The Hunger Search 1 03 



quantity of gelatinous matter, mostly foot-stalks of 

 barnacles torn off the log, have gone down into her 

 aching maw, which it appeases, though it does not 

 satisfy. When suddenly the little pilot, which has 

 been flitting about at a little distance from its principal 

 agitatedly watching her manoeuvres, darts off to the 

 southward, followed closely by the Shark. By what 

 amazing powers of intuition or of sight this little 

 creature knows that some miles away there lies a 

 ship I do not know, I only know that such powers as 

 enable it to be assured of such a presence at that 

 distance it does possess. That it should know of 

 the peculiar quality ships have of shedding choice 

 morsels in their wake may be merely a matter of 

 memory, such as most deep-sea pelagic fish have, 

 making them seek and keep the company of slow- 

 moving or stationary ships for many days at a time. 

 Presently they come up with the vessel and pass under 

 the shade of her broad bilge, sniffing at the smell she 

 gives forth of something. Several of the Shark's poor 

 relatives, the semi-parasitical Remorae or suckers, 

 hastily detach themselves from the ship and dart 

 away into the depths, compelled to action for once 

 by the knowledge that otherwise they will immediately 

 be devoured. Round and round the ship they go, 

 the pilot, in a high state of excitement, darting to and 

 fro between Shark and ship as if carrying perpetual 

 messages, while the Shark's cold greenish eyes never 

 cease their steadfast gaze upon that vast shadow 

 which may presently yield something to eat. 



Meanwhile, some of the sailors aloft have caught 

 sight of that stealthy form gliding along beneath 

 them, and, in spite of their modernity, feel cold chills 

 creeping down their spines as they view the messenger, 

 as they think, of evil. We are heirs of the ages, 



