316 FISHING FOR A SHARK. 



lated body; but as it was lifeless, they were soon com- 

 pelled to abandon it to the monster, which ceased not to 

 hover in the immediate vicinity of the vessel. 



At Antibes a sailor was bathing near the ship to which 

 he belonged, when, underneath him, he suddenly dis- 

 covered a shark. He uttered a piercing cry. His com- 

 rades threw him a rope, which he fastened under his arms. 

 He was hauled on board with all possible speed ; but the 

 shark was still quicker in its movements, and springing 

 from the water, snapped off a leg with a precision which 

 the most skilful surgeon could not have surpassed. 



It is not to be wondered at, therefore, if the seamen 

 pursue their dreaded enemy with a vengeance as insatiable 

 as its own voracity. Certainly, says Captain Basil Hall, 

 I have never seen the savage part of our nature peep out 

 more clearly than when a whole ship's company, captain, 

 officers, and young gentlemen inclusive, shout in triumph- 

 ant exultation over the body of a captive shark, flounder- 

 ing in impotent rage on the poop or forecastle. The 

 capture always affords high and peculiar sport, for it is 

 one in which every person on board sympathizes, and to 

 a certain extent takes a share. Like a fox-chase, con- 

 tinues Captain Basil Hall, it is ever new, and draws 

 within its vortex every description of person. The 

 lunarian, busy taking distances, crams his sextant hastily 

 into its case ; the computer, working out his longitude, 

 shoves his books on one side: the marine officer aban- 

 dons his eternal flute ; the doctor starts from his nap ; 

 the purser resigns the Complete Book ; and every man 

 and boy, however engaged, rushes on deck to see the 

 villain die. Even the monkey, if there be one on board, 

 takes a vehement interest in the whole progress of this 



