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Shark-Fishing on the Coast of Florida: Sharks

It is a fortunate circumstance, for those The South Sea islanders are not in the who avoid its attacks, that its mouth is so least afraid of the Sharks, but will swim situated, under the head, that it has to among them without exhibiting the least throw itself on one side in order to seize signs of fear. "I have seen," says Capits prey; for its velocity in the water is tain Portlock, "five or six large Sharks so great, that nothing of which it was swimming about the ship, when there once in pursuit would otherwise be able have been upwards of a hundred Indians to escape its voracity. in the water, both men and women: they These creatures are the dread of sailors seemed quite indifferent respecting them, in all the hot climates; for they constantly and the Sharks never offered to make an attend ships, in expectation of what may attack on any of these people, and yet at be thrown overboard; and if, while a the same time would greedily seize our Shark is present, any of the men enter baits; whence it is manifest that these peothe water, they inevitably perish. Mangled by a Monster. ple derive their confidence of safety from their experience, that they can repel the attacks of those devouring monsters."

A sailor, on the coast of California, on plunging into the sea, was seized by a Persons, while swimming, have often been seized and devoured by Sharks. The late Sir Brooke Watson was, some years ago, swimming at a little distance from a Shark; but, by a most extraordinary feat ship, when he saw a Shark making of activity, he cleared himself, and, towards him. Struck with terror at its though much wounded, threw blood and approach, he cried out for assistance. A water at the animal, to show his bravery rope was instantly thrown; and even and contempt. But the voracious monwhile the men were drawing him up the ster seized him with horrid violence a ship's side, the monster darted after him, second time, and in a moment dragged and, at a single snap, tore off his leg. him to the bottom. His companions, though not far from him, and much affected by the sight, were not able to render him any assistance.

In the pearl-fisheries of South America, every negro, in order to defend himself against these animals, carries with him into the water a sharp knife, which, if We are told that notwithstanding the the fish offers to assault him, he en- voracity of these creatures, they will not deavors to strike into its belly; on which devour any feathered animal that is it generally swims off. The officers who thrown overboard; but that they will are in the vessels keep a watchful eye readily take a bait of a piece of flesh on these voracious creatures; and, when fastened on an iron crook. They are they observe them approach, shake the so tenacious of life, as to move about ropes fastened to the negroes, in order long after their head is cut off. to put them on their guard. Many, when Their flesh is sometimes eaten by sailors