THE SEA-SERPENT. 
45 
rushing aft came the foremast men. Every cheek 
was pale with fear. Was it mutiny ? did they 
mean to rise and seize the ship ? O, no. 4 See 
here ! look quick ! ’ I looked with wild surprise, 
and saw, just over our larboard bow, an awful 
creature, with horrid head, so near, so very near 
our prow, with eyes that glared so fierce, so red, 
that I think, Miss Wood, if the captain and you 
had been there, you ’d have been frightened 
too . 6 
44 Middies and crew rushed up from below, 
every one asking 4 What’s the matter ? ’ They 
saw the frightful monster. O, how their teeth 
began to chatter ! Storming on deck the captain 
came : 4 What means this ? what’s the trouble 
now ? To your stations ! ’ Here those eyes of 
flame, steadily staring over the bow, caught the 
captain’s. c Heavens ! ’ he cried, and stood for 
a moment stupefied, — only a moment; 4 Clear 
away the forward guns, and give him a shot ! ’ 
Doggedly the men obeyed, though ’t was very 
clear they’d rather not. 4 Out with a boat ! I 
