HOOKS FOR SHARK FISHING. 177 



.sequeiitly they were not very far from land. The tide and 

 the current now carried them to the shore, where they 

 landed, to tell the melancholy fate of their fellow-voyagers. 



The natives of Tahiti use hooks made of wood, and of the 

 most formidable character, for shark fishing. These are a 

 foot in length and an inch in diameter. They are such 

 frightful implements that no fish less voracious than a shark 

 would venture to approach them. In some, the marks of the 

 sharks' teeth are numerous and deep, and show the effect 

 with which they have been used. 



One of the most sad and thrilling episodes of shark en- 

 counters was published some years since. A small schooner 

 called the Magpie was cruising between the island of Cuba 

 and the Havannah, in search of pirates. One evening the 

 sea and the air were so calm that the vessel lay on the bosom 

 of the water like some huge animal asleep, with her head 

 towards the shore. The crew were engaged in telling those 

 marvelous stories which seamen believe, and never fail to 

 narrate to each other in their hours of idleness, for such oc- 

 vcasionally visit even the mariner afloat. Lieutenant Smith, 

 the commander, who had been on the look-out for the pirate 

 ship as long as twilight enabled him to do so, laid aside his 

 glass and descended into the cabin. All above, below, and 

 around was now lulled as in slumber, for the laugh and the 

 voice of the story-teller had become silent. Presently the 

 mate of the watch observed a small black cloud resting over 

 the land. The cloud was gradually increasing, and although 

 the mate saw no ground to apprehend danger, he thought it 

 right to communicate the fact to his superior officer. Mr. 

 .Smith commanded him to keep a sharp look-out, and he would 

 join him on deck immediately. A moment after, a squall, 

 as strong as it was sudden, burst from the cloud, and just as 

 the lieutenant had ascended to the deck, the schooner was 

 upset, and immediately sank. 



Two of the crew were below, and they went down with 



