It was a shark, certainly not less than twelve feet long.

As soon as the creature was about four fathoms from the raft, the boatswain gently drew in his line until the whirl was in such a position that the shark must cross right over it; at the same time he shook the line a little, that he might give the whirl the appearance, if he could, of being something alive and moving.

As the creature came near, my heart beat violently; I could see its eyes flashing above the waves; and its gaping jaws, as it turned half over on its back, exhibited long rows of pointed teeth.
I know not who it was, but some one at that moment uttered an involuntary cry of horror.

The shark came to a standstill, turned about, and escaped quite out of sight.

The boatswain was pale with anger.
"The first man who speaks," he said, "I will kill him on the spot." Again he applied himself to his task.