4 
MADAGASCAR. 
once more the unyielding earth under foot was 
very pleasing; and the scrambles over the scori- 
ated and slaggy surface, which resembled a vast 
red cinder-heap, and had evidently been in the 
remote past the scene of action of an active 
volcano, were healthful and enjoyable. 
An amusing incident attended the hauling up 
on deck of our first shark. The brute had been 
anxiously waited for, and at length secured by 
a huge bait of salt pork, cunningly disposed 
upon a fearful-looking three-pronged hook of 
curious manufacture. We had got him on deck 
by the aid of “ all hands/’ when by some means, 
in our anxiety to examine his points more 
closely, or perhaps through the sudden cessation 
of tension, the hook released itself from the jaws 
of the captive, who proceeded to survey the 
crowd with expressive gestures. He began to 
show signs of agility and a disposition to act up 
to his character of an insatiable glutton always 
in search of prey. There was an expression in 
his eye, and an ominous click of his jaws, which 
clearly meant mischief, and his unabashed de¬ 
meanour under the circumstances was a sight to 
remember. He was rushing open-mouthed to¬ 
wards the entrance to the companion, in search 
(with a refinement of taste which was creditable 
to him) of a bishop, or a naval lieutenant (we 
had one on board), or a naturalist, or perhaps 
