -might pick up something to eat in the vicinity of -the keeper’s dwelling. Before going to the yard -he looked again seaward and saw a light flash -out. He did not know what it meant, but he -knew it was off on the Frying Pan, far out on -the treacherous shoals where a thundering -smother of rolling whiteness flashed and gleamed -now and again. Then he skirted the clearing, -and brought up back of the fowl-house, where -now all the ducks and chickens were secured at -night.</p> - -<p>He went forward, trying to smell his way, -but the snow was too much for him. Then he -stopped a moment. He located the house and -started again, when suddenly, “Snap!”</p> - -<p>Something had leaped from the ground and -seized his foreleg in a viselike grip. He sprang -forward and fought to get away, but it was of -no use. The thing had him fast with an awful -grasp that cut into his flesh and squeezed his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">92</span> -leg so tight that it soon became numb. With -snarling growls, he fought desperately on, twisting -and turning, struggling and biting, but all -to no purpose. He was fast. Then the state of -affairs began to dawn upon him, and he desisted, -for the agony was supreme. Sitting there in the -flying snow of the winter’s night, with the roar -of the storm sounding over him, he raised his -voice in a long, yelping bark of challenge and -disdain.</p> - -<p>But in spite of his howling no one came near -him. The snow grew deeper and the wind roared -with terrific force, blinding him so that the great -eye above was scarcely visible. He remained -quiet now, and waited patiently for the daylight, -which would mean his end. His sufferings were -terrible, but he could not help it, and soon a sullen -stupor came upon him.</p> - -<p>In the dim gray of the early morning forms -were seen walking about the lighthouse. They -were men, and among them was the keeper. The -others wore clothes that reminded the pariah of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">93</span> -former days, and one stranger seemed to be familiar -to him. This was a man, short, broad, and -bearded, with bow legs set wide apart, and long -arms with huge hands and crooked fingers. He -was ugly, and reminded him of the crabs he had -seen and captured in the streams during the summer. -There was something of the crab about -the queer little fellow, and his very ugliness attracted -the dog’s attention. It brought back -some memory of past days, a memory that was -not all unpleasant, yet indistinct and unreal.</p> - -<p>As the day dawned and the snow grew deeper -the outcast waited no longer. He held up his -nose and let forth a howl that was heard above -the snore of the gale, and which brought the -light-keeper to attention. He came running -with a club, and behind him followed the stranger -with the crablike body.</p> - -<p>“Sink me if I aint got ye at last, ye varmint!” -yelled the keeper as he drew near. Then -he halted. “A dog—what—jest a common -everyday dog? But I’ll make a good dog out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">94</span> -o’ ye in a minute. All dead dogs is good dogs, -an’ you’ll do.”</p> - -<p>He advanced with raised club, and the pariah -crouched for a spring. He would try for one -last good bite. All the savageness of his mixed -blood surged through his fierce mind. He gave -a low growl and showed his teeth, and his eyes -were like bits of yellow flame.</p> - -<p>“Hold on thar, stranger; don’t kill that ’ar -dog. Wait a bit,” said the ugly man, waddling -up behind. “What, caught ’im in a trap?”</p> - -<p>“Sure I got him in a trap. D’ye want me to -loose him?” asked the keeper testily.</p> - -<p>“That’s erbout the size o’ my games,” said -the ugly man. “Yew may think it a go, but -that ’ar dog looks uncommon like the one I lost -aboard the <i>Seagull</i> when she went ashore hereabouts -last year. He ware a good dog, part -wolf, part hound, and the rest a mixture I don’t -exactly remember. Lemme try ’im?”</p> - -<p>“Gwan, man; that critter is been stealin’ -chickens since last summer,” said the keeper, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">95</span> -at the same time he allowed the ugly fellow to -have his way.</p> - -<p>“Hey, Sammy, Sammy, Sammy!” said the -ugly sailor. “Don’t yew know me, Sammy?” -And he bent forward toward him.</p> - -<p>The pariah gazed at him. What did he -mean? What was that voice? It sounded like -that of the man who had brought him aboard -the vessel he had gone ashore in. The only human -who had never struck him or offered him -harm. He hardly remembered the ugly fellow, -for he had only been in the ship a short time -before she was lost.</p> - -<p>“Strange, that looks like the critter sure -enough. I went ashore here in the <i>Seagull</i> a -year ago, an’ here I goes ashore agin in this -howlin’ wind an’ sees the dog I lost. Strange, -keeper, it’s strange, hey?”</p> - -<p>“He do appear to know ye, an’ that’s a fact,” -said the keeper. “Would ye like me to loose him -off? Better do it afore the assistant comes down, -fer he’s got it in fer this dog.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_96">96</span> -“Wait a bit,” said the ugly fellow, and he -advanced closer to the outcast. He put out his -hand, and the dog wavered. Should he seize it? -He could crush it and tear it badly in his teeth -before he could withdraw it, and they would -probably kill him anyway in the end. But there -was something in the ugly man’s eye that restrained -him—something that spoke of former -times when all was not strife. No, he would not -bite him.</p> - -<p>“Turn the critter loose; he’s my dog fer -sure,” said the ugly man. “All he wants is -some grub. I reckon yew’d be savage, too, if yew -had been out in the snow all night. I knows -I ware when I come in half drowned this -mornin’.”</p> - -<p>The keeper pried the trap open and the cur -went free.</p> - -<p>“Come, Sammy, Sammy, Sammy!” said the -ugly fellow, and he led the way to the house.</p> - -<p>The pariah hesitated. His foot was useless, -but he could go on three legs. There was the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_97">97</span> -timber a short distance away. He looked at it -for an instant. Then he saw the ugly man beckoning -with his great crooked finger. He lowered -his head and gave a short whine. Then he -limped slowly after him to the house.</p> - -<p>A little later the ugly man fed him and bound -up the wounded paw, while the assistant mumbled -something about rubber boots and breeches worth -about seven dollars a pair.</p> - -<p>“Messmates,” said the ugly sailor, shifting -his crablike body and sticking out his great -bushy face with its red beard, “that ’ar dog -ware a good dog, part wolf, part hound, an’ the -rest I don’t exactly recollect, but he ware a good -dog. Treat a dog good an’ he’ll be a good dog. -Treat ’im bad an’ he’ll be a bad dog. When ye -go erbout more among men, as I does, yew’ll see -that what I says is so. An’ men is mostly like -dogs.”</p> - -<p>The assistant kept quiet, for there was something -peculiarly aggressive in that misshapen -man. The animal was led away with a string,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">98</span> -and went in the boat to Wilmington with the -wrecked crew.</p> - -<p>Two years later another ship was added to the -list of those whose bones rest in the sands of the -Frying Pan Shoals. She ran on the outer -breaker during the night, and in the morning -the keeper saw a floating object on the shore. -He went to it and found the body of a man whose -peculiar figure he recognized. A life-buoy was -strapped about his waist, and in his great -crooked fingers was a line. The keeper hauled -it in, and on the end of it he found the dead -body of the yellow beast that had stolen his fowls. -They had gone to their end together.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">99</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">101</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_CAPE_HORNERS" title="The Cape Horners">THE CAPE HORNERS</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_101" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 26.9375em;"> - <img src="images/i_103.jpg" width="431" height="592" alt="THE CAPE HORNERS" /> - <div class="captionh">THE CAPE HORNERS</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">To</span> the southward of where the backbone -of the western hemisphere dips beneath -the sea rises a group of ragged, storm-swept -crags and peaks,—the wild rocks of the -Diego Ramirez. Past them flows the current of -the great Antarctic Drift, sweeping from the -father of all oceans—the vast South Pacific,—away -to the eastward, past the bleak pinnacles of -Cape Horn, to disperse itself through the Lemaire -Strait and Falkland Channel northward -into the Atlantic Ocean.</p> - -<p>With the wild snore of the great west wind -sounding over them, and the chaotic thunder of -the Pacific Ocean falling upon their sides, they -are lonely and inhospitable, and are seldom, if -ever, visited by man. Only now and then he sees -them, when the wind-jammer fighting to go past<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">102</span> -the last corner gets driven close in to the land of -fire. Then, on some bleak and dreary morning, -when the west wind is roaring through downhaul -and clewline and under the storm topsails, the -heavy drift may break away for a few minutes -and show the wary navigator a glimpse of the -death-trap under his lee that will add a few gray -hairs to his head, and bring the watch below -tumbling on deck to man the braces.</p> - -<p>Bare of vegetation and desolate as they are, -the rocks are inhabited. To the leeward of the -great Cape Horn sea that crashes upon them, -the ledges and shelves are full of life. In the -shelter, the strange forms sit and gaze seaward, -peering this way and that, squawking and scolding -in hoarse voices that might be heard above -the surf-thunder. They appear like great geese -sitting on their tails, for they sit upright, their -feet being placed well down on their long bodies, -giving them a grotesque look that is sometimes -absurdly human.</p> - -<p>They have no wings,—only little rudiments<span class="pagenum" id="Page_103">103</span> -covered with fine hairlike feathers that serve as -side fins when swimming. They never flap them, -as do their cousins, the Cape pigeons and albatrosses. -In fact, their bodies are covered with -short, close, hairlike feathers, very minute, seldom -wider than a pencil’s point, and lying tight -to the skin, like scales on a fish. These figures -have birdlike heads, not unlike those of diver-ducks, -and they have beautiful black eyes, with -red rings around them. They are the creatures -that hold sway over the barren crags, waddling -and walking about in their absurd way until a -great man-seal shows his bristling whiskers close -to the ledge. Then they gave forth the loud, -long-drawn, wild cry that is so well known to -the Cape Horner, waddle to the brink, plunge -headlong into the sea, and disappear.</p> - -<p>They are the penguins of the southern zone, -half bird, half fish, and, one might say, half human, -to judge by their upright waddle on their -webbed feet.</p> - -<p>The one whose story is now to be told was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_104">104</span> -hatched on the Ramirez, high above the lift of -the Cape sea, and beyond the reach of straying -seals.</p> - -<p>He belonged to a brood of three, and first -saw the light a little after New Year’s Day, or -midsummer there. There was no sheltering nest -to guard him against the bleak wind, which is -nearly as cold in summer as in winter. He came -into the world on a bare rock and announced himself -by a strange, chirping sound that caused his -mother to waddle off a few feet and gaze at him -in astonishment. He was followed by his two -brothers, and, within a very short time, showed -an inclination to follow his parent down the ledge -and into the dark water where the kelp weed -floated in sheltered spots between the rocks. He -was but a fluffy ball, of the size of a baby’s fist, -but he stood with dignity upon his short legs -and labored over the rough places, sometimes -falling and rolling over a step in the rock until, -with a splash, he landed in the sea.</p> - -<p>At last! That was the place he was meant for.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_105">105</span> -How fine it was to scull one’s self furiously along -the surface and then suddenly dive and go shooting -through the depths, coming up again to see -if his parent were at hand; for, in spite of the delightful -novelty of life, there was within him a -strange feeling of fear, something that made -him seek his mother’s side continually. The -heavy snore of the great Cape Horn sea, breaking -to windward of the rocks, sounded a deep -note of menace, a warning of the fierce, wild -world in which only the hardiest could hope to -survive, and yet it seemed to tell of a power that -ruled his destiny.</p> - -<p>His brothers swam near, and he was joined by -countless myriads of other birds. With penguins, -strength ashore exists solely in numbers, -and the bare cliffs must be covered with sturdy -birds ready to snap and strike fiercely with their -strong, sharp beaks at each and every intruder, -if they would have security. Woe to the albatross -or mollemoke that attempts a landing on -the sacred shore! He will be met by an army of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">106</span> -powerful birds walking erect as soldiers and stabbing -and biting with incredible power.</p> - -<p>Soon this young one’s downy feathers hardened. -They did not grow like those of an ordinary -bird. They were hardened almost to bone, -and pressed so stiff against his skin that it would -be difficult to distinguish them from the scales -of a rockfish or a cod. His wings were no more -than flippers, exactly like those of a turtle, and -were without a bending joint at the pinion. -They were devoid of feathers also, but, as he -would never use them in the air, this made it all -the better. They could scull him along faster -under the sea. Already he could go fast enough -to catch any fish in the vicinity, and, as for the -great seals, they simply amused him with their -clumsy attempts to catch him. On land he could -hop about on his short legs, but he preferred the -water for safety, and seldom took to the rocks.</p> - -<p>During this period of his life he kept well with -the crowd of companions about him. Even the -albatrosses, the huge destroyers, kept their distance,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">107</span> -for, as they would swoop down in great -circles near the young birds, they would meet an -almost solid phalanx of screaming and snapping -beaks, and would sweep about in giant curves -until, seeing no chance to rush in, they would -stand out to sea again and disappear.</p> - -<p>Gradually, as the months passed, the older -penguins began to scatter. Some went farther -and farther off shore, until, at length, when the -cold July sun swept but a small arc of a circle -above the horizon, they left the rocks and faced -the wild ocean that sweeps past the Horn. Our -young one now felt a desire to roam with the rest, -and, one day, when the snore of the gale droned -over the barren lumps, bringing thick squalls of -sleet and snow, he put out into the open sea and -headed away for the Strait of Magellan.</p> - -<p>Away through the dark water he went, his -feeling of loneliness increasing as the land disappeared. -The very majesty of that great waste -of rolling sea impressed him, and an instinctive -longing to realize what it meant came over him.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">108</span> -He raised his head into the air and gave forth a -long, deep, sonorous cry; but the dark ocean -made no answer, the only sound being the distant -noise of some combing crest that broke and rolled -away to the southward. There was not a living -thing in sight.</p> - -<p>Through the gloom he made his way with the -feeling of adventure growing. He kept a lookout -for small fish, and repeatedly dived to a great -depth, but, even down there, where the light -failed entirely, there was nothing. Only once -during the day did he see anything alive, and -this was after hours of swimming. A dark object -showed upon the slope of a swell. It looked -like a triangular knife-blade, and cut the water -easily, while the dark shadow beneath the surface -appeared almost as inert as a log or a piece -of wreckage. The penguin drew nearer to it to -investigate, for one of his strongest feelings was -a desire to find out about things. Then the object -drew toward him and appeared to be drifting -to meet him. Suddenly there was a rush<span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">109</span> -through the water. The protruding fin ripped -the surface of the rolling swell, and, as it came on -the forward slope, the penguin saw a pair of -enormous jaws opening in front of him, while a -row of teeth showed white in the dark water. He -made a sudden swerve aside and missed the opening -by a hair’s breadth. Before the shark could -turn to pursue him, he dived and set off at a -great rate of speed below the surface, and was -soon out of the way. He had learned to look for -danger wherever he might meet another such -peculiar-shaped object, and the lesson would be -of use, for there is no sea where sharks are not -found.</p> - -<p>Between Terra del Fuego and Staten Land -lies the narrow water of Lemaire Strait. -Through this channel the current rushes with incredible -speed, swirling around the reefs and -foaming over the sunken ledges that line the -shore. The tussock-covered hills of barren -shingle form a background so bleak and uninhabited -that many of the large sea fowl find it safe<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">110</span> -to trust themselves upon the cliffs where nothing -may approach from shoreward to take them unawares. -The rocks are covered with weed, and -plenty of whale-food drifts upon them, so that -there is always a supply for winter. There the -penguin landed after days of cruising, and -waddled on shore for the first time since leaving -the place of his birth.</p> - -<p>To the westward, across the strait, the fires -from the hills where the savages dwelt shone in -the gloom of the twilight. They were attractive, -and often he would sit and watch them in the -growing gloom of the long winter evenings after -he had come ashore from a day’s fishing, wondering -at the creatures who made them. The light -was part of his mental enjoyment, and sometimes, -after looking for an hour or more, he -would raise his head, which had a long, sharp -beak, and, with lungs full of air, let forth a wild, -lonely cry. For days and days he would come -and go, seeing no companions save the raucous -whale-birds who would come in on the rock and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">111</span> -who had no sympathy with his fishing. They -were mere parasites, and depended upon the -great animals to show them their food.</p> - -<p>As the months passed and the sun began to -stay longer above the horizon, he became more -and more lonesome. A longing for companionship -came upon him, and he would sit and gaze -at the fires across the strait until he gave vent -to his feelings with his voice.</p> - -<p>One day, when the sun shone brightly, he came -upon the ledge and rested. He was not very -tired, but the sun was warm and the bright rays -were trying to his eyes after the long gloom of -the winter. The ragged mountains stood up -clearly from across the strait, but the fires would -not shine in the sunlight. He stood looking for -a time, and then broke forth into a long-drawn -call. To his astonishment an answering note -came sounding over the water. He repeated his -cry and listened. From far away in the sunshine -a weird cry was wafted across the sea. It -thrilled him. He was not afraid, for the cry was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">112</span> -one of yearning, and he wanted companionship. -He sat and waited until he saw a small object -on the rise of a swell. It came nearer, and then -he saw it was one of his own race, and dived into -the sea and went to meet the stranger.</p> - -<p>How smooth was the newcomer’s coat and how -white the breast! He looked the female over -critically, and a strange feeling of companionship -pervaded his being. Then he went toward -her and greeted her, sidling up and rubbing his -head against her soft neck and swimming around -her in circles. The sun shone brightly and the -air was warm. The very joy of life was in him, -and he stretched forth his head and called and -called to the ledges and reefs, sea and sky, to -bear witness that he would no longer live alone, -but would thenceforth take the beautiful -stranger with him and protect her. He climbed -upon the ledge, she following, and, proud as a -peacock, strutted back and forth in his enjoyment -of her good will and comradeship.</p> - -<p>They strayed about the rocks and swam in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">113</span> -sheltered places among the reefs for a few days, -but a desire to go into the great world to the -southward and make a snug home for the coming -summer began to make him restless. The warm -sunshine made life a joy in spite of the thick -coating of fat and feathers, and the high cliffs of -Tierra del Fuego seemed to offer a tempting -abode for the warmer months. His pretty companion -shared his joy, and also his desire to go -out into the great sea to the southward and find -a suitable place on some rock or ledge where -they could make a home.</p> - -<p>They started off shore one morning and swam -side by side for many leagues, skirting the sheer -and dangerous Horn and meeting many more -couples who, like themselves, were looking for a -suitable place for a summer sojourn while the -bright sun should last. They met a vast crowd -of their kind making an inner ledge of the Ramirez -their stopping-place, and there they halted. -It was pleasant to be sociable when united to a -proud companion, and they went among the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">114</span> -throng until they found a place on the rocks -where they could climb ashore easily. Our friend -led the way up the slope and found a level spot -among the stones where his mate could sit and -be near the tide. She would lay her eggs -there, and he would take care that she fared -well.</p> - -<p>Weeks passed and two white shells shone in -marked contrast to the surrounding stones and -gravel. His mate had laid two beautiful eggs, -and her care for them kept him busy fishing for -two. Yet he was very happy. He would make -short trips to the outlying reef and seize a fish. -Then he would hurry home with it, and together -they would eat it while his mate sat calmly upon -the eggs, keeping them warm and waiting for -the first “peep” to show the entrance into this -world of her firstborn. All about, the other -couples had their nests, consisting only of the -bare stones, for there was no drift or weed out -there to use, and they sat in great numbers close -enough to call to each other in case a marauding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">115</span> -albatross or mollemoke should come in from the -sea and try to steal eggs.</p> - -<p>Day after day he fished and brought his mate -the spoils, often sitting on the eggs himself while -she took a plunge into the cold water for exercise -and change. He was satisfied and the world -was bright with the joy of life.</p> - -<p>One day his mate waddled quickly from the -nest. Where before there had been two shining -white eggs, two little yellow puff-balls lay on the -stones, and they made a noise that showed him -his offspring were strong and healthy young -ones. He strutted up and down the ledge, proud -and straight, while his mate gave forth cries of -satisfaction and nestled down again to give the -delicate little ones shelter. He almost forgot to -go fishing, and only a call from his patient mate -recalled him to the fact that she must be fed. -He stepped down the rocks, and, as he dived into -the sea, cried aloud for joy.</p> - -<p>Out near the Ramirez the fish were playing in -the sunshine. He made his way thither, his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">116</span> -breast high with the happiness of his existence. -Other fowl were there fishing. He joined them, -but gave no heed to a long object that came -slowly over the water from the land of fire. It -headed toward the cliffs where the sea fowl dwelt, -and two half-naked savages propelled it with -paddles. They were hunting for eggs, and the -rocks offered a tempting place to land, for the -great crowd of birds told plainly of the summer -breeding-place. They ran the canoe into a sheltered -spot among the rocks where the heave of -the sea was slight, and then sprang ashore. Up -they climbed and stood upon the level where the -penguin females sat and called wildly for their -mates.</p> - -<p>A savage stooped and began gathering eggs, -pushing away the birds or knocking them on the -head with a stick, when, with their sharp beaks, -they protested against the robbery. He was a -horribly filthy fellow, and his ugly body was -partly covered with skins of birds and sealskin. -He noticed a female sitting close, calling to our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">117</span> -penguin for help, and the bird seemed to be very -fine and large, with a good skin. He made a -pass with his club and smote her on the head. -She struggled desperately to get away, but could -not. The blow partly stunned her. The little -ones scurried off as she rose, and the savage saw -there were no eggs to be had from her. But he -would have her skin anyway, so, with a furious -stroke of his weapon, he knocked her lifeless at -his feet. Then he picked her up and went on.</p> - -<p>Later in the afternoon the male came back -from fishing. He climbed the cliffs and looked -about him. His mate and young were missing, -and he sent forth his deep, sonorous cry. But -it was not answered. Other birds took it up, -but there was no answering call from the mate, -and the little dark speck that rose and fell upon -the heave of the swell away in toward the shore -of Tierra del Fuego gave no token of her fate.</p> - -<p>All night he wandered over the rocks, his wild -note of calling sounding far out to sea. In the -morning he stood once more upon the spot where,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">118</span> -a few days before, the mate of his bosom sat -proudly upon the white eggs. The empty shells -were all that were left. He stood gazing out -to sea, and then his instinct told him he would -see his family no more. He gave one long-drawn -cry, plunged into the sea, and was gone. The -great west wind came roaring over the sea before -the sun set, and before it he held his way. He -would go far away from the scene of his summer’s -life. The vast ocean would be his home, -and the memories of the ledge be a thing of the -past.</p> - -<p>For many days the penguin roamed over the -huge rolling hills of water. The vastness of the -ocean and its grandeur soothed him, though he -still called out at intervals when the sadness of -his life was strong upon him. Then came a day -when sea and sky seemed to blend in one wild -whirl, and a hurricane from the high, ragged -hills of Patagonia swept the Antarctic Drift. -Away he went before it, and the wildness of it -was joy, the deepening roar of the wind and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">119</span> -crash of Cape combers making music for his -spirit. He headed for the middle of the current -between the land where the Pacific flows through -and meets the western ocean, the stretch of sea -that reaches away past the South Shetlands to -the south pole.</p> - -<p>How wild and lonely was the storm-swept sea! -Great hills of rolling water, fifty feet in height, -with stately and majestic rush, passed to the eastward, -their tops crowned with huge white combing -crests and their sides streaked and flecked -with long stripes of white foam. Above, the -dull banks of hurtling vapor flew wildly away to -somewhere in the distance, far beyond the reach -of vision. It was more comfortable beneath the -surface than above it, and our penguin drove -headlong before the sea two fathoms below the -foam, only coming up once in a while to breathe. -On and on he drove for hours, until hunger -warned him to keep a lookout for fish, as he occasionally -came up for air, and to see if there were -signs of the oily surface denizens showing in the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">120</span> -sweep of that great, lonely sea. Suddenly an -object attracted his attention. It was a mere -speck on the storm-torn horizon, but he knew -it must be of considerable size. It was different -from anything he had ever before seen, for above -it three long, tapering sticks stood upward, and -upon the middle one a strip of white, like the -wing of an albatross, caught the weight of the -wild west wind. He was interested, and drove -along toward it until the object loomed high -above him, and the deep snore of the gale -sounded like a heavy roaring comber tearing -through the many lines of the rigging and under -the strip of white canvas. The great thing -would rise upon the crest of a giant wave and -fling its long, pointed end high into the gale, -the rushing sea striking it and smashing over in -a white smother like the surge on the rocks. -Then down it would swing slowly until it would -reach the hollow between the moving hills, and -the penguin could see upon its body, its tall sticks -rolling to windward and the roar of the gale<span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">121</span> -deepening into a thunderous, rushing sound, -until the advancing sea would lift it again and -roll it toward the lee. The sight of the huge -monster wallowing about, hardly making the -slightest way through the water, interested the -penguin. It seemed like a floating rock without -life, and he felt a curiosity to know if it were -alive. He rose partly from the sea and uttered -a long-drawn, hoarse call that floated down the -gale and swept over the great hulk. Nothing -happened, and he repeated the call,—a far-reaching, -wild, deep, resonant cry.</p> - -<p>But the great ship swung along slowly, as before, -and he dived under her to see what was -below.</p> - -<p>In the forecastle the dim light of the summer -day made a dismal and cheerless scene. The -watch below had turned in, all standing, their -wet clothes wrapped about them in their “pews,” -or bunks, making a vapor in the cold air -through which the light of the swinging lamp -shone dimly. The gray light from outside filtered<span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">122</span> -in at the side ports and spoke of the cold, -hard day on deck. Once in a while some shivering -wretch would turn in his poultice of soaking -flannel and get a fresh piece of icy-cold cloth -against his skin that would call forth maledictions -on the Horn, the weather, and the hove-to -ship. In a corner of the forecastle a pile of -soaking clothes moved, and a moan sounded above -the noise without.</p> - -<p>“Stow it, Sammy; you’ll be all right soon, -my boy,” said a voice in a bunk above him.</p> - -<p>“Oh, but it’s so cold, Tom,” whispered the -pile of clothes. “I can’t last much longer, and -they might let me die warm, at least.”</p> - -<p>“What’s the little man sayin’?” asked a deep -voice opposite. “Wants to die warm, does he? -Say, Sammy, me son, you’ll be warm mighty -soon after you’re dead; why in thunder don’t you -put up with a bit o’ cold till then, boy?”</p> - -<p>“You’re a blamed brute, bos’n,” said the first -speaker, “an’ if I wa’n’t mighty well used up -I’d soak you a good whanging for that. Yer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">123</span> -know the poor boy’s sick wid scurvy, an’ aint -likely to pull through.”</p> - -<p>“I’ll ware ye out when th’ watch is called, yer -preacher,” said the bos’n confidently. “Talk -away, for you’ll only get it all the worse when -I shucks my dunnage.” Then, as if the matter -were settled, he snugged up in his soaking bunk -and hove down to warm a piece of his steaming -covering until it should cease to send a chill -through his big frame and he could wander into -dreamland.</p> - -<p>The shivering form of the boy in the corner -moved again, and he groaned in agony. It was -useless for him to try to sleep with his limbs -swollen and his flesh almost bursting with the -loathsome disease. The pile of wet clothes upon -him could not keep him warm, and each shiver -sent agony through him. He would die unless -he could get relief soon, and there the ship was -off the Horn in June, the beginning of winter, -without one chance in fifty of making port in less -than two months.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">124</span> -In his half-delirious state he lived many of -his early schooldays again, and then followed -thoughts of those who were nearest to him. He -must die. His grave must be in that great, dark -void beneath. Oh, the loneliness of that great -ocean! What would it be like far below in the -blackness of the vast deep, beyond the heave of -the great sea, in the very bosom of the great -world of silence? The horror of it caused him -to groan. Would anyone punish the cruel ship-owners -and captain who had so foully murdered -him with the cheap and filthy food? What would -anyone care after he had gone? What would -he care, away down in that everlasting blackness, -where no one would ever see him again? He lay -upon his back and stared with red and swollen -eyes at the bunk above him where Tom, the quartermaster, -snored loud enough to be heard above -the dull, thunderous roar overhead. In another -hour the watch must turn out, but they would -let him lie by; him, a dying ship’s-boy. But -would he die outright? Would his soul live down<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">125</span> -there in that awful blackness, where they must -soon heave his body? He had heard of sailors’ -spirits haunting ships. Could his do so? Was -there a hideous devil below waiting for him? -He had heard there was. Far down in the bottomless -abyss some monster might await him. -He gazed with staring eyes at the dim lamp, and -longed for a little light and sunshine to relieve -the terrible gloom of the Antarctic winter day.</p> - -<p>Then there broke upon his ears a wild, sonorous, -deep-drawn cry sounding over the storm-swept -sea. It was not human. What was it? -Was it for him? The thought made him sick -with terror. He groaned aloud, and Tom turned -over in his wet clothes until the sudden chill of -moving from the one steaming place made him -grumble audibly.</p> - -<p>“What was it, Tom?” he whispered.</p> - -<p>“What?” growled the sailor surlily.</p> - -<p>“There——” and the cry was repeated.</p> - -<p>Tom growled a little and then rolled snug -again. Suddenly he started up. “A man<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">126</span> -might as well freeze to death on deck as in this -unholy frozen hole,” he said. Then he climbed -stiffly down from his bunk, clapped his sou’wester -on his head, and, tying the flaps snug under his -chin, he slid back the forecastle door with a bang, -and landed on the main deck.</p> - -<p>There he stood a minute watching the great -fabric straining under her lower maintopsail, -hove to in that sea that the Cape Horner knows -so well and dreads so much. In the waist, the -foam on deck told of a flood of icy water that -poured again and again over the topgallant rail -and crashed like a Niagara upon the deck planks, -rushing to leeward through the ports in the bulwarks -and carrying everything movable along -with it.</p> - -<p>He watched his chance, and dodged around the -corner of the deck house, where the port watch -huddled to keep clear of the wind and the -sea.</p> - -<p>“Merry Fourth o’ July to ye,” bawled a man -of the watch, as he came among them.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">127</span> -“What’s the matter? Can’t ye find enough -work to do whin yer turn comes?” asked another.</p> - -<p>“Where’s the whale-iron?” asked Tom, of -Chips, who had come out of his room to get a -look around.</p> - -<p>The carpenter looked at him queerly. “What -d’ye want wid it?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Listen!” said Tom.</p> - -<p>Then the cry of the sea fowl sounded again.</p> - -<p>“Penguin?” said Chips.</p> - -<p>“Turkey,” said Tom, with a smile. “If we -can get the steward to give us a bit o’ salt pork -fat we can git him, or I’m a soger.”</p> - -<p>He was an old whaleman, and the carpenter -hesitated no longer. He led the way into his -room in the forward house where he kept his -tools, and the iron was brought forth. A word -to the mate on watch, and the sailor was fast in -the lee forerigging, standing upon the shear-pole, -with the iron ready to heave. The fat was -tossed over the side, and he waited.</p> - -<p>In the dark, cold hole of the forecastle the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">128</span> -drawn lips of the sick boy were parted, showing -his blue and swollen gums. He was grinning -horribly. “Take him away. Oh, take him -away!” he was moaning. “Hear him a-callin’ -me? Don’t let him get me, Tom; take him -away, take him away! It’s the devil callin’ -me!”</p> - -<p>All the fear and anguish that can burn -through a disordered brain was upon the little -fellow, and the dismal cry lent a reality to his -delirious thoughts. Suddenly he half rose in -his bunk, and then the latent spark of manhood, -which was developing even in spite of his sufferings, -came to his aid. He thought of the Great -Power which ruled his fate, and shook himself -into full consciousness, glancing up at the aperture -through which the dim light filtered as if -he half expected to see a vision that would give -him strength. Then he felt that he would face -the end calmly, and meet whatever was in store -as a man should. Perhaps the captain and -owners could not help matters, after all. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_129">129</span> -could hear the song of the gale more distinctly, -and once the tramp of the men as they tailed -onto the maintopsail brace. They were jamming -the yard hard on the backstay, and there -was no show of a slant yet. He must lie quiet -and wait, listening to the weird cry that caused -him to shiver and see fantastic figures upon the -carlines above his head.</p> - -<p>Out on the great, high-rolling sea, the penguin -had scented a peculiar substance. He drew -nearer the great fabric that rolled and swung -so loggily on the sea. He sent forth a wild cry, -and drove headlong after a piece of white matter -that floated in the foam of the side wash. He -seized it and swallowed it. Then he came closer.</p> - -<p>A form stood in the rigging above him, motionless, -as if made of wood, and a long, pointed -thing was balanced in the air. A piece of fat -showed right beneath, and he went for it, in spite -of the feeling of dread that came upon him. He -was hungry, and would snatch it and then get -away. He reached it, and at that instant something<span class="pagenum" id="Page_130">130</span> -struck him in the back, carrying him beneath -the surface. Then his life went out.</p> - -<p>“A fine turkey, an’ that’s a fact,” said Chips, -a moment later. “Get something to put him -in, quick; the lad will have a stew, fer sure. -’Twill well-nigh cure him, and, anyways, it’ll -keep him a-goin’ until we speak a wessel fer fresh -grub.”</p> - -<p>The second mate came forward.</p> - -<p>“Eight bells, ye starbowlines,” he bawled into -the forecastle; “turn out, or I’ll be right in there -wid ye! One o’ ye bring Sammy’s mess things. -He’s got turkey fer dinner. Come, wake up, -sonny! There aint no devil or nothin’ a-chasin’ -ye. Ye’ll be all right in a week o’ Sundays. -Bring that beef juice right in here, Chips. Hold -his head, Tom,—there,—make him drink it while -it’s hot.”</p> - -<p>In a little while the hot broth made from the -bird’s flesh warmed the boy’s body, and his mind -was clear again. The forecastle was empty, -and the wild cry he had heard no longer sounded<span class="pagenum" id="Page_131">131</span> -above the gale. He felt stronger, and his terror -had vanished. A feeling of ease grew within his -poisoned body. A gleam of faint sunlight came -through the open door, and as he looked he knew -that the God he felt had given him strength had -been kind. He knew no prayer, or word of -thanks, but his spirit was warm with gratitude. -He smiled his thanks at his shipmates, and closed -his eyes. Then he slept.</p> - -<p>A crowd of swearing and jostling men awakened -him as they came tumbling below some -hours afterwards.</p> - -<p>“Grub ahoy!” bawled one. Then the mess-kid -came in steaming from the galley, and upon -it was a large fowl.</p> - -<p>“Hi, yi, turkey, ahoy! Turkey, ’e was a -good old man!” cried a Swede.</p> - -<p>“An’ divil a bit will anyone but th’ bye git,” -said the big bos’n. “It’s sorry I am, Thomas, -me dear, that I have tew whang ye afther yer -noble raid on ther poulthry.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">133</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_135">135</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_LOGGERHEAD" title="The Loggerhead">THE LOGGERHEAD</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_135" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 23.125em;"> - <img src="images/i_137.jpg" width="370" height="586" alt="THE LOGGER-HEAD" /> - <div class="captionh">THE <span class="smcap">LOGGERHEAD</span></div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">He</span> was probably named by sailors because -of his fancied resemblance to a -certain piece of ship’s gear, but the -Conchs of the Bahama Bank believed he deserved -his name in its true meaning, for he was certainly -the most stupid fellow on the reef. Those who -knew him and watched him crawl up the glistening -white coral sand that glared in the heat of -the torrid sunshine never took the trouble to -harm him, although the law of the reef is very -much like it is elsewhere. The strongest or -quickest-witted only might endure.</p> - -<p>But the conch who first turned him, or rather -attempted to turn him, found that his dead -weight of six hundred pounds of shell and -leather-like beef was not worth the trouble. -Turtles of more manageable size were plentiful,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_136">136</span> -and there was no use of straining one’s self trying -to upset such a monster. He drew his knife -to kill, but the stupid one had sense enough to -withdraw his head within the wall of bony shell, -and the black man called maledictions upon him -for turning the edge of his weapon. Then he -smote him over the back with his turning stave -and called him a worthless one because he refused -to contribute himself to the Conch’s larder, and -passed on.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead paid small heed to the man’s -behavior. The bright sunshine was warming -the white sands, and the blue water of the Gulf -Stream was rippling past the cay, while above -him the beautiful little lumpy clouds, bunches -of pure white vapor, were floating away to the -southward. It was enough to live without -bothering with those who fished upon the waters -of the reef or the great swarm of creatures who -inhabited the clear depths. Everywhere the sea -denizens seemed to be in continual tumult, some -trying to build homes among the sponges and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_137">137</span> -growths of the coral banks, and others hurrying -to and fro through the clear blue liquid with no -especial purpose he could fathom. Then there -were the destroyers who came and went with a -rush, chasing the smaller to shelter and splashing -a great deal of water in their efforts to capture -those weaker than themselves.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead poked forth his nose and -gazed about him, wondering at the beauty of the -world, and gave the struggling swarms but a -passing glance. Then he laboriously hauled -himself up the warming sands until he reached -high-water mark.</p> - -<p>The Conch had walked far away down the -cay where his boat was hauled up. His companion -sat in the stern-sheets and lazily bailed -the water from her. When he had finished, the -two men shoved her off and hoisted a small sail. -Then swinging her bow around before the breeze, -they headed away toward the distant line of -white which showed to the eastward where a -larger cay of the Bank rose from the sea.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">138</span> -After they had gone the loggerhead watched -the rippling water along the shore. Soon the -head of a huge turtle appeared, and in a few -minutes the great form of another like himself -hauled slowly and lazily up the beach.</p> - -<p>Before dark several followers had hauled up -to high-water mark. On the cay was soft fine -sand of a nature not unlike that of more northern -beaches, and this had banked above the coral to -a depth of three or more feet.</p> - -<p>With flippers of horny hardness and gigantic -power the females began to cut their way down. -They scooped and scooped until they had holes -at least two feet deep nicely rounded and firmly -packed on the sides as though they were -cemented. Then they dropped slowly egg after -egg into the little pits until a hundred or more -had packed themselves into the receptacles. -The shells of the eggs were soft like leather, and -each egg had a small dent which showed it was -fresh. Then as the night wore on they softly -covered the pits with sand and carefully<span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">139</span> -smoothed them over until not the slightest trace -of any disturbance of the surface showed. It -was nice work, for the sand was soft, and the -signs of digging were easily made, but hard -to conceal, and it was nearly dawn before the -females were satisfied with their efforts. Then -they slipped slowly down the sand into the sea -and disappeared to return no more. Their task -was done.</p> - -<p>The huge loggerhead who had led the way up -the beach watched the departing turtles as they -went to sea. The sound of the murmuring ocean -was in the morning air, the song of the south -sea awakening the day as the soft wind sighed -over heaving swell and rippled the beautiful -wavelets until they rolled into little combers and -flashed white in the sunshine. All about him was -the light of the tropic dawn. The sweet breath -of the trade wind fanned his iron-hard head and -he opened his eyes lazily to watch the sunrise. -It was well. The beauty of the world attracted -him.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">140</span> -Far away on the horizon the spurts of foam -showed the beginning of the strenuous life of the -destroyers. He watched them lazily and wondered -at their fierceness, their uselessness of -purpose. Then he saw a form coming down the -beach and looked eastward where the boat of the -Conchs had made the shore again.</p> - -<p>The black man went slowly along the beach -prodding the sand at high-water mark wherever -he saw the tracks of turtles. He had a long, -thin piece of iron with a sharp end which he -drove into the sand and withdrew again, looking -at the end to see if there was any sign of egg-yolk -adhering to it. Once he struck a place where -a turtle had scooped out a nest, and the dripping -iron caused him to give a cry to his companion -in the boat. Then he threw down a sack and -dug until he had unearthed the eggs, which he -transferred quickly to the bag, and picking up -his iron staff he went along, bending down to -watch the tracks more closely.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead watched him out of the corner<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">141</span> -of his eye and thought of the turtle who had -lost her eggs, but the whole thing interested him -but little and he made his way slowly down the -sand to avoid being hit over the head with the -iron rod because the Conch did not like him.</p> - -<p>The Conch saw him as he gained the surf, -but he knew him, and shaking his staff at him he -went along searching for more prizes.</p> - -<p>The great loggerhead swam easily just below -the surface where the sunlight filtered down and -made the liquid a bright blue. He had no object, -and held his course across the Gulf Stream, -letting himself drift with the current. It was -well to live and the uselessness of effort was more -apparent to him since he had seen the Conch’s -work on the cay of the Bahama Bank.</p> - -<p>The warm stream was rushing silently northward -and the gentle wind caused but little roll -to the sea. The loggerhead could lie upon the -surface and poke his head out, getting a glimpse -of the eternal rim of the circle which had no -break. But he cared nothing for land, and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">142</span> -sea was sparkling and blue. The sun overhead -sent down hot rays which he felt through his -thick armor of shell, but when it grew too warm -he cooled himself by sinking a few feet below the -surface for several minutes.</p> - -<p>Several big barnacles which had attached -themselves to his underbody made navigation -tiresome, for he had to drag them through the -water along with him, but it was too much -trouble to scrape them off. He had seen some of -his fellows do this on the rocks of the Florida -Reef, but it was laborious work and he preferred -to take things easy.</p> - -<p>He was not an old turtle. Some of his fellows -had lived for several centuries and were old -before he was born. But he had grown very -large since the day he first saw the sun shining -over the reef at Roncador. He was but a tiny -little fellow then, and his shell was so soft that he -felt the sun burn through it. His leather-like -skin on his neck was tender and even his bony -beak could hardly cut the soft Gulf weed. His<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">143</span> -flippers were dark and soft and very unlike the -huge scaly paddles he now used to scull himself -along. He was quite rapid in his movements -then, but life upon the tropical sea had gradually -had the effect of making him sluggish and -philosophical. The sunshine was all he cared -for.</p> - -<p>He had no trouble getting enough to eat without -fighting for it. It seemed a great waste of -energy to be eternally chasing other and weaker -creatures, and now he had drifted instinctively -back to the habits of his forefathers. He took -things very coolly. When a savage shark or -albicore made a strike at him he did not retaliate -by snapping at them with his huge beak which -would now slice out a couple of pounds of wood -from a floating log and shear through anything -living. He simply hauled in his paddles and -stump of a tail to the sheltering safety of his -armor and the vigorous fish might chop all day -at him for all he cared. Their teeth might -scratch his shell a little, but the powerful arch<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">144</span> -of his back made it impossible to crush him and a -few scratches upon his plates would not injure -him in any way whatever. His head he might -draw in until his ugly beak and steady eyes -looked out of a sort of cavern. It was trifling -with sudden death to come within the radius of -a foot of that nose, and the vigorous fish after -tormenting him a few minutes generally gave -him a shove and left him in disgust.</p> - -<p>After they had gone away he would slowly -and lazily shove out his paddles again and proceed -to scull himself leisurely on his way, his -small, dull mind undisturbed at the affront. -Such creatures were a nuisance to him, but they -were in existence and it was not for him to worry -because they were. He would go along in the -sunshine and soft air in his easy way, and when -these no longer attracted him he would draw in -his head, upset himself, then, thrusting it forward -again, go sculling for the cool depths where -he would spend many hours among the beautiful -marine growths fathoms below the surface upon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">145</span> -the coral reef, and where the faint light of the -sun filtering down made objects dim and uncertain. -All was quiet here, and it was the ideal -place for repose.</p> - -<p>It had taken many years of wandering to get -the loggerhead as far north as the Bahama -Bank. He had let himself drift along, and -here he was at last in the core of the great -Florida Stream, going to the northward at a rate -which would have astonished him very much had -he known its velocity. It is doubtful even if he -had known it that he would have made any -effort to either stem it or get clear, for he now -had the reposeful habit strong in his nature, and -he took things as they came. Nothing had as -yet caused him the slightest harm, and there was -no reason to get excited at anything. Life was -pleasant. Effort was useless.</p> - -<p>He would float along upon the bright blue -surface of the warm stream and poke his head up -into the clear sweet air and sunshine. It was -enough. The life of albicore or dolphin was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">146</span> -not for him. Theirs was all effort, savage -strife, and a sudden death. He might lie and -ponder at their lot with his head slightly raised -and his paddles at rest, but while he might notice -them in their desperate play he had a supreme -contempt for them all. He had already lived as -long as three generations of them, and they had -done nothing save fight and slay.</p> - -<p>As he floated away he soon found many of his -old acquaintances were disappearing. The -savage amber-jack and fat sunfish would pass -him now and then, but they were always heading -south. Only his companions, the flying fish, -seemed to care as little as he for their whereabouts. -The flying fish were not afraid of him, -and they were his friends. He held them in -high disdain for their cowardice, for they were -always timorous and ready for flight at the -first sign of an approaching fish, and it was -more contempt than pity he had for those who -were caught. The more fortunate he would -watch with languid interest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">147</span> -The lives of all were so full of strife they -were eminently unsuccessful from his point of -view, and it was only because the little flyers were -so pretty when they whirled upward from the -blue water and with whirring wings sailed away, -that he liked them better than the rest. They -always knew where the best Gulf weed was to be -had and never disputed his claim to the largest -share of any that he found. It was manifest to -him that he was a superior being, quite above the -rest of his fellows, and with the instinctive feeling -common to all animals, he felt that this -superiority was a special gift from the great -power which he felt ruled his destiny. His dull -brain worked slowly. There was no quickening -of his sluggish circulation to brighten his -wits.</p> - -<p>It was quite a fortnight after leaving the -Bahama Bank that he began to notice that the -water about him was not quite so blue as before -and that there was a chill in it which he did not -like. It stirred him to action and he began<span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">148</span> -paddling westward after the setting sun. The -next day a low shore appeared on the horizon -with a bright sand beach shining like a white -band between the dark line of hammock and the -sparkling sea. He headed for it, thinking to -haul out a little while and sun himself upon the -hot beach, for the air was much cooler than what -he had been accustomed to and the Gulf weed -was scarce.</p> - -<p>In spite of his unwieldy size the loggerhead -was not slow when he once started to use his great -paddles. He kept up a steady stroke with all -four, his large front ones sculling him along like -two oar-blades, bending at each return, and his -smaller hind ones shoving him ahead with quick, -jerky strokes. His head was thrust forward, -and he went along a few feet below the surface -like a great oval shadowy shape.</p> - -<p>In a little while he drew near the beach. It -was a long sand-spit stretching out to sea, upon -which the long roll of the Atlantic swell fell with -a deep, sullen roar. Beyond the spit was a quiet<span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">149</span> -lagoon, and there was an opening through the -line of breakers.</p> - -<p>He paddled slowly in, keeping clear of the -surf, poking his head up now and then to get his -bearings correctly. Upon the inner end of the -bar he saw three strange forms. They were -absurd-looking creatures with long legs and bills, -their heads having light gray penciled feathers -giving them the appearance of being bald, as -their wings and breasts were dark. Their large -eyes were watching the incoming tide as it -swirled through the inlet, and when they saw him -they set up a vast noise of protest, scolding -loudly and threatening him. He felt instinctively -that these birds were timid creatures in -spite of their fierce threats, and a sudden movement -toward them sent them shrieking away in -terror. This amused him, and he went in -through the smooth water unmolested.</p> - -<p>Inside the lagoon was a long stretch of shoal -water. Sculling along close to the bottom so -that but a few inches were between him and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">150</span> -hard sand, he went swiftly up the sound. A -great sand shark lay in front of him, his long -body barely moving, the sunlight playing upon -his flanks and his dorsal fin just awash. The -loggerhead gave him a brush with his paddle -as he went past and the great fish shot ahead a -full fathom with the touch. He was not used -to being brushed against, and it startled him. -Then he turned and chopped at the turtle, but -his teeth met the armor of shell and several -broke with the impact. The loggerhead went -steadily on. The water was now getting warmer -again and the sunshine made it very bright, for -it was shoal and the white sand reflected the -rays from the bottom, hurting his eyes with the -glare.</p> - -<p>He found a sloping beach and hauled lazily -out into the heat of a cloudless day.</p> - -<p>The quiet of the lagoon was attractive to the -turtle. He spent many days drifting about its -shallow depths feeding upon the drift-weed and -small shell-fish the tide drove into the inlet. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">151</span> -was well content to lie upon the surface and -watch the shear-waters go sailing past, their -beaks skimming the smooth sea, the tips sometimes -cutting like a knife through the yielding -medium, ready to snatch up any unwary mullet -or small fry that happened upon the surface in -their path. Often a great pelican would come in -from the sea and fish for a few hours over the -schools of mullet or whiting until with heavy -pouch and tired pinions he would withdraw to -the sand-spit to gorge himself with the tender -morsels.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead was amused at the harried -schools of fish as they scurried in terror for a -shelter. He felt his superiority over all the -other denizens of the lagoon, and the poor little -creatures hurrying in terror from the destroyers -filled him as before with disdain.</p> - -<p>One day a fishing schooner hove to off the -inlet. Boats were lowered and a long seine -placed in them. The net was very strong and -its leadline so heavy it took eight men to haul it.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">152</span> -They headed slowly in for the inlet and lay off -the entrance for some time waiting for the tide -to favor an attempt to make the opening -through the breakers. They headed the long -rollers, rowing easily, and one man stood in the -bow of the leading boat watching the shoaling -water, ready to warn the helmsman in time to -prevent getting ashore.</p> - -<p>Soon they saw the way clear ahead and the -rowers put some strength into their stroke, sending -the small craft rapidly in. They went -through the entrance safely, although a breaker -rolling close to the outer edge of the sand-spit -half filled the leading boat. Then they rested -on their oars and began to clear the net.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead was far away up the lagoon -when the fishermen entered. He saw them as -they were stretching the seine across the entrance -of the inlet and watched them haul it slowly up -the slue, driving all the fish before them. The -mullet were jumping in terror and the whiting -were hurrying for the shoal water half a mile<span class="pagenum" id="Page_153">153</span> -away. The great sand shark who lay off the -entrance saw the closing trap in time to make a -lunge past the end of the line, splashing the man -in the bow with a vigorous slap of his tail as he -swung across and clear. He made a chop at the -trailing net, but missed it in his hurry. Then -he went sullenly to sea.</p> - -<p>The fishermen landed on either side of the -narrow lagoon and started to walk the net -slowly up, gradually closing the space above -into smaller and smaller scope. In half an -hour they had gone more than halfway, and the -frightened schools of fish began to grow more -and more restless as they saw the strangers approaching. -Some of them tried the meshes of -the seine, but they were too small for any save -the tiniest mullet to go through, and they -fled back again to the shallow water farther -up.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead was resting upon the surface -watching the men. They had not yet noticed -him, but he had gone so long without harm from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_154">154</span> -anyone that he anticipated none. He was satisfied -that his superiority to all other creatures put -him beyond the pale of becoming a victim to -anything.</p> - -<p>Suddenly a fisherman noticed him and yelled -to his companions across the slue, pointing at -the bony beak that showed above the surface. -His companions were too far away to hear what -he said, but their sharp eyes followed his signals -and they soon noticed the turtle.</p> - -<p>The net was drawing in closer and closer, the -water was getting shoaler, and the men were -walking the lines ahead more rapidly. The fish -imprisoned beyond its scope now saw their danger -plainly and they tore the water into foam -in their frantic efforts to escape. The loggerhead -saw them and watched them lazily, much -amused at their struggles. His contempt for -them grew so supreme that when they rushed -past him in one of their frantic plunges he -snapped viciously at a lagging mullet and very -nearly cut him in two. Then he sank slowly<span class="pagenum" id="Page_155">155</span> -down to the sandy bottom below, for the hurrying -fish annoyed him.</p> - -<p>The net was now nearly up to the end of the -slue, and a giant leader of the mullet school -made a mighty dash for liberty. He tore down -the lagoon and rising with a sudden sweep upward, -leaped high in the air and plunged over -the line of corks which floated the top of the -trap.</p> - -<p>He went free. Another, encouraged by his example, -made the dash also and went over. The -rest, seeing the leaders leap to liberty, made a -dash in unison and with a mighty rush plunged -at the floating line of buoys. Hundreds went -over in spite of the fishermen, who manned their -boats and rowed along the net, holding it aloft -wherever they saw the crowd coming. Some -gave out at the jump and drove against the -deadly meshes, and others, finding the crowd too -close for them, swerved at the line and flowed past -in a solid phalanx of shimmering silver to swim -back and make a new trial.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">156</span> -The cries of the men and the rush of the passing -schools began to make the loggerhead restless. -There was something very extraordinary -taking place. He was angry at the miserable -fish who were so useless and helpless. His contempt -finally became so great that he concluded -that he would go down to the other end of the -slue where the sand shark usually lay waiting for -the little fish to come out in deep water. He -started to scull himself forward and had just -made headway when he suddenly brought up -against the net.</p> - -<p>The water was less than ten feet deep where -he was, and he followed the obstruction upward -to the surface, thinking to find it end before he -came into view of the men. But the line of -buoys held it well up and his head popped out -of the water before he realized that he could not -pass. A man in a boat made a vicious lunge -at him with a boat-hook, but he got out of the -way and followed the net along trying to find a -way to get through.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">157</span> -The mullet and whiting were now leaping by -scores over the corked line. Their active life -had made them fleet and strong. They had -fought for existence from the beginning, and -the trap about them was but another of the many -obstacles they must surmount if they would endure. -They were terrified, but they acted -quickly and sensibly, their fright not causing -them to overlook any possible means of escape. -They were getting clear in spite of the shouting -men who were now hauling line as fast as they -could. Several large skates and a couple of -flounders who had lived up the slue were vainly -trying to burrow under the heavy leadline that -swept the bottom. The loggerhead noticed -them as he passed, but they paid no heed to him. -A troop of crabs were being hustled along the -bottom by the weighted line. They were -snapping at everything that came in their -reach.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead began to get anxious to go -away. He made a savage lunge at the meshes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">158</span> -closing about him and he drove his head through -a great rent he made with his beak. His -paddles, or flippers, however, caught in the snare -and he struggled wildly and with gigantic -power to get through. His tremendous struggles -soon drew the corked line below the surface -and brought the fishermen hurrying in their -boats to find out what caused the trouble. They -gazed down into the depths and soon made out -the giant shape struggling frantically. Seizing -the lines of the seine they quickly hauled the -loggerhead to the surface, where one of them -grasped his hind paddle and held it long enough -to get a bowline around it. Then they rowed -to the shore, towing him ignominiously behind -the craft, while the few remaining mullet, who -were too small and weak to make the leap for -liberty, crowded swiftly through the gap and -headed for the open sea.</p> - -<p>Even the skates now made for the opening in -the trap. They rose to the surface with difficulty, -but managed to get clear. In less than<span class="pagenum" id="Page_159">159</span> -five minutes every living thing in the shape of a -fish had escaped.</p> - -<p>The fishermen landed their prize and tried to -haul him out of the water. The loggerhead -objected to this, and he began to haul them -bodily into the sea. The water was riled and he -appeared monstrous in the foam. They could -not tell what kind of creature he was, but it was -for them to get him ashore, and six of them -hauled on the line while two, wading in, began to -pry at him with oars to turn him upon his back. -In a little while they had him rolled over and -helpless. Then they came close to examine their -victim.</p> - -<p>“I’d be willing to lose half a ton of fish fer a -fine green turtle,” said the leader of the men. -“He’s a corker, an’ that’s a fact.”</p> - -<p>“Looks to me like he’s nothin’ but one o’ them -loggerheads,” said an old fisherman; “if he is, -he’s played it on us fine.”</p> - -<p>They looked at the markings on his shell and -pulled out his flippers. Then the leader mopped<span class="pagenum" id="Page_160">160</span> -his streaming face with a handkerchief. The old -fisherman looked up sheepishly and grinned.</p> - -<p>“He aint wuth his weight in mud. Turn him -lose an’ let him slide,” he said.</p> - -<p>A sailor rapped him over the head and spoke -feelingly. Then they cut the line adrift and -went to gather in their torn net.</p> - -<p>The loggerhead lay upon his back and waited. -He was annoyed at the disturbance. It was provoking -to be turned over by a lot of fishermen.</p> - -<p>The mullet had seen him hauled out by the -flipper, and he grew angry at the thought. He -tried to twist round and get upon his belly, but -could not.</p> - -<p>All day he lay in the hot sunshine and snapped -viciously at the sand-crabs who came to examine -him. Then, as the tide raised and floated him, -he managed to get again upon his paddles. He -was disgusted. Far away down the lagoon a -ripple on the water showed the returning mullet. -He gazed at them for a moment, then hauled -himself clear of the bottom. His ugly beak was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_161">161</span> -stuck far out, and with steady strokes he pointed -it for the open sea. He passed the returning -fish, and they wondered at him. Then he went -through the opening and disappeared into the -great ocean to the eastward.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">163</span> -<span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">165</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_WHITE_FOLLOWER" title="The White Follower">THE WHITE FOLLOWER</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_165" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 26.5em;"> - <img src="images/i_167.jpg" width="424" height="582" alt="THE WHITE FOLLOWER" /> - <div class="captionh">THE WHITE <span class="smcap">FOLLOWER</span></div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">He</span> was a little more than fourteen feet -across the tips of his outspread wings, -more than two fathoms, and his white -breast, full and rounded, was as broad as that -of the man who stood at the wheel and watched -him go soaring past. The very tips of his huge -wings were black as jet, showing in marked contrast -to the unbroken whiteness of the rest of his -feathers, and the only other dark spot upon his -snowy form was his eye. This was as black and -shiny as the lanyards in the rigging. It was -large and held a steady gaze, fearless yet curious, -so that when the man at the wheel looked up the -bird tilted his head to one side to get a better -view of him. The giant beak, nearly a foot in -length and of heavy bone, had a strangely -hooked end, which swelled a little in size from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">166</span> -middle portion. It was a serviceable pair of -shears which could cut a five-pound fish in two at -a bite. The two webbed feet, as large again as -those of a swan, were held close in to the short -tail feathers so as not to offer resistance to the -air, through which the bird went at the speed of -an express train. Silent and otherwise motionless, -save for that turn of the head, the great -creature swept past. Not a movement of leg or -pinion, not a feather disturbed in that headlong -rush. With the great wings stretched far out -and slightly bowed, he held his way and tore past -the fast-running ship as though she were at -anchor, instead of plowing through the southern -ocean at the rate of ten knots an hour with the -wind behind her. Then, as she was left far -astern, he tilted himself a little, and off into the -curve of a tremendous circle he swerved, swinging -with the speed of the wind over the rolling -wave-tops until he had covered at least three -miles upon the arc and was heading swiftly back -again to repeat the maneuver.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">167</span> -All the time that large black and shining pair -of eyes watched the surface of the sea. Not a -morsel of anything went overboard unobserved. -From a distance of a mile or more the huge bird -would note the smallest bits of food or grease -which the cook would toss over the side when -cleaning his coppers for a new mess of salt junk. -Sailing over the bits of floating stuff he would -hover a moment to see if they were really worth -tasting. If so, he would soar in smaller and -smaller circles until he would breast a sea. Then, -dropping his legs and bracing his feet to retard -the slowing flight, he would sink into the -water and check himself with both feet and wings -until his body finally rested gracefully upon -surface. Folding his pinions slowly and a little -stiffly, he would propel himself like a huge goose -toward the floating prize and make a pass at it -with his beak. Salt-pork rind, gristle, anything -that had grease or taste to it, was chopped by the -bony shears and quickly bolted. It mattered -little just what it was as long as it had some<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">168</span> -grease or taste to it. His appetite was not -squeamish.</p> - -<p>When nothing remained he would slowly and -stiffly again stretch out those wings and face to -windward. Then he would propel himself along -into the breeze until he rose upon a sea. A quick -couple of strokes with the pinions and a sudden -push with both feet generally lifted the great -body clear of the water before it began to sink -down the slope of the succeeding sea. After -that it was but a detail to rise higher and higher -into the clear air without perceptible motion -save of rushing ahead and circling in spiral -curves, which no mathematician might describe -or define as a means of ascending.</p> - -<p>The ship was something over six hundred miles -off shore. She was heading for the last corner -of the world, Cape Horn, to turn it and then go -northward up the South Pacific. She would head -up the middle of the great ocean and at times -she would not be within a thousand miles of any -land whatever.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">169</span> -For more than two weeks the albatross had -followed in the wake, his tireless pinions showing -no signs of weakening by the continuous -flight. Steadily night and day he had followed, -and the men aboard had watched him with the -awe all deep-water men feel for the giant birds, -which seem to be able to soar through space for -a lifetime without tiring. Sometimes when he -came up astern he slackened his pace by some -method and remained for a short moment poised -a few fathoms above the man at the wheel. Then -his steady look as he slanted his head sideways -made the man have a queer feeling, as though he -were almost in communication with a stranger -from the realms of space. When the captain -happened on deck he paid considerable attention -to the follower, but he never thought to harm -him. The Winchester, which he often used to -take snap-shots at blackfish, was always laid -aside at his approach.</p> - -<p>The great bird noted this. He was not afraid -of the rifle, for although he saw the effects of<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">170</span> -the shot, he knew nothing of its power. The -man was a creature of the earth like himself, and -he had no reason to suspect him of harmful -purposes simply on that account. He was interested -in him, and a not unfriendly feeling came -within his breast.</p> - -<p>In the latitude of the “roaring forties” the -weather is uncertain. Sometimes it blows high -and sometimes low, which latter means it is dead -calm for a spell. Under these conditions a sailing -ship naturally comes to a sudden stop, and, -with clewed-up courses, rolls and switches away -often for days without making more than a degree -of southing.</p> - -<p>It was during one of these calm spells that the -captain began to formulate a plan which would -bring him in closer contact with the great bird -which still soared and circled about the ship. -He rigged a trolling line with a bit of wood for a -float near the hook. Then he baited it with a -piece of salt beef and tossed it over the side.</p> - -<p>The ship was barely moving, but still had<span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">171</span> -headway enough to get away from the bait. -When it was fifty fathoms astern the captain -held the line and waited.</p> - -<p>The albatross soon sighted the piece of beef -and circled slowly toward it. Then as it floated -in clear view he settled upon the surface of the -sea and paddled up to it and gave it a chop. He -cut away half the beef, but missed the hook, and -the captain’s jerk upon the line merely pulled -it from him. He made another grab, and as -he did so the line tautened and the barb of the -hook caught under his beak.</p> - -<p>Hand over hand the captain hauled him in. -He spread forth his wings and backed water hard -with his feet, but the seaman kept a steady strain -upon the line and prevented the hook from slipping -clear. Soon he was directly under the -ship’s counter, and as she squatted down into the -hollow of a swell the captain quickly hauled -the bird over the rail to the deck.</p> - -<p>Inside the poop-rail it was impossible for the -albatross to get headway enough to rise into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">172</span> -air, the wind was so unfavorable in the shelter. -While he might waddle about upon the white -planks it was as impossible for him to get away -as though he had been chained by the leg. It -was most provoking to be in such an absurd position. -The man at the wheel grinned at him, and -the mate came up to take a better look at close -quarters. He stretched forth his wings and -tried to rise by a series of powerful strokes, but -it was in vain. He only managed to go plunging -into the rail before he got his feet clear of -the planks. This made him angry and he -snapped at the mate, making a savage chop with -his great beak, which came together with a loud -clap. But the seaman jumped aside, and the -captain admonished him to keep away.</p> - -<p>Gradually the feeling of being upon a floating -thing with other creatures seemed less strange. -It was remarkable how different the ship was now -that he was on board it from what it appeared -while he was a few fathoms in the air. Yet he -had followed it so long that he had become accustomed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">173</span> -to it, and the unpleasant sensation of -becoming suddenly a prisoner aboard gave place -to that of curiosity. The captain brought some -choice fat and ordered the steward to keep the -slush from the coppers as clean as possible and -give the stranger as much as he wished. After -eating several pounds he lost for the time all -desire to get away and waddled about the -quarter-deck perfectly satisfied with the sudden -change in his condition.</p> - -<p>The ship’s dog rushed up and made a savage -attack, and for a few minutes the great bird was -frightened, for the noise was distracting and a -sudden bite gave him pain. Then the captain -dragged the animal away and gave the newcomer -a choice piece of salt pork to make up for -the lack of courtesy shown by the dog.</p> - -<p>There was much of the dog’s spirit aboard the -ship, although it was not manifest to the albatross. -Among the men forward were several -who had much the same feeling for their fellows. -Under the cover of bluff and honest exteriors<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">174</span> -they concealed dispositions like that of the dog. -They were a type of what is known as “sea -lawyer,” and were always dwelling upon the -grievances of sailors and the rascality of mates -and masters. Close and intelligent observers -would have noticed at once that the faults their -leader saw in others were the ones rising to the -surface in himself and which he was trying to -conceal. He was saturnine, and his ugly little -eyes held an unpleasant look every time he came -in the vicinity of either the mate or captain. -The second officer was in the other watch and -therefore not often about to give him orders.</p> - -<p>As the vessel gradually made her way southward -and the hardships became more trying with -the colder weather, the feeling aboard among the -men who listened to the grumbler became more -sinister. The captain was not such a man as to -let things go unnoticed, but as long as there was -no direct disobedience of orders he took no action -and let the mate warm up the discontented men -with extra work, for it is well known that hard<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">175</span> -work will do more for an ugly crew than any -medicine.</p> - -<p>The captain spent much time on deck and -made a pet of the bird he had captured. He was -a generous man and lonesome among the rough -fellows who made up the crew, for his position -forbade any intercourse whatever with anyone -except his first officer. Even this seaman, able -and intelligent as he was, could not be made more -of than a slight acquaintance. Such is the rule -aboard deep-water ships, for discipline must be -enforced if safety is to be considered.</p> - -<p>During many lonely hours the master tried -to reconcile the dog to the newcomer. The old -wolf spirit bred through thousands of generations -of the land animal was not easy to pacify. -It was the old spirit of suspicion for strangers -based upon the experience of hundreds of ancestors, -who had perhaps trusted not wisely but too -well in the days when all living things were at -war with each other and only the strongest and -most cunning might survive. It was as evident<span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">176</span> -in the dog as in the men of the forecastle, and -the master studied carefully and comprehensively -to subdue it, or at least pacify it to an extent -that strife might be averted. Kindness and unselfishness -were the two antidotes he would -employ.</p> - -<p>The great bird was not slow to notice his -friendship. After a day or two he was on the -lookout for the master, who appeared regularly -to take his morning observation for longitude, -and he walked laboriously up to him in spite of -the dog’s yelping. There was something in the -man’s behavior that made him instinctively his -friend. Finally even the dog’s suspicions were -allayed, and instead of seizing the bird’s -feathers in the rear to jerk them and then dodge -the snap of the beak, he met the bird face to face -and refrained from either a bite or bark. The -two became reconciled.</p> - -<p>During several days the albatross waddled -about the quarter-deck and was fed, until the -captain, fearing that he would grow so fat he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">177</span> -would be unable to fly, finally took him in his -arms one day and placed him upon the rail. -Then he tied a bit of fancy red cord about his -leg so that he might distinguish him from other -birds that would follow in the ship’s wake. The -great bird had long ago learned to eat from the -man’s hand and took care not to chop too close to -the fingers with his powerful beak. The master -would stroke the beautiful white head and smooth -the snowy feathers until the petting became a -thing looked forward to. It was a smooth day -in the latitude of the Falklands when he determined -to set the captive free, and the dark water -seemed less attractive than usual under the gloom -of the overcast sky. The lonely cry of a stray -penguin broke now and again upon the ears of -the listening seaman and had a depressing -effect.</p> - -<p>With a last caress he gave the pet a gentle -push to start him. The great black eyes looked -hard at the sailor, and then, with the giant wings -outstretched, he swung off in a graceful swoop,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">178</span> -curving upward as the falling body nearly -touched the sea. He was gone.</p> - -<p>That night it came on to blow hard from the -westward. The ship, nearing the latitude of -the Horn, was shortened down to her lower topsails, -and with the wind snoring away under them -and past each taut downhaul, clewline, and halyard, -she was hove to. It was necessary to try -to keep her from sagging off to the eastward, for -in this latitude every mile counts.</p> - -<p>During the morning watch the mate had -reason to call the captain, for with a falling glass -and shifting wind, he was on the lookout for a -definite change.</p> - -<p>The captain came on deck and took in the -situation. It was still dark, but the growing -light on the horizon told of the approaching -day. He stood near the man at the wheel a -moment and the mate went forward where the -green seas sometimes rose above the topgallant -rail and fell upon the deck as the staggering -ship plunged into the trough. Through the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">179</span> -dim, misty light of the early morning he saw the -watch turning out to clew down the foretopsail, -and as the foremost man took the ratlines he -turned and walked to the binnacle to watch the -shifting course.</p> - -<p>The increasing gale and gloomy prospects -had caused the grumbling element among the -crew to be more careless than usual, in spite of -the master’s efforts to pacify them. The leader -of the malcontents came aft with two others to -take a pull in the spanker sheet, for upon the -boom had been bent the storm trysail to hold the -vessel’s head up to the gale while hove to. The -men hauled surlily upon the line, but it came in so -slowly that the mate came aft and spoke to them -to stir them up. Then they flattened it in, but -the stout landsman, or ordinary seaman, who was -taking in the slack upon the cleat, failed to catch -a turn. A tremendous sea hove the ship to leeward -almost upon her beam-ends. The struggling -men were hove against the lee rail, and -the sheet, whirling loose from the fellow’s hands,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">180</span> -caught a turn about his body and in an instant -he was flung over the side. The captain, who -had just stepped out from the wheel-house, made -a grab to seize him, and a turn of the now flying -line caught him around the ankle and jerked him -also over the rail into the sea. Then followed -the dreaded cry of “man overboard” and the -confusion of a crew of men without a leader.</p> - -<p>The mate with ready knife cut away the -lashings of the quarter-buoys and let them go -overboard. Then he tried to fling a line, but the -ship was moving too fast. She was forereaching -heavily, but in that sea it was madness to -think of trying to stop her by laying the yards -aback, or losing control of her in any way. She -must go on. They might shorten her down -enough to stop her, but even if they could do so -within half an hour she would be too far away -to see a man in the water and the sea too heavy -to think of lowering a small boat.</p> - -<p>Daylight was breaking over the stormy ocean -and the roar from aloft was sounding louder<span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">181</span> -with the increasing gale. Many of the men forward -had not seen the incident and the cries of -those upon the foretopsail yard to those on deck -could be heard. From a bunch at the weather -clewline came a faint strain of a “chanty”:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">“‘Ole stormy, ’e was a good ole man—<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Singing yo, ho, ho—with a hey—bar-rrr.’”<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>The absurd chorus struck forcibly upon the -ears of the master, who with both hands gripped -the life-buoy and kept his head clear of the -breaking seas. The mate, leaning over the -taffrail, bawled something to him he could not -understand, and then the ship drifted to leeward -with the faint sound of singing still in his ears:</p> - -<div class="poem-container"> -<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">“‘Ole stormy, ’e’ll come walking home,<br /></span> -<span class="i0">Singing yo, ho, ho—with a hey—bar-rrrrr.<br /></span> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<span class="iq">“‘Ole stormy, ’e has gone to sea—<br /></span> -<span class="i0">But ’e’ll not come back, with a hey—bar-r-rr-rr.’”<br /></span> -</div></div> -</div> - -<p>The words of a “chanty” are generally -grotesque and meaningless, but it was this very -absurdity that struck the listening master as -fraught with meaning. It was significant of his -ending. He would not come back again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">182</span> -The water was quite cold, and to make certain -that he would not lose his hold upon the cork -float he passed his head through the circular -opening and made his body fast with the hand-line -to the buoy at both sides, so that he would -balance evenly. He would do all he could to -live, and if he floated long enough they might -pick him up after all. The minutes dragged -into hours, and cold and exhaustion caused his -mind to wander. He fancied he saw green -fields again and was back in the land of his -birth.</p> - -<p>The suffering of passing was almost over and -it held no terrors for him. He had tried to do -what he could aboard the ship to make things -less hard for his men. Perhaps if he had been -more savage he would have done better, for there -are some men who cannot be touched save -through great bodily fear.</p> - -<p>The dawn of the southern day had broken -over the heaving ocean, and at times he would try -instinctively to look for the ship. She had disappeared.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">183</span> -Nothing but the great rolling seas -as far as the eye could reach, and these turned -now and again into grass-grown hills before his -failing vision.</p> - -<p>It was late in the morning, after the daylight -had become strong, that he fancied he heard a -dull, thunderous noise. It had little effect upon -him now, for he was too far gone to pay much -attention. The noise grew louder and louder -as the minutes passed and suddenly his dulled -brain became alert again. He looked toward -where the sound came from, and it was from the -northward and behind him, and through the haze -of the flying spume-drift he saw the dark gray -shadows of rocks. He fancied his mind was at -fault, and in spite of the heavy roar which now -filled the air he paid little attention. Then he -was hove nearer the ledge and felt the rush of the -lifting sea.</p> - -<p>It spurred him to recover. He dashed the -salt water from his eyes and made a desperate -effort to realize his position. Then a great, high<span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">184</span> -rolling surge that had run for miles across the -southern ocean picked him up on its crest and -bore him shoreward with the speed of the wind. -As it broke into a white smother of foam he saw -clearly at last that he was being hurled upon the -rocks. He struggled to keep his head out of the -boiling rush and looked for a place where he -would strike. To hit the ledge at the speed he -was going meant instant death, and he tried to -see if there was no slue or opening into which he -might be hurled. The current of the Antarctic -had caused an eddy within a few miles of the -rocks of Hermite Isle, in which he had drifted, -and it had carried him toward the land at a -rapid rate.</p> - -<p>Rising upon the roll of the crest, he just -managed to keep from striking until the weight -and speed of the breaker had been exhausted. -Then by chance and the aid of the buoy he -managed to float into a crevice between the rocks -and cling there until the back-wash had left him -almost high and dry. With the last remaining<span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">185</span> -energy left he hauled his body clear of the tide -and lost consciousness.</p> - -<p>When he regained his senses the sun was well -up on the northwestern horizon. The wind had -gone down considerably, and heavy, oily-looking -clouds were hurrying past overhead, with breaks -between them. He felt the sting of sleet upon -his face and the chill from his wet clothes almost -paralyzed him. He staggered to his feet and -gazed about him. Then he crawled higher up -the rocks.</p> - -<p>There was no doubt about it, he was upon the -rocks of Cape Horn. He was clear in his mind -now and remembered his struggles, and he had -seen the ragged hump too often not to recognize -it at once. How his ship had been driven in so -close was hard to guess, but he knew the treacherous -currents of the Drift and remembered that -a careless helmsman might very easily nurse the -vessel off her course with the help of an unknown -set to the northward.</p> - -<p>While he looked about him he became aware<span class="pagenum" id="Page_186">186</span> -that he needed nourishment very badly. He was -faint with the long swim and continued exposure -to the cold water and he must have remained unconscious -for many hours after coming ashore. -There was nothing to eat upon the ledge. Tufts -of the great tussac-grass shot up here and there -upon the heights above him, but there was nothing -that looked as if it might be used to prolong -his life.</p> - -<p>But a seaman is never beaten until he dies. -The master would not despair. He sat a moment -and studied the question. Then he arose -again and clambered painfully up the crags, -hoping that he might find some Cape pigeon -eggs upon the higher terraces. There was not -a sign of anything except a great rock-hopper, -or penguin, who skipped nimbly down and -plunged into the sea with a loud cry before the -sailor could reach him. Some thirty feet above -the ledge upon which he landed he discovered a -pool of half-stagnant water, but it was not salty -and came from the melted snow and sleet. He<span class="pagenum" id="Page_187">187</span> -drank some and felt better, although it made him -colder. He felt through his clothes for a match, -but found the metal case in which he carried -them had failed to keep out the sea water. His -numb fingers could scarcely open the case, but -he finally placed the little sticks in a lee, where -he hoped they would dry enough to light. Then -he sat down and waited, and before he knew it he -had fallen asleep.</p> - -<p>The sun had swung up again in the northeast -when he opened his eyes and the weather was less -ugly. He tried his matches. First one was -scratched carefully upon a dry piece of stone. -The head crumbled slowly away. A bit of smoke -seemed to start from it and the seaman’s heart -beat rapidly. Then the head fell away, leaving -the bare stick. It was worthless. He tried another -of his scanty store. He grasped the little -stick close to its head of composition and drew it -very carefully upon the rock. A bunch of finely -shredded grass, perfectly dry, was rolled into a -ball to catch the first spurt of flame. The match<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">188</span> -cracked softly and at each noise the sailor’s -heart seemed to stop. His hand shook violently. -Then the head of the match crumbled again, and -his spirits sank within him. It was life or death, -for he must have warmth soon or perish. He had -only three more fuses and he stopped a little to -think of some way he might make them burn. -He gazed steadily at them for a long time and -then took up one. It failed.</p> - -<p>Hope died away as he took up the other two. -He struck them carefully as before, but they -were spoiled. Then he cast the grass from him -and looked out to sea.</p> - -<p>He had been gazing for a long time before he -was aware of a form which appeared circling -over the ocean beyond the lift of the breakers. -It was that of a huge albatross, which had come -in from the sea and was apparently looking for -a sheltered place upon the Horn to rest. The -master gazed at the great white form skimming -along over the wave-tops and remembered his -pet. The bird appeared larger than the one he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">189</span> -had caught, but all of the great Cape albatrosses -were so much alike that he could not distinguish -between them. He watched the bird -circle about him and finally noticed that he had -been discovered, for the creature came nearer -and nearer at each sweep until he caught the -look of its eye as it bent its head a little in -order to observe him better. The albatross was -evidently hungry and it might take very little -indeed to invite an attack. The bird was practically -carnivorous, for it ate anything in the -way of flesh it could capture. It was very powerful -and could get the best of a man without -much trouble, provided the man was incapable -of vigorous defense. The thought made him -alert and brought to his own hungry self the -idea of capture. He might do worse than eat -a thirty-pound bird during his stay ashore. -He could not cook the creature, but that would be -of but small consequence in his present state. -The food was the main thing and it was necessary -to get something at once.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_190">190</span> -The bird came closer and closer until finally -with outstretched wings and projecting feet it -backed against its own headway and settled -upon the ledge not twenty feet distant.</p> - -<p>The captain’s heart beat high with expectation. -He lay perfectly still watching it, hoping -that it would come near enough for him to grasp -it. If it was strong enough to conquer, it was -well; he would soon be dead anyway without -food. If he could master it by gripping its -throat, he might live for many days.</p> - -<p>The bird came straight toward him. He was -quiet as a cat waiting for a spring, his eyes -glaring at it as it approached. Then something -attracted his attention. Upon the foot of the -bird was a bit of cord. Yes, there was no mistake, -it was his pet, the bird he had captured. -He started up with a cry, but the bird came -steadily toward him without fear, and in an instant -was poking his great beak into his hand -for food.</p> - -<p>The seaman’s heart was beating wildly. Here<span class="pagenum" id="Page_191">191</span> -was food enough for a week right in his grasp. -He had but to seize the bird’s neck quickly and -with the little strength he had left he could -strangle it. The thought called forth all the -wild wolf spirit in his nature. He was trembling -with the excitement. But, as he looked down -upon the beautiful, smooth white neck of his -former pet, he wavered. Something within him -rose against a deed of violence. He stroked the -soft feathers and looked at the creature, who -was probably almost as hungry as himself. No, -he would commit no horrid act. He would probably -starve anyhow, and it would be better to die -than to have such a conscience. Then all of the -beast fell away from him and he felt better.</p> - -<p>But while he sat and stroked the great bird -his mind was active. The albatross would not -remain there long. He would follow some vessel -for the beef-fat from her coppers, and as the -thought came to him he began a plan to attract -attention.</p> - -<p>He tore from his shirt a long piece of linen.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">192</span> -This was a piece having his name written upon -it in indelible ink which had stood the wash of the -laundry. It would stand the wash of the sea. -He made it fast to the bird’s leg, and the bight -of it he brought up over the back beneath the -wings, tying it loosely and leading the other end -down so that it could be fastened to the other -leg. The thin cloth lying loose would prevent -the bird from cutting it with its beak, for the -edges of that appendage, while very sharp, were -not laid as close together as those of a pair of -shears, and the thin cloth would work between -them. Upon the top of the piece he wrote with -his own blood, “Cape Horn, Hermite Isle, -Help.” Underneath this he put the date, and let -his laundry mark do for signature. Then he -led the bird gently to the edge of the rock and -pushed him over.</p> - -<p>Afterward he settled down in his bed of tussac -and waited for the end he now felt was at hand. -He prayed to the God he had felt in the breath -of the trade wind and roar of the storm, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">193</span> -power which was manifest in all nature. Then -a feeling of peace came upon him and his sufferings -were over; he had collapsed.</p> - -<p>Two days later the Norwegian bark <i>Eric</i> was -working to the westward past Cape St. John. -Her captain had noticed a great albatross following -his vessel all day, and saw the bird had something -fast to its leg. Being of a very superstitious -nature the master did everything he could -to attract the bird’s attention and draw him -close enough to observe the hanging cloth more -thoroughly. He was astonished to find the bird -quite tame, and had no difficulty in hauling it on -deck with a baited hook. He took off the rag -and read the inscription, which had luckily kept -clear and dry, for the weather had been cold -and the sleet squalls had not caused the writing -to run.</p> - -<p>Being in the neighborhood of the Horn, he -did what no one but a very superstitious master -would have done without great trepidation. He -stood under all sail for Hermite Isle and hove<span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">194</span> -his ship to not three miles from the rocks. The -weather was better than usual and he had no -difficulty in lowering a small boat and making a -landing.</p> - -<p>As the craft drew near the land the white -life-buoy attracted the helmsman’s attention, lying -high up on the rocks and showing out -strongly against the background of black ledge. -The boat was headed into a rift or slue, and two -of the men managed to spring out of her, the -rest keeping her clear of the rocks, which, although -sheltered in the slue, felt the tremendous -lift and back-wash of the heavy swell outside. -The master was found unconscious in his bed of -tussac-grass.</p> - -<p>By care and skill they managed to get him -into the small boat alive and started for the bark -that was riding safely in the offing. They hurried -back aboard and came alongside just as -the Norwegian navigator set the great bird free -again. The men rested upon their oars and -watched the albatross as it stretched forth its<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">195</span> -wings and bore away to the southward. A man -standing in the lee rigging held a line to throw -to the bow oarsmen, but he hesitated and watched -the majestic flight. The officer in the boat -looked instinctively upward, and, as the huge -creature soared away, he took off his cap and -bowed his head.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">197</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">199</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="KING_ALBICORE" title="King Albicore">KING ALBICORE</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_199" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.1875em;"> - <img src="images/i_201.jpg" width="355" height="581" alt="KING ALBICORE" /> - <div class="captionh">KING ALBICORE</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">He</span> came from a race of giants. His ancestors -had held sway over the great -breadth of the Pacific for many centuries, -and were the lords of the South Sea. When -he first saw the light it was where the towering -peaks of Juan Fernandez rose above the eastern -sea, like the backs of huge marine monsters, -from the deep ocean, topped by a heavy pall of -vapor which rose densely for miles into the blue -above and spread out like an enormous umbrella. -Between the darkening under surface of the -higher layers of white, reaching down to the -green hills beneath, rectangular sections of steel-blue -showed the semi-tropic rainfall. They were -sharply outlined against the clear sky beyond, -for off the land the sky was devoid of a single -trade-cloud.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">200</span> -All around was peaceful calm. The great -Pacific, father of waters, was resting. Only the -high-rolling swell from far away to the westward -came majestically onward toward the shore, rising -higher and higher as it met, deep down, the -resistance of the outlying reefs, until it threw its -crest far into the air, and, with a thunderous -roar of welcome, rushed white and churning -against the iron-hard cliffs, which received it -silently and hurled it backward as if coldly repellent -of its embrace.</p> - -<p>The sun had shone strongly for days upon the -smooth, heaving swell, and out upon the sunken -ledges where the albicore lingered; the rays filtered -down to the solid rock. Here, sheltered by -the reef beyond, the breakers did not disturb the -ocean denizens. The deep-toned thunder of the -fall on the outer barrier filled the air, but -beneath the surface of the clear water all was -quiet in the sunshine. The king was a young one -of a large family. Scores of his brothers and sisters -lay close to the bottom peering in and out<span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">201</span> -among the forests of kelp, and enjoying the -rays of the warm sun, for the albicore is essentially -a surface fish. The heat and light were -very pleasant to them, and they were growing -strong and healthy.</p> - -<p>The older fish had come inshore some weeks -before our hero was born, but food was plentiful -about the island and they still lingered. They -had spawned and had seen their young brought -forth. Now their duty was done and they -swarmed about the ledges or plunged playfully -about the slues in the reef, chasing the smaller -fish to shelter in pure wantonness. They lingered -on when it was time for them to take to -the great stretch of ocean to the westward and -make room for others of the deep ocean tribes. -Now the young were about in great numbers, and -they seemed almost to crowd the waters in the -sheltered coves. It was high time to go to sea -again, and on the morrow the leaders of the -school would start for the open ocean to the west, -where the sun sank out of sight. Those who<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">202</span> -could follow might be safe, for the older fish were -very strong, and their numbers would prevent -any of the hanger-on crowd of sullen sharks from -coming too near the flanks of the moving throng.</p> - -<p>A leader passed while our young one was -watching the light. He was a great fish six feet -in length, his sides shimmering like silver. His -long, sinuous body apparently made no motion, -save that it went ahead slowly and steadily, and -his eyes sparkled like glistening crystals. His -thin, tapering head seemed barely to disturb the -medium about him as he went through it, and the -only vibration of the light rays near him was -caused by the huge mouth, which, although shut, -showed heavy projecting lips and a half-concealed -row of pointed teeth that rippled the water -slightly as he slipped past. He was a long, -powerful fellow, capable of great speed, and a -stroke from those jaws of his meant death to -anything in the sea of his size except the shark. -Even the tough hide of this scavenger would not -protect him from a frightful cut when the long,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_203">203</span> -muscular body was launched at him with the -speed of an arrow. A dark shadow which had -come near the edge of the broken water gradually -drew away with the albicore’s approach, and the -young one experienced a feeling of relief instinctively -which he could not understand. He was -a very sensitive young one, all nerves, and the -uneasiness which possessed him when the large -relative drew away caused him to make an effort -to follow. But the great albicore took no notice -of him, nor waited, but suddenly made a dart -ahead, leaving only the vision of a silvery flash.</p> - -<p>Other large fellows came and went while the -younger ones strayed about the shoal water and -chased the herring spawn or whale-food, eating -much and gaining strength hourly.</p> - -<p>High above the bare rocks a shaggy goat nibbled -the grass of the hillside, and to the southward -a chunky, dirty bark lay with her courses -hauled up and her mainyards aback, while a -dense smoke arose from her trying-out furnace. -Alongside of her the carcass of a freshly killed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_204">204</span> -whale rolled just awash in the swell, attracting -countless thousands of whalebirds and loafing -sharks.</p> - -<p>The young albicore grew very nervous as the -sun sank behind the sea in the far west, dyeing -the waves a deep crimson. He was remarkably -sensitive for an ocean fish. Instinct told him -that he would fare better away from that reef -after the last full-grown albicore had gone. -They had been going to sea all day by twos and -threes, but had paid not the slightest attention to -him or any of his younger mates. The longing -for the open ocean came upon him and with it -a nameless dread. He had no mother to guide -him, no father to protect him. They had gone -to sea with the rest and left him to shift for himself. -But there was something in the deepening -roar of the surf and the moaning of the sea -among the sunken ledges that spoke of an all-pervading -Power that would guide him onward -to whatever life held in store. And yet with it -all was that nameless fear and dread which made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_205">205</span> -him alert to every vibration of the water. Darkness -came suddenly, and some of his smaller companions -began to seek shelter of the more shallow -water within the coves and between the rocks. -Their shimmering bodies grew less and less distinct -until only the phosphorescent flare of the -disturbed water when they moved gave notice of -their presence. The semi-tropical night fell -upon the peaceful ocean.</p> - -<p>All that night the great fish moved westward. -In the morning, just before the sun rose, the last -of the laggards had started off into deep water, -leaving the high cliffs like a wall in the eastward, -while the somber bank of vapor rose again from -the land and cast a gloom over the outlying reef.</p> - -<p>While the young fish were waiting for the -growing light to guide them in the wake of their -forbears, there was a sudden commotion on the -edge of the surf. Numerous plunges and -splashes told of a horde of rapidly moving bodies -advancing through the shoal water of the reef. -The feeling of terror that had come over our<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">206</span> -young one the day before now seemed to pervade -the entire crowd that scurried here and there in -the gloom. Everywhere there seemed to be a -state of wild alarm. Bunches of the smaller -fish tried to find shelter in deep, dark holes where -the kelp weed formed mats and snaky tangles. -Then, just as the first rays of the morning sun -glistened upon the crest of a great roller, there -was a sudden rush through the water all about, -and dark forms came plunging onward with incredible -speed.</p> - -<p>Our young one caught a glimpse of a great -fish high in the air heading for him, and the next -instant there were several huge gaping mouths -between pairs of shining eyes rushing upon him -from all sides. He saw his young comrades -seized and swallowed, their frantic efforts to -escape availing them not the least. Then with -a wild terror, which spurred him to frantic action, -he rushed seaward. A giant mouth made -a snap at him as he went past. A huge form -rose in the air and dropped upon him with jaws<span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">207</span> -gaping. He made a mad dodge and just missed -the rows of teeth, while the stroke of the falling -body almost stunned him. Then he recovered -and tore for the outer breakers. The bonita -had struck inshore, and lucky would be the small -fish who could escape their rush.</p> - -<p>Away into the deepening blue of the ocean he -sped headlong with all his energy. He looked -neither to the right nor left, but held his way -straight ahead with the terror of those fierce -monsters vibrating through his whole being. On -and on, without a thought of rest or slacking -his speed, he pushed until the bright sunshine -showed him a desolate waste of fathomless blue -void around and beneath him, and a bluer void -above, with the little lumpy trade-clouds swinging -past overhead. He was heading almost due -west, and as the day wore on and his terror gave -place to fatigue, he slacked his speed enough to -take a careful look about him. There was not -a living thing in sight.</p> - -<p>Hunger soon came upon him and stirred him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">208</span> -to further action. He began searching the sea -for food. Soon one of his former companions -came up almost as exhausted as himself with the -run for life, and together they swam slowly along -just beneath the surface in the roll of the swell.</p> - -<p>As the day passed more of his youthful relatives -hove in sight until by night six followers -held their way in his wake. These were all who -had gotten to sea. Few indeed had escaped. -The day had marked the death of countless -young fish, for the bonita spared nothing that -came in their path.</p> - -<p>The seven albicore cruised in company, capturing -what small surface fish accident cast in -their way, but all the time they held a general -course to the westward and northward to where -the coral reefs rose from the bed of the equatorial -ocean. Day after day they swam steadily on, -the young albicore leading. Their silvery -bodies grew apace and their backs took on a shifting -blue color, so that looking down from above, -it would have been hard to tell them from the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">209</span> -surrounding blue depths. Sometimes the ugly -and noisy bos’n-birds would swoop down as -though to strike them, but by sinking a few feet -beneath the surface the albicore easily escaped. -At night the seven swam beneath a tropic moon, -and as they went their courage grew rapidly with -their size. Unfortunately they approached an -unknown peak lying below the surface of the -great ocean. Here they were chased by a huge -dolphin who haunted the vicinity. Three of -their number fell prey to him before they could -get away. A week or two later the remaining -four fell in with a roaming pair of bonita. Two -more went the way of the weak.</p> - -<p>The remaining pair of albicore now cruised -onward together, our hero leading as before, -until they came to Tahiti, in the South Sea. -Long accustomed to danger now, they approached -the shore warily, their tapering bodies -scarcely disturbing the sea. The albicore had -grown very fast, developing during these weeks -of travel into powerful fish. The teeth of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">210</span> -male leader began to show sharply beyond his -lips. He was growing more and more muscular, -and the long swim was hardening him. He was -sturdy and shrewd, and the wild instinctive fear -that had governed his younger actions now gave -place to a feeling of confidence. His mate had -also developed into a strong fish, and as they -swam slowly in through the outer breakers of the -barrier reef, their long, sinuous bodies armed -with jaws and teeth which were not to be despised, -smaller fish approached to welcome them. The -albicore received them coldly, heading straight -into the sheltered coves of coral, where they would -rest from their long run. Here they stopped -at last and set about making a new home.</p> - -<p>During the months that followed the albicore -grew several feet longer. Our leader was now -nearly six feet in length, with his long jaws -armed with razor-like teeth, his tapering flanks -with silvery scales covering muscles of great -hardness and power. And with that power came -a consciousness of his worth. His wild life and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">211</span> -flight made him careful of the denizens of the -coral banks. He grew cold and thoughtful -until, as he reached his final development physically, -he was a dignified and quiet fellow. The -smaller sociable fish of the reef did not understand -him. Theirs was a life of ease and comparative -safety, and their thoughts seldom went -beyond the boundaries of the outer barrier. -They fussed among themselves and voted the -great stranger and his companion surly company. -The inquisitive little sunfish would -sometimes take a peep in at the cove where the -albicore usually lay in the sunshine on bright -afternoons, but there was something in the great -fish’s manner that the little reefer could not understand, -and he set him down for a villain, keeping -at a distance and looking askance always at -those ragged teeth that peeped out from the -long, sharp jaws. Even the mullet were warned, -and gave the albicore a wide berth, while all the -time he lay there with his thoughts far away -where the peaks of Juan Fernandez rose from<span class="pagenum" id="Page_212">212</span> -the sea. He was indeed a stranger in a strange -place. Finally he was left alone with his mate.</p> - -<p>The little sociable fish were heeded not at all -by the albicore. He went to the reef daily and -caught what small game he wished. His dignified -movements were even watched by the great -ground shark who lay daily under the shelter of -the outer barrier, waiting to snap up any unwary -traveler who might be unfortunate enough to be -caught in the rolling surf and lose control of -himself. Once only did the shark come in contact -with the stranger. It was when the albicore -had been rolled shoreward in the roaring -surge. The lurking monster thought it a good -chance to strike. He received a savage cut over -the eye that left him somewhat bewildered and -much more respectful of the powerful stranger’s -rights in the vicinity.</p> - -<p>As the season changed and the trade-wind -shifted to the eastward, bringing with it little -watery clouds, the two albicore became more and -more restless. The future king’s sensitive<span class="pagenum" id="Page_213">213</span> -nature became more and more imbued with the -feeling that he must return to the waters of his -birth to take his place among those of his kind. -He would be needed. The bonita would come -again, and there might be no albicore leader -to protect those who had escaped their last assault, -and who would return to the beautiful -peaks that rose from the sea of his birth. There -was a feeling within him that he must be there -for a purpose. He was something more than -a mere cruising pirate of the reefs of the South -Pacific. The petty life of little sociable fish was -not for such as he. There was something for -him to do before he died, and this feeling became -stronger and stronger until one rainy morning -he started out accompanied by his faithful mate.</p> - -<p>He was now at the fullness of his powers, a -full-grown albicore of the southern ocean. All -the inheritance of the race of giants from whom -he had sprung was in his strong frame and lightning-like -actions. He could dart so swiftly the -eye could hardly follow his form, and by a slight<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">214</span> -swerve upwards he could spring high into the -air above, leaving the sea ten feet or more below -him, and then with head pointed gracefully -downward, he would plunge into the blue depths, -slipping his long, sinuous body so easily into the -unresisting medium that there would be hardly -a splash to mark his entrance. There were -strength and grace in all his movements, and he -was as bold as he was beautiful.</p> - -<p>The speed of the fastest ship was slow as compared -with his tremendous pace, so although he -took his time and spent several days hunting -upon the surface of the sea, it was but a short -run for him to Mas-a-fuera. It was a very different -passage from the one made when as a little -fellow he voyaged out.</p> - -<div id="ip_214" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 24.0625em;"> - <img src="images/i_219.jpg" width="385" height="589" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">FULL INTO THE CENTRE KING ALBICORE TORE HIS WAY.</div></div> - -<p>The high, grim cliffs of Mas-a-fuera rise a -sheer thousand feet on the north side of the -island, and the wind is usually southerly. This -makes a ponderous lee, the only sea being the -heave of the offshore swell. Many denizens of -the deep ocean come in here to rest and search<span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">215</span> -for food, and even the great cachalot, or sperm-whale, -often takes a quiet cruise through the -clear depths to enjoy the stillness, and incidentally -look up a stray octopus or cuttle fish who -might be ensconced within some ocean cavern in -the cliffs.</p> - -<p>It was toward this sheltered lee-shore our albicore -held his way. Above the heights the huge -pall of vapor rose as in his younger days, standing -out clearly against the void of blue, as -sharply outlined as a heavy cumulus cloud. -There was no mistaking the place. He felt like -a sailor who had made a long voyage and had -sighted the home port at last.</p> - -<p>As he went shoreward, followed by his mate, -he noticed many silvery flashes in the water between -him and the land. Drawing nearer he -saw that these were caused by countless albicore. -Soon he was amid a throng of his fellows numbering -thousands, all making their way toward -the sheltered sea in the lee of the island. With -the spirit and instinct born in him and developed<span class="pagenum" id="Page_216">216</span> -by his roaming life, he at once took the lead of -this vast school and led them slowly in to the submerged -rocks which would shelter them during -their stay. Great numbers of females, heavy -with spawn, straggled from the flanks of the -column, but he swam around them, forcing them -all into an almost solid phalanx of moving fish. -The memory of the bonita was still fresh -within him. He would take no chances with -these helpless kindred. They seemed to recognize -his leadership without question, and followed -quietly wherever he led the way. Now and -then some frisky younger member of the horde -would make a sudden start to sheer away, but -with a rush our leader was upon him, and he was -forced back again. As they drew near the island -a school of porpoises made a dash among them. -These fellows drove the more timid in frantic -throngs until our leader came plunging to the -rescue followed by a few of the largest and boldest -of the school. In a few minutes the warm-blooded -animals had received some severe strokes<span class="pagenum" id="Page_217">217</span> -from the razor-like teeth and they went plunging -seaward. Then the mass of albicore went in -and took possession of the rocks, the smaller fish -fleeing before them.</p> - -<p>Here at last our hero was in the waters he -loved. Game was plentiful and the schools of -the albicore led by him along the sunken rocks -found it easy to keep supplied. His great size, -greater than even the largest of that vast host, -made his leadership unquestioned. Everything -stood clear of his rush except the sullen sharks, -and even they took care not to precipitate trouble -by hanging too closely about the rear of his -foraging parties as they went their way along -the shore.</p> - -<p>During the whole season the albicore hung -about the reefs of Mas-a-fuera and Juan Fernandez -Island. The young had come forth and -the sheltered places inside the outer breakers were -teeming with them. Our leader had driven to -sea all other fish who were at all antagonistic to -them, and peaceful tranquillity reigned. Once<span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">218</span> -or twice a growing fellow, who had reached six -feet or more in length, wanted to try conclusions -with the leader, but he soon had enough after -encountering the sharp teeth, and took his place -among the followers. He was their king. A -king by election and superiority, he led them -steadily until the season waned, and the time for -the bonita to strike inshore came at hand.</p> - -<p>As this time drew near the feeling of unrest began -to show itself among the school. Stragglers -began to leave the reef and seek the open ocean -with the instinctive longing for that safety -which exists there. Our king watched them go -by pairs and sometimes dozens, but he made no -attempt to stop them. There would be enough -to look out for without them, and they could well -be spared.</p> - -<p>Finally the time came for the general movement. -He had marshaled the great host of albicore -from the adjacent reefs, and together in one -vast throng they left for open ocean, going to -the northward to avoid the enemy who would<span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">219</span> -attack from the south and west. The bonita -were not as large or as heavy as themselves individually, -but they were the strongest creatures -of their size in the ocean, and their countless -numbers made them absolutely fearless. They -would attack anything that stood in their path, -and their great vitality and quickness made them -the most dreaded of all the foraging bands of -sea-wolves which roamed the South Sea.</p> - -<p>The solid phalanx of albicore started offshore -at sunrise, the king in the van and the younger -and more helpless bringing up in the rear of the -column; but as before many of the young had -been overlooked as they loitered among the sheltered -places in the rocks.</p> - -<p>The head of the moving mass was a full mile -from shore before the end of the crowd had begun -to leave, and as the sun shone upon the calm -ocean, its rays struck glancing along the flanks -of thousands of moving bodies, making the water -seem like shimmering silver as the light flashed -from the bright scales. There was no wind at<span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">220</span> -all, and far away to the westward our leader -thought he saw a peculiar disturbance of the sea -surface. He took a leap into the air to get a -better view and was followed by many of his -companions, who usually imitated his example in -all his movements. As he rose in the sunshine -his glistening armor reflected the light and made -him visible for miles. What he had seen upon -the western skyline was enough. As far as the -eye could reach the ocean had spurted white at -his plunge, for the bonita had seen him, and with -a front of several miles in extent they were plunging -toward the band of albicore, tearing the -calm surface to foam with their rush. It was as -though some mighty explosion had taken place -and spurted the sea upward in little jets along -the front of a sunken reef, for the bonita acted -almost in unison in spite of their vast numbers. -They were now in full charge.</p> - -<p>When two rapidly moving bodies, of almost -equal weight, meet, the one having the swifter -movement will prevail. King Albicore understood<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">221</span> -this principle instinctively, and instantly -darted forward. His followers joined him, and -away they rushed straight for the line of breaking -water which drew nearer and nearer as the -moments flew by. The rear of the column, -finding the head leaving at speed, closed up the -gap and came onward until soon the entire mass -of albicore were driving headlong to the westward -as fast as they could go.</p> - -<p>It was a magnificent sight to watch those -charging columns. A million bonita charging a -hundred thousand albicore. Nowhere on land -could such vast hosts of large living creatures -marshal. The sea was ruffled and foamed for -miles with the disturbance of the fleeting bodies, -and from above the bos’n-birds could watch the -long line of pointed heads making the ocean -darken with a huge shadow as the hordes -rushed onward.</p> - -<p>A mile, then a half—a quarter, and still the -ruffling lines of ocean surface seemed to draw -nearer with undiminished speed. There was a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">222</span> -seeming instant of quiet. A space of apparently -unruffled water. And then they met.</p> - -<p>Like an eruption from some subterranean crater -the sea sprung upward. The long lines of -pointed heads struck together. Bodies flung -high in the air. Tails, heads, quivering sides -streaming from ugly gashes, were thrown into -the sunlight, and then upon the quiet of the -morning there broke a deep, dull, moaning roar -of immense volume.</p> - -<p>Full into the center of the great army the -king albicore tore his way. Bonita snapped -and flashed upon all sides, their vigorous bodies -fairly quivering with the rapidity of their movements, -but with his jaws cutting like a pair of -flying shears, he held his way while his sturdy -followers entered behind him and forced the gap. -Into this, like a wedge, pressed the body of the -column, cutting and fighting with incredible -fury. Comrades fell out by the hundred, -chopped and torn by the bonita who surged in -upon the flanks, but the great mass of albicore<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">223</span> -tore its way through, killing everything in its -path.</p> - -<p>Away they went straight ahead. The bonita -fell away sullenly from the solid ranks, and in -half an hour the last albicore had gone through -the gap in close column, leaving the sea and its -scavengers to wipe out the marks of their passage. -There was no changing front to that -horde. The course was straight ahead. It was -certain death to be left behind.</p> - -<p>The bonita held their way toward the reefs of -Mas-a-fuera and were soon out of sight in the -East.</p> - -<p>But King Albicore, what of him?</p> - -<p>With flanks cut and ripped almost to ribbons -he stuck at the head of the column. No sheering -this way or that. The feeling had come upon -him that he had done his duty. He had fulfilled -his mission. He, the king, had led his comrades -to victory, and he must pay the great debt -which falls to all sons of nature. Silently and -steadily he went along, his instinct telling him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">224</span> -his time had come. But with it there were no -regrets.</p> - -<p>He had done all he could for his kind, and -like a king he would die.</p> - -<p>The bright sunshine would fade and the blue -water would disappear forever. They would -forget him, and another leader would take his -place. But he knew he had done his duty and -knew he had done it well, and the great throng -would live to be thankful for his prowess.</p> - -<p>The sunlight seemed to be fading and darkness -appeared to be coming upon the ocean, yet -he knew it was not quite midday. He turned to -take one look at the mighty host he had brought -to sea. They were still following him faithfully.</p> - -<p>Then the light went out. He turned upon his -side and sank downward through the blue depths, -while the albicore held their way to the coral reefs -of the South Sea.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">225</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">227</span></p> - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="THE_NIBBLERS" title="The Nibblers">THE NIBBLERS</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_227" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.375em;"> - <img src="images/i_231.jpg" width="358" height="586" alt="THE NIBBLERS" /> - <div class="captionh"><i>The NIBBLERS</i></div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> “Nibblers” received their name -from Mr. Keon, second officer of the -steamship <i>Spitfire</i> of the Great American -Fruit Company’s line running to the tropics -for bananas. The family, commonly speaking, -were simply ship’s rats, but Mr. Keon was of a -romantic and discerning turn of mind, and after -making their acquaintance he christened them -comprehensively.</p> - -<p>To Mr. Keon they were much more than ordinary -rats. He knew the whole family intimately -from old Mrs. Nibbler, the mother, down to little -Tiny, the smallest and most timid youngster of -the lot, and to be known by the second officer -was a privilege not granted to all who came -aboard the fruit ship. He was a man who possessed -an enormous fund of material from which<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">228</span> -he could draw without effort for sea stories, and, -according to many authorities, consequently -possessed a large amount of “gray matter” in -his head. Whether this came outside in the form -of hair, or remained inside in the form of brains, -it is not necessary to inquire. He told the -story of “The Nibblers,” sitting one night on -the edge of the forward hatch with the full -tropic moon behind him and the soft wind of the -Florida Stream blowing the smoke from his pipe -away to leeward, and enough of it was remembered -to get his name down as that of a very remarkable -man.</p> - -<p>“Ye see,” said he, after we had been watching -the antics of a huge rat who was scampering -around the edge of the hatchway, “that feller -has got as much sense as you have. It’s ole -Toby, one o’ the old fellers what’s been aboard -this vessel since she carried her first cargo. He’s -a most uncommon old rat, an’ that’s a fact. He’s -as happy an ole raskil as ever haunted a ship’s -bilge, an’ he aint afeared o’ much. I seen him<span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">229</span> -chase a cat clean into the galley door onct, and -he would ha’ got her but fer the fool ‘doctor’ -heavin’ a pan at him. See how quick he kin -jump. Just look at them whiskers, hey?</p> - -<p>“I remember when I first seen him, away back -in the eighties, when Captain Jackson took command. -He ware a young feller then an’ the captain’s -wife used to come o’ evenings an’ sit on the -bridge jest over this forrad hatch. She ware a -fine-lookin’ gal, an’ that’s a fact, a heap finer-lookin’ -than the ole man. He warn’t nothin’ -much fer looks anyway, a little chap with a -squint an’ grizzled whiskers fer all the world like -ole Toby’s there, but he ware a terrier fer -handlin’ canvas in the ole days. I seen him onct—but -no matter, that aint got nothin’ to do with -what I’m goin’ to tell ye.</p> - -<p>“Ye see, the gal was mighty pretty. I don’t -know as I ever seen a woman as good-lookin’. She -had golden hair, an’ eyes as soft an’ blue——”</p> - -<p>“Go on with the yarn,” interrupted the -bos’n; “we’ll let the girl go.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">230</span> -Keon smoked on in silence after this as though -he had taken offense, but we soon saw by the look -of his eyes that he was far away from that fore -hatch.</p> - -<p>“The second mate used to sit right here,” he -went on at last, “an’ she would look over the -bridge rail on fine evenings an’ watch the Nibblers -goin’ an’ comin’ around this hole. Rats -is like all other animals, includin’ humans, in -respects to selections, an’ the way these fellows -would fight an’ scrap fer each other was somethin’ -funny to see. The biggest an’ strongest -rat would knock the other out an’ take up with -one o’ the young an’ frivolous females, jest like -it occurs in story books. He was the hero, big -an’ strong an’ fine-lookin’, an’ o’ course the gal -rat would care fer him like females care fer all -heroes. He was supposed to have all the fine -qualities o’ rat in his make-up, jest like a hero -has, an’ the way he would go a-scamperin’ around -after some little feller who wasn’t strong enough -to stand to him was funny to see. The captain’s<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">231</span> -wife used to come to the rail an’ look down an’ -watch them fer hours, an’ laugh an’ laugh when -some fellow like big Toby there would put the -rest out the way, an’ the second mate he would sit -there close by durin’ the dog-watch, an’ watch, -too, but he warn’t always lookin’ at the rats. -Then when he had to go on the bridge he had to -meet that queer little captain who waren’t no -bigger’n a good-sized mouse. He didn’t reach -much more’n up to the second mate’s shoulder. -Sometimes the young woman looked hard at the -two when they were together, an’ the skipper -would get nervous, fer he thought a lot o’ her—an’ -so did the second mate. The men forrads used -to notice a thing or two, an’ they called the skipper -‘Squeak Jackson,’ he was so little an’ small -in his voice. But he kept his temper an’ never -let on as to what he thought o’ his size, fer he -had been a good one.</p> - -<p>“Ye see, rats don’t have no consciences. -That’s where they differs with humans. Fools -don’t have none to speak on, but sometimes there<span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">232</span> -comes a time to most men when they wonders -what about the little feller what gets licked. It’s -all right in stories o’ love, and no one bothers at -the time about the weaklin’ who can’t hold his -own, but really when it comes down to hard fact -without all the romance o’ women in it, there’s -somethin’ sorrowful about the poor feller who -can’t hold his way agin the stronger one. He -aint done nothin’ wrong in bein’ weak, an’ he -was born that way, so why blame him fer it? -Sometimes it seems as if the world was wrong, -always goin’ sides with the fine, handsome hero -o’ the affair who can drive off the weaklin’ an’ -rescue the female. What about the feller who -was born weak an’ small, aint he got no feelin’s? -But nobody cares a rap fer him. It’s nature. -It shows humans are mostly animals, an’ as fer -me I sometimes feel I lost somethin’ by not bein’ -born a rat.</p> - -<p>“Ye see, the <i>Spitfire</i> was in the banana trade -then. Bananas are the devil to carry if they get -ripe on you, and get switchin’ around below. I<span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">233</span> -seen the banana slush four feet deep in the lower -hold, an’ ye know banana juice is about as acid -as anythin’ goin’, an’ it cuts iron into holes an’ -pits quicker’n you can tell o’ it. Ye got to be -mighty careful cleanin’ a banana ship’s bilge if -you don’t want her to get pitted, an’ her bottom -like a piece o’ blottin’ paper soft enough to poke -yer foot through with a kick. It takes a man -who knows how to take care o’ a banana ship to -keep her up!</p> - -<p>“I don’t know how rats come to be in ships, -but they come by the hundreds. Mebbe they -come in the fruit, or stores. Anyways, there -they be, an’ there’s no way to git rid o’ -them.</p> - -<p>“Ye see, there has to be a ceiling of wood in -an iron ship to keep the fruit off’n the plates, an’ -it’s in atween this that the little critters git. -They aint no more like a shore rat than you are. -They are all sailors, every one o’ them, an’ they -stan’ their watches same as you an’ me. You -see these fellers running around here now, but<span class="pagenum" id="Page_234">234</span> -there’s a lot more below that won’t come on deck -until I go below. Toby there is in my watch, -an’ I feed him. Them that aint in my watch -won’t come out till the bell strikes, an’ then they -peep up, an’ if they see the mate out they come -on deck an’ look fer the grub some fellers in his -watch fetches up now an’ then.</p> - -<p>“But what I was tellin’ was this. We took -aboard a lot o’ fresh ones down to Montego Bay, -an’ among ’em was that old fat female rat ye -see there sittin’ on the edge o’ the coamin’. She’s -the mother o’ half a hundred now, but when she -first come aboard she was a young an’ frisky rat -as ever you see. She’d been aboard a week or -two afore I noticed her, but on the way south -again, one night when we struck into the warm -water, I noticed her come on deck with a lot -more. It was just such a night as this an’ the -little skipper an’ his wife were on the bridge a-lookin’ -down at the black hole o’ the fore hatch. -Soon the gal made out the rats a-runnin’ an’ -jumpin’ around the opening an’ the second mate<span class="pagenum" id="Page_235">235</span> -sat there waitin’ fer the bells to strike afore he -went on watch.</p> - -<p>“That ole rat was skippin’ away from a whole -crowd o’ young rats what was a-followin’ her -around, an’ that big Toby there he was gettin’ -sort o’ interested. He was a young rat then, -ye see, an’ he looked on sort o’ solemn like fer -a while an’ let ’em skip around, but I seen that -he wasn’t goin’ to stand still long. Suddenly -he gave a squeak. Then the frolickin’ stopped -sudden like an’ Toby come forrads.</p> - -<p>“Well, sir, you may not believe it, but he went -straight up to that handsome young female an’ -said ‘How d’ye do’ as plain as ye please. I don’t -mean to say he spoke, but that was his action, -an’ no mistakin’, fer the pair stood nose to nose -fer the space o’ half a minute. Then they went -off together to another part o’ the deck, an’ ye -ought to seen how them other young rats took it. -It was comical an’ that’s a fact. He had done -the polite to that female rat an’ was gettin’ along -handsome’ an’ the gal above was laughin’ at it,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">236</span> -while the skipper walked athwartships an’ took -no notice.</p> - -<p>“Toby hadn’t been more’n two minutes with -his fair one when up comes a sassy-lookin’ rat, -about as big as a kitten. He was lookin’ fer -trouble, that rat, fer he jest walked right up an’ -lit into Toby without waitin’ fer further orders. -Sink me, if that weren’t a scrap. Ye never -would think them little critters would take on so. -A pair o’ bulldogs warn’t in it with them rats, -an’ the rest all crowded around, comin’ up -slowly, an’ lookin’ to see which one would do fer -the other.</p> - -<p>“Well, sir, the second mate sat still lookin’ -on, an’ the gal was lookin’ down from above over -the bridge rail. The night was bright enough -fer to see things pretty well on deck, an’ the gal’s -eyes showed interest. It was the same old story, -the choosin’ o’ the hero, only they was rats, an’ -there wasn’t no doubt that we wanted the best -one to win: him that was the biggest an’ strongest -an’ best-lookin’.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">237</span> -“It’s been a long time ago now, but ye would -think that ole rat would still have the marks o’ -that fight on him, an’ mebbe he has. They -grabbed at each other with them long teeth, an’ -I tell you they made the fur fly fer a few minutes. -The sassy big rat made a pass an’ grabbed Toby -by the leg, an’ sech a squealin’ ye never heard. -But that female rat sat quiet, an’ jest kept -lookin’ on, waitin’ fer the finish. Toby saw he -was in a bad fix. He was gettin’ the worst o’ the -fight, fer that rat had him fast enough by the -hind leg. It was up an’ down an’ all over the -deck forrads, the old fellow squealin’ an’ bitin’, -an’ that sassy-lookin’ rat jest holdin’ on fer further -orders. It looked blue fer Toby an’ he seen -somethin’ must be done sudden if he wanted that -fine female rat fer a side pardner down in the -bilge. He stopped his squealin’ an’ was quiet -fer a minute, thinkin’ an’ tryin’ to plan out some -kind o’ game fer to git away an’ get his grip on -that sassy rat that was slowly sawin’ his leg off. -All to onct he give a jerk. Then he bent his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">238</span> -body double an’ rolled on his back like a ball. -That brought his enemy up alongside him an’ -the next minute he was fast to him amidships, -gettin’ a good grip o’ the feller’s -belly.</p> - -<p>“I tell you he must have pinched right hard. -That sassy-lookin’ rat couldn’t stand the bite, an’ -let go the leg grip he had, squealin’ an’ twistin’ -to get away. But no sirree. Old Toby had him -fer sure this time, an’ he jest settled right down -to business, shakin’ an’ pullin’, fer there aint -nothin’ a rat kin stand less than a good shakin’. -Pretty soon the feller began to give up an’ try -to get away, squealin’ a different sort o’ squeal -from the sassy squeal he began with.</p> - -<p>“Then Toby goes fer him harder than ever, -but jest as he was tryin’ to get a new hold, the -fellow up an’ bolts fer the open hatchway, an’ -the fight was over. Then all hands scrambled -below, an’ Toby walks right up to the fine female -rat what was waitin’ fer him an’ they goes off together. -Then the gal on the bridge laughs right<span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">239</span> -out an’ says ‘Bully boy,’ an’ the second mate -looks up an’ sees the look in her eyes, an’—well, -I dunno, after that they used to come together -somehow until the skipper speaks up one day an’ -asks the second mate his business.</p> - -<p>“‘Ye seem to have too much to do,’ says he -one evenin’ to the second mate, ‘an’ if I was you -I’d keep more by meself, or mebbe I’ll take ye -in hand a bit.’</p> - -<p>“That second mate was thinkin’ o’ them rats, -an’ speaks up: ‘You kin try yer hand when we -gets in port. I’m an officer here an’ can’t get no -show, but on the beach I’ll take yer skin or I’m -a soger,’ says he.</p> - -<p>“An’ so the captain was too proud to take -advantage o’ his position, an’ waits until the -vessel was in at Port Antonio. Then he steps -ashore an’ tells the second mate to follow him an’ -take a lickin’.</p> - -<p>“Well, sir, there aint no use tellin’ how that -fight come off. It took three hours to put that -dinky little skipper temporarily to sleep, an’ the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">240</span> -fellers what seen the scrap tells a thing or -two about it,—but they was only niggers an’ -didn’t count. Anyways, the second mate was as -well pounded as a beefsteak, but he was a hero, -an’ that’s a fact. He was a pretty good sort o’ -man, an’ some says he was fairly good-lookin’. -Anyways, he was way ahead in looks o’ that -dinky little skipper, an’ the gal, I believe, -thought so too. Yessir, it ware the same ole -story o’ choosin’ the hero over again, jest like -it takes place in story books—only a bit different, -fer the gal was already married in this case, -an’ sech doin’s never is printed except in papers. -But that second mate, he ware the hero jest the -same.</p> - -<p>“When the <i>Spitfire</i> went to sea again there -was a mighty quiet sort o’ skipper aboard, an’ -a second mate who was a-lookin’ out fer squalls. -There was evidently goin’ to be a change aboard -at the end of the passage. But all the time that -gal she jest kept to herself, an’ by the look o’ -her eyes she ware tellin’ the second mate plainer<span class="pagenum" id="Page_241">241</span> -’n mud that he ware the man fer her. The dinky -little skipper could see it too.</p> - -<p>“The night she went to sea the second mate -was sittin’ on the edge o’ the hatchway here as -usual when it come on eight bells, an’ he seen all -that new load o’ rats a-gettin’ ashore fast. It -aint no good sign to see rats gettin’ out o’ a ship. -They generally leave afore she goes down, an’ -when the second mate seen them a-goin’ ashore -he was fer followin’ them. Then he thinks o’ -that gal again an’ stays, fer you may not believe -it, but ole Toby, there, an’ his mate wouldn’t go -ashore. They stays on deck at the last minute -when the second officer was gettin’ ready to clear -an’ when he seen it he says he’d stay too. It sort -o’ put him in mind o’ hisself.</p> - -<p>“It began to come on to blow the day after -we passed Cape Maysi. Ye know how it is in -the windward passage, so it didn’t bother us -much. But along about dark the glass began to -drop sudden like, until it got down about three -marks below where it ought to stayed. The air<span class="pagenum" id="Page_242">242</span> -was warm an’ sultry comin’ hot from the s’uthard. -The haze what comes with the hurricane -was raisin’ plain in sight, an’ the dinky little -skipper puts her head to the east’ard to clear the -center, fer it ware jest in our wake.</p> - -<p>“I seen it blow before, but sink me if ever it -blew anywhere’s like that. The sea ware jest -a roarin’ hill leapin’ up with a cross heave in it, -an’ the air was like a solid wall when it struck. -No, sir, ye couldn’t stand on the bridge. It -would have picked ye up bodily an’ hove ye overboard. -The roar ware deafenin’, an’ we hove -her to on the starboard tack to work clear, an’ -jest then, by some luck or other, she waded right -into the center o’ that whirl where the seas ware -jest standin’ right up on end.</p> - -<p>“Ye can’t do nothin’ with a ship caught in -the center of one o’ them circular storms. It -blows in sech squalls that there aint no way a -tellin’ which way it’s comin’, only it comes with -sech a mighty weight that no ship kin stan’ to -it. An’ the sea falls down on ye from anywhere<span class="pagenum" id="Page_243">243</span> -at all till the decks are under tons o’ water, -an’ everythin’ gone to the devil stove up.</p> - -<p>“The <i>Spitfire</i> ware knocked over in one o’ the -rushes o’ hot wind that ripped the funnel out o’ -her. Then an almighty sea broke right amidships -an’ tore the side o’ the house away an’ -flooded the engine room. It ware lookin’ kind -o’ bad fer us, an’ when the engineer come on deck -half drowned, an’ said the engine ware done fer -an’ the water a-comin’ in about two feet at a -jump, we made up our minds the ole ship ware -done fer, an’ the best thing ware to get clear as -soon as we could.</p> - -<p>“But no small boat could have lived in that -sea a minute. There wasn’t anything to do but -wait until the gale wore down, which it did after -about three hours of the heaviest blowin’ I ever -seen. Then she eased up an’ the ole ship was -jest decks out in a sea what would make yer hair -white to look at.</p> - -<p>“We made a lee o’ the side an’ lowered down -the boats before daybreak, that dinky little skipper<span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">244</span> -jest a-standin’ an’ lookin’ on an’ never a-sayin’ -a word.</p> - -<p>“The first officer he takes the first boat what -swings clear, an’ then the gal she looks down at -the second mate. He puts her in the next boat -an’ they lower it down an’ they scramble to get in, -fer the ship is wallowin’ in that nasty sea an’ feels -dead. Some fool fumbles the tackle an’ nearly -capsized the craft, but the second mate he grabs -the line in time to save it an’ she goes clear. The -men rush to find places, an’ then the second mate -stan’s there alone with that dinky little skipper, -who hasn’t spoken or moved from the chart-house -door.</p> - -<p>“It’s all mighty plain. The fellers from below, -white with scare an’ tremblin’ as they grab -the ship’s sides. Some pushes the others an’ then -they curse and swear to kill each other when -there aint enough breath in them to speak out -loud.</p> - -<p>“‘Be ye a-goin’ in that boat, sir?’ says the -second mate to his captain.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">245</span> -“‘Go an’ be d——d,’ says the dinky little -skipper.</p> - -<p>“An’ the second officer jumps in an’ the -painter is cast off. Then the little skipper stan’s -out an’ watches them slowly go away—watches -them drawin’ off further an’ further, an’ his -eyes is on the gal in the boat, an’ his hands is -folded on his breast. That’s the last they sees -o’ him as he stands there with the risin’ sun a-shinin’ -on him an’ the blue sea washin’ nigh up -to the ole hooker’s deck.</p> - -<p>“Fer seven days an’ nights the fellers in that -boat has a time with it. Then there comes a -ship bound in an’ takes ’em aboard, an’ in a few -days they finds themselves in New York, the -second mate an’ the gal hardly speakin’.</p> - -<p>“When they comes ashore the first man the gal -sees is that dinky little skipper a-waitin’ there on -the dock, jest as natural an’ chipper as if he -wasn’t the ugliest skipper ever in a decent ship. -An’ funniest of all she jest naturally goes an’ -flings herself at him like a dolphin at a bait,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">246</span> -landin’ right in his arms. Fer, ye see, that old -hooker <i>Spitfire</i> warn’t so badly used up as the -engineer thought, an’ when the sea went down -she didn’t make no more water to speak of. The -next mornin’ a vessel comes along an’ lends a -hand to the dinky little feller aboard, an’ pretty -soon the engine is a-goin’ an’ the ole ship is -headin’ away on her course with one o’ the company’s -ships alongside to see her through. -There aint no salvage to pay, an’ all is taut as -a gantline.”</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Keon stopped and knocked the ashes -from his pipe. The great rat he called Toby -scampered down the hatchway as the bells struck -off, warning us that the first watch was at -hand.</p> - -<p>“What became of the little captain?” asked -the bos’n.</p> - -<p>“Oh, that little feller got the finest ship in the -company’s fleet. He’s commodore now, ye see,” -said the second mate, “an’ we got ‘Peepin’ -Shaw’ in his place.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">247</span> -“Did they discharge the officers that deserted?” -asked a sailor.</p> - -<p>Mr. Keon looked sorrowfully at him and rose -from the hatchway. Then he stopped a moment -and fumbled his pipe.</p> - -<p>“D’ye think second officers sech as me are -plentiful abouts, hey?” he asked.</p> - -<p>He was a powerfully built man and showed to -some advantage in his working clothes of light -duck.</p> - -<p>“Second mates sech as me aint to be picked -up everywhere, ye might know, an’ this ship has -never had but one since she was launched,” and -he went on the bridge for his watch on deck.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_249">249</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_251">251</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="JOHNNY_SHARK" title="Johnny Shark">JOHNNY SHARK</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_251" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.75em;"> - <img src="images/i_255.jpg" width="364" height="594" alt="JOHNNY SHARK" /> - <div class="captionh">JOHNNY SHARK</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">In</span> the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean, -about six hundred miles to the eastward of -Cape St. Roque, rises the peculiar peak -called the St. Paul’s Rock. It is some sixty feet -above the sea level, and is a ragged granite point. -Within a cable’s length of it the bottom apparently -falls out of the ocean, for it takes nearly -three miles of piano wire with an enormous deep-sea -lead attached to find the half-liquid ooze below. -If the blue water were suddenly to subside -the tiny point of the St. Paul’s would present a -different appearance. It would then be the highest -pinnacle of a most colossal mountain.</p> - -<p>It is on the edge of the calm belt, close to the -equator, and the blue depths surrounding its -huge flanks are seldom, if ever, disturbed by a -storm. Only the steady trade swell rolling<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">252</span> -gently in upon its sides forms a white ring about -it, and the dull roar of the southern ocean is but -a low monotonous thunder that would hardly -frighten the timid flying fish.</p> - -<p>Besides this there is nothing save the occasional -snore of a sea breaking over a submerged -peak to disturb the silence; for here desolation -and loneliness reign supreme. It is as though a -bit of the Great Silence of the ocean bed were -raised up to be burned in the glare of the torrid -sunshine, and fanned by the breath of the unending -trade wind.</p> - -<p>But, if the peak is devoid of life, a look into -the beautiful blue abyss alongside shows a different -state. All kinds of shell-fish inhabit the -hospitable caverns beneath, and fish can be seen -darting here and there through the bunches of -seaweed. The busy coral works steadfastly at -his never-ending toil. The sea-crabs, star-fish, -and their myriad brethren are all visible.</p> - -<p>Sometimes a couple of albicore will dart past -below the surface, or a flash of white reveal the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">253</span> -quick strike of a dolphin, followed instantly by -a shower of glittering gems that break from the -surface and scatter,—the flying fish that have -escaped those rapid jaws.</p> - -<p>Then a huge dark shadow will rise slowly out -of the blue invisibility below, and all the smaller -fish will disappear. The shadow will take form, -and will be that of an old shark lazily policing -the rocks for pieces of the game that are deserted. -He is a large brute, but in spite of his -enormous fins and tail he is quite willing that -others shall do his work of the chase for him.</p> - -<p>If there happens to be an injured fish near, -the great tail will give one or two powerful -strokes, and chop! Those jaws, armed with half -a dozen rows of sawlike teeth, with the points of -those above fitting into the spaces between those -below, seldom have to strike twice.</p> - -<p>The first motion upon the part of the monster -is a signal which produces a strange effect. No -sooner has he bolted the game than from all -around rise dark-brown and gray shadows.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">254</span> -These congregate about him, and he lazily swims -away, leaving probably half a hundred of his relations -to search the clear depths for what might -be left.</p> - -<p>And such relatives! One has a head half a -fathom wide, his eyes peering wickedly from the -curving sides of his shovel-like nose. Another -has stripes like those of the tiger on land, and is -hardly less ugly in disposition. Let the old fellow -who first tackled the game get a slit in his -hide and the striped fellow see it. He will find -his affectionate relative’s knowledge of the fact -announced by a sudden chop. Then there will be -a general mix-up, and if he is still active and -strong enough he may live to dine upon the unsympathetic -cousin. But more than likely the -cousin will be re-enforced by a host of hungry -comrades, whose ideas of fair play are somewhat -biased by an uncontrollable appetite for anything -nutritious. If this is the case he will apparently -melt into that beautiful blue void about -him, leaving but a slight stain which will soon<span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">255</span> -disappear. It was here in these abodes of the -genus carcharodon that our hero was born.</p> - -<p>He was one of a school of six when he first saw -the light, and his five brothers and sisters were so -like him that the great mother shark could hardly -tell them apart. When she opened her enormous -mouth one day to receive them and give them -shelter while a desperate sword-fish swung his -weapon in her face, she made a miscount when -shutting her jaws, and one belated little fellow -was quickly swallowed by the insolent enemy. -The mother made a dash and chopped off a -piece of the sword-fish’s tail as he fled before her -wrath, but he escaped in spite of this.</p> - -<p>During his babyhood Johnny Shark had many -trials. There were the hideous little pilot fish to -deal with. They were always following him -around trying to rob him of his rights. Then -his brothers also lacked in unselfishness, and he -fought them, one and all, from the beginning, -until his disposition became somewhat combative.</p> - -<p>During this period of his life his skin was of a<span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">256</span> -most beautiful velvety gray, shading to white -on his belly. His hard bony lips formed a sheath -for his cutters, and they fitted in behind them -as snug as a sword in a scabbard. They were -very small, but the same shape as his mother’s -triangles, and he could work them on their bases -as though hinged in his jaws. He was but little -more than a foot in length, and he kept close to -his mother’s side, ready to shelter should a -fierce albicore or any of the giant mackerel tribe -take a notion that he would make a good meal.</p> - -<p>And yet he could venture deep in the shadow -of the mountain defiles, where in some of the huge -caverns gigantic, many-armed monsters, with -huge beaks and eyes a foot in diameter, lay waiting, -seizing whatever unfortunate fish happened -within the sweep of their snaky tentacles. In -fact all around him was an eternal war. Everything -seemed to be fighting with everything else -and only the luckiest and most powerful beings -seemed to last many changes of the moon.</p> - -<p>As for his brothers and sisters they were like<span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">257</span> -himself, keeping close to his mother, and ready -for a refuge within her huge jaws at the first -sign of an approaching enemy.</p> - -<p>As he grew slowly he began to develop a wandering -spirit. He would leave the protecting -shadow of his mother when she would float lazily -upon the surface, and explore the ragged fringe -of foam to see what might be had in the way of -diversion. Once a great bonita made a dash at -him, but he saw him coming in time, and turning -he chopped him savagely. The taste of -blood seemed to invigorate him, for he hung -fiercely upon his now fleeing enemy until he tore -away, leaving a mouthful of himself in the -tightly locked jaws. He was too lazy to follow -up his victory. A fat porpoise chased his -wounded assailant until he conquered him and -made him his meal.</p> - -<p>In fact, he seldom cared for violent exercise, -and could hardly understand the foolish savagery -of some of the warmer-blooded denizens -about him. When he fought he generally made<span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">258</span> -a sure thing of it. He would take no chances -where a wound or exhaustion meant certain -death. There were plenty of small rockfish -that were too stupid to run when he approached, -and he could always get enough of them without -playing the game of death for the pleasure of it.</p> - -<p>Once a school of giants came to the Rocks, and -he lay in the shadow of a crag wondering at their -size. They were sperm whales, and their leader -was an enormous old fellow whose fat sides were -studded with barnacles. These seemed to -trouble him, and he would roll slowly up to a -peak near the surface where the sunlight filtered -down through the blue, and rub his belly for -hours at a time, scraping off thousands of the -parasites. Then the stupid little fishes would -dart out from their hiding places to catch them, -and he would dash among them before they could -get back again. While the monsters lay near the -Rocks a very long and thin relative of Johnny’s -mother paid them a visit. His tail was enormous, -and it was evident he was fast. He seemed to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">259</span> -have some business with his parent, for soon -afterwards she followed him off to sea where one -of the whales lay sleeping with the water breaking -gently over her back.</p> - -<p>When they were close to her they made a sudden -dash, the lean shark leaping high in air and -falling with a tremendous whack upon the sleeping -victim, while his mother chopped her savagely -in the sides. It was all so sudden he hardly -had time to get away, for in an instant the sleeping -whale awoke and tore the sea into foam with -her flukes.</p> - -<p>His mother, however, heeded the outfly but -little and held gamely on. The whale tried -to turn and seize her in the long thin jaw that -was studded with enormous teeth, but nothing -could dislodge the grip of her triangles. And all -the time the thin fellow in company would throw -himself in the air and smash the whale terrific -blows with his lean tail.</p> - -<p>The noise must have been an uproar, for in a -very few minutes the great leader who had been<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">260</span> -rubbing his belly came plunging through the -water towards them, leaving a great path of -white foam to mark his course.</p> - -<p>Then the whale sounded, carrying his mother -out of sight below. Instead of following, the -thresher shark dodged the great bull leader and -made off, leaving the mother shark to get away -as best she could.</p> - -<p>She came up with the whale half a mile away, -and then finding herself deserted she let go and -started to make off. As she did so she encountered -the big bull coming after her. She ducked -from his bite, but he smote her such a blow with -his flukes as she dodged past that she was hardly -able to escape.</p> - -<p>The next day she grew weaker, and a sword-fish, -seeing her, gave her a final taste of his -weapon, and began to chop her up. Instead of -driving him away, several other sharks, that now -appeared, openly joined him in accomplishing -her destruction, and soon she disappeared entirely.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_261">261</span> -With no protection save his own teeth, the -little shark now went his way among the peaks. -Deep down in the blue abyss he would sink until -the terrible pressure would force him up again -to the world of sunlight. Sometimes he would -stay for hours a mile or more down in caverns -and caves of the mountain side, guided alone by -the sense of smell and that delicate sense of feeling -peculiar to his kind. Each and every motion -of the sea caused a vibration that instinct -explained. Once a huge arm reached out from a -hiding place and circled him within its embrace, -but before it could draw him in he had chopped -it in two, and leisurely ate what remained as he -swam on.</p> - -<p>He was growing strong now, and his triangular -teeth developed saw edges, making the most -perfect cutting machines possible to devise. His -skin was tough and coarse, a bony substance -forming upon it that made it almost tooth-proof -to ordinary fish.</p> - -<p>He developed a roving disposition, and the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_262">262</span> -vicinity of the great mountain became too well -known. He started off to the westward where -the sun seemed to sink in a deep golden-red -ocean, and he cruised along near the surface, his -dorsal fin and tip of tail just awash.</p> - -<p>Out upon the lonely ocean he quickened his -movement. There was nothing, nothing but the -never-ending sea ahead, with the soft murmur of -the trade wind turning the glistening surface a -darker blue, while from miles and miles away to -windward came the low song of the South Sea.</p> - -<p>On and on he went until hunger made him look -about for a victim. He was not particular as to -who or what this creature might be, for his own -powers produced an apathy of fear for all dangerous -denizens of the deep. He was changing -now, and no longer shunned a conflict with anything -that formerly might have wounded his soft -sides.</p> - -<p>One day a whale passed in his wake. The huge -bulk of the creature might have appalled any -fish, but he was hungry, and the fat blubber was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_263">263</span> -tempting. His own three fathoms of lean, hard -flank seemed meager enough.</p> - -<p>With a quick movement he turned and made -straight for the cachalot. The monster opened -his mouth by dropping his long, thin under jaw, -and made a chop at him, but he swerved and sank -his triangles deep in the blubber of the animal’s -neck, covering a good hundred pounds of him.</p> - -<p>The whale plunged wildly, lashing right and -left with his powerful tail, finally throwing himself -clear of the sea and falling again with a -stupendous crash. But the shark held grimly -on. Rolling over and over the animal tried to -throw himself clear of that grip. The blubber -was tearing out in a huge ribbon where the triangles -had cut it clear, and the blood was showing -upon the white fat. The sea was a surf upon -a submerged reef. And all the time the shark -jerked and wrenched, dodged and pulled until -the huge mouthful came clear.</p> - -<p>Quickly the whale turned to chop with that -long jaw studded with huge points of ivory.<span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">264</span> -Quicker still slewed the shark. The whale missed, -and the shark again sank those terrible cutters -deep in the hole already made in the animal’s -neck. This time it was flesh that felt the bite, -and the pain maddened the leviathan. With a -bellow like a bull he started off, dragging the -shark along with him as though he had been but -a tiny pilot fish.</p> - -<p>On and on the great whale tore, while the -shark hung helpless by his side. The whale was -doing all the work, and all he had to do was to -hold on. Gradually the pace eased a little, and -finally stopped. Then down, straight down into -the abyss below, plunged the leviathan.</p> - -<p>But even here the shark still held his grip. -The pressure became enormous in that cold -blackness, but he could stand it as well as the -monster.</p> - -<p>Then, after an hour of twisting and rolling, -they came quickly to the surface again, the whale -somewhat tired. Now was the shark’s chance. -Letting go his hold he made a sudden fresh chop<span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">265</span> -to tear the bite out, and he backed away with a -huge piece of flesh. The whale turned as quickly -as possible, but he was tired now, and the shark -chopped him again and again, savagely tearing -out great pieces of blubber and beef.</p> - -<p>The sea was dyed red, and the surging of -flukes and threshing about brought several wandering -sharks from the depth to see what it all -meant. One of these, a huge killer, joined the -fight against the whale, and soon he also chopped -and tore the wound into a great hole. The fight -now became general, as the strangers took a -hand. The worried whale rolled and smote right -and left, but our shark tore him deeper and -deeper.</p> - -<p>One of the newcomers ventured across the -whale’s head, and was promptly seized in the -long thin jaw that swung up and cut him in -halves. All except the first assailant left the -whale to eat the unfortunate shark, and the two -fighters were alone again for some minutes.</p> - -<p>The whale now became weaker, and except for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_266">266</span> -an occasional lunge lay quietly beating the sea -with his flukes.</p> - -<p>The shark now began to bolt large pieces of -him at his leisure, and the rest seeing him at -work came sneaking back again. They formed a -circle around the dying monster, and rushed in -and chopped him whenever they dared. In a -little while he began swimming slowly in a circle, -and then finally stopped. He gave one final sidelong -blow with his flukes that broke every bone -in a shark’s body that happened in its way. Then -he lay still and rolled upon his sides. He was -dead. And now from the lonely depths where -all was apparently a void, the scavengers came -sneaking forth.</p> - -<p>Big sharks and little sharks, hammerhead -and shovel-nose, all began to circle about the -huge carcass, and watch for a place to chop a -piece of blubber out. They crowded and jostled -each other, and sometimes even fought for a -place alongside. Above them the whale-birds -screamed and squawked as they hovered and lit<span class="pagenum" id="Page_267">267</span> -for an instant to tear at the juicy covering of the -carcass.</p> - -<p>Our fighter had by this time gorged himself -with several hundred pounds of whale beef, and -being tired from the exertion of the encounter, -he swam slowly away.</p> - -<p>In the following weeks of cruising he found -smaller game, but he now felt a contempt for all -other creatures. He had vanquished the largest -animal alive, and the feeling that he could conquer -anything made him slow to tackle smaller -fish.</p> - -<p>For months he cruised to the westward and -skirted the shores of the continent, finding -enough to eat around the river mouths. In one -harbor where there was much offal he lived for -several years, only going to sea for a draught of -fresh salt water now and then. He grew steadily -in size until he reached full twenty feet in -length.</p> - -<p>His hide was now of a dull grayish-brown, -shading to white on his belly. Upon it the little<span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">268</span> -hard lumps of bony substance thickened. His -jaws were nearly three feet wide, and he now had -six rows of triangles, the outside and largest -being over an inch on a side clear of the gums. -His eyes were large and bright, and his nose -broad and sensitive.</p> - -<p>Several ugly little fish followed him around -wherever he went. They had flat tops to their -heads, and looked like black corrugated chunks -of rubber with tails to them, the corrugated part -of their heads being on top. With these slits -they sucked strongly to the shark when he swam, -making him tow them about without any exertion -on their part. His hide, however, was too -thick to mind a little thing like that, and he -finally came to know each one so well by sight -that he never made a chop at them. They were -about the only living things he let pass him.</p> - -<p>As time passed he developed a taste for company. -A desire to meet his kind came upon him, -and he left the lazy life in the harbor and went -to sea again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">269</span> -He traveled through the West Indies, and -there one bright hot day on the reef he met a -shark that appeared most friendly. It was a -new feeling that came upon him at the meeting, -a desire to live in the companionship of the -stranger for a time. He even found himself letting -her take the first choice of some barracuda -he had killed, and from one thing leading to another -he waxed very affectionate.</p> - -<p>They traveled together during a moon, and -then they found a warm spot on the Bahama -Bank where the hot stream flowed past beautiful -coral hills that rose from the blue depths.</p> - -<p>Here they lingered for some time, his mate -giving birth to five soft-skinned little sharks. -He was not much interested in this and once made -a chop at one of the youngsters, cutting him in -half.</p> - -<p>For this his mate made a chop at him, and -nearly cut off his side fin. Then, finding that -everything was not as pleasant as it had seemed, -he cruised away again to the southward.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_270">270</span> -One day he came to a queer thing floating -upon the water. It was not unlike a whale as -viewed from underneath, but every now and then -a peculiar creature with arms and legs swaying -wildly, dropped from it and went to the bottom. -Then, staying but a moment to collect some shell-fish, -it would rise again to the surface.</p> - -<p>This interested him, and he lay by watching. -Then, the smell of these creatures being somewhat -appetizing, he made a dash at one as he -arose.</p> - -<p>He came to the surface with the man in his -jaws, and he saw the whalelike object was full -of similar animals. They shouted and made a -great noise when they saw their fellow chopped -in halves and carried away by him.</p> - -<p>Now the taste of this peculiar creature was -very good—much better, in fact, than the fish -he had been eating. For a long time after his -meal he waited a few fathoms below the surface, -hoping another would descend.</p> - -<p>Finally, he noticed a long line trailing away<span class="pagenum" id="Page_271">271</span> -from the floating thing above. He watched it -and smelled it, and found there was something -tied to the end. He was a little afraid that there -was something wrong with that line and a sudden -fear came upon him. He hesitated. Then -his old careless spirit came back, and he nosed -the bait, finding it some kind of flesh he had -never tasted before. He pushed it about while -the instinctive fear of the peculiar smell held -him. Then he made a chop and bolted the lump.</p> - -<p>The line, however, would not cut. He chopped -and chopped, again and again, backing away, -but to no purpose.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the line became taut. A sharp pain -struck him in the throat, and he knew he was fast -to the line by some sharp thing in the flesh he -had bolted.</p> - -<p>He became panic-stricken and fled away. But -no sooner would he forge ahead a few fathoms -than that line would draw so tight the pain was -unbearable. He would be slowly and surely -pulled back again.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">272</span> -This lasted for some minutes, and then his old -spirit of apathy came upon him, and he allowed -the line drag him where it chose, while he -held it like a vice in his jaws.</p> - -<p>Soon he found himself at the surface, and the -strange creatures like the one he had eaten made -a great noise. There were several flashes like -lightning, only not so bright, and with the noise -like thunder he felt heavy blows upon his head. -He made a desperate dash away, and tore the -line slack for many fathoms, but the pain in -his throat stopped him from going farther. -Then he was lifted slowly back to the surface -again.</p> - -<p>There he lay a huge, dark shadow under the -clear water. He was growing faint and dizzy -from the blows upon his head, and the last he -saw of the bright sunlight was the blue water -foaming about him, and a row of eyes looking -over the edge of the floating thing.</p> - -<p>They passed a bowline over his tail and hitched -the throat-halliard block to it. Then they<span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">273</span> -hoisted him tail first into the air, and cut the -hook from his mouth. A diver cut off his tail -and hung it on the jib-boom end for luck. Later -they cut him adrift and he sank slowly down to -the white coral below, lying there upon his side, -a grisly sight. The shadow above disappeared, -and then the scavengers of the reef came creeping -up to do their work.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_275">275</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_277">277</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="A_TRAGEDY_OF_THE_SOUTH_ATLANTIC" title="A Tragedy of the South Atlantic">A TRAGEDY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_277" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.5625em;"> - <img src="images/i_281.jpg" width="361" height="591" alt="A TRAGEDY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC" /> - <div class="captionh">A TRAGEDY OF THE SOUTH ATLANTIC</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">The</span> whaling schooner <i>Erin</i> was a modern -vessel. She had a little of the “old -greaser” about her. She had been -built and fitted out at New Bedford, Mass., -the mother-port of nearly all good whaling -craft, and she was manned by men who had -served their time in whaling ships. Her tonnage -was not over three hundred, but she was so -strongly put together that she looked somewhat -heavier than she really was. Her bow was like -that of a clipper, and her stern had the modern -overhang of a cruising yacht, but her beam was -great and her top-sides bulky, showing a tumble-home -like that of the ancient frigates. Therefore, -she was not considered fast. Her spars -were short and stumpy, and she had no foreboom,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_278">278</span> -owing to chunky smokestack that arose from -her main deck, over which the foresail passed. -She was flushed fore and aft, save for a heavy-built -superstructure over her engines, through -which the smokestack protruded, and it was evident -that she could stand a great amount of -rough usage. Being built for southern whaling -in the vicinity of Cape Horn, she needed all the -strength that could be put into her, and Captain -Jackson, her commander, always kept her down -to a draught of fifteen feet, even when running -light, to enable her to hold up to the tremendous -rolling seas off the Cape. Forward, she carried -a peculiar sort of cannon on her forecastle, which -fired an exploding harpoon weighing a hundred -pounds, heavy enough to put a quietus upon any -ordinary member of the whale family. Her boats -and other gear were of the usual type; but, as -she was not to carry oil, either in bulk or casks, -her deck was devoid of the ordinary furnace of -the sperm-whaler, and her hold of the odor which -comes from the usual mass of rancid blubber<span class="pagenum" id="Page_279">279</span> -when packed for a long voyage from the Arctic -Ocean, in vessels hunting the right whale. She -was, in fact, a stanch, trim little vessel. Her -crew of thirty men had been selected and shipped, -and Captain Jackson cleared for his last cruise.</p> - -<p>When well off shore, the boiler was cooled and -sails set, for there must be no waste of coal, and -the <i>Erin</i> stood to the southward on her long run -to the Falkland Islands, where she would begin -her hunt for the giants of the southern ocean.</p> - -<p>The run south was made without any unusual -experience. On the sixty-first day out she raised -the huge mountains of Patagonia to the westward, -and, shortening sail so as to drift not over -four knots an hour, she hauled on the wind and -stood through the “black water” between the -Falk Islands and Staten Land.</p> - -<p>In December and January, the Antarctic summer -months, the air is quite cold as far north -as the fiftieth parallel. The “blow” of a -whale stands out sharply against the sky as the -warm air in the animal’s lungs turns into vapor,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_280">280</span> -giving the hunter a chance to see it at a distance -of several miles. Objects seem to lift from off -the horizon as in a mirage, only they are not inverted.</p> - -<p>Here, in the summer season, the great rorqual, -or finback whale, disports himself in ease and -security, for, until lately, he has had few known -enemies, and has been unmolested by man. Dozens -of these great creatures often follow a huge -bull leader, and they jump and plunge about as -lively as they would if their weight were reckoned -in pounds instead of tons.</p> - -<p>The huge, timid creature who led a school -under the shadow of Tierra del Fuego, that season, -was a giant of his kind. One hundred feet -of solid bulk was between the tips of his tremendous -flukes and the end of his hideous head. A -hundred tons of bone and sinew, covered with a -coating of thin blubber, to keep out the cold of -the icy seas.</p> - -<p>His head was ugly and flat-looking, and his -mouth a hideous cavern, full of slabs of whalebone,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_281">281</span> -from which depended masses of horrible -hair to act as a sieve for the whale-food poured -down his gullet. His back slanted away to a -place amidships, where a lumpy knob rose, as if -he were a hunchback, and from there aft he -sloped in long and sinuous lines to the spread of -his tail or flukes, which were fully two fathoms -across. The blades of the <i>Erin’s</i> wheel were not -nearly so large or so powerful as the blades of -bone and cartilage that drove him ahead through -the yielding medium, or raised the tons of flesh -and blood to a height that showed a full fathom -or more of clear sky under his thin belly when -he breached. He was a giant, a descendant -from prehistoric ages when monsters of his kind -were more common than they are to-day. It is -doubtful if ever anything existed in flesh or blood -of greater size.</p> - -<p>How old the giant was no one could learn. His -age could hardly have been less than two centuries, -for whales grow slowly. They are like -other warm-blooded animals, and it takes many<span class="pagenum" id="Page_282">282</span> -years to build up a mass of a hundred tons of -flesh fiber. He was known to Captain Jackson, -who had seen him on former voyages, but as yet -he had not made his acquaintance; for, in spite -of the old whale’s size and age, he was very timid. -He would rush from a pair of fierce “killers,”—the -dreaded sharks who attack toothless whales,—and -only his tremendous size and activity -would prevent them from following him. Consequently, -whenever Jackson lowered his small -boats, with the intention of making him a visit, -the old fellow would wait only long enough to -allow the boats to approach within fifty fathoms -of him. Then he would begin to edge away, and, -before the whale-gun could be brought to bear, -he would be in full flight to windward, his flock -or school following in his wake. Many were the -maledictions cast upon him by the whalemen, -whose tired muscles bore witness to his speed, -and, finally, he was left alone to roam at will in -the “black water.” Where he went to, at the -beginning of winter, it was impossible to tell,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_283">283</span> -but, at the first easterly blow, he would disappear, -bound for other parts, leaving nothing -behind but a crew of angry sailors, and taking -with him the memory of an undisturbed old -age.</p> - -<p>On that December morning, when Captain -Jackson hauled on the wind and stood offshore, -the sun shone brilliantly. The wind was light -and from the southwest, and objects stood up -plainly from the sea. The lookout at the masthead -had just been relieved, when the time-worn -cry of “blo-o-ow” reached the deck. Away to -the southward rose the jets, looking almost as -high as water spouts, as the warm vapor condensed -in the cool air. It was a large school, or, -more properly speaking, herd, for a finback is -no more a fish than is a cow. Jackson came on -deck and watched the blows, counting them over -and over to get the exact number of his game. -Whalebone at so much a ton was within easy distance, -and it looked as if a few thousand dollars’ -worth of the substance would find its way<span class="pagenum" id="Page_284">284</span> -below hatches by dinner time. The forward gun -was overhauled and the line and harpoon cleared, -the latter being charged with a heavy load of -powder. The explosion would open the huge -barbs of the harpoon and drive them deeper into -the monster, expanding in his flesh, making it -absolutely impossible to withdraw them by pulling -on the line. They would not hunt him after -the manner of the tame and harmless sperm -whale, that can be killed with about as much ease -as a cow in a pasture, in spite of all the sailors’ -yarns to the contrary.</p> - -<p>The whales paid no attention whatever to the -schooner. They played a quiet, frolicsome -game, breaching and sounding, and coming often -to the surface to breathe. There were some -young ones among them, and the huge leader, -the giant bull, seemed to take a special pride in -one whose antics were more pronounced than the -rest. He would come near it and seem almost to -touch it gently with his side flipper, and the little -fellow would make a breach clear out of the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_285">285</span> -water, apparently with pure joy at the notice -bestowed. Then he would come alongside the big -fellow and snuggle up to him in a most affectionate -manner, and the giant would roll toward him -and put out his great arm or flipper, as if to bestow -a caress. He was a very affectionate old fellow, -and, as the vessel drew nearer, his size and -actions were remarked by the mate, who called -the skipper’s attention to them. Just then the -great whale breached, and the sun, striking -fairly upon his dark side, showed several deep -lines that looked like huge scars. His long, thin -shape and hideous head were plainly outlined -against the sky, and, as he struck, the sea resounded -with the crash. He disappeared, and -the little fellow breached and followed him.</p> - -<p>“That’s the big coward, the leader,” said -Jackson. “You kin tell him by them cuts he has -in his sides, an’ there aint nothin’ bigger afloat. -He is an old one and wary. You wouldn’t think -a whale with them scars on him would be scared -at a little boat, hey? Them was cut a long time<span class="pagenum" id="Page_286">286</span> -ago, mebbe, but they were done in a fight sech as -ye’ve never seen.”</p> - -<p>“Mebbe he got licked?” suggested the mate.</p> - -<p>“He wouldn’t be here if he had,” said Jackson. -“Howsomever, here he is, and it’s our business -to get him and cut him up, if we kin.”</p> - -<p>To stop the leader of the whales was the object, -for, if he was held, the rest would either -scatter or await developments. In either case -they would not get very far away, and could be -reckoned with afterwards. The <i>Erin</i> was held -pointed toward the spot where the whale was -expected to rise, and the mate went forward and -stood behind the gun with the harpoon loaded in -it, and ready for a shot as soon as he should come -within twenty fathoms. The old coward, however, -had seen the approaching ship, and, with a -peculiar movement of his flukes upon the water, -he gave the signal for danger.</p> - -<p>Somewhere in that oily brain the memory of -his past life was stored in a strangely simple but -vivid manner. He remembered, although he was<span class="pagenum" id="Page_287">287</span> -unable to reason it all out like the human being -who hunted him; but, a thousand moons before, -he had gone forth in the ocean from his birthplace -in the South Pacific, and had held his way -proudly and with force. Fiercely he had fought -for everything he took of the world’s belongings, -and the joy of battle had run warm in his blood. -It had surged through his great frame at the -sight of a stranger, and he had striven and conquered -all who had opposed him or refused to do -his will. Many had died, for a sea fight is usually -to the death, and the strangeness of the passion -had gradually worked its way into the old -mind, and he held aloof. The experience of a -hundred years taught him something. The oily -brain learned slowly. The instinct, or feeling, -had gradually come upon him that to fight is a -great waste of energy, for life was more pleasant -in the companionship of his many wives and -young ones, and continual strife was not the -right thing. To avoid it, if possible, was the -thought uppermost in his old head; so, when he<span class="pagenum" id="Page_288">288</span> -saw the approaching schooner, he gave a warning -stroke upon the sea.</p> - -<p>Instantly all the whales sounded.</p> - -<p>But Captain Jackson was an old whaleman. -He was after whales, and he had come thousands -of miles to hunt them. The animals must come -up again, soon, and to be near the spot where -they would reappear would probably mean a capture. -With a keen sense of reasoning, the bull -knew that bodies that travel through the air must -necessarily be retarded by the wind. Therefore, -to windward he led the herd, and Jackson -did not underestimate his cunning. With fires -started under the boiler, the <i>Erin</i> held her way -straight into the eye of the breeze, and the mate -leaned over the forecastle rail, gun-lanyard in -hand, peering into the clear depths for the dark -shadow below that would show the presence of a -rising monster. Jackson stood at the wheel with -the signal pull in his hand, waiting to “shake her -up” at the first sign of the game. The wheel -turned slowly below, and the slight jar of machinery<span class="pagenum" id="Page_289">289</span> -vibrating the hull was the only sound -save the stirred water abaft the rudder from -the thrust of the screw, gurgling and murmuring -in a soft undertone.</p> - -<p>The whalemen were gathered about the forecastle -head, or stood near the boat falls, ready -to lower away at a signal, and secure their victim. -The sun shone strongly, and objects were visible -at a great depth below the surface of the sea. -Ten minutes passed, and Jackson was getting -nervous. He had tried to gauge the rapidity of -the old bull’s headway through the water, and -had figured that he would come up somewhere -in the vicinity of the vessel on her course. But -not a sign of a whale had shown, and ten minutes -had passed. They must be badly gallied, indeed, -to stay under much longer. The old bull was -cunning; but he, Jackson, knew a thing or two. -It was pitting the old brain of an animal with -a century or two of experience against that of -an old man with keen intelligence. The skipper -felt confident. He would take a long shot at the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_290">290</span> -big fellow, and, once fast to him, whalebone -would be plentiful for a few days. While the -mate was leaning over the rail forward, looking -down into the depths, he noticed a sudden darkening -of the water just ahead of the vessel. He -sprang to the cannon and stood ready to fire. -The great shadow rose toward the surface, and -the men saw instantly that it was a huge whale. -Jackson was right, to a hair. The great bull -was coming up under the jib-boom end. A man -raised his hand aloft and gave a low cry, while -the rest stood back from the gun to escape the -shock of the heavy discharge and powder-blast. -Jackson rushed to the rail and leaned over.</p> - -<p>But the great shadow did not materialize into -anything more. It remained deep down beneath -the surface, fully twenty feet below, and, as the -schooner forged ahead, it drifted alongside, a -few fathoms distant. The signal was made to -stop the engines, and both the schooner and the -whale lay quietly drifting, the animal deep down -and perfectly safe from a shot.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_291">291</span> -“It’s the coward, all right,” said Jackson, -coming to the mate’s side; “that big coward bull -what won’t show up for nothin’. I never seen -sech a scary whale. Look at him—sink me, jest -look at him! Blamed if he didn’t wink at me. -Will ye look at that eye?”</p> - -<p>The old whale was lying almost motionless, -and his eye could be seen distinctly. He was -watching the vessel carefully, and the rippling -water from the bends actually did give him the -appearance of opening and closing one eye as -the waves of light flashed upon it. He seemed to -be very much absorbed in profound contemplation -of the ship. Perhaps he had not expected -to find her so close aboard when he intended to -breach for a breath of air. However, there was -plenty of time. Breathing was something he -was not obliged to indulge in more than once -every half-hour or two, and he would not come -up until he had put a little more distance between -himself and the vessel. All hands were peering -over the side at him when, suddenly, several<span class="pagenum" id="Page_292">292</span> -blows sounded close aboard. All about, jets of -spray and vapor shot skyward, and fully a dozen -whales breached and then disappeared again. -The mate rushed for the gun and Jackson -sprang to the engine signal, while the second -and third officers, “bos’n,” harpooners, and the -rest, ran for their gear. When they looked over -the side again the shadow of the giant had disappeared, -and the sea was as quiet as a lake. In -a few minutes a huge form breached about a -quarter of a mile ahead—the bull had breathed, -and was quietly going to windward. The animals -were not badly gallied as the word is applied -to thoroughly frightened whales. They had -gone along at a steady, but not fast, gait, and -had come up together as if at a signal. The -schooner was not troubling them very much, and -the sea was wide. There was room enough for -all.</p> - -<p>The high, grim cliffs of Staten Land rose -higher and higher as the morning wore on. The -<i>Erin</i> was heading inshore, still pointing into the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_293">293</span> -breeze, and now and then a great spurt of foam -and a blow would show where the whales led the -way straight ahead.</p> - -<p>“Of all the low-lived critters I ever see, that -cowardly bull air the meanest,” said Jackson, -after seven bells had struck; “but I’ll fix him, if -I chase him clear to ’Frisco. I won’t mind burning -a few tons o’ coal fer him. Put an extra -charge of powder in behind that iron, and loose -off at him when we come within thirty fathom.”</p> - -<p>“Looks like he’ll be a-climbing the mounting -ahead thar in a minute,” said the mate, motioning -toward the high and ragged hills which rose -out of the sea.</p> - -<p>“We’ll strike ile in half an hour, or I’m a -sojer,” said the skipper decisively. “You tend -ter yer own, and don’t give no advice, an’, if -there’s any climbin’ to be done, I’ll do it.”</p> - -<p>The animals still held along inshore, and it -looked as if they would soon be in shallow water. -The leadline was gotten out when the vessel came -within half a mile of the rocks, and a sounding<span class="pagenum" id="Page_294">294</span> -was taken. No bottom was found at fifty -fathoms, and she was allowed to drift further in, -her engines barely turning fast enough to give -her steering way. The land was very near, and -Jackson was nervous. The heavy snore of the -swell upon the ledges sounded plainly over the -sunlit sea, and every now and then a spurt of -foam showed that, although the ocean was calm, -there were heavy breakers falling upon the shore, -caused by the lift of the offshore heave. That -barren island was not an inviting coast, and to -strike upon a sunken ledge would mean disaster. -Jackson stood upon the poop, with his hand upon -the signal, ready to reverse the engines and -swing clear, when there seemed to be a slowing -down in the movements of the game ahead. Then -the water whitened about the ship, and the cause -became evident. They were running through a -great mass of whale-food, and the tiny gelatinous -bodies were so thick that the color of the sea -was changed by them. Jackson rang off the -engine.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_295">295</span> -“We’ve got ’em now,” he said quietly, and -watched the surface of the ocean.</p> - -<p>The big bull whale had run into the mass of -food, and had slowed down a little to allow quantities -of it to pour down his gullet. There was -no unseemly haste in getting away from the pursuing -stranger. He would suddenly slew to the -southward, when he reached four or five fathoms -of water, and then the pace could be increased -until the following craft would be dropped behind. -He was a cool-headed old bull, and there -was no occasion for nervousness—all would have -gone well with the whole herd, if it had not been -for a willful young cow.</p> - -<p>As the <i>Erin</i> slowed down the whales ahead -were swimming upon the surface, taking in the -food in enormous quantities, apparently enjoying -their dinner, and showing no interest in the -vessel that held along, with her sinister purpose, -in their wake. She barely rippled the water, as -she went through it, and Mr. Collins, the mate, -stood behind the gun on the forecastle, with the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_296">296</span> -lanyard in his hand, ready to fire at any back -that might break water within thirty fathoms. -The rest crowded about the rail and waited, some -standing by the line, ready to snub it as soon -as a stricken animal should become weak enough -to allow them.</p> - -<p>The young cow that lagged behind the rest -was not very large, but she had a thousand -pounds or more of good bone in her mouth, and -she had breached dead in front of the vessel, with -her tail toward it. The bull saw the distance -gradually closing between his followers and the -ship, and he gave again that peculiar stroke with -his flukes which meant danger. All save the lagging -whale instantly sounded. She was enjoying -the food, and failed to regard the signal, -and the <i>Erin</i>, going up astern, quietly approached -her.</p> - -<p>On account of a whale’s peculiar development, -it is difficult for it to see directly ahead or astern, -and an object approaching exactly in line can -do so quite often without being perceived until<span class="pagenum" id="Page_297">297</span> -within close range. The schooner came drifting -slowly down upon the animal, and was within -thirty fathoms, when the big bull suddenly -breached a short distance ahead, the little fellow -who had been under his care being with him. -Again he gave the sea a heavy blow with his -flukes and disappeared, and nothing broke the -smooth surface.</p> - -<p>But the young cow was obstinate. She enjoyed -the food, and failed to note how close the -ship had approached. Suddenly the mate -straightened himself and looked along the cannon -sights. There was a flash and a loud report, -and the exploding harpoon was launched full at -the broad back that lay drifting almost awash -just ahead. The heavy missile went straight to -its mark.</p> - -<p>“Stand by to haul line!” came the order, -while the mate sprang forward and slipped another -charge into the harpoon gun.</p> - -<p>The line whizzed out for a few fathoms before -the men could snub it, but there was no need for<span class="pagenum" id="Page_298">298</span> -a second shot. The missile had done its work, -and the stricken cow began the flurry that ends -in death. Round and round she went in a circle, -convulsively throwing herself clear of the sea -and lashing the water into a lather with her -flukes. Blood dyed the foam and her spiracles -were crimson. Then she slowed down, and, with -a few shudders of her great frame, lay motionless.</p> - -<p>The fluke chain was gotten out, and she was -soon fast alongside. A man was sent aloft to -watch, and the operation of removing the whalebone -blades from the mouth began. While this -was going on, the rest of the herd did not run -away or get gallied. The big bull was seen approaching, -after a time; and, for an hour, while -the work of cutting in went on, he came up repeatedly -at a short distance from the vessel. -The men thought little of this, as the whale-food -was thick, but Jackson pondered at the strangeness -of the old fellow’s behavior. He was an old -whaleman, and knew that, at the death of one,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_299">299</span> -the rest of a school usually get badly gallied, and -seldom wait for a second attack. A sperm whale -will stand, but a finback, never; and, as the old -bull rose again and again close aboard, he -watched him furtively from the corner of his eye -while superintending the work overside. In spite -of the fact that the cow was fat, the blubber was -not stripped. She was cast adrift early in the -afternoon, having yielded a mass of prime -bone, and her carcass floated astern, to be devoured -by the countless sharks and birds that -come, apparently by magic, from the void of sea -and sky.</p> - -<p>It was late in the afternoon when the <i>Erin</i> -started ahead again, and the mate took his place -at the gun. No sooner had the carcass floated a -half-mile distant than the old bull was seen to -swim alongside of it. The schooner was turned -slowly around and headed back again.</p> - -<p>The old bull had come up to the carcass and -examined it. The cow was quite dead, and the -fact that she had been killed by the stranger<span class="pagenum" id="Page_300">300</span> -gradually became clear to him. Suspicion became -conviction on his part, and he turned -toward the rest of his charges and led the way -straight out to sea. Away out toward the -Falkland Islands he headed, and reluctantly the -rest followed. The pace was increased to a -rapid gait, and soon the pursuing vessel was -under a full head of steam, plowing through -the heavy swell at a great rate, in an effort to -keep the flying herd in sight. The sun sank -behind the ragged peaks to the westward, and -the darkness soon put a stop to the chase. -Jackson had secured one of the herd, but the -others were gallied and were headed offshore, -where they disappeared in the gathering darkness. -Soon the engine was rung off and the vessel -put under easy canvas for the night, while -Jackson walked the poop and gave forcible expression -to his opinion of the old coward who had -so ignominiously run away.</p> - -<div id="ip_300" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 37.5em;"> - <img src="images/i_307.jpg" width="600" height="357" alt="" /> - <div class="caption">THE LINE WAS WHIZZING OUT.</div></div> - -<p>Away into the vastness of the southern ocean -the old fellow led his charges, always keeping the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_301">301</span> -little whale he had with him close aboard. He -missed the mate who had been slain, but he knew -that she had disregarded his warning. He had -done all he could. Now he would take the rest -far away to other feeding grounds, and the ocean -would leave no trail to show the stranger whither -he had gone. The young one near him needed -protection, and he would keep him close until -he was large enough to look out for himself. On -the edge of Falkland Channel was plenty of food -at that season of the year, and a few hundred -miles would put the stranger safely out of sight. -The old brain longed for rest and quiet. Strife -was a useless thing, fit only for the young and -unthinking, or those possessed with the killing -spirit.</p> - -<p>The morning dawned, and, as the sun rose -slanting from the southern ocean, the old bull -took a look around. Nothing broke the even line -of the horizon, and then, the feeling that the -stranger had been left behind coming upon him, -he slowed the tremendous pace. One hundred<span class="pagenum" id="Page_302">302</span> -miles of trackless sea had been placed between -him and the rocks of Staten Land.</p> - -<p>For many weeks the herd cruised to the northward -of the Falkland Islands, the old bull still -keeping the young whale under his protecting -care. Finally there was born a pretty little baby -whale with rounded lines, weighing, perhaps, a -little more than half a ton. A pair of the fierce -“killer” sharks soon scented the tender little -fellow, and made a concerted rush, one day, to -seize him before the older whales could prevent; -but the bull smote one a blow with his flukes that -crushed him as flat as if a house had fallen upon -him, and the other took flight. He was a watchful -old fellow, and had to keep on the lookout -night and day, for the mother whale was weak, -and would recover slowly.</p> - -<p>As the days passed the weather began to -change. The zone of the “variables,” or that of -the “roaring forties,” is not to be depended upon -long for sunshine and pleasant breezes. One day -it started in for a gale from the eastward, and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_303">303</span> -the sea was white with rolling combers. The -whale-food was driven south, and the animals -were forced to follow. The sun shone only for -a short time each day, being but a few degrees -above the sea line, and the high-rolling sea made -life upon the surface uncomfortable. The bull -headed for the South Orkney Islands, and for -days the little band of giants went along below -the surface, only coming up every now and then -to breathe.</p> - -<p>As they made their way southward, the wind -grew less violent. The high black cliffs of the -islands offered no shelter to vessels, but to the -whales the lee of the land was comfortable, and -the sea was swarming with food. There they -would rest a while and take life easy, beyond the -reach of the hurricanes from Cape Horn.</p> - -<p>The old bull guided the band among the -sunken peaks, and for weeks they fattened under -his care, when one bleak morning he came to the -surface of the sea and noticed a black shape approaching. -There was something strangely<span class="pagenum" id="Page_304">304</span> -familiar in the outlines, and, after watching it -for some minutes, he remembered the schooner -<i>Erin</i>.</p> - -<p>She was heading straight toward the whales, -and was going slowly, as if in no particular -hurry, and upon her forecastle was the same -murderous gun which had slain the cow near Le -Maire Strait.</p> - -<p>The young whale, who was in company, -breached playfully into full view and sounded. -The vessel did not change her course, but headed -straight for the cow with the newborn calf, who -was feeding a mile distant to the southward.</p> - -<p>The old bull instantly struck the water with -his flukes and headed for her. The rest of the -herd took notice of the warning, and sank from -view; but, whether the cow failed to notice it, or -her young one was disobedient, it was too late -to find out. The schooner made a sudden spurt -of speed, and, coming close to the mother, fired -the harpoon into her before she fairly realized -what was taking place.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_305">305</span> -The dull boom of the shot told the old whale -what had happened, before he came up to look. -When he arrived within a hundred fathoms, the -mother was in her last agony, and her little -baby was being towed along with her, being unable -to realize its mother’s death, and still holding -to her with all the tenderness of a child.</p> - -<p>The old bull lay watching events, and once -tried to make the little fellow let go by giving -the sea some tremendous slaps with his flukes; -but he was too young to understand, and, while -the bull watched, a boat was lowered and the -sailors began their work of destruction. They -rowed slowly toward the infant, and suddenly -one rose in the bow and hurled a harpoon into his -soft baby side. The little fellow gave a spring -upward in his agony. A man quickly pulled -him alongside the boat and another drove a -lance through him.</p> - -<p>Jackson was standing upon the poop, looking -on, and the mate was on the forecastle, loading -the gun for another shot when an opportunity<span class="pagenum" id="Page_306">306</span> -should offer. The men in the waist were overhauling -the fluke chain to make fast to the dead -mother, while the man at the wheel held the -spokes idly. The skipper turned toward him.</p> - -<p>“Seems to me that that’s the old cowardly -bull we fell in with to th’ no’th’ard; aint it?” he -asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes, sir; it looks like him fer sure,” answered -the man; “jest see him, sir.”</p> - -<p>As they looked, the great whale lay watching -the men in the boat. His old oily brain was -working, and the rapid events of the last few -minutes were gradually making an impression -on his mind. He was wondering at the -slaughter, and could hardly understand how it -was done so quickly. The mother had been a -favorite for many years, yet there she lay, suddenly -dead before him. Would the strange craft -follow him over the seas, and kill off the herd -one by one, until all were gone? The boat approaching -the young whale stirred his attention. -He smote the sea savagely with his flukes to<span class="pagenum" id="Page_307">307</span> -warn him of the danger. Then the iron went -home, and the little fellow was dead beside his -mother. Something flashed suddenly through -the old brain. The pent-up reserve of years -seemed to give way within him, all thought of -safety fell away, and the old feeling of the conqueror -rose within his heart.</p> - -<p>“Good Lord, what’s a-comin’?” gasped Jackson.</p> - -<p>His remark was not addressed to anyone in -particular, but was caused by a terrific commotion -in the sea which caused the men to drop -their gear and look out over the side to see what -was taking place.</p> - -<p>The coward, the giant bull who had fled so -often from them, was heading straight for the -small boat and was tearing the southern ocean -into foam with his flukes. Straight as a harpoon -from the gun forward, he shot with tremendous -speed, hurling his hundred tons of bone and -sinew like a living avalanche upon the doomed -craft.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_308">308</span> -“Starn all,” was the hoarse yell from the -third officer, who stood upon the stern-sheets and -swung madly upon the steering oar. Men -strained their necks forward over the schooner’s -rail to see. The unfortunate men at the oars of -the whaleboat struggled wildly. An oar -snapped. There was a wild cry, and some -sprang up to dive over the side into the sea. At -that instant the whale leaped high in the air, -clearing the water fully two fathoms. Then he -crashed down upon the boat, wiping all out in a -tremendous smother of spray. He was close to -the <i>Erin</i>, and the mate stood waiting. There -was a loud report as Collins fired the exploding -harpoon into him, taking him almost “on the -fly,” as it were, and then as he disappeared -beneath the surface there was a heavy jar that -shook the <i>Erin</i> from stem to stern. She had been -rammed.</p> - -<p>For an instant not a man aboard moved. Then -Jackson, with a face as white as chalk, came forward -and called below to the engineer.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_309">309</span> -The line was whizzing out upon the forecastle -head, showing that Collins had made the shot of -his life. He had struck the whale, but just where -he had no idea. He stood watching the line as -it flaked away with the rapidity of lightning, but -said no word to the men to have it snubbed. He -had felt the heavy jar beneath the schooner’s -keel, and knew what it meant as plainly as if he -had seen the stroke.</p> - -<p>Two,—three,—four,—five hundred fathoms -went whirling over the side, and silence still -reigned aboard. The sea had smoothed again -where the whaleboat had been a few moments before, -but the only signs of her were a few floating -splinters. Not a man ever appeared again.</p> - -<p>Suddenly the strain was broken.</p> - -<p>“Water comin’ in fast below, sir,” was the -word passed on deck.</p> - -<p>Jackson walked aft as if in a dream. The -mate left the gun, and the last fathom of the line -flaked overboard unheeded. It brought up suddenly, -taut as a bowstring, then snapped. The<span class="pagenum" id="Page_310">310</span> -mate paid not the least attention to it, but went -slowly aft.</p> - -<p>“Shall we provision the boats, sir?” he asked, -as he approached the captain.</p> - -<p>Jackson stared at him. “D’ye know what it -means?” asked the old whaleman huskily.</p> - -<p>The mate nodded. Half an hour later, four -boats full of men were heading northward for the -Falkland Islands, and the only thing that remained -upon the spot where the <i>Erin</i> had floated -a short time before was the carcass of a mother -whale with her baby alongside, while above them -the birds hovered and screamed as if to mark the -grave of the lost ship.</p> - -<p>The next year a Scottish whaleman from the -Falklands fell in with an old bull whale whose -starboard side bore a tremendous wound, partly -healed. He was so wary, however, that he was -soon lost sight of, and the school that followed -him gave no chance for a catch.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_311">311</span></p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_313">313</span></p> -<div class="chapter"> -<h2 id="IN_THE_WAKE_OF_THE_WEATHER-CLOTH" title="In the Wake of the Weather-Cloth">IN THE WAKE OF THE WEATHER-CLOTH</h2> -</div> -<div id="ip_313" class="figcenter" style="max-width: 22.375em;"> - <img src="images/i_319.jpg" width="358" height="574" alt="IN THE WAKE OF THE WEATHER-CLOTH" /> - <div class="captionh">IN THE WAKE OF THE WEATHER-CLOTH</div></div> - -<p class="drop-cap"><span class="smcap1">We</span> had raised the great tower of the -Hatteras lighthouse in the dim gray -of the early morning. The huge -spark flashed and faded as the lens swung slowly -about its axis some fifteen miles to the south’ard -of us. Objects now began to be more distinct, -and our masthead could be made out against the -leaden background above. Up there the fierce -song of the gale roared dismally as the little -vessel rose upon the giant Gulf sea, and swung -her straining fabric to windward. Then, quartering -the heave of the foam-crested hill, she -would drop slowly down that dread incline and -roll desperately to leeward as she started to meet -the rushing hill to windward and above her.</p> - -<p>With a bit of the gaff hoisted, and leach and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_314">314</span> -luff lashed fast down, we were trying to forereach -to the eastward and clear the death-trap -under our lee—the fatal diamond of the Hatteras -Shoals. Buck and I had been on deck all -the day before, and all night, and we welcomed -the growing light as only hard-pressed men at -sea can welcome it. It meant a respite from the -black hell about us, and the heavy snore of some -giant comber would no longer make us catch -our breath in the dread it might be the beginning -of that white reach where no vessel that -enters comes forth again.</p> - -<p>We could see we had many miles between us -and the end—miles that meant many minutes -which might be utilized in the fight for life. We -were heading nearly east now, and the stanch -little craft was making better than south, while -the gale had swung up to nor’-nor’east. She -was forereaching ahead, though going fast to -leeward, and it looked as if we might claw off into -the wild Gulf Stream, where in spite of the sea -lay safety. To leeward lay certain death, the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_315">315</span> -wild death of a lost ship in the white smother -that rolled with the chaotic thunder of riven hills -of water.</p> - -<p>Buck’s face was calm and white in the morning -light, and his oilskins hung about him in -dismal folds. White streaks of salt showed -under his eyes, which were partly sheltered by his -sou’wester, and the deep lines in his wet cheeks -gave him a worn-out look. He must have been -very tired, for as I came from behind the piece -of canvas lashed on the weather quarter to serve -as a weather-cloth, he left the wheel and dropped -down behind the bulwarks.</p> - -<p>“Begins to look better,” I bawled, taking off -the becket from the wheel spokes, which had been -hove hard down all night. “She needs a bit of -nursing,” and Buck nodded and grinned as he -ducked from the flying drift.</p> - -<p>She was doing well now, and after trying to -ease her a while I put the wheel back in the -becket and bawled down the scuttle to our little -black boy to get us some junk and ship’s bread.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_316">316</span> -Our other man, John, a Swede, had turned in -dead beat out an hour before, and as we four -were all hands, I thought it just as well to let -him sleep as long as he could. As master, I -would have to stay on deck anyway.</p> - -<p>Buck and I crouched in the lee of the bulwarks -and tarpaulin, munching the junk and watching -the little ship ride the sea. We could do nothing -except let her head as close as we dared to the -gale.</p> - -<p>As long as the canvas held all would be -well. The close-reefed mainsail would have been -blown away in the rush of that fierce blast, and -it would have been folly to try to drive her into -that appalling sea. If anything started we were -lost men. She was only a twenty-ton vessel, but -she had a good nine feet of keel under her, and -could hold on grimly. We had used a sea anchor -for twenty-four hours, but while it held her head -to the sea it caused her to drift dead to leeward, -so we had at last cut it adrift and put a bit of -storm staysail on her to work ahead.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_317">317</span> -“I’m glad we didn’t run durin’ the night,” -said Buck, “she wouldn’t ’a’ done it an’ gone -clear—just look at that fellow!”</p> - -<p>As he spoke a giant sea rose on the weather -beam, a great mass of blue water capped with a -white comber. The little vessel’s head dropped -down the foam-streaked hollow until we were almost -becalmed under the sea that followed. A -dirty, dangerous sea to run in.</p> - -<p>“I thought you might have run when we saw -how bad it was—an’ trust to luck to go clear. -But fight on, says I, even when you know you’re -losing. If you’d started to run you’d never been -able to swing her up again if we’d had to—an’ -now we’ll go clear. She’ll stand it.”</p> - -<p>Buck was an American and John a Swede. -The latter had hinted at running off before the -storm when we found ourselves close in. Buck -cursed him in my presence in true American -fashion.</p> - -<p>“Never give up a fight because you’re beat at -the start,” says I. “It’s them that fights when<span class="pagenum" id="Page_318">318</span> -they have to, an’ because it’s right, that always -win. We did seem dead beat last night, an’ when -that light flashed out bright I was almost willing -to say Amen. But I knew it ware wrong, an’ -we must fight it out. A man that fights to win -is no sailor. It’s him that fights when he <em>knows</em> -he will lose—an’ then maybe he won’t lose after -all.”</p> - -<p>The sun showed a little through a break in -the flying scud, and the water looked a beautiful -blue, streaked with great patches of white. -Buck was gazing hard to the southward and -could make nothing out except the Hatteras -Light. He was tired, and refused to move -from a wash of foam along the deck where he -sat.</p> - -<p>“You see,” he said, wiping the spray from -his face, “a man can’t tell nothin’ in this world. -There’s no use tryin’ to at sea—an’ the more -you risk sometimes the more you win. It isn’t -always judgment. There ware old man Richards. -He knew the coast, but he trusted his<span class="pagenum" id="Page_319">319</span> -judgment too much—an’ I’m the bum ye see -now. I don’t mean nothin’ agin your boat, -Cap’n.</p> - -<p>“You remember Richards? Had the ole -<i>Pocosin</i>. Used to run her from Nassau to -Hunter’s P’int. ’Taint much of a run, even for -that kind o’ hooker, but in the winter this Cape is -hell, an’ that’s a fact. You kin almost jump -from wrack to wrack from the Core Bank to -Bodie’s Island. I’ve seen forty vessels, big an’ -small, on the beach here in one season—an’ we -aint out o’ the business yet, either.”</p> - -<p>We were drifting down fast on the outer shoal, -and I could see, or fancy I could see, the Ocracoke -Lighthouse. The wind had increased a -little with sunrise as usual in a northeaster, but -it seemed to be working a bit more to the northward -and getting colder.</p> - -<p>“It was just such a day as this. We hove the -<i>Pocosin</i> up when she was almost in sight of the -Capes and not ten hours’ run from Norfolk. But -she ware ramming her nose into it harder and<span class="pagenum" id="Page_320">320</span> -harder, an’ there we was. We couldn’t get no -farther.</p> - -<p>“It ware pretty bad when we started inshore, -with the glass a-fallin’ an’ the sky like the inside -of a lead pot. Then came the breeze and big -northeast sea what stopped us.</p> - -<p>“We couldn’t push her through that sea. It -was more’n common heavy, and even with the -whole mainsail on her she wouldn’t do a thing -but rear up on her hind legs an’ throw herself -into it so she’d go out o’ sight to her foremast. -Man, she ware an’ old boat, an’ if she’d kept the -racket up she’d have split in two!</p> - -<p>“We could see Cape Henry light by dark, but -it warn’t no use, so we wore around before it ware -too late an’ got the foresail an’ jib stowed safe. -Then we came to on the port tack, lowering down -the mainsail and reefing it to balance the bit o’ -staysail forrads. ’Twas a piece o’ work takin’ -in that mainsail, an’ that’s the truth. You may -search me if it didn’t fair blow the hair off yer -head by this time. I don’t mind a bit o’ breeze,<span class="pagenum" id="Page_321">321</span> -Cap’n, but when I say it ware blowin’ then, it -aint more’n half the truth. It ware fair howlin’.</p> - -<p>“We got the sail on the boom, and then that -same boom took charge for twenty red-hot minutes -while she threw it from port to starboard—an’ -all hands hangin’ onto the mainsheet tryin’ to -get it in when it slacked with the throw.</p> - -<p>“‘Balance-reef her,’ says the old man, an’ we -lashed her down, givin’ about ten feet o’ leach -rope hoisted taut with the peak downhaul fast to -windward. Then everything was made snug, an’ -with the bit o’ staysail hauled to the mast we -hung on to see what would happen next.”</p> - -<p>Buck rose for a minute and gazed steadily to -the southward as though he had seen something. -Then he settled down again.</p> - -<p>“Me? I was mate, you know. I’d been with -Richards over a year. He had his wife an’ -daughter aboard that trip—yessir—about as fine—she -was about seventeen.”</p> - -<p>A sea struck the vessel while Buck was looking -to leeward, but he paid no attention to it as the<span class="pagenum" id="Page_322">322</span> -spray filled his collar. He seemed to be so deeply -occupied in some object that I began to get a bit -nervous, and reached for the glasses to try and -pick out a new danger. But he evidently saw -nothing, for he went on slowly after a bit.</p> - -<p>“There were six of us men and a little coon -boy in the galley. It gave us three men in a -watch, an’ that ware enough. I saw we were -goin’ to the south’ard fast, the sea was northerly -yet, but the wind was working fast to the eastward -and we waren’t reaching off a little bit. -She was heavy with lumber an’ goin’ sideways -like a crab—not shoving her nose ahead like we -are now. It was dead to leeward, and you know -how that is to the north’ard of Core Bank or -Lookout.</p> - -<p>“The old man had the wheel fast hard down -and was standin’ there watchin’ her take them -seas. It was growing dark an’ them fellers -from the Gulf looked ugly. They just wiped -her clean from end to end, roarin’ over her an’ -smotherin’ everything.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_323">323</span> -“‘We got to fight fer it to-night,’ said I. -‘Better try the close-reefed mainsail before it’s -too late. A bit o’ fore-reachin’ an’ we’ll clear.’</p> - -<p>“‘’Twon’t stand,’ says he, ‘’twon’t stand ten -minutes in this breeze. Let her go. If she won’t -go clear we’ll run her fer Ocracoke. It’s high -water at eight-bells to-night.’</p> - -<p>“That may have been good judgment, but -you know that entrance is a warm place at night -in a roarin’ northeaster. I got a bit nervous an’ -spoke up again after an hour or two.</p> - -<p>“‘Better try her with the mainsail; we’ve got -to fight her off,’ I said again.</p> - -<p>“‘’Taint no use,’ said he. ‘Let her go. A -man never dies till his time comes.’</p> - -<p>“I’d heard that sayin’ before, but I never -knew just how a feller could reckon on his time. -Seemed to me somebody’s was comin’ along before -daylight. Finally I kept on asking the -old man an’ argufyin’—for there was the two -women—an’ he gave in. Before twelve that -night we had her under a single reef and shovin’<span class="pagenum" id="Page_324">324</span> -off for dear life. It ware blowin’ harder now, an’ -the first thing away went that staysail. Then -we tried a bit o’ jib, but she gave a couple o’ -plunges and drove her head under a good -fathom. When she lifted it up the jib ware -gone.</p> - -<p>“There we ware with the old hooker a-broachin’ -to an’ no head sail on her. The seas -ware comin’ over her like a cataract and the dull -roar soundin’ louder an’ louder. There ware the -two women <span class="locked">below——</span></p> - -<p>“Still the fight waren’t half over. Ther ware -the new foresail to close reef. It would have -held an hour or two. That would have driven -us off far enough to have gone through the -slue. But no. The old man had had enough.</p> - -<p>“‘Take in the mainsail,’ he bawled, and all -hands wrastled for half an hour with that sail -while all the time we were goin’ fast to the -south’ard. ‘Close reef foresail,’ says he; ‘we’ll -try an’ run her through.’ Then he took the -lashin’s off the wheel.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_325">325</span> -“There ware no use sayin’ nothin’ more. We -ware hardly able to speak as it was. We put -the peak o’ that foresail on her an’ the old man -ran the wheel hard up. It ware near daybreak -now, and she paid off an’ streaked away before -it through a roarin’ white sea. Just as she -struck her gait we saw the flash o’ the Hatteras -Light.</p> - -<p>“The old man saw it. It ware bright enough -for all hands. So bright my heart gave one big -jump an’ then seemed to stop. There ware the -two women below, the girl—we tore along into -the night with six men an’ one little black boy -holdin’ on to anything they could an’ lookin’ -out over the jib-boom end——”</p> - -<p>Buck was silent for a moment. Then he went -on.</p> - -<p>“It had to come. I saw it first. Just a -great white spout o’ foam in the blackness ahead. -It ware the outer edge o’ the Diamond Shoal.”</p> - -<p>Buck’s voice died away in the roar about us -and close as I was to him I could hear nothing<span class="pagenum" id="Page_326">326</span> -he said, though I saw his lips move. I went to -the binnacle and peered into it. The lighthouse -was drawing to the westward. The roar aloft -was deepening as she swung herself to windward, -but she was making good weather of it and holding -on like grim death.</p> - -<p>“How did you get through?” I asked, ducking -down again behind the shelter.</p> - -<p>“We didn’t. We didn’t get through. The -<i>Pocosin’s</i> there yet—or what’s left of her. One -more hour of fightin’ off under that reefed foresail -an’ we’d have got to sea—we’d have gone -clear. There waren’t nothin’ happened—just a -smashing crash in the night. Man, ye couldn’t -hear or see nothin’. Both masts gone with the -first jolt, an’ up she broaches to a sea what -was breakin’ clear out in seven fathoms. I tried -to get aft—good God! I tried to get to the -companion——”</p> - -<p>Buck was looking steadily to leeward and the -drift was trickling out of his eyes.</p> - -<p>When he turned he smiled and his tired face<span class="pagenum" id="Page_327">327</span> -looked years older as he wiped it with the cuff of -his oilskin. The gale roared and snored overhead, -but breaks in the flying scud told that the -storm-center was working to the northward and -the cold meant it would go to stay.</p> - -<p>“I don’t know but what’s that’s so about a -feller not goin’ till his time comes, Cap’n. I -came in the next day on a bit o’ the mainmast, a -little more dead than alive, but I’m tellin’ you -fairly, Cap’n, if it waren’t fer you an’ your little -ship, I’d just as soon have gone to leeward this -mornin’. A feller gets sort o’ lonesome at times—especially -when he’s got no ties——”</p> - -<p>“Haven’t you any?” I asked cheerfully.</p> - -<p>Buck looked slowly up and his eyes met mine. -They rested there for a moment. His lips moved -for a little, but I heard nothing he said. Then -he let his gaze droop to the deck planks and -bowed his head.</p> - -<p>A long time he sat there while I watched the -lighthouse draw more and more to the westward. -Suddenly he looked up.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_328">328</span> -“She’s all clear now, sir, an’ if you say so -I’ll go below an’ start a bit o’ fire.”</p> - -<p>“Go ahead, and tell Arthur to come here?” I -said.</p> - -<p>I watched him as he staggered below. He -was tired out, wet, and despondent. The fate -of the <i>Pocosin</i> was too evident for me to ask -questions. I respected him for not mentioning -the girl again. It was evident what she had -been to him. It was long ago, but the -memory was fresh before him. He was passing -near the grave of the one woman he had loved, -and there was more than the salt drift in his eyes -as he went down the companion. In a few -minutes a stream of black smoke poured from the -funnel in the deck and was whirled away to leeward. -Soon the smell of frying bacon was swept -aft, and I went below to a warm breakfast to be -followed by a nap, while the plunging little -vessel rode safely into the great Gulf sea. We -had gone past the graveyard of the Diamond -Shoals.</p> - -<div class="chapter"><div class="transnote"> -<h2 id="Transcribers_Notes" title="Transcriber’s Notes" class="show">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> - -<p>Punctuation and spelling were made consistent when a predominant -preference was found in this book; otherwise they were not changed.</p> - -<p>Simple typographical errors were corrected; occasional unbalanced -quotation marks retained.</p> - -<p>Ambiguous hyphens at the ends of lines were retained; occurrences -of inconsistent hyphenation have not been changed.</p> - -<p>Chapter names have been combined with the illustrations preceding -the chapters.</p> -</div></div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's The Strife of the Sea, by T. 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