The Golden Argosy, Vol. V No. 34

Tom Gale's Ride by George H. Coomer A maritime adventure narrative featuring Tom Gale, a mischievous local boy who ships aboard the whaling vessel Warren. Observers doubt he will complete the three-year voyage, given his history of abandoning tasks and pranks—teasing townspeople, placing skunks under schoolhouses, and painting horses. At sea, Tom transforms, developing genuine aptitude and ambition to become a ship captain. After two years he becomes a boatsteerer. During a whale hunt in Arctic waters, his boat is destroyed and Tom lands on a wounded whale's back. He remains astride the creature for three miles, using a harpoon to kill it—an unprecedented feat. The whale proves the voyage's largest catch. The story concludes with Tom achieving his ambition, commanding his own vessel on his third voyage. Also includes the poem "Cat-Tails" and a chapter from Horatio Alger Jr.'s circus serial, where young performer Kit substitutes for an indisposed trapeze artist.