Either it will presently quit these coasts, or finally it will be captured and we shall be able to study it at our leisure here in the museum of Washington." "And if it is not a marine animal ?" asked Mr.Ward.
"What else can it be ?" I protested in surprise.
"Finish your reading," said Mr.Ward.
I did so; and found that in the second part of the report, my chief had underlined some passages in red pencil.
For some time no one had doubted that this was an animal; and that, if it were vigorously pursued, it would at last be driven from our shores.

But a change of opinion had come about.

People began to ask if, instead of a fish, this were not some new and remarkable kind of boat.
Certainly in that case its engine must be one of amazing power.
Perhaps the inventor before selling the secret of his invention, sought to attract public attention and to astound the maritime world.
Such surety in the movements of his boat, grace in its every evolution, such ease in defying pursuit by its arrow-like speed, surely, these were enough to arouse world-wide curiosity! At that time great progress had been made in the manufacture of marine engines.

Huge transatlantic steamers completed the ocean passage in five days.

And the engineers had not yet spoken their last word.