96 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



" Lord ! what a gullet ! " 



" Gently, my lad ! Don't sliove so ; there's room 

 for everybody." 



" There now, he's on his back. He'll bite. No, 

 he's only sniffed at it." 



" Well, he's had a taste and liked it. There he 

 is again." 



" Belay there, and don't shove. One would think 

 some one had stolen your grog. Look out, my sea 

 dogs, and be ready to haul," 



A deep silence followed this order of the bo'sen, 

 who superintended the operation. Ten of the crew 

 crowded to the side, ready to haul in the line as 

 soon as the common enemy was fairly caught. 

 One held an axe, and another a rope made like a 

 lasso, with a slip-knot to pass over the fins of the 

 monster; whilst a third rove the line through a 

 pulley, and the rest passed it from hand to hand. 

 As for the captain, the mate, and your humble 

 servant, we stood in the shrouds, leaning over the 

 side, and looking on with curiosity at the catch, 

 whilst three passengers, and a gentleman from 

 Massachusetts looked out at the port-holes, and 

 took the greatest interest in the capture of the 

 shark. 



Whilst this was passing, the shark, with better 

 luck than management, had bitten at the hook with- 

 out being caught. The excitement now became in- 

 tense, but not a word was spoken by any one but the 



