e under the water, only part of the scaly back
being exposed to the air.

Dr. Woddle called the captain.

"Sir," he said, "the monster is again close to us. I ask you, in the
interest of science, to capture it."

"Who's going to do it, and how is it to be done?" said Captain Savage.

"This thing is a scourge of the ocean. It destroys ships, therefore it
is your duty to destroy it," persisted the man of science.

"We will harpoon it, if you like, though I do not know why I should risk
the lives of my crew. Where's Bowline? Pass the word for Bowline," said
the captain.

When Bill Bowline made his appearance he was trembling like a leaf.

"Get your harpoon, my man," said the captain.

"Not me, sir," said the sailor firmly. "I wouldn't harm a scale of the
critter's back, were it ever so near. We shall all be sent to the bottom
of the sea if I do."

Turning to Homer Woddle, the captain said:

"You see the feeling of my men; what can I do?"

"I'll do it myself," said the man of science grandly. "If no one will
attack this monster, the honor and the glory of the task shall belong to
me. Give me a boat and loaded guns. It will be hard, indeed, if I cannot
put a bullet in him, and lay the mighty brute low. Who will volunteer
for this splendid task?"

There was no response.

"What! Are you all cowards? Will no one volunteer?" continued the man of
science scornfully.

Mont stepped forward.

"I'm with you, sir!" he exclaimed. "Can't stand by and see a gentleman
left alone. I'm not afraid of the creature."

Carl, as a matter of course, took his place by our hero's side, and so
did Stump.

Where Mont went his devoted friend and equally attached follower felt
bound to go as a matter of duty.

"Three of you. Bravo!" cried the scientist. "Now, we are four, and we
shall triumph. Lower a boat, if you please."

The order was given to put the ship about, and a spot favorable for the
enterprise being selected near the monster, a boat was lowered, into
which the volunteers descended.

Carl and Stump took the oars, Mont grasped the tiller, and Dr. Woddle
stood in the bows with a loaded gun under each arm.

"My four troublesome customers," said the captain, in a low tone to the
first mate, "stand a very good chance of never returning."

"It will be a cheap way to get rid of them, although it may cost us the
boat," said the mate in the same tone.

"Steady, my lads," said the scientist. "Easy all; keep the head befor