68 FISHES I HAVE KNOWN 



parasitic insects off its body, and not, as hoary 

 nautical tradition avers, to act as "guide, philo- 

 sopher, and friend." 



The doctor was right. We saw the unmistak- 

 able back fin of a huge shark slowly advancing 

 towards the ship. The bait was lowered a few feet 

 under water, purposely with a splash, and a turn 

 taken with the line round a belaying pin on the 

 rail. We had a group of willing helpers at hand, 

 and one man ready with a bowline. 



There was hardly any " way " on the ship, and 

 the line hung almost perpendicularly, and the pork 

 glistened in the water in a ghastly way, suggestive 

 of a human limb. 



Up came the monster with its pointed snout, 

 malignant eyes, and general predatory appearance. 

 It looked at the bait suspicious!)', and sheered off 

 for a cruise round the ship. Having reconsidered 

 the matter, and being undeniably hungry, it again 

 approached the meat and covered the bait, as it 

 were, with its head, turning slightl)- over in the 

 process.^ 



The second mate, who superintended the pro- 

 ceedings, gave a tremendous jerk to the line, the 

 barb went home, the shark was well hooked, and 



■ The notion of its turning literally on its back to seize its 

 prey is apocryphal. 



