A VIEW OF THE MONSTER 285 



saw these the rudder port is their favourite 

 resort about the vessel, the shark then often- 

 times lurking under her bottom. Of course, it 

 can only be in moderate weather they are 

 visible. Pardon this digression for the above 

 explanation. 



" Sam," said the captain, " go up on the 

 main-topsail yard, and take a view of our 

 surroundings. That shark you saw is about 

 somewhere, either under or astern of us." 



" All right, sir," and off he started. 



As soon as he reached his look-out, he 

 shouted back. " There he is, sir, about 100 

 fathoms astern in the ship's wake, playing 

 about." 



" Stay there, and watch his movements. 

 Mr. C. (the mate), you take charge of the 

 capture of this fellow. I think it will be no 

 trouble to get him." 



" All right, sir." 



So down into the cabin he went, returning 

 with a piece of pork and a coil of small new 

 rope, called in nautical language " ratline." 

 In the mean time the captain had gone up to 

 Sam's position, taken a view of the monster, 

 and returned to the deck. 



