OCEAN FISH AND OCEAN FISHING 67 



tested chain, for many a shark has been lost by a 

 badly-forged hook or defective link. 



For the line, one of the ship's small ropes, say 

 the fore studding-sail sheet, will do very well pro- 

 vided it is sound ; and the more there is of it the 

 better. 



As regards bait, salt pork is the best, and if it be 

 a little green or rancid it does not matter, as Mr. 

 Shark is not fastidious and does not use his nose. 

 A chunk of four or five pounds will suffice and 

 must be well secured on the barb and shank of the 

 hook, and, as an extra precaution, seized on with 

 a piece of spun yarn. When sharks are expected, 

 the line attached to the chain and baited hook 

 should be ready at the ship's stern. 



Now for our capture. We were in readiness. 

 The breeze had gradually died away, the sea had 

 subsided into a calm, and reflected the bright light 

 in rainbow hues, while each roll of the ship made 

 the sails flap with a thunderous noise, and with 

 much detriment to the canvas. 



Leaning over the stern, the doctor closely 

 examined the rudder and presently called out, " A 

 shark is not far off. Look ! " pointing downwards. 

 Craning over, we saw two or three small striped 

 fish near the sternpost. These were the pilot or 

 rudder fish that follow the shark to devour the 



