CHAPTER XI. 



A THRILLING FIGHT WITH A BLUE SHARK. 



The large blue shark that infests the waters sur- 

 rounding the West Indies is the most dreaded of 

 all the monsters of the deep. Its length varies 

 from twelve to fourteen feet, and its weight from four 

 hundred to five hundred pounds. The mouth of the 

 shark is provided with a series of sharp, triangular 

 teeth, which bend inwards, so that the victim, once 

 caught between the shark's jaws, has no possible 

 chance of escape. As soon as the shark rises to 

 take the bait, the skilful harpoonist throws his 

 weapon, which penetrates the flesh of the shark just 

 as it is about to make off with the bait. In order 

 to try to get rid of the harpoon, the blue shark 

 follows the curious practice of turning over and 

 over in the water very rapidly, but, unfortunately 

 for the victim, instead of this ridding it of the 

 weapon, its body becomes scored by the rope with 

 which it entwines itself. 



"These Ishmaels of the deep," writes one who 

 knows the Bahamas well, but is anxious to clear 

 the shark of the unenviable reputation it has 

 acquired, " have such a villainous reputation that 

 it would be useless to attempt to change it, but I 



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