othing than
decency requires."

"But it may be the harbinger of another hurricane, and that wouldn't be
pleasant," observed Fligson.

"No fear of a hurricane. They seldom reach so far south," answered Jos.
"Wait patiently, and we shall get the breeze before long. If not,
what's the odds? we are very happy as we are."

"You're a salamander, or you wouldn't say that," growled Higson.

"Just the very thing of all others it's most convenient to be just now,"
answered jolly Jos, laughing. "It really isn't hotter than it has been
often before, only there are fewer hands to divide it amongst, eh? Just
do your turn in, Hig, and forget your troubles in sleep."

"I shall be stewed if I do," moaned Higson. "I've a great mind to have
a swim."

"It will be the last you'll ever take, old fellow, depend on that," said
Green. "Look there!"

He pointed to the black fin of a huge shark, which the next instant,
turning up its white belly, opened its huge mouth to swallow the
contents of the cook's slush bucket.

"See, Jack has had his soup, and will be ready for the next course,
which you proposed offering him."

"Thank you, Jos; I've changed my mind," said Higson. "But I should not
object to catch the fellow, and take a slice out of him instead."

A stout hook, with a bit of chain to the end of a strong line, and
baited with a piece of pork, was quickly got ready. Even the most
apathetic of the seamen were aroused with the hopes of capturing their
hated foe. A couple of running bowlines were prepared. Higson dropped
the tempting morsel, and let it sink down deep, then rapidly drew it up
again. Quick as lightning the shark darted at it, and down his throat
it went, his jaws closing with a snap which made Higson draw up his leg.
The monster's sharp teeth, however, could not bite through the chain.

"Haul away, lads!" cried the old mate.

While Ben Snatchblock slipped a running bowline over the creature's
head, its tail coming to the surface, he dexterously got another round
it, and, in spite of its violent struggles, it was hoisted on board.

"Stand clear of him, lads," shouted Higson, though the men did not need
the warning.

The crew seizing axes, capstan-bars, and boarding pikes, attacked the
captive monster, as it lay writhing on deck, lashing out furiously with
its tail, and every now and then opening its huge jaws, as if even then
it had hopes of catching one of its assailants. It showed what it could
do