A slit of a knife let them out in a canoe full of water, which, changed constantly, kept them alive one whole day.

In less than an hour from the time I heard of the ugly brute it was on deck and on exhibition, with rather more than the amount of the _Spray's_ tonnage dues already collected.

Then I hired a good Irishman, Tom Howard by name,--who knew all about sharks, both on the land and in the sea, and could talk about them,--to answer questions and lecture.

When I found that I could not keep abreast of the questions I turned the responsibility over to him.
[Illustration: The shark on the deck of the _Spray_.] Returning from the bank, where I had been to deposit money early in the day, I found Howard in the midst of a very excited crowd, telling imaginary habits of the fish.

It was a good show; the people wished to see it, and it was my wish that they should; but owing to his over-stimulated enthusiasm, I was obliged to let Howard resign.