THE SHARK'S TEETH 



offered meal, dashing up and seizing upon the dis- 

 membered fragments, being, like most other fish, not 

 free from the reproach of cannibalism. 



Scenes like this, the relation of which is only too 

 apt to become a shade sensational, especially when a 

 shipwreck is brought into the story, used to be common 

 enough in the days of sailing ships, in voyages over 

 tropic seas where sharp-toothed sharks are commoner 

 than elsewhere, although they are to be found every- 

 where. Stretches of calm, often lasting several days, 

 held the ship almost stationary. The refuse thrown 

 overboard attracted all sorts of fish, sharks among 

 them, and all hastened to make a good meal. But 

 the sharks being bigger and more powerful than the 

 rest, drove off their rivals, having the field ultimately 

 to themselves. From the vantage point of the deck 

 the passengers could follow their various movements 

 and manoeuvres; all round the ship, at one time or 

 another, would rise the enormous heads> with bright 

 shining eyes, broad strong-toothed mouths, fins beating 

 rapidly. And it is not surprising that a certain sense 

 of uneasiness was produced by the sight of them, 

 especially when we consider that the passengers knew 

 that they were far out at sea, surrounded by these 

 creatures, with nothing but the planks of the ship's 

 sides to protect them from a host of devouring monsters. 

 Whenever one was caught, not only was a diversion 

 caused, but a certain sense of relief. Nowadays, when 

 ships proceed swiftly to their journey's end, there is 

 not so much reason for excitement; the motive for it 

 no longer exists, or does so only in unusual circum- 

 stances. There is not the same opportunity during a 

 voyage for the entertainment afforded by shark-fishing. 



But sometimes, quite as often as we care to, we may 

 still see one of these great fish on our coasts during 

 the bathing season. It is the same season as that of 

 the sardine, mackerel, and tunny fisheries. These 

 fish come near the shore at that time, and the sharks 

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