I sprang forward quickly, and, with a deep shudder, threw the frightful thing into the sea.
The body from which it had been taken, resting as it did upon the rope, had been easily swayed to and fro by the exertions of the carnivorous bird, and it was this motion which had at first impressed us with the belief of its being alive.

As the gull relieved it of its weight, it swung round and fell partially over, so that the face was fully discovered.

Never, surely, was any object so terribly full of awe! The eyes were gone, and the whole flesh around the mouth, leaving the teeth utterly naked.

This, then, was the smile which had cheered us on to hope! this the--but I forbear.

The brig, as I have already told, passed under our stern, and made its way slowly but steadily to leeward.