HAZARDS AND COMPENSATIONS 211 



Once again truth was so much stranger than fiction that it 

 often failed to find credence! 



The Wonderful Whalers 



(See the Bedford [U. S.] Mercury) 



Fathers of the oratory, 

 List to my surprising tale, 

 Hearken to a wondrous story 

 More than very like a whale; 

 Each mesmeric marvel-monger, 

 Lend to me your ears hkewise; 

 If for miracles you hunger, 

 You shall ope both mouth and eyes. 



In the ship Ann Alexander^ 

 Cruising in pursuit of whales, 

 Bold John S. Deblois, commander, 

 With a crew so gallant, sails. 

 In the South Pacific Ocean, 

 Reaching to the Off-Shore Ground, 

 *Mong the waves in wild commotion, 

 Several monstrous whales they found. 



These two boats did follow after. 



Larboard boat and starboard too. 



And with shouts of glee and laughter. 



The leviathans pursue; 



When the larboard boat, commanded 



By the stout first mate, did soon 



In a whale, with force strong-handed, 



Deeply pliuige a sharp harpoon. 



Off the mighty monster started; 

 Pain and anguish gave him cause; 

 Suddenly he backwards darted. 

 Seized the boat between his jaws; 

 Into smithereens he cracked it; 

 Or, as witnesses declare. 

 Who beheld the thing transacted, 

 Bits no bigger than a chair! 



In the starboard boat the captain 

 Quickly to the rescue struck, 



