COAXING A SHARK 287 



with both hands on the outside, holding 

 the slip-knot. The one the standing, the 

 other slipping part ready for immediate action. 

 The tolling with that bait was assigned to me, 

 as they knew me to be a skilful fisherman. 

 So it was soused well at first, and the water 

 at once saturated with the oil from it, which 

 could be easily seen on the surface, and 

 watched as it moved to the shark. He seemed 

 to get its scent even before it reached him, 

 and started forward quickly, threshing his 

 great tail as if pleased. 



Sam shouted, " There he comes, captain, 

 fast." 



Well, he did come fast until about halfway 

 to the vessel, then checked himself, and 

 worked backwards and forwards across the 

 brig's wake, as if suspicious of danger, and 

 looking for his little pilots he was never again 

 to see. 



" Mr. C., don't you think some of the oil off 

 the pork-barrel might coax him along," sug- 

 gested one of the onlookers ; and you can be 

 assured they were all there, deeply interested, 

 more than that, greatly excited. 

 As quick as thought the second mate had 



