Such a monster as this seemed unassailable, especially by men who had no missile weapons, and whose eyes were so dim and weak.

I therefore expected that the galley would turn and fly from the attack, for the monster itself seemed as large as our vessel; but there was not the slightest thought of flight.

On the contrary, every man was on the alert; some sprang to the bow and stood there, awaiting the first shock; others, amidship, stood waiting for the orders of the Kohen.

Meanwhile the monster approached, and at length, with a sweep of his long neck, came down upon the dense crowd at the bows.

A dozen frail lances were broken against his horny head, a half-dozen wretches were seized and terribly torn by those remorseless jaws.