THE SEA-SERPENT. 
5 
IV. 
To the merchant, the sailor, and every one 
who goes down on the deep, or has business to 
do upon the great waters, — to these let me say, 
I think it quite likely the serpent in play has 
sunk many a ship on the wide-heaving main, and 
ate up the crew, for fear they’d explain to the 
owners how ’twas, —how it all came to happen. 
So he swallowed the Cook, and topped off with 
the u Cap’en.” 
Sometimes I believe, and sometimes I doubt, 
if there is such a beast as I’m writing about ; yet 
this I will leave to your ow T n common sense, for 
you are safe on this question to be on the fence. 
