THE SEA-SERPENT. 
23 
the crew that’s in her ; he scares the dolphin 
and frights the whale ; the sword-fish flees when 
he sees him coming ; the brave sea-lion himself 
turns pale, and feels a fear that’s quite benumb¬ 
ing. All the huge creatures that swim in the 
sea had rather by half keep out of his way. 
In vain the small fry madly flee ; he makes of 
them an easy prey. Ah, Mary, I saw him once, 
when I made to the North that fearful trip, — I’m 
glad you were not with me.” 
u Why, what nonsense you ’re talking ! ” said 
Captain Skip, who was walking the deck near 
where they stood, and happened some words to 
overhear about the serpent, and what he could do 
in the way of inspiring fear. Captain Skip was 
one of those bluff sort of men, who always say 
what they have to say. Hunt felt’t was no use to 
be angry then, for he knew it was only the cap¬ 
tain’s way. “ I know,” says the captain, u they 
tell strange tales of serpents vast in the briny 
deep, as long, perhaps, as two or three whales ; 
if it’s true, they must at the bottom keep, and 
