\ No. t':.l .1l9G'..-WuoLE g.. No. 2272
currences originating in the inexperierce oi our landsmen. An individual who had always considered himself a match for any thing of equal weight, either quadruped or biped; discovered d shoal of porpoises; he did not doubt, therefore, the issue of a con- test with fish. He accordingly equipped himself with harpoon, and having fast- ened the cord attached to it to his own per- son, he stood deliberately waiting for an opportunity to capture one of the monsters. Al lengthoh ofremarkable size approach ed the boat, putting and blowing like steamer, and our hero, who had furnished himself with less of line, perhaps; than regular whaleman would have used, hurl- ed his instrument of death with fatal pre- cision. The porpoise darted offlike light ming, bearing through the waves harpoon and harpooner Luckily the cord at length gave way, and released him of the harpoon from the necessity of continuing his un- pleasant ride. He asserts that he will never again be caught fastened to the same rope with a porpoise. He even begins to doubt his ability to cope with Old Joe,' d patriarcha alligator well known on the coast by this sobriquet. which he has long been endeavoring to catch, in order to ex- hibit him as a trophy to his friends.

 