THE captain's YARN. J71 



On landing it on the beach we found, to our great 

 surprise, that it was considerably larger than the 

 cutter, which measured seventeen feet. On en- 

 deavouring to raise the fish, it became most 

 desperate, sweeping with its saw from side to 

 side, so that we were compelled to get strong guy 

 ropes to prevent it from cutting us to pieces. 

 After that, one of the Spaniards got on his back, 

 and, with great risk, cut through the joint of the 

 tail, when animation was completely suspended. 

 It was then measured, and found to be twenty- 

 two feet long, and eight feet broad, and weighed 

 nearly five tons ! The liver filled a beef tierce, 

 and on opening the body we found several eggs, 

 the size of 18lb. carronade shot, which the 

 negroes craved as a great luxury. The only part 

 which I retained was the head, which I cut off 

 below the lower jaw. It is now in a fine state of 

 preservation, and the largest, I should say, in the 

 world."— 26^A Dec, 1839. 



And so should I. I was favoured by a sight 

 of its head and saw, in Mr. Eaton's shop. Crooked 

 Lane, who gave me this paper. The saw was five 

 feet long, and eleven inches broad in the widest 

 part of the bone merely, without reckoning the 

 teeth. It was purchased by Mr. Josiah Rumbell, 

 and presented by him to the Wisbeach Museum, 

 and a very fine specimen it is. 



Herb. — What a monster ! but give me a sal- 



